Chapter Three - The Barn

Isaac Woodman

T2 2025 - A week passed by without much fanfare, I noticed no change in the environment around me. Joyous expressions plastered the faces of passers-by, utter disregard to their health and complaining about the smallest of things. It was just so different to what I was used to. When there was laughter, it was after a gruelling test. When there was Joy, it was only after childbirth, and not much else. This normality was what we had fought for, to return to a world without death and destruction. I sighed aloud as I passed the people on the street, taking their lives for granted. I didn't stop, but trekked on. My feet were sore as I reached a small dirt road that veered off from the concrete, the sign that hung near it made me smirk as I pushed onwards, nearing my destination. I looked upwards as the cool droplets of rain opened up from the grey clouds above, caressing my face before colliding with the dirt underneath. As I walked through the English weather, the ground slowly became slippery as the mud lapped at the water. I trudged forwards, making a careful effort to avoid falling, but soon, the dirt road became layered with wood chips that led into the main farm complex. The farm wasn't huge by any means, but it wasn't small either. The main roadway forked off into different directions, the path straight ahead led to a building of white brick and had a thatched roof. The main house was of a relatively large size, but it seemed smaller surrounded by a lengthy wall of fence panels where a few animals grazed. To the left of the house was a large barn that was easily much bigger than the house. Flashes of oranges lit the inside of the structure whereas the house was dark and still. I climbed over the wooden padlocked gate and made my way over to the barn.

"Who are you?" a voice stated from my side, and I turned to face the scowling figure. Sebastian looked very different to his future counterpart, unlike his future self which was malnourished and spindly, the man before me was muscular and wore a slight tan, but they were undoubtedly the same person.

"I'm Isaac Woodman," I extended an open palm and watched Sebastian extend his own, shaking my hand with an obvious sense of hesitancy. "I need to speak to you with urgency, is there anywhere we can talk? Somewhere out of the rain?" Sebastian looked at me with a perplexed expression on his face.

"Talk to me about what ? I don't know who you are or why you are here." He crossed his arms as the rain battered both of us.

"I know this is going to sound strange, but I know about the power you have." He didn't mean to show me his expression, it was brief as he stiffened and his neutral expression faltered for a moment, but it was enough.

"What are you-"

"There is no need to lie to me, I know you want this kept secret, but I need to discuss something with you urgently."

"I want you to leave, I have no interest in your games." he gestured to the exit, trying his hardest to not seem shaken. I turned to leave, feeling his gaze on me as I opened the gate door.

"I just thought that you would rather keep your ability secret, what was it called-" I purposefully stood still, stroking my chin in mock contemplation, "give and take was it." I could feel fear and surprise radiate out from Sebastian as the wooden gate slammed shut from in front of me as if pulled by an invisible hand.

"How, how did you know that?" It was weird to see him so scared, his future self faced his death with a grin but the man before me hadn't gone through the same despair as he had, so even though I knew that he wouldn't act the same, it was still jarring.

"Like I said, I need to discuss something with you." Sebastian nodded as he led me to the barn and out of the rain.

It was obvious to me - even with my lack of farming knowledge - that the interior of the barn had been recently remodelled. The wooden walls had been encased in an Armor of interlocking metal sheets that displayed a rough target design that had been painted onto them. At the centre of these targets, the paint had seemingly melted away, drooling white liquid onto the dark amber of the wood beneath. The storage areas for hay were also empty and the only thing that remained were a couple of black sofas that were tucked away in the far corner which seated two figures that were engrossed in conversation.

"We can talk here," Sebastian said matter-of-factly. His voice carried around the empty interior and the two seated figures stopped talking, turning to face us.

"Are you ok with them listening in?" I asked and Sebastian simply nodded.

"Those two are my close friends, I don't mind what they hear, but why are you here?"

"Gods, this is going to sound weird now that I think about it, but, you've got to at least hear me out," I sighed, formulating what to say next, "I, I come from the future." Sebastian's face turned into one of utter incredulity as I spoke and I didn't blame him. "I know that sounds weird, but I knew you, or going to know you. Ah, this just sounds weird, so I'm just going to say it. I come from a future where the earth is dead and humanity with it, the reason we died is, in part, because of you."

"What?" Sebastian muttered, the look in his eyes already classing me as someone crazy.

"Which nut job did you bring in here," a new voice interjected and I turned to see the two friends of Sebastian heading over. The man who had spoken was familiar also, he was easily over 6ft tall, but unlike the muscular physique of Sebastian, he was more lean, as if his frame had been stretched. Out of the people I had met so far, including myself, he looked closer to what he looked like in the future, just that he missed a few scars on his face. Jacob Malnew was Sebastian's bodyguard in the future, I just didn't know that they had been friends prior to all of this. I, for the first time in a while, felt hope in the situation, sure I had found Sebastian, but we needed allies and Jacob used to be one of the strongest. In comparison however, the other figure seemed much shorter as he walked beside Jacob, people would've overlooked him if it weren't for the fiery orange hair that curled and spiralled inwards on itself. I didn't recognise him, which told me enough.

"I'm not a nut job, it's just hard to believe," I replied when they were closer.

"What else are ya then if you seriously want us to believe this bullshit."

"Someone trying to save us all." Jacob scoffed as he heard my reply. "But, is it really that difficult to believe, you can control fire and he can take any power that he doubles as his own." Jacob's sneering face turned into one of surprise and he looked at Sebastian questioningly.

"How the fuck does he know about that Sebastian ?" he asked, pointedly looking away from me.

"He could be telling the truth," the ginger haired friend stated which caused Jacob to look at him questioningly. "He would have to prove it somehow though, which shouldn't be too difficult if he does indeed know the events to come."

"I just can't believe you two are taking this twat seriously, and Henry, you of all people should be suspicious."

"Don't get me wrong, I don't fully believe him, but the timing is a bit perfect, don't you think, and I'm not one to dwell on coincidence, and besides, as -"

"Isaac," I offered as he paused.

"Thanks, as I was saying, Isaac here stated it perfectly, you can control fire, it's not too much of a stretch to believe that someone else has the power of precognition or time travel. Though I do admit, it is somewhat more difficult to just accept."

"What do I need to do to make you believe me?"

"Tell us everything." Sebastian stated before gesturing to the sofas.

"I think it's better to start at the end," I sighed aloud as I took a seat on the sofa across from the group of three. "Twenty years in the future, Sebastian announced to everyone what his true power was. The ability to double the natural output of other people's ability, and in return, take the base amount for himself. For example, if an ability lasts for exactly thirty minutes, then he can double that to an hour. As you may already know." Sebastian hesitantly nodded to my explanation. "The reason why he kept this quiet was because of a thought you had, or most likely have, or about to have." I racked my brain at the use of tense. "It doesn't matter, but you kept this quiet for twenty years because you believed that these abilities were not given by chance, but for a reason. And after twenty years of hiding, you finally came out and showed everyone your true worth, to fight for humanity in one last bid for survival, but-" I paused, recalling the silence of the once cheering onlookers as Sebastian's head rolled across the scorched plateau where he had fought. "Long story short."

"I died." Sebastian said, an uncertain sombreness to his tone. He wasn't anywhere close to believing in me just yet, but it's a start, as long as he's willing to listen. I nodded a confirmation before continuing.

"Yes, but now that I already know what is to come, you won't fail this time. I know this is heavy, and I know that you still don't trust me, but if you will allow it, let me stay, and I will answer any questions the three of you have to the best of my ability."

"You can stay here." Sebastian said after a few moments of contemplation.

"Are you fucking serious?" Jacob questioned Sebastian, standing as he did so, looming over the man. "From what I've gathered, he's-" he pointed a long finger at me, "probably pulled that story out of his ass. Please tell me you don't believe him too Henry?"

"It's not the fact that I trust him or not, you have to understand that we are in a bloody weird situation here. It's not just an everyday occurrence that one of my best mates suddenly conjures fire and the other is the supposed saviour of mankind. I would rather wait until he can provide proof of his claims before I make a judgement, if we were to send him away, and his story proves true, what would you do then, Jacob, beg for him to come back? " Jacob looked away sheepishly and I tried to withhold a smirk. It was rare seeing Jacob, this paragon of strength and power, be so helpless from a few words.

"What are you smirking at?" Jacob said in a sneering tone.

"I think we should call it for tonight," Sebastian stated as he stood. "Isaac, though I don't trust you, I at least believe you are sincere enough to not cause problems if you stay the night. You alright sleeping out here ?" I nodded. "Good, the three of us will be in the house if you need us." Sebastian placed a hand on Jacobs back steering him towards the door. "We will talk more tomorrow."

"That's fine with me." I stated as I watched the three of them leave the barn. I twisted and laid down across the length of the sofa, letting my feet dangle off of the arm rest. I knew that it was difficult to accept, but I had a few weeks left to convince them until the first event began. So as I stared up at the barn roof, I thought of elements of the future, deciding on what to tell them, and what to keep to myself.