By: Lily Han

The lights of Lalily’s apartment start flickering violently. Creek, the lights are falling down… Lalily blinks, seeing them about to crash into her head.

“Now activating Time Initiative,” her phone suddenly says, the device is
glows purple and floats eerily next to her.

Crash!

It’s dark out, Lalily finally wakes up, only to find herself surrounded by smooth obsidian stones. The place is dusty, and no lights can be seen in the distance.

Swoosh, a shiny pink truck appears in front of her. But wait… there are no wheels… it’s floating!

Lalily blinks in shock. That cannot be a floating car! I must be imagining it. Ok, calm down, just focus on figuring out where you are.

Lalily gasps in shock, “Excuse me, who are you? Where am I and why am I not dead?”

“Oh I’m just a delivery woman,” the driver says, ”this is where they store all the obsidian pebbles for construction, and you seem very much alive to me. You seem really young… is it your first time escaping home? If you want… I could give you a ride.”

“I suppose you could say I’m escaping… so sure. I would love a ride, and I have nowhere to stay tonight. Do you know any place around here?”

I don’t think this driver realizes I’m 23, but I’ll just play along. I have to get out of here.

“Hop on. You can stay at my place”

Lalily climbs into the backseat, “Thanks, that would be great,” she knows how dangerous this could be, but at this point, who cares?

I really need to get back home, but I have to sleep soon, it’s almost dark out. Oh, the comfort of home.

“My name is Helen. Say, I have a daughter a little bit younger than you. I have a son too, he’s around your age, perhaps a bit older,” Helen says, “We’ll have to take a while to arrive home, I have to stop at the electric station to fuel up.”

“My name is Lalily. Uhm, could I please borrow your phone? Mine ran out of battery.” Lalily asks.

“Of course,” Helen unlocks her phone, “here.”

Wait… How am I supposed to use this device? Why is it so different? Think, Lalily, think! Yeah, I’m pretty sure my last brain cells are not working.

“On the other hand, I think I’ll just try the phone at the gas station, with the cord thingy. You know?”
“Sure,” Helen replies, “but those are so glitchy, not to say hard to use. Oh! And we’re here. I’ll be waiting out here, please make it quick.”

Click, clack, click clack… “I’m sorry, but the recipient you are trying to reach is not available.”

Calm down now… One more time.

Click, clack, click clack… “I’m sorry, but the recipient is not available.”

Great.

Lalily looks up to tell the cashier, “thanks for letting me use the phone. Also, I think your calendar’s wrong.”

The Cashier seems surprised, “It’s August of 2030, what’s wrong?”

“You must be joking! It’s 2024! How did you even get a calendar for 2025? Honestly, I know stores stock up, but not this intensely?”

“Have you gone crazy?” the cashier questions, “it’s 2030 of course.”

“Never mind,” Lalily replies, “It’s fine. I… um… I should go.”

And there goes my last brain cell, completely dead. Then again, a floating truck would make more sense in 2030.

After a long car ride, Lalily and Helen arrive at the village near 10:00 PM.

A sour looking boy and an innocent looking girl greet them at the front door.

“This is Lalily, she’ll be staying with us for the night.” Helen says.

“A new friend?” the girl asks, “Great! My name is Miranda, and my big brother is called Steven. I’m 16, he’s 24.”

“Hi,” Lalily says in a tired voice, “I’m 23.”

First time I met someone more energetic than me, it’s not fun. Am I always this annoying?

“All right now, she’s tired, Miranda,” Helen says, “let her sleep.”

In the guest bedroom, Lalily ponders the day’s event.

Is it really true? I’ve traveled further in time. I’m a time traveler! But the most important question of all: How do I get back?