I Promise

The diner was warm.

Rain pelted the windows next to me, making it hard to see the dreary scenery outside. Country music played on the other side of the room, and the smell of bacon filled the room. I was too high-strung to notice the warm ambiance. I had too many things on my mind.

The door’s bell chimed as a woman walked inside. I recognized her long golden hair instantly, causing me to flinch. I lifted the menu to hide my face. It wouldn’t matter anyways, she wouldn’t recognize me. She had yet to meet me. But I had to make sure she wouldn’t remember me.

She walked past my table, not even giving me a glance.

I could feel the bench shift as she sat down at the booth behind me. My fingers drummed nervously on the table as I glanced half-heartedly over the menu. The strumming mimicked the beat of my heart.

Her voice spoke out a warm welcome as a friend of hers approached. I couldn’t see who it was, but I guessed it had to be Megan, her best friend. I knew they wouldn’t recognize me, in fact they probably hadn’t even noticed the young man sitting at the booth next to them, but that didn’t stop my shoulders from shifting to the side as the waiter came to take their order.

If one had been observing me and my behavior, I suspect they would think I was acting shifty, maybe even up to no good. They would be wrong.

I wasn’t trying to ruin a life. I was trying to save one. The one behind me.

A figure appeared at my side, nearly causing me to fling the menu to the other side of the room.

“Whoa, there darlin’!” The figure said, an older waiter with frizzy hair. “Sorry about that, hun. Didn’t mean to scare ya!”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I glanced behind me, and gratefully found that I had not caught the attention of the young women.

“What will you be havin’, handsome?” The waitress continued, raising her eyebrows and giving me a warm smile.

She meant well. On a better day I would have countered her bright attitude with one of my own. But I was on a mission and her electric personality was catching more attention than I needed.

“Coffee, black.” I said curtly. “Please.” I quickly added. I wasn’t usually the rude type.

“That all? Not even a slice of pie to go with it?” She pushed.

I bit my tongue, forcing a smile.

“That’s all.” I said.

She nodded, reaching over to grab my menu. “Sounds good, sugar.” And with that she turned and walked away.

Once she was gone my fingers started to dance on the table again. I glanced at the watch on my wrist. It read 8:04 AM. The time didn’t mean much. At least in this particular moment it didn’t. What mattered was who was arriving soon.

He was coming. To this Diner. This morning.

And I had to be ready.

I had to stop him for good. For the woman’s sake behind me, and for mine.

Her laugh caused me to flinch. Megan, if I had assumed correctly, was telling her a grand story about the children she taught. The girl behind me laughed again, making my heart sink. I bit the corner of my lip, trying to rid any tear that dared come up.

I had heard her laugh so many times. Not these times. Moments in the not so far future. Where we met. Where we wed.

My future wife sat behind me, totally clueless that her beloved was so near. And my mission was to save her. From him.

From the man that started this tireless journey, jumping through space and time, over and over again. Today is the day all of it ends.

And so I sat, watching the door.

My waitress returned with my coffee and, gratefully, set it down and left with a smile. I acknowledged her for only a moment, then faced the door again, watching carefully as patrons entered and exited. None were the man I was looking for.

Time ticked on as the minutes turned into a half hour, then an hour. The women behind me had received their food and consumed it. Soon they would get ready to leave.

I knew this was the time he came. I hadn’t made a mistake. So where was he?

My heart was pounding harder in my chest now, the anticipation starting to weigh me down. Flashes of images started to fly through my mind. Ugly, sad images of my trying to save her over and over. Doubt was creeping closer than I liked.

Could I actually stop him this time? Could I save her?

The bench shifted behind me, bringing my attention back to my wife.

“Can I help you?” She asked.

My heart leapt to my throat and as my head shot up, whipping around to see who had approached them.

A tall, thin man stood in front of their table, his eyes locked on hers. Dark eyes.

It was him.

I leapt to my feet, reaching out to stop the man.

His eyes flashed to mine, his expression remaining stoic. He had known I was here.

My hand was inches from his arm, but in the end it didn’t matter. The gun was already pointed at her heart.

The sound was deafening, erasing every sound that followed.

I started as the room fell into chaos. Screams came from Megan, but I couldn’t hear them. All I could do was look at my wife. My Leah.

Dead. Again.

The man vanished, as he always did after taking his shot, disappearing into the timeless void.

I lingered. Reaching out I grabbed my beloved's hand. It was still warm. Of course it would be. I fell to my knee, looking into her eyes. I slowly moved a strand of hair away from her face.

“How many times must I lose you?” I mumbled, tears wheeling up into my eyes.

Red and blue lights flashed across the room as the cops pulled into the diner’s parking lot.

I let go of Leah’s hand, standing from my crouch. It was time to go.

“I’ll save you.” I said quietly, my resolve growing ever stronger.

“I promise.”

I let time stand still, falling into my own timeless void.

“I’ll stop him,” I said, “I promise.”