Triumvirate

Chapter 1

2033

“Good morning everyone! It’s a chilly Wednesday morning here in New York City. Cloudy, with a little sun, but onto recent news- A 21 year old man, a college student, was shot 3 times on the street by an unknown assailant. Nicky Warden miraculously survived and was stabilized after being rushed to the hospital, However police haven't been able to apprehend the suspect and are on high alert. If you see a suspicious man, white and possibly in his late 30’s, wearing a dark hoodie and a mask alert the police immed-” Boop. The old news recording was replaced with black glass reflecting a young man in a sterile, white hospital room. Almost sickly in appearance. No shirt on and dark blue, leaky eyes staring back.

Nicky rubbed the frustrated tears from his wet eyes and chucked the remote to the end of his bed. This motion made him wince in pain at his old aching wounds. The physical altercation constantly gnawed on his mind with rabid teeth as he desperately tried to remember details. Flickers. A masked face. Pale skin. About the same height. A ragged black hoodie. He was Just walking, on his way to his part time Job at a convenience store after class. Suddenly a silver glint in the sunlight. A cacophony of bangs and shrieks. Streaks of color and blurry lights as he hit the ground. Unimaginable pain. The man vanished into the crowd instantly as if evaporated. Nothing that the NYPD wouldn't already know. It's been a month.

“Mr.Warden? You have a guest here to see you,” a nurse spoke up suddenly, with a little knock on the open door. He hadn’t seen her come in.

“Just give me 3 minutes,” he croaked out. She left as silently as she had come. Shifting to sit more upright he finished wiping the reminders of his breakdown off his face and took a deep breath of composure. His friend and classmate Aaron stepped into the room, taking off his raincoat with an apologetic smile. Dripping drops of water on the floor where they darkened the carpet. Hanging it on the back of the only chair he sat facing the bed. He shook out his dark, wet hair, adJusted his glasses, and crossed his arms before either broke the awkward silence.

“Sorry for not giving you a heads up. I was in the area anyway. Errands... How are you doing?” He started, as casually as he could muster. Nicky simply raised his eyebrows, gesturing at his bandaged torso and the leg under the blankets that they both knew were wrapped in the same way.

“Right. Silly question,” he chuckled, “I was wondering if you’re gonna come back to school. Like when you’re done healing up.”

“No.”

“No?! But our proJect! What about being scientists!” Aaron exclaimed, standing up in shock with a squeak from the chair. That is not what he expected to hear at all. Nicky gripped the blanket in his fists and looked seriously out the window. Aaron plopped back down into the chair and dragged his fingers through his still damp hair.

“I understand. Take all the time you need. Think hard about it though.”

Nicky sighed softly and faked a smile, waving back as Aaron left. He didn’t understand. Nobody could. He was scared to go outside. Plagued by the flickering images. He had truly seen his life flash before his eyes. He never went back.

Chapter 2

2036

The dingy apartments flickering yellow bulb finally burst. Nicky sat in the dark. Miserable. Rolling off the bare mattress on the floor he fumbled for the door handle and went outside onto the roof. It was a cool, breezy night lit by a full moon. Lighting up a cigarette he took a long needy drag. How could everything fall apart in what felt like seconds. Those bullets didn't kill him but everything he loved was destroyed by the ricochet. Taylor left him 3 days ago. Out of the blue, the apartment emptied, and a phantom scent of her perfume lingering in the void. He didn't blame her. He dropped out, couldn't get a Job, his mom died, then his dad cut him off. Taking it out on her, always yelling and shutting down. He wished Taylor the best.

He peered over the edge of the building at all the city lights… No. dying was a scary thing. He would give anything to never see his life flash across his eyes again like it had that day. It's almost like there was a faint echo of pain from his gunshot scars as he thought about it. No he wasn’t gonna kill himself… He would kill that son of a bitch though if he had the chance. The flicker of a pale face under a dark hood and mask. The cigarette broke under the pressure of his hand clenching it. A car honk blared down below and he Jumped at the sound. His broken cigarette falling off the roof with the wind and leaving a smoke trail behind. He watched it go. Some sort of spark ignited in him.

The next day he got a Glock and began taking gun safety and shooting classes. He didn't expect to ever truly find his assaulter, but the idea that if he did he would have the power to fight back gave him a sense of control. He needed this. If nothing else than to give him a purpose. He became less afraid of going outside as well. He tentatively looked around for Job applications and thankfully got hired as a dishwasher in a nearby cafe. Not much but at least he managed to keep the apartment bills paid somewhat on time.

“Taylor, I'm doing better. I Just thought you'd like to know. I hope you're doing well too… and I’m sorry, for everything. Maybe we can see each other again sometime?” He gritted his teeth and hit back space.“Taylor, I'm doing better. I Just thought you'd like to know. I hope you're doing well too… and I’m sorry, for everything.” She would probably leave his message on read. He wished solving his problems was as easy as shooting targets at gun practice. He missed her. He needed more money. His car decided to bite the dust and the bus wasn't cheap. He didn't want to see her until he really had everything together.

He got a second Job and a bike. His sleep and health were bad. After a while he thought less and less about Taylor. She never responded back anyways. He started getting paranoid again. His health kept taking dips, he saw the flickers of a shadowy man in his peripheral now and then, but he was never really there. 3 years later his dad died of health complications. He tried to use his inheritance wisely at first but squandered the rest on his addictions and gambling. Another 3 years later and he heard Taylor was engaged.

Chapter 3

2042

He pulled out his lighter and flicked it a couple times before lighting a birthday candle. It stuck out of a vanilla cupcake at an odd angle.

“Happy 30th birthday to me!” He said with false enthusiasm before snuffing the flame and flinging the candle onto the table to eat the cupcake whole. Yellow light bulb flickering overhead persistently as always. He ignored the shifting shadows in the corners.

Slipping on a black Jacket he went outside into the brisk air. Winter was coming around soon. He lit a cigarette, the small flame briefly warming his hand as he shielded it from the wind. He peered over the edge like he did every day. What if? His phone suddenly buzzed, making him flinch. Nobody ever calls him.

“Hey Nicky! It’s me Aaron. Are you still living in Manhattan?

“Y-yeah, I am.”

“Great! I'll pick you up in 3 hours. I have something you've GOT to see. Oh and happy birthday!” he said excitedly before hanging up. Nicky sighed but couldn't stop a grin. Of course Aaron remembered. He was considerate and overly detailed like that. It's been a while since he's really talked to anyone though, it sorta made him nervous.

He gathered his things and got in the black Sedan that pulled up. He didn't know what he expected after all these years but Aaron looked almost the same except for stubble and a new pair of glasses.

“You look… well,” Aaron began awkwardly as they embarked on their long drive.

“Don’t you lie,” Nicky laughed. He knew he was sickly looking from holing up inside and not taking care of himself for so long. “What's all this about then?” He questioned him, “ Surely this isn't about my birthday.” His old friend grinned.

“Think of it as a birthday gift. We finally finished it! The Hourglass proJect. I mean it's a prototype that hasn't been tested on a person yet… But you Just have to be the first to see it!” Nicky was stunned at the news. The Hourglass ProJect was their college pipe-dream essay. An actual time travel machine…

They pulled up to a warehouse that looked eerily calm in a place he had never been before. The sun had already set and it was hard to make out any details on the building. Aaron dug around in his bag, pulling out a big ring of keys and a couple lab face masks.

“It's very dusty and you'll want one,” he said, tossing one to Nicky and unlocking the large metal doors after twiddling with the many keys. The doors opened with a woosh and sure enough, dust billowed up with the sudden airflow.

“I expected… something fancier,” Nicky responded with a muffled laugh, putting the small respirator over his mouth and nose.

“Yeah, well this is very top secret tech,” he said with a tight smile, shutting the doors behind them.

They worked their way through the winding halls of equipment and then there it was. Despite its name it didn't look much like an hourglass. More like a huge soup can. A silver metal cylinder with hundreds of wires coiling around it. Last he had seen it was back in college and it had been way smaller. They could only send paper messages through it then.

Chapter 4

2042

Aaron plugged in cords and booted up the system. Oddly enough the can had a shimmery appearance with all the lights turned on. The shadowy flickers retreated with the dark. Aaron spun in a desk chair and typed some things on a keyboard before running his hands nervously through his hair and turning back to face Nicky again. His voice also muffled through the lab respirator.

“So Nicky, I have something very serious to ask, you can say no… but I was wondering if you'd want to be the first human to try it. It’s only fair after all the work you had done in the beginning…”

“Why not you?” Nicky asked, immediately thinking that was a stupid question.

“I’m the only one that knows all of the processes and hardware and-“

“Yes,” Nicky interrupted.

“yes?! what if it’s dangerous!” Aaron exclaimed, looking rather shocked at his instant compliance. That is not what he expected to hear at all. He never did know what to expect from Nicky Warden.

He stepped into the Time Machine with only a moment of hesitation. There was no seat so he had to stand, Aaron clipping him in place with buckles and straps. AdJusting his glasses as he began instruction.

“So I’m going to send you back to a few hours ago and we’ll do the readings from there-“

“No. I want to go back to 2033,” Nicky stated firmly.

“2033? Wait 2033?! You mean you want to-“

“I want revenge Aaron. I want to find the guy who did this to me,” he continued seriously, gesturing where he got shot 3 times.

“That’s a long time ago… I can’t guarantee you’ll Return... But if you’re sure you want to do this then I Just need you to press this to come back .” He placed something that looked like an AirTag into his pocket and finished, “do NOT lose it.” Nicky nodded.

He didn't know what to expect exactly. Aaron shut the capsule door and punched in coordinates, dates, and times on a keypad. He peered in through the window at him fretfully.

“After you turn the guy in, press the button and come straight back ok?”

“Yes sir,” he grinned with a little salute, but lightly touched the gun in its holster under his hoodie. He had trained and searched a long time to meet his monster face to face, he knew what he had to do.

With that Aaron flipped switches and spun dials, the machine roaring to life. Everything became very bright. The window is a blur. Then suddenly he was floating. Struck with dizzying vertigo he held on tight to the belts wrapped around him. It was hot, searingly hot, and he squeezed his eyes shut as it smelled like his hair and clothes were getting singed. It felt like forever but probably lasted no more than a second when he was hit with a cool breeze and gasped in instant relief. He opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He was no longer strapped into a soup can that's for sure. It was a chilly morning, cloudy with a little sun, and he was standing in front of the convenience store he worked at in college 9 years ago.

Chapter 5

2033

Nicky hurriedly ran through dingy back alleys, the smell of trash after his trip making him a little nauseous. If his watch was correct the accident would occur in about 20 minutes and he HAD to get there first. He had spent 9 years of his wretched life training himself for the opportunity to find his assaulter and exact Justice. The flickers were in his peripheral vision again. The echo of a life flashing before his eyes. The dull phantom ache of his bullet wound scars, his career, his education, Taylor, mom, dad… He can’t believe the incompetent police never found even a trace of the mystery man. That didn't matter anymore though. Through sheer luck the Hourglass proJect was clearly a success. This was his only opportunity and he had to take it.

He picked up his pace, ignoring the shadows reaching around him. Breathing heavy he stepped out onto a busy sidewalk and weaved through the crowd carefully. He was positive his younger self would be approaching from this direction soon enough. Standing up against a building's door frame he scoped the area. He Just had to find that monster before anything bad happened. He checked his watch again. Soon. Squinting he searched the mass of bodies frantically. Losing patience he worked his way into the crowd, readying his hand on his gun as he tried to find himself.

Messy brown hair, dark blue eyes, headphones on, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. Young Nicky Warden was on his way to work, unaware of what events were about to transpire. Nicky moved towards him, careful to keep his distance as he approached. Then he glanced to the right and saw him. Pale face, under a mask, with a ragged black hoodie. Eye to eye with his reflection in a window. He Jumped back startled, bumping into someone, and heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Hey dude watch it,” young Nicky said before faltering at the sight of him.

“It's me,” Nicky mumbled, fumbling with his hands. It was him, it was him, it was him.

“What?”

Before anyone could say anything else an ear splitting bang pierced the air. Nicky had spent the rest of his life searching for the man that ruined it. This time he finished the Job.