Chapter 3

2102,

A playground in Lahore: -

Young nine-year-old Shahood is playing football with his friends. He scores one goal. All the kids playing alongside him are enjoying too until Shahood falls on the grass and hurts his knees. The other kids don't know what to do, so they rush towards Shahood's home and call Shahood's mom out. Although the injury isn't fatal, Shahood is still feeling the pain. Shahood cries all he can while facing the first injury in his life. The ointment and his mom's words soothe him and he stops crying. "Look, now the pain will go away in no time." Says Shahood's mom as she sits close to Shahood on their bed. Shahood stops whimpering and looks up at his mom. "Will the blood go away too? It scares me." Asks Shahood innocently.

2111: -

Cruise ship, Caribbean: -

Two guards have Shahood pinned to the ground while he tries to break free. He struggles as much as he can, but he isn't let loose. Another guard is about to shoot him with a gun and end him. Shahood stops struggling to know that he is going to die but before the guard can pull the trigger, a voice from behind stops him. Shahood raises his head a little to see that it's Patrick. "I am dead." After saying this, he lays his head back down again. Patrick approaches him and offers him a hand to stand up. "None of the other should ever know of this." Patrick whispers into the right ear of the guard. Patrick looks back at Shahood and smiles. Shahood unknowingly smiles back. "I am good all alone. I have Allah on my side." Says Shahood optimistically. "Your country used to say the same." Patrick pats on Shahood's shoulder and moves on towards his plane but when he sees Shahood is not following, he looks back. "I know about your past. You need help. Also, I wasn't asking, it was an order." "Get him inside. (Patrick orders his guards)." The guards hold him by his arms and take him inside the plane.

Melbourne, Australia: -

Shahood quietly sits inside Patrick's office waiting for Patrick's arrival. Patrick comes in after a few minutes. Shahood tries to stand up but Patrick signals him to sit down. "Here, take these biscuits to ease off the tension, mate." Patrick holds a jar of biscuits in front of Shahood but Shahood rejects them. Patrick takes one biscuit for himself, takes a bite and puts the jar down. "So, you have a nice determination. I knew about you since the start, but I never thought you would do such a thing." Shahood looks up at Patrick with rage. "Y-You knew, but you did nothing while those students laughed at me." Says Shahood. Patrick shakes his head in the negative. "I know you are afraid of blood. You left your passion just because you wouldn't have to look at blood anymore. You had your mom before, but now you don't. Your hand is full of blood but you didn't notice it till now (Shahood looks at his hand). Good thing is you faced your fear. "Shahood looks back up at Patrick. "How do you know about all of this?" Asks Shahood. Patrick stands up from his chair. "Well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve and I wouldn't press charges against you if you do me a favor." Says Patrick as he offers his hand to Shahood. "How can I help?" Shahood holds Patrick's hand to stand up. "Time travel." Shahood looks at Patrick in disbelief. "What?" "This isn't a suggestion or request for you, Shahood. This is an order."