Peak points

All of that was so random to me, and I just didn't want to process any of it at that moment.

"Okay, listen to me. I don't understand a single thing you just said, but all I know right now is that I have to gather as much information as I can from the old man, save that kid from being kidnapped by 'whoever-the-hell-knows,' and end this mess ASAP."

I said all of that in a single breath. Anika stood there looking at me for a moment before picking up her iPad and scrolling through something. I had no idea what she was doing, but after almost 15 minutes, she turned it off and said, "Listen, Peter, I can try my best to help you, but it doesn't matter what you do. Nothing is going to change in the present because you're the only person who traveled to the past. Even if you make a hundred changes in the past, nothing will change in your present. It'll only create multiple temporary timelines that won't last more than 171 days."

After hearing that, I pretty much realized how screwed I was. To get out of this mess, I had to find a way back to my own timeline. I looked at Anika with distrust.

"How do you even know all this stuff?"

"Peter," she said calmly, "I told you an hour ago that I've been researching quantum physics and time travel for the past 15 years."

At that point, all I knew was that no matter what I changed in the past, it wouldn't alter the present. My only option was to collect as much useful information as I could to save the kid in my timeline.

"Anika, I need your help to get everything I need to save the kid—not here, but in my timeline."

Anika handed me a phone. "We'll use this to stay in contact because your phone won't work here—it's from the future timeline."

Suddenly, a thought hit me. "Anika, you said if I make changes in the past, it'll create temporary timelines that collapse in days, right?"

She nodded. "Yes."

I continued, "So, I've met you in this past timeline, and we've had this entire conversation. Won't that affect this timeline now?"

"No, it doesn't work like that," she said, motioning for me to follow her. "Come here."

Anika took me to her massive monitor, which displayed something I had no clue about.

"See this straight line? That's our timeline. The large points at intervals along the line are called peak points."

"Peak points?" I asked, confused.

She continued, "Yes, peak points are events that maintain the flow of the timeline. They're necessary for the timeline to progress properly."

I still didn't understand, so I asked her to explain further.

"There are certain events that play a massive role in people's lives—like the kid going missing. You traveled through time only because that kid disappeared, right? Events like that are called peak points. If you change something about these peak points, it disrupts reality and creates multiple branches. Other than that, it's fine."

I decided to focus on gathering all the information I could to save the kid.

"Alright, Anika. Let's get as much information as possible to save that kid."

"Sure, Pete. Let's do this," she said with a nod and a smile.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. As I lost consciousness, I caught a glimpse of Anika standing there, watching me fall to the ground.

When I woke up, it was blindingly bright around me. I was sitting in a chair, my hands cuffed together. It was hard to open my eyes because of the brightness, but eventually, the lights dimmed. In front of me stood a man, dressed like a gentleman, though his actions clearly suggested he wasn't one.

That's when I thought of Anika. I was sure these scumbags had tied her up too.

"Where's Anika? Where is she?" I demanded.

The man bent down to face me. "You don't need to worry about her. It's all been handled."

"Tell me where the hell she is right now! You don't understand how messed up this situation is!"

He grabbed my hair tightly, pulling my head back. "I don't care about your situation. I need you for a greater purpose, so let's focus on the bigger picture."

I kicked him in the leg, and he let go of my hair.

"You're not getting anything from me! I don't even know who the hell you are, but I swear, I'm about to lose it, and I don't know what I'll do to all of you!"

I was so angry that tears filled my eyes.

"Wow, that's a lot of talk for a white kid tied to a chair with no one to help," he mocked.

"I'm 28, you son of a bitch!" I snapped back.

"Not my concern," he said dismissively as he walked away.

"Wait! At least tell me where Anika is! Hey!" I shouted after him.

He stopped and turned slightly. "She's the one who handed you over to us. So don't worry about her safety—the bitch isn't your friend."

He smirked as he said it, and that's when I realized just how completely screwed I was betrayed by Anika.

To be continued