1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Lost in Time

As I groaned, trying to shake off the fog of unconsciousness, the world slowly came into focus. Blinking against the harsh winds, I found myself sprawled on the side of a desolate highway, surrounded by a line of towering trees. Confusion washed over me like a cold wave as I struggled to piece together how I ended up here.

Suddenly, like a switch had been flicked, the noise of passing cars, sounds I didn't even recognize, and the rush of wind assaulted my senses, disorienting me. Everything felt too loud, too intense. I felt overwhelmed, like I was on the brink of a panic attack. I had to regain control, find some semblance of normalcy in this chaos.

I closed my eyes, my racing heartbeat echoing in my ears as I thought back to an old lesson in middle school about calming down in situations like this.

It's in the breathing.

Inhale...exhale...repeat. I'm okay. Slowly but surely, the noise started to subside, becoming more manageable. Minutes ticked by as I laid on the grass, eyes shut. As my heart rate steadied, I gingerly opened my eyes, taking in the world with a renewed sense of clarity.

Carefully standing up, like a child taking their first steps, I still managed to stumble.

"This doesn't feel right."

I couldn't help but be struck by how different I felt.

I'm taller, I feel like I can flex muscles I never knew I had.

"What happened to me?" I whispered. I looked down at my hands-I don't remember them being this big-flexing my fingers in disbelief. Even my skin is darker. This can't be real, I thought to myself, grappling with the surrealness of the situation. My mind swirled with questions and doubts, but I couldn't deny the reality of my new form.

In that moment, I noticed the unfamiliar clothes clinging to my body. They were nothing like anything I owned or would choose for myself. It dawned on me that this body I found myself in was not my own, and a wave of unease washed over me like an icy tide.

A noticeable weight in the left pocket of my jeans caught my attention. A closer look revealed a well-looked-after green wallet.

Inside I don't find much. $12 and a school ID belonging to-…

To me. It's not my picture or my birthday, but it's definitely my name.

Looking at the photo, the brown-skinned kid seemed to be around a teenager. "Russell Valentine. Date of birth September 24th, 1987."

That was 36 years ago; this guy can't be more than 19.

Shoving the wallet in my pocket, I felt frustrated, confused, and more than a little scared.

"I'm losing my mind. Either that or been abducted by aliens and put in someone else's body." I mutter.

Never thought I'd say that combination of words. Yeah. Mind officially lost.

I jog up towards where I can hear the cars passing by, brushing past the massive trees that are blocking out moonlight.

"This is definitely not Atlanta." I mutter as I reach a dark highway, with the same tall trees lining both sides.

On this side of the highway, a bright sign caught my attention— a small, cozy diner nestled next to a gas station. Cheryl's Nook. The hunger gnawing at my stomach became that much more obvious, and the prospect of finding answers within those walls drew me in.

Gazing at the headlights flashing by, and the forest background, there isn't anywhere else to go.

Pushing open the diner door, the soft jingle of a bell announces my arrival. The interior embraced me with warmth and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Indoors gave me a sense of relief.

A friendly-looking, blonde waitress turned towards me, her eyes filled with curiosity and kindness.

"Hey there, hon! Welcome to the Nook Diner. Take a seat anywhere you like," she said, her voice laced with a hint of southern charm.

I flashed her a hesitant smile, my uncertainty bubbling beneath the surface. "Thanks," I replied, choosing a seat at the counter. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts and figure out my next move.

The waitress approached, balancing a notepad and pen with ease. "What can I get you, sweetie? Coffee? Breakfast?"

I considered my options, aware that I needed time to process the frightening turn my life had taken. "Just a black coffee, please," I requested, hoping the bitter brew would jolt my mind awake. Either that or wake me up from this nightmare.

As she jotted down my order, my eyes couldn't help but wander to the wall furthest away from me. There were an unusual number of faces hanging on it.

Six missing persons, their faces etched with grief and longing. A tinge of sadness washed over me as I stood to get a closer look.

The first to catch my attention was, I'm guessing, a middle-aged man. Lee Campbell. His poster smack bang in between the others.

Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned around to see the waitress.

She sighed, her expression growing somber. "Unfortunately, a lot of people go missing around these parts recently. It's tragic. A lot of families left wondering, searching for answers."

I scanned the dates written on the posters, my eyes widening in astonishment. "Wait, these are from 2005?" I questioned, my mind struggling to wrap itself around the impossible.

The waitress, a hint of sadness in her eyes, nodded. "It sure is strange, isn't it? All towards the end of the year as well. The ones that have been found… those poor people. Animal attacks says the Sheriff."

I felt a chill run down my spine as her words sank in. Animal attacks? There was something profoundly unsettling about that.

I glanced at the waitress's name tag. "Linda." I uttered quietly, grabbing the attention of those curious blue eyes. "W…What's that date?" I stutter.

"Um- Sorry," she apologizes, sounding embarrassed. "I've never been the best with dates. Let me grab the newspaper for you-"

"No, it's alright." I interrupted firmly, spotting the paper on the counter. "I got it."

Marching over, I swiftly grab the paper and read the front.

That's not possible.

"That's it, November 4th." Linda's voice exclaims beside me.

"2005." I mutter, shell-shocked.

My attention was abruptly drawn away from the possibility I had not only changed bodies but also time-traveled, as a loud ring erupted from my back pocket. Confused, I fumbled to retrieve an outdated Nokia phone that I hadn't even realized I possessed.

It was the type of old phone that doesn't let you save numbers. Grimacing, I picked up.

"Hello?" I answered tentatively, unsure of who could be on the other end.

A voice crackled through the line, laced with worry and relief. "Russ? Is that you? Thank God! Where are you? I've been so worried!" It was a man I didn't recognize, although his concern and relief were palpable even through the distorted connection.

Probably a friend of whoever's body this was. I didn't want to alarm him, knowing that revealing the truth would certainly only add to my list of problems. "Yeah, it's me. I...got a little lost. I'm trying to find my way back," I replied, my tone laced with a mix of uncertainty and reassurance, trying not to worry the stranger.

His voice trembled. "Oh, thank goodness. Please, you need to get home. I've been going out of my mind searching for you. Mom thinks an animal got you. She was this close to calling the cops. Are you still sick?"

Sick? Mom? I'm guessing this was my brother.

I pause before answering. "No. I feel... well, I feel fine."

I can feel the worried brother turning into the pissed off brother.

"You're fine huh, then where the hell are you? You've been sick, Russ, for two months straight, you need to go back to school. You took time off because you needed it, but today was the day you were supposed to go back."

Time off from school? None of this made any sense to me. I look at the clock, one of the few functions this phone does have. It's almost 9 pm.

My mind flickers back to the school ID I found in my wallet. "I'll be at school tomorrow, I promise. Just cover for me with mom. I'm staying at a friend's house tonight." I lied.

Please work.

Linda practically tip-toes with a coffee in hand. I mouth a thank you to the waitress.

"Fine." He replies. I silently smile. "Whatever you're doing, you make sure you're at school tomorrow. I'll personally be there to pick you up." He promises.

Before I can hang up, I hear one last thing. "Just make sure… make sure you're safe."

Despite not knowing his name, he seemed like a good brother to have.

With the conversation over, I had a newfound and bizarre sense of purpose. I'm guessing that ID belongs to me now. So I'm a teenager again. I'm a student: I have a home and family waiting for me.

"Better than being homeless." I mutter somberly, feeling alone despite this new family.

Pulling out my wallet, I analyze the card.

"Hey, Linda." I call out to the waitress. "You heard of Forks High School?"

She blinks. "We'll, I've heard of Forks. It's a town a few exits up the highway."

——————————————————————-

I needed to get back to Forks, to reunite with my so called worried brother, and figure the truth behind this bizarre situation.

Okay mostly I'm looking for somewhere to lay my head tonight.

But with no means of transportation, I braced myself for a long walk on this endless highway.

Hours passed, the weight of each step not wearing on my legs at all. Whoever's body this is must have really been into cardio. Time was ticking by, every second felt like I hell with nothing but the sound of speeding cars whizzing by. I really didn't want to be walking for god knows how long.

Restlessness crept in, urging me to find a solution, and so I made the decision to hitchhike.

How does this go? Stick my arm out into ongoing traffic and hope somebody doesn't slam into it?

"Works in the movies." I sigh.

After what felt like an eternity, a middle-aged man in a police cruiser pulled over. For a second I thought I was getting arrested before he asked "where you headed kid" Relief washed over me as I hopped into the passenger seat, grateful for the respite from my arduous journey.

"Thanks for picking me up, officer," I said, a note of gratitude in my voice.

He nodded, his eyes flickering with suspicion as they swept over my towering frame. "No problem, kid. What brings you out here on your own?"

I considered my response, careful not to reveal too much, at least for now. "Just...trying to get to Forks. Need to get back home."

The officer's eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity brewing in his gaze. "Forks, huh? You a native there?"

I shrugged, attempting to appear nonchalant. "Yeah, I suppose."

The tension in the car became palpable, and I noticed the officer's grip on the steering wheel tightening. Sensing an unspoken tension, I decided to speak up, my need to fill the silence getting the better of me.

"What's the deal with all the missing people around here?" I asked, my voice cringing.

Great conversation starter idiot.

He glanced at me, his face etched with a mix of caution and weariness. "It's...complicated. Officially, they say it's animal attacks. Bears, maybe. But I've patrolled these woods for years and never seen evidence of it. Doesn't quite add up if you ask me."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease at his words. It seemed that something more sinister lurked beneath the surface. But before I could delve further into that very unsettling revelation, an unusual tapping sensation pulsed through my head, causing me to flinch and grab my temples in surprise.

The officer noticed my sudden distress, concern etched across his features. "You alright, kid? You're not coming down with something, are ya?"

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the peculiar sensation. "No, I'm fine. Just a little headache, I think."

We continued our journey in silence, the tapping sensation fading as quickly as it had come. My thoughts, however, wander and race, trying to make sense of this new reality I found myself in.

Time travel? It seemed almost too fantastical to comprehend, but the evidence was mounting. The familiar had been ripped away from me, and I was left with this strange body, in this unfamiliar era. My heart ached at the thought of my loved ones, left behind in a time I might never return to.

My mom

My sister

My dad

My brother

Would I ever see them again?

Anger bubbled within me, fueled by the overwhelming sense of loss and confusion. I grabbed the first thing I could, my phone, and clenched my fists. It's a habit of mine to find an impromptu stress balll whenever I don't feel too good. I clenched my fists around the phone, as if holding onto my old life.

Crunch

Looking down I see the old phone crumbled in my grip. Instinctively shoving the phone in my pocket, I hope my current ride never saw that. A quick glance tells me he was fortunately too focused on the road.

I frown. The phone was old, but not that old. I knew this body felt strong, definitely looks it. Maybe I underestimated just how strong it is. Its becoming clear that along with this unexplained transformation, I have also gained an unnerving strength. Another mystery to add to the ever-growing list.

I lean back and decide to enjoy the ride for now.

As exhaustion started to creep in, I close my eyes, seeking respite in a momentary nap. My restless mind played havoc with my thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me.

——————————————————————

The car slowed to a sudden halt, jolting me awake from my restless slumber. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I looked out at the dark streets stretching before me. Look like a normal small town, no tall buildings and not too many people out at night.

It was time to face whatever lay ahead. This car felt like a small escapee from having to deal with… whatever happened to me.

With a grateful handshake and a word of thanks to the cop, I stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushing against my face. The officer glanced at me, his hand lingering on the door handle, a curious look in his eyes. "Take care of yourself, kid," he said, his voice heavy with concern. "You feel strangely hot. Are you sure you're alright?"

I gave him a reassuring smile, though uncertainty lingered. "I'm fine, really. Actually, I feel better than ever," I lied, my words laced with a nervous awareness of my changed condition .

He nodded, though skepticism still danced in his eyes. "Alright, just keep an eye on yourself. Get home safe, now."

With those parting words, the officer drove off into the night, leaving me alone on the unfamiliar streets of Forks.