Past, Present, and Future

He could see the past. He could see the present. He could see the future. They all blended together in his eyes. The colors guided him along. If there was sound around him, he couldn’t hear it. There was no time to try. Despite this new setting, nothing changed. He felt a clock ticking in his chest. He closed his non-existent eyes.

Are you there? Can you hear me?

He opened his eyes. Yeah.

Good. I don’t have more time to tell you this, so you are going to have to listen closely. The child paused as if to take a breath.

I am going to break you up into little pieces. No, just listen to me. We need to do this. Just keep still, it won’t take long. There is something that I need you to see. You have to understand the truth of this situation.

What? What are you talking about? What truth?

I can’t explain it here. You have to see for yourself. When you do, you can bring his ambition to an end. Do I have your permission to do this?

Masayuki closed his eyes as more colors filled his being. The warmth took over him from the inside. Yes.

Keep still.

He couldn’t feel his body. Still, he knew that he had to keep going. Pieces of him were scattered throughout time. The barking in the distance told them both they had to work faster. Footsteps ran faster toward him. All he could do was pray.

We’re almost done here.

He closed his eyes as the last part of him was zapped away. The hounds ran into the emptiness and stopped. The child flew away as they were left sniffing on the ground.

Good luck, Masayuki. You have to take it from here.

The past was in yellow. The present was bright. The future was deep purple. All three ran together. All to put together the truth.

The home stretch begins now.