Daniel and Kenny have been friends since high school; they didn't have much in common; Daniel was a skinny science geek, the smartest nerd in school, while Kenny was the usual popular jock. But what connected them was their brains. Kenny was the popular guy, but he was even a little smarter than Daniel. Even though they had different social circles, they understood each other better than anyone because they had the same level of IQ.
Daniel and Kenny stayed in touch after school and even became best friends.
Daniel started his research lab, single and still enjoying the perks of it, while Kenny worked an average job and had a wife and daughter—Elise, who he loved most in the world.
Once in a while, they would start a project together, and Kenny would visit the lab regularly. It was their leisure time and it made them remember the school days.
So, for the past three years, they have been working on the biggest project of their life—a time machine. And finally, it was complete. They had built a machine that would allow them to travel back in time.
The machine transfers their consciousness back to their past self, when in the past they can only live on normal time for the time set. Once the time is up, they are sent back to the present only 3 seconds past—at least, that's just how it feels. They return to a new life which is based on the changes or decisions made during the time set.
“You ready?” Daniel asked Kenny. They were both seated on chairs facing each other wearing metal helmets connected to a power box.
“Don't tell me you are getting cold feet now," Kenny mocked Daniel.
"I don't know, is this the right thing?" Daniel grew more reluctant.
"Look, we always wish we could've bought Bitcoin before it skyrocketed, right? So why not fulfill our wish?” Kenny said, “Besides, we used the probability machine, we just returned, and the only thing different would be the Bitcoins in our wallet; what could go wrong?”
“If we don't follow the probability path it could change everything, not just wealth," Daniel said,
“And that is why we won't deviate from the path," Kenny reassured him,
Daniel shut his eyes as he started the countdown, "1…2…3" and then he pressed the remote button in his hand.
1 second… 2 seconds …3 seconds.
“We are back, did it work?" Daniel said. They took off their helmets.
Kenny brought out his phone and opened his wallet. He showed Daniel the screen.
Daniel's eyes widened as he saw so many digits. He put his hands on his head as he said like he saw a ghost, “We are rich, we are rich…” till his demeanor changed from being shocked to jumping around and jubilating like a child.
Kenny just smiled, something felt wrong.
“Hey bro are you alright?" Daniel asked when he noticed Kenny weirdly silent; his reaction to becoming a multi-billionaire wasn't a usual one.
“Yeah, I'm alright, guess it's just everything. I think I need to get back home and take it all in," Kenny said.
“Alright, bro, take your time; we have all the time and money in the world," Daniel said.
Kenny went home, he drove slowly like he was scared to get to his destination.
He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw his house was still there, the same. He went into the house; he noticed something different: the house was now painted blue; it was white in the morning.
“Honey is that you?"
He felt his heart calm as he heard his wife's voice.
I thought you wouldn't be back till noon, she said as she kissed him.
Yeah I just needed some rest he said
“Okay, I was just on my way to pick up the kids,” she said
His wife was at the door when he realized something was off and asked "Kids?“
The wife turned and laughed. "Yes, silly, our boys?” She left without noticing Kenny stood frozen.
“No,” Kenny said as his eyes teared. He looked at the family picture and finally noticed what was missing all along—it was Elise, she was gone. It was him, his wife, and two cute twin boys who looked just like him.
On that spot, he crumbled as he cried out, “Elise!”
He blamed himself; in his probability path, he was meant to buy Bitcoin and then walk south for three hours without making any interaction. Who knew he would see his wife when they hadn't met? He was still stunned by her beauty and stared till their eyes met. They looked at each other till she waved and that is when he remembered himself and continued walking. Who knew that little mistake had huge consequences?
Kenny mourned Elise alone because, to every other person, she never existed.
He went back to the lab with a bat, and Daniel wasn't there; with a couple of swings, he destroyed their years of hard work. He didn't blame the machine, but he didn't want anyone to ever experience the pain he felt. He knew Daniel might never forgive him for being selfish and not giving him a choice for what they both built together, but he couldn't risk it.
At night, he bonded with his boys and read them to sleep; as he kissed them goodnight, he went to the window and looked into the sky as he said, “I remember you, my Elise.”
