I could have sworn that if I turned on my digital camera in that moment, those two pictures would have been on the memory card...
It all started earlier in the day when I took a drive with a friend from capoeira class. She just got her license, so her driving made me nervous. She was driving in the direction of a popular mountain in our state. If she didn't get off the route she was on we would end up driving all the way to the top. In most cases I would enjoy this... but I didn't trust a noob to handle the ever narrowing road ahead.
I kept warning her that if she continues driving the visibility will get worse due to clouds and the road will narrow... making it easier for her to DRIVE OFF THE CLIFF! I kept pleading "I don't want to die. Please, just pull over and turn around." She continued on.
I could tell we made it pretty far up the mountain once there was a break in the clouds. We could see for miles as we looked to our left. There was a large glowing orb hovering over the tree line with four bolts of electricity streaming up towards the sky. The bolts traveled so high into the sky they appeared endless. I pointed it out to my friend, who, despite seeing such an anomaly, kept driving.
We continued into another cloud, losing all sight. As we drove blindly onward a huge crash of thunder made us both jump from our seats. This time I told her sternly "Listen, we are almost to the top... Once we reach the top there is literally no more road...Just ledge. Stop driving."
She kept driving.
Another break in the clouds revealed the end of the road and the ledge I mentioned prior. She finally stopped the car. We cautiously got out of the car and curiously continued forward; this time, on foot. With our backs against the tall rocks behind us we inched our way toward what appeared to be a portal surrounded by an arch made up of stone and two mighty swords.
As we approached this possible doorway to another world a person entered through it. They didn't notice us. As they marched on they adjusted the sword on their back. In total disbelief, while also thinking this looked like something out of a Final Fantasy video game, I looked to my wrist--there hung my digital camera from its cord. I knew that if I could at least capture a picture then I would have proof to bring home with me. I took two snap shots before the two of us continued on with our adventure.
We made it to this one story, yet rather large building. We found a way in and as we walked through the halls we could tell it was some sort of home. Whether it was a rehab facility or psych ward; we would never find out. Everything seemed quiet until we turned the corner. Suddenly, there were people dressed up in Darth Vader masks with streamers all over their bodies dancing through the hallways. They were all headed toward us but would jingle on by us as if we weren't even there.
We finally reached what seemed like the front desk where normal looking humans sat. We knew we stood out and tried to locate our nearest exit point. While trying to get away we were noticed. A nurse in her blue scrubs chased after us as we ran through the back yard of this place. I recognized the stockade fence surrounding the property. It was so familiar to me I actually toyed with the idea that this was once the backyard to my childhood home.
Right as we reached the fence the nurse caught up to us. She was trying to question us and I knew if I told her the truth she would think we belonged locked up. So I somehow bought us enough time to figure out an exit.
The sun was setting as my friend and I walked down the road. Once night fell we came across a little town with some street shops. We stopped to catch a breath, and as we did one of my ex roommates pulled up into the parking spot next to where we were standing. He was in a wheelchair. I don't know why I had the thought that I had next... but I thought "maybe, history really does repeat itself. In the life he lived before he was confined to a wheelchair. And now, he is confined to one again." I looked up and saw another familiar face in the passenger seat of the car passing by. I yelled out to him "Walt!" He turned to my shouting voice and squinted his eyes while trying to figure out who I was. I knew something was different. I put my hand up in a "never mind" fashion and he drove off.
There was now a man on the sidewalk who approached me. He started asking me questions which lead me to believe he could also tell something was different. I told him that if I shared the truth I would end up like the guy in that movie where he claims to be from the future, but that concept is so nuts that they locked him up. The man didn't recognize the movie reference and continued probing for answers. I told him that we were from the year 2012. He went on to explain how the year I mentioned was used in some form of numerals that they do not use. He continued to tell me about the number system they have in place, their math, and their sciences.
Of course I couldn't follow any of it. It was so beyond anything I had learned in school...even college. I asked if he could convert the year we were presently in into my numerals. He responded "oh. yes. One second..." I wasn't ready for the answer he was about to give. "7073" he replied.
My stomach turned. I looked up at my friend and shouted in shock "SEVENTY-SEVENTY-THREE!? Did you hear that!? We're in 7073!"
Right as I said that a friend we went to high school with showed up and came running over to us. He called out both our names. My friend and I looked at one another and knew that we were not the same friends he thought we were. We pulled him aside and told him that, as crazy as this may sound, we are from the past. I told him what year we come from and that we just celebrated Christmas two days ago. I remembered I had my camera with me. At this point we had gained a small audience. I asked if everyone would like to see pictures from where we came from. Of course they did.
I pulled my camera out and struggled to turn it on. Everything went black.
I opened my eyes.
I was in my bedroom. "But... it felt so real" I thought.
I could have sworn that if I turned on my digital camera in that moment,
those two pictures would have been on the memory card...
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