One Month Into The Past.

Sebastian

I woke up choking on a scream as pain exploded through my body. I sat up instantly, clutching my chest and coughing hard until I felt tears sting my eyes. The last thing I remembered was crashing and my bones snapping—

I paused and looked around in confusion, wondering why I wasn't dead yet or turned into a freaking zombie. I was fine. I felt fine. My bones were intact. 

There was no blood on me and no bite marks either, making me wonder if it was all a dream. I was back in my room, in the comfort of my bed and it felt like everything was back to normal.

I rushed out of bed and glanced outside the window, gaping in shock when I saw it was just how it used to be before the pandemic struck. Drones flew around and the robotic whirring of AI models walking around filled the air. Everything was back to normal. Or I'd probably just had the weirdest, longest dream ever.

Something on the nightstand buzzed so loud that I flinched on instinct but I recognized the sound almost immediately. That was the ringtone for my alarm.

I hurriedly grabbed my phone with shaky hands as I glanced at the date and I audibly gasped in shock. The date was staring right at me, unblinking and I had to rub my eyes to be sure I wasn't hallucinating.

It was indeed June 19th, 2065. The apocalypse happened July 19th. One month from today. 

I refused to believe that this was real. There was no way that I woke up one month before the city of Sloradath was reduced to ruins. But I knew everything that happened was too real to be a dream.

The pain, the bites, the betrayal…

My best friend and girlfriend leaving me to die.

Just then, a birthday tune filled the air and I glanced at my phone to see that it was my birthday. My calendar remembered my birthday while I didn't. 

I suddenly remembered what happened on my birthday before the apocalypse. The biggest nuclear energy plant had exploded and clouded the city for weeks. That very day, the AI bots started to malfunction and all of them began to drop dead. 

That was probably the trigger before the apocalypse.

I remembered it vividly because it fell on my birthday. 10:28 AM. It was still 10:25 AM. Three minutes to know if this was all a dream or if life was playing a trick on me.

Two minutes had passed and I was tapping my feet nervously as I stared out the window. The moment the time shifted to 10:28, I held my breath. But nothing happened. 

I couldn't help but let out a scoff of disbelief as I ran my hand through my hair. What was I thinking? That time travel was real?

“Stupid—”

My words stuck in my throat when a loud explosion filled the air and I crouched down immediately as air rushed into my room, nearly knocking me off the ground.

When it settled, my breath shook as I glanced out the window with terror. Like rain, drones crashed to the ground and bots glitched, collapsing and shutting down.

This was exactly what happened the last time.

It was happening again.

“Oh god.” I swallowed as I placed my hands on my head. 

Sirens blared as police cars filled the road. Just like the last time, they will reassure everyone that nothing was wrong. That the cloud over Sloradath was nothing but a protection. They will reassure us with news that the AIs and drones were a simple malfunction. 

I remembered believing them the first time like everyone did. The military, the president, everyone reassured us that everything was under control.

In minutes, the sun disappeared. The dark cloud hung over the sky but there was no rain. People stood outside staring at the sky in disbelief. Tweets began to spread about it.

“Is the world coming to an end?”

“Are we dying? What is happening in Sloradath!?”

I collapsed onto the bed with a scoff as I stared at the ceiling. I really made it back in time and was given a second chance after being betrayed by the people I risked my life for.

Which immediately reminded me that today was also John's birthday. I used to think he was the twin I'd always wished for because we were born on the same day.

On my last birthday, Ria had wished me a happy birthday and nothing more. I was content with it, love was blind after all. But she had bought John his favorite sneakers, claiming he asked her to.

I believed her then. Now, I didn't know what to believe.

I didn't even care what I believed anymore. All that mattered was that the city would be collapsing in thirty days. And I had to leave immediately.

I wasn't about to fight zombies when I could just leave. Whether Sloradath survived or not wasn't my problem anymore.

I hadn't been given a second chance just to throw it away saving people who wouldn't save me. Selfless Sebastian died on that cliff that day.

My phone buzzed once again with a notification from John and I couldn't help but click on it.

John: “Where are you, man? Don't let the dark clouds stop you! We can't start my birthday without you, remember? Ria is here already.”

Ria was my girlfriend but she was at his place instead. I was stupid to believe the last time that maybe they planned a surprise for me. 

I scoffed once again as I made my way to my closet, throwing my things into my suitcase. I would attend the party. Just to be sure that everything was in my head and that maybe they cared about me.

I knew deep down this was impossible. 

After packing, I freshened up, ate good food, took my time to finally leave the house and this time, my phone was already blowing up with calls from John. 

I ignored them and made my way to John's apartment, the dark cloud hanging over me. I paused for a moment as I turned to a billboard to see the president talking about the nuclear plant.

“The dark cloud is not dangerous. It'll clear away soon. Sloradath will be back to normal again.” He spoke with a confidence that seemed fake. It was fake.

I scoffed and continued walking, my hands in my pockets. My phone rang just as I got to the door and I saw it was from the delivery company that I had ordered a cake and a surprise birthday package for John.

How did I forget?

“Hello?”

“Sir, your delivery is on the way—”

“Cancel it.” I said coldly and he went silent.

“But sir, there will be no refunds.”

“I know.” I replied and ended the call before walking into the apartment. My eyes roamed the space crowded with people and I finally saw Ria leaning against John as they laughed.

Surely I was a fool previously not to notice how their eyes sparkled when they were near each other.

John finally saw me and his smile brightened as he rushed up to me, nudging my elbow gently. “You made it! I almost thought you wouldn't when you weren't answering my calls.”

“I overslept.” I lied, staring at him with a flat smile. “Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, man!” He said with a grin, throwing his hand over my shoulder. “Now that my best friend is here, we can finally cut my cake and begin the celebration!”

No “happy birthday to you too, Sebastian”. 

Funny. We shared the same birthday, but somehow it never felt that way. 

“Hi, babe!” Ria muttered as she came to my side, kissing my cheek gently. She was by John's side the next second, holding a cake in her hand with a candle sitting on it.

“Make a wish, John.” She whispered with a smile and true enough, John clenched his hands and made a wish. Then he blew out the candle.

Ria suddenly turned to me, a look of panic on her face as she walked up to me, nudging me gently.

“I forgot to wish you a happy birthday too! I'm sure John made a wish for both of you.” She said, smiling and I finally turned to her.

Past Sebastian would have told her it was fine. Part Sebastian was too selfless and blind to realize that he has always been nothing but the background.

Ria suddenly kissed my cheek again, and I would have melted. That was all it usually took to make me give in.

But now, when I stared at her, I felt nothing. 

Unfortunately… or maybe fortunately, the past Sebastian was dead.

“Ria.” I called out softly and she looked at me in expectation. “Let's break up.”