“Who’s there?”

“Be quiet, and this will all be over soon.”

Jake’s gasp broke the silence around him. He had done it! He had gone back in time! He was going to save Tom’s life! He crept downstairs as he continued to listen to the conversation of Tom and his dad.

“What do you want? I’m telling you, I’m armed!”

“Don’t be stupid, Kiely.”

Jake reached the bottom of the stairway, and hid in the shadows again. He knew he would be able to see the “fight” from his spot, without being seen. What he didn’t know was if he would he have to protect Tom from himself, or just watch the natural procession of events.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“I said to be quiet. Don’t make me tell you again, Kiely. And you have to do this. Now, come with me.”

“Can’t I say good-bye to my family?”

“No. Just know you will see them again. Now let’s go.”

“Don’t do this in front of Janice or Jake.”

“Fine. Follow me.”

Jake saw the shadows at the top of the staircase. He hadn’t seen himself come down the staircase, so he figured he just had to watch to make sure everything went according to the original plan.

Tom and Kiely reached the end of the staircase. Kiely turned around to look at Tom. Tom pulled out the gun, slowly, carefully. He pointed it at the carpeting. There was a soft click as the safety catch was pulled back. Several seconds later, the bang of the gun broke the silence. Tom put the gun back in its holster on his waist, as Kiely opened the door. The two of them left, with Tom closing the door as quietly as he could. There was a soft sound of running feet, growing fainter and fainter as the two men ran away.

Jake quietly ran back upstairs. He heard quiet sobbing coming from his parents’ room. Poor Mom, he thought. But he didn’t go in. He didn’t want to disturb her more than she already was.

He turned to go to the Portal of Time, ready to return to the present for the final time. He opened the door and saw a paper lying on the floor. He closed the door and grabbed the paper before the room started shaking. The shaking seemed to be only a few seconds this time, shorter than the other times. When the shaking stopped, Jake looked at the paper.

Congratulations on figuring out that everything happens best the first time around. The Portal of Time will be here the next time you need it, but now you know that it does not give much help.

Jake smiled and left his room. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he could hear his mother, still sobbing.

If only she knew the truth, Jake thought. And he walked over to comfort her.