December 1, 2026
The date printed in the receipt must have been some sort of mistake.
I was born in 1999 and turned 18 years old yesterday so this year should definitely be 2016.
However, the series of strange occurrences which kept piling up can no longer allow me from denying this reality.
"No way. . Am I really 10 years in the future?"
How could this happen? Is it really possible to travel through time?
Wait a minute, there's a possibility that I was transmigrated in a novel set in the modern times, right? I should check for any difference in my appearance first.
In a nearby public restroom, I saw the reflection of a normal teenage girl with shoulder length light brown hair and brown eyes, it was my usual face.
I felt a bit disappointed after confirming that this wasn't a case of transmigration.
Why did this happen to me? I'm just an average person living a normal life with my family. The only peculiar fact about me is having amnesia a few years ago.
I can't recall anything prior to that time. Did I perhaps forgot something important?
Well, jumping to conclusions won't solve anything. If this is really 10 years in the future, then it would mean that I had disappeared for 10 whole years.
My family would have been worried about my disappearance. I should go back home first and tell them about this strange occurrence.
The road and scenery felt slightly unfamiliar but there were still things that remained the same.
Upon reaching my destination, I rang the doorbell and saw the silhouette of a woman with long hair as she opened the door.
"Mom!"
"Hello. Do you need something?"
"Oh, I'm sorry"
Well, that was embarrassing. Did I go to the wrong house?
The location and exterior of the house is the same as I had remembered though.
Regardless, I need to gather more information from this person. Apparently, she has been living alone in this house for the past 9 years. When I asked if she met the previous tenants, she didn't seem to have any idea.
"This house was already vacant when I moved in"
"I see. I'm sorry to bother you all of a sudden. I'll leave now"
There was no trace of the people who were supposed to be living here
What exactly happened 10 years ago?
The only clue I have left are my friends. Nessa and Mia might know something.
That reminds me, Nessa's house is not that far from here.
I decided to take the train and tried to use my subway pass but it didn't work. Having no choice, I bought a one-way ticket using my remaining cash.
When I arrived at the next station, it took around 5 minutes of walk then I was finally able to reach my destination.
Nessa's house was quite big compared to the other houses in this neighbourhood so it's pretty easy to find.
I rang the doorbell and the door opened shortly. Nessa's face didn't change that much but she looked taller and more mature.
Her eyes widened in shock.
I'm shocked too, you know. My friend who was just 18 years old yesterday suddenly became 28 years old today.
"Nessa, it's me!"
"You. . Where have you been all this time?! Do you know how much I was worried about you?!"
Nessa teared up and pulled me into a hug. It seemed like she was really worried about me, it's been 10 years for her after all.
Once she calmed down, she dragged me to her living room.
I began explaining about the portal at the aquarium and time travel shenanigans.
"Let me get this straight, you're trying to say that you came from the past, accidentally entered a portal then time travelled 10 years into the future, is that what you're saying?"
"Yes, I know it sounds crazy but you have to believe me. Before I came here, I went to my house and a stranger was living there. Do you know where my family is? They must have been worried about my sudden disappearance and should still be searching for me"
Nessa hesitated to speak for a while
"To tell the truth, no one from your family looked for you. You were not reported missing after all"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"10 years ago, I still remember that day as if it were yesterday"
It was really just yesterday for me though.
"The day you suddenly disappeared from the aquarium, I tried to look for you everywhere. Mia said something really strange that time, she asked who you were and didn't seem to remember you at all.
That same day, I went to your house but there was no one home. After a few days passed, I tried to file a missing person report to the authorities but they couldn't find any records of you and your whole family. No trace could be found, it was as if you didn't exist in the first place."
I didn't know how to explain anything to Nessa.
I don't have any idea what's going on either.
There is only one thing on my mind. I need to find a way to go back to the past as soon as possible!
While I was focused on thinking about going back to the aquarium, Nessa suddenly fell unconscious in the sofa.
It was too late to notice that there was another person in the room.
"Nessa!"
This person wearing a black cloak and a mask covering their eyes is definitely suspicious. I need to escape from here but I can't just leave Nessa behind.
When the mysterious person removed their hood, long silver hair flowed.
"Who are you? What did you do to Nessa?"
"Don't worry, your friend is just asleep"
This voice sounds familiar. .
I was utterly shocked when she removed her mask.
"Mo-mom?!"
"I'm glad I found you before it was too late"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Listen carefully, this world is going to end soon"