According to some quantum physicists, there are many worlds inhabited by sentient beings. Not just planets in other galaxies, but whole other universes with other earths. Some even have another you.

In Earth-7374, a powerful mutant named Wanda Maximoff had a mental breakdown, removing the mutant x-genes of nearly every mutant on the planet. Unlike Earth-616, Wanda also wiped out the memory of superhuman mutations from the general population of the planet and removed mutagenic radiation left over from all nuclear reactions. To prevent future mass mutations, Wanda altered her world's history so that the rise of industrialism and enlightenment occurred before the discovery of electricity. As a result, even advanced machines are steam powered.

Wanda wished to erase all mutation, but even she is not powerful enough to stop evolution.

** One **

Joshua Foley loved his literature courses. The stories of gods and heroes brought out his creativity, while his Theory of Steam Mechanics class just made him depressed. It was bad enough he had to hear his uncle drone on and on about cogs and springs at home.

Josh and his father had been farmers their whole lives - poor, but content in the pastures. With so little market for beef, Mr. Foley had no choice but to sell the farm to avoid foreclosure, moving to the city to work at his brother's mechanics shop. The pay was abysmal, but they had a roof over their heads.

Josh could not fit in with the city kids. They teased him mercilessly for his weight. He had grown up eating meat, unlike the salad-and-tofu crowd at school. He had gotten a bad burn in his Mechanics class earlier that year. He had foolishly reached into a hot coil, which gave him a snake-like burn down his left arm and hand, which gave the other students more to tease him about.

Josh spent much of his time daydreaming. He thought about running away for a long time. The wilderness never scared him as much as civilization.

I can't believe this, Josh thought. That's the fifth time this month I have had a book stolen right out from under my nose. And two hours looking for it, only to find it's ruined! Hang on - why are there so many people in Uncle Harold's shop? Maybe I should go in the back way and find out what's going on.

"Harold, my employer is not as patient as you seem to think he is," said a very large man with a scraggly beard. His voice was low and rough.

"My time is very valuable. There is no chance I'm going to spend it developing a new machine for so little pay. Especially not for your 'employer,'" said Harold, trembling.

"Your time may be more valuable than you realize," growled the bearded man. He took out a knife and waved it in front of Harold's face. "Since you might not have much left!"

Josh could barely see anything from the crack in the door where he stood, but he listened closely to every word. He heard is father's voice, "Don't do it, Harold! Never give in to evil out of fear!"

The bearded man moved so fast Josh barely saw it. He heard his father hit the ground on the other side of the door and saw blood covering the bearded man's knife. Josh bit his lip to stay quiet.

"Brave last words your brother spoke, Harold. But look what that bravery got him!"

"Al-alright!" Harold squeaked, tears streaming down his face. "I'll go with you."

When the men had left with Harold, Josh ran to his father's side. Josh realized his father had died almost instantly, and his heart broke.

After a few minutes of tears, Josh again felt the threat of the killers, who could come back at any time. With the authorities so corrupted by the Kingpin's syndicate, there was no use going to the police. It was time for Josh to run. He threw some jerky, a skin of wine, and a large knife in a bag and took all the money he could find.

Josh tried to look inconspicuous as he left the city at the nearest gate on the west side. After a few hours of hiking, Josh came to a clearing.

Here is as good a place as any to stop for the night. Josh thought. He quickly gathered wood and started a small fire. I better keep the fire small. If it gets too big, it would give me away if I was being followed by those men who... who...

For the first time, josh felt the reality of what had happened. He cried for a very long time and started gulping down the wine.

Josh felt a tingling in his arm. He ignored it at first, but it began to feel very hot where his burn was. When he looked at it, he saw it was changing colors from an angry red to a luminous gold right before his eyes. Josh touched it gently with his fingers. The pain was completely gone, and the skin felt soft and moist.

Josh heard a voice in the woods that seemed to be echoing all around him. "That's interesting."