Hi. So, I'm a really massive fan of the TimeRiders series, and, being so underrated, decided it needed more fanfiction.
This (incredibly) short story follows Sal during The Mayan Prophecy, just before she walks unknowingly into chaos space for her 'death'.
Sal sat up silently and pulled her knees to her chest. How long had she been trying to stay still, waiting for the others to fall fast asleep? Minutes? Hours? It could have been years for Sal. It didn't really make a difference.
That was her biggest problem. She couldn't bring herself to care anymore. She'd spent so many hours awake in the darkness these last few weeks, trying to figure out what was missing. At first, she wanted her other self, her real self, to be free, live a long, happy life. She'd gone through so many plans in her head to stop Maddy and Liam from messing with what they had no right to mess with. At first, she'd felt like taking Waldstein's side. Maybe he was innocent. Maybe he meant well, that meddling with the flow of time really was life-threatening. Then, slowly but surely, her hope grew to suspicion and then to a bitter hate. He didn't care about them, about humankind. He was a selfish, crazy old man. That much was clear. Before long, Sal figured out the truth- you can never trust anyone. Ever.
Of course there were those bittersweet moments spent with Bertie. Maybe, in another timeline, she'd have longer with him. Sometimes Sal would daydream about this idea. But she knew it was impossible. An unplayed card. A lost future. There was nowhere she could settle, with the burden she'd been forced to carry from day one.
Trust no one.
These harsh words echoed through her mind as she glared at the others. Liars. All of them. Traitors. They went against her at every oppurtunity, even when they knew what they were doing was wrong. She stood. They were all fast asleep by now. Now was her chance. She knew what to do next. She'd known since she'd found the chamber earlier, all alone, as usual. She made her way over to the entrance, with the stance and facial expression of a soldier about to begin a final battle. No use in hesitating. She had nothing left in the world to lose.
Finally, she made it down to the main chamber, and spread her hand out and split her fingers into the symbol she'd noticed on her last visit. Maybe if the others hadn't been so busy, she would have mentioned her discovery. After all, she wasn't a Pikodu champion for nothing...
All at once, Sal crumbled. Her legs felt weak, and she stumbled. With nothing to hold onto, she slipped on the rough ground before landing in a heap on the floor. She blinked, dazed. A Pikodu champion. No. That memory was fake. All of them were. Just files planted into her artificial head. All of them… except the new ones she'd made. With Maddy and Liam. Together. They were real, weren't they? A taste of something she couldn't describe.
Sal felt hot tears slither over her cheeks, but she herself reamined silent and stony-faced. A new, real life, all hers… what had happened to her? Why was she doing this? This had nothing to do with the other Sal anymore. Sal's hands began to shake. No. She'd had no true life, and she never would. Every ounce of her existence was false. Maddy, Liam, Waldstein… they'd all taken what could have been away from her before she had a chance to have it. Sal was fake. An echo of a girl. Some girl who was surely going to have their live stolen away too, if things carried on.
Sal cracked. She stood, sobs vibrating her whole body. She needed to leave. Wherever that time window led would be Sal's new home. It didn't matter what or where. She simply had no choice but to leave.
To hell with Maddy and Liam, she thought, spreading her hand out with new resolve. This new life was Sal's and Sal's alone. Sal Vikram would finally be free.
One last stray thought echoed through her head: They were your life. Your memories. You existed together. They were your everything.
"Were. Not anymore," murmured Sal, even though there was no one around to hear it but her. Then the window opened with a gust of wind, and before she could think too hard, Sal walked into the light.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Reviews are appreciated.
God, I miss Sal so much.
