The world went dark, just for an instant, and then
the soul of Lauren Branning left her earthly body flat lining in the
back of a Walford Ambulance and in that instant she was gone.
When Lauren opened up her eyes a harsh, bright light assaulted her senses.
She was standing in what appeared to be the hallway of an
empty courthouse; although it couldn't have been in England because it was too clean and bright.
Before she had a chance to figure out how she had ended up here the heavy oak doors of one of the courtrooms opened slowly
and out came a man dressed in a suit and tie.
Average height and build with dark hair, of indeterminable age, he was entirely unremarkable in any way.
"The judge will see you now" he told Lauren , holding the door open, and seeing no other alternative Lauren followed him through the door,
hoping someone would tell her what in the world was going on.
The judge who presided over the empty courtroom was unfamiliar to Lauren as well; with his stark white hair and thick glasses she would have guessed he was long passed the age of retirement, yet when he looked down at her his blue eyes revealed the keen intelligence of a man fully in control of his mental facilities.
Lauren and the man that had escorted her into the courtroom stopped in front of the judge's bench and waited as the judge stared at
Lauren 's penetrating gaze making her feel as if he was examining his very soul. Finally the judge turned his gaze from Lauren to her escort.
"You may proceed Mr. Jones."
Mr. Jones cleared his throat. "Honorable Judge Othniel may I present my client Lauren Branning.
Jones whispers to Lauren:
"You are technically dead. U died when u fell and cracked ur head on the sidewalk when u were binge drinking.
But you don't necessarily have to be dead and done.
What I am saying is that Judge Othniel might give you the chance to be able to go back and prevent your past self from dying."
"Othniel looks at Lauren 's file. According to this, ur uncle is the infamous Derek Branning. Othniel sighs.
Miss Branning, Is there anything you regret"?
"My drinking I guess. It killed me, it killed my cousin Billie,
and of course Bianca and my folks had drinking problems. Billie didn't need to die.
Judge Othniel nodded. That was all the encouragement that he needed. "And what would you do if you were able to go back and try to make yourself change and prevent ur cousin 's death?"
Her eyes went wide with surprise. "Really? I mean…can I really do that?"
"That's what Judge Othniel is here to offer you." Mr. Jones replied. "A second chance."
"Oh, if only I could get the chance to go back. If only I could get the chance to go back and right the wrongs in my life."
"And what exactly would that be, Lauren?"
"I'd help my younger self to stop drinking and also save Billie 's life. My family has had enough tragedy and bad luck.
Judge Othniel seemed to be satisfied with that answer. He reached into his big black bag and pulled out his mallet.
"Then Lauren , may you succeed in your quest.
You will have three days, and three days only, to go back, and save your cousin's life and change your future.
No one will recognize you; you are a free agent in the universe, with the blessing of God Almighty and His Court."
Wham!
Instantly the scene changed. "Where are we?" Lauren asked, looking around.
To Be Continued…