Title: Against the rules

Chapter 34: Wake me up

/.\

Tracer's POV

It felt like a lifetime.

It probably wasn't. But the pain was so persistent. So… long.

This was only for the first stage.

The first stage always felt the worse. It's the most disorderly part. The part where my partials are deciding where to go.

I guess they never decide where they want to be. But they seem to calm down later on in the process.

If I could I would scream, I would weep, cry, throw things.

But I guess that's the worst part. Not being able to do anything about it. Not being able to control the things that happen to your very body.

It's exhausting.

The next thing I notice is that I am in the next stage a lot longer than last time.

There are three stages to this process. The going into time, staying there and then going back to the present.

the time spent here depends on how long I spend it time all together. And by the looks of things they are taking their time to bring me back.

Oh well. Just as long as Amélie is okay.

/.\

It feels like I've been here for centuries.

I've become so numb to everything that is happening around me. The flashes of the past and future becoming like advertisements, something you ignore completely.

The only time I do pay attention is when it shows me anything involving my old life.

There was one where Amélie got scared over a spider in the bedroom we shared. Me in that time laughed and removed it for her.

Oh this cruel cruel world. Showing me a life I wished for more than anything.

But sometimes time shows me something I don't want. Something I really don't want.

There was several where people I know die. The worst ones were the ones with Amélie.

Sometimes she kills them and other times she's the one who dies.

But still.

Time is cruel.

"That I am." an ominous booming voice says in my conscious.

What the fuck? Time isn't a person. Is it?

"Well no. But I am a personification of time. And you have been in my realm longer than most."

What do you mean? There's other people like me?

"No. Where do you think dreams come from? Sometimes people's consciousness comes here while they sleep to visit the past or to see possible futures. Most never remember though."

Ah. That makes sense.

"I want to see what's wrong with you that made you this unstable."

Time travel accident. I think plainly, time showing me a split shot of the slipstream.

Yeah. That.

"This is why you shouldn't play with time. Alright. I'll try to teach you some things to help you control your particals."

Really? I can control this?

"Well yeah. You won't be as strong as me but it's your own time and body you've lost control of. You won't be able to support yourself entirely but your friends are making an anchor for you."

They are? Do you know how Amélie is doing?

"I think it's best if you see for yourself when the time comes." it says cautiously.

What could have possibly happened?

/.\

"6 months."

That's how long I've been here?!

"No that's how long I've been teaching you for. You've made excellent process by the way."

Thank you but why is it taking so long?

"they had to work from scratch. The research on time was lost so they had to figure it out from there. It's almost finished by the way."

Really? How was it all lost..? Talon.

"Yep." the voice adds.

He got away?

"Yes. He's smarter than you think. But you can take him with your new abilities."

You're feeling nice today. Did you bang your head or something?

"obviously." the voice adds sarcastically.

/.\

I feel an angry pull from all of my particals.

"looks like they've figured it out. I'll visit to see how you're doing."

Thank you for everything love. I look forward to seeing you again.

I hear a slight chuckle before the pull becomes too much. Without thinking too much into it I dive into the current.

I'm going back.

I'm going back to see Amélie.

/.\

Gasping for air desperately I clutch my chest. My heart is beating. For the first time in a long time.

I take a deep breath relaxing against the cold hard concrete floor. Why does something so uncomfortable feel so good.

Cold… cold… Amélie.

I sit up abruptly and look around. I was in a medium sized room with a large blue cylinder in the middle. It has large coils of wire and enough tug to keep a thousand people mounted to the present.

"They really didn't have a clue did they?" I ask standing up to check it over in more detail.

I was half expecting a response from time but was greeted with silence. I sigh heavily. Will it visit me? It was my only friend through the time I spend there.

"Lena!" I hear a small, tired voice exclaim. I soon get tackled from behind in a bone crushing hug from someone smaller than me.

"Hana." I gasp spinning around and pulling the smaller figure closer into an embrace. Why does physical contact feel so good.

Said girl was wearing a t-shirt that has a faded image of one of her favourite games and pink skinny jeans with blue stitching.

I then feel another pair of arms wrap around me. Strong but tired from possibly staying up late for several nights.

I turn my head to see the Doctor, I wrap one arm around both of them and hide myself in their embrace. Oh god I missed this.

Angela was wearing a black turtleneck under a classic doctors jacket. Her legs are clad with white skinny jeans.

I bask in this feeling that I once took for granted. My chest swells with love as I hold onto them. They brought me back.

"Amélie." I whisper as I pull away slightly, looking at the two of them. Their faces suddenly turn grim as they think of what happened while I was absent.

"Where's Amélie?" I demand more than ask the pair, my brows furrowing.

"Amélie… isn't with us anymore…" Mercy says cautiously, her hand reaching out to cup my shoulder.

My chest explodes with pain and tears prick my eyes.

No…

She can't…

I feel my body become numb.

She can't…

She can't leave me...