Ends Ended with Me

Never Imagined a machine that she built herself to travel through time would instead take her to a living nightmare. Her name is Viona, a young scientist that obsessed to become a time traveler. After pressing the only red button of her time machine, she felt her stomach twist with a strange sensation before being dragged into a dark vortex. When the view opened up before her, she could only stare in disbelief. The world she now stood in was the very vision of ruin. Buildings lay shattered, the air was thick with black smoke, and the ground cracked and shook as if in agony.

Her first day in this world was full of terror. The wind howled with a sound like wailing, forcing her to stay on high alert, afraid of what might emerge from behind the ruins. Day after day, she began to scavenge for food and water from the remains of buildings, even though everything was covered in dust and mold. This new life chipped away at her resilience. Every second in the silence, despair crept in like poison, corroding her thoughts. She grew more tired, more hollow, with each passing day.

Months went by, and she was losing her reason to keep going. When she finally stood, swaying, at the edge of a tall, half-collapsed building, she had lost all desire to live. But just as she was ready to give up, someone grabbed her forcefully, pulling her back from the brink of death.

“Are you stupid or just reckless?” a deep voice boomed, sharp and trembling. In front of her stood a man with a strong build, sharp eyes, and a gaze filled with anger. Iona couldn’t say a word, frozen in shock. The man introduced himself as Aaron, and somehow, the look in his eyes brought a warmth that Iona hadn’t felt in a long time since she end up in this world.

In the days that followed, Aaron cared for her, ensuring she ate and rested. Iona began to feel a little lighter, a little more whole. Over time, she started telling him her story about the time machine that had brought her to this world. Aaron listened in silence, then revealed that he too had come from a different, more peaceful world.

“We need to go back,” he said one day, his gaze steady. “Let’s make the time machine again, so we can go back to our world. I’m sure we can do it Viona!” Aaron with his enthusiastic convinng Iona.

The hope that had nearly died out in Iona’s heart rekindled. Together with Aaron, she began gathering any remnants of equipment that might be useful. They explored every corner, through the ruins of the city, avoiding dangers that lurked in the thick smoke. Their journey became a thrilling adventure, but each night, as they shared stories and watched over one another, Iona realized that Aaron had become a strong reason for her to keep holding on.

However, after a year of searching and assembling, when they finally managed to find the last parts and reassemble the time machine from scattered components, Viona felt so happy that finnaly the time machine that she build with Aaron is completed. Apart of her happiness, she felt that Aaron was smirk unclearly as not as usual.

“Today’s the day we’re going home,” he said. Iona smiled in relief, eager to leave this nightmare behind. As they stood in front of the machine, vibrating and ready, Iona stepped inside first. But before she could understand what was happening, a hard push on her back sent her stumbling out of the time machine’s doorway.

“Aaron?” Her voice broke, seeing him standing inside, looking at her. His expression was no longer warm but cold and merciless.

“Sorry, Iona,” he said softly. “I only use you to show me how to build this time machine so i can go back to my world.” Aaron smilled at Viona.

"Why Aaron? I thought we would go back to our world together?!"

Aaron laugh to Viona "Hahaha! Silly you, you're such a naive. How can you just put your trust to someone you just met?" He looked down at Viona with his evil tone.

"Ho-How could you do this to me, Aaron? Why Aaron, Why?! After everything we've been through.." Viona looked down in dissapointment. her chest is hurt knowing that Aaron stab her in the back.

"I'm sorry Viona.. But honestly i dont care, Hahah! Then I shall say goodbye." After saying that, Aaron pressed the green button, and he disappeared before her eyes, leaving her frozen in emptiness.

Loneliness wrapped itself around her again, but this time with a sharper pain. Yet amid the despair, a fire of anger slowly ignited in Iona’s heart. Not just anger at Aaron, but also at herself. She felt foolish for ever hoping in someone else. Now she knew she had to find her way out alone, and she would do it without relying on anyone else ever again.