Just Go Back

Owen looks thirty, but he's lived many days many times over. Decades pressed thin and folded over.

He discovered his Talent accidentally. It's a knack, like snapping your fingers, only in more dimensions.

It makes him successful. He just keeps re-doing until it's perfect. Interview. Business deals. The lottery. Sex.

He's callous. Loss is meaningless.

He was a dorky kid, Before. Still nondescript-looking, but he's got his shit together. There's a depth to him, something about his eyes. Grandmothers say he's an old soul.

He's barely thinking of Heidi, waiting in a restaurant across town. He's busy flirting with another woman. Mira. His high school crush. I'll just go back, to when I hadn't...

Mira always rejected him, no matter how many times he re-wound.

Now, the prickly edge that warned close enough, loser has dissolved. She's complimenting him, brushing lint off his shirt. Gazing at his mouth, leaning close. Closer than the loud music demands.

He enjoys her perfume. Lips brushing his ear, boobs nudging. Her predictable tittering at his crap joke.

They tumble into her flat, playfulness evaporated. He hesitates. Do I want this to be rushed?

He shrugs it away with his shirt, gasping under her tongue. I'll just re-do...

Afterwards, without even wiping away her lipstick, he Steps smoothly through time and meets Heidi at the restaurant.

He returns to that moment, to Mira, the way others use their hand.

Next time, he takes his time.

The third time, he insults her, just to see her expression. He laughs, fucks her anyway. She's easy to pin. I'll just go back...

Another time, he puts his hand on her throat.

He loses count.

He squeezes her throat again. This time much harder, without stopping. I'll just go back...

He's returning her intense gaze. Her desire is hot and fresh, but he's bored of her. He smiles.

He plays the game, dances the steps... and in her flat, between kisses, says,

"There's something I... always wanted to tell..."

"What?" She hooks a leg round him.

"You need to get over yourself."

He fastens his buttons and walks calmly out of the flat, wrapping her shock around him. Heidi waits for him in the restaurant.

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Word count excluding note: 366 Submitted on Wednesday 14th August at 23:57

A Year of Stories: I'm writing a story every day this year. This one continues my 227 day streak since 1st January. Please consider lending your support to the other creators on this madcap "a story every day" adventure. They're putting out excellent content every day! Rachel Deeming Gerard DiLeo Thank you

Especially if you are one of the wonderful people who has been staunchly reading these daily scribbles since the start of the year. I see you, and appreciate you very much indeed!

If you enjoyed this one, the very best compliment you can give me is to share it, or read another!

If you like the creepy kids trope, try:

What's Wrong With Freddie

or

What Happened in Mr Rothman's Classrom

For a spot of horror: The Gulls

If you'd prefer a wanky poem: dawn

Here's a recent Top Story:

Here's my look back at July:

Here's my reflections on the recent nonet challenge:

Here's my current Dollar Challenge:

And now for something completely different:

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Thank you again!