2024/1880-10-10 “Shifting Back” by Merritt (born 2000)

I am sitting on the sofa that belongs to me in 2024—where I don’t belong—or where I didn’t belong until a few months ago.

Ten minutes ago, it was 144 years earlier and I was on the sofa that belongs to the version of me that actually should be in 2024.

Nine minutes ago… I have no idea where…or when… I was.

We were told that we would shift back on Thursday 2024 (which is Sunday 1880). Yesterday, we saved a man from a lynching: Joheh Wiltstone. Today, we were all sitting around not sure what would happen.

But, as I said, 9 minutes ago we shifted back. Sort of.

As I sat there, suddenly, the room faded away. There were yellow and green clouds. Sparkles. Flashes. Been there, done that…

But this time there was a… waypoint. And for some period of time (as if time has meaning any more) all of us were together in some… place; all sixteen of us.

Two versions of each of us. We were sort of… overlapping.

I don’t think there are good words for what we experienced. We were all there and I could sometimes see everyone. Sometimes just one of each of us, but… I swear I could tell that sometimes the versions were swapping around.

Then it all settled down. The sixteen of us were there… and half there. Overlapping, like I said.

Then that figure in the hood appeared in front of us all.

“Your first assignment was a success. It was uncomplicated. The Toms and Wills will be our messengers. Well done. Be prepared. Future assignments may be more complex.”

I had a million questions. I could not speak. But I felt permeated by what we’ve been calling that metaphysical connection. I felt it so strongly that as the 8 faded out for the last time on their way to 1880, I knew they were gone. There was a slight… wanting for them, though I’ve never actually met them.

So, now we’re back in 2024. We’ll live within our special connection with each other, and await our next… assignment.

Until then… We all have jobs, so… yeah… that.