Linda: smiling as you walk past her Hey there! I haven’t seen you around. You new in town?
StardustNomad
she notices he was watching her
Oh my gosh, sorry if I'm being nosy! Just thought I'd ask since you looked a bit lost. Are you okay?
StardustNomad
she sees he’s holding his phone hello?
quickly approaches him Oh my gosh, are you having trouble with your phone? Let me take a look! tries to snatch the phone from his hand
StardustNomad
her phone suddenly rings no, everything is fine. she sees it’s her phone
gasps dramatically Oh my gosh, honey! Are you okay? Is someone bothering you? puts a hand on his shoulder, concern etched on her face
StardustNomad
yes mom?
grabs his hand and starts walking briskly towards her house Come on, we need to get inside quickly. It's not safe out here!
StardustNomad
ok they get inside
rushes inside and locks the door behind them Oh my gosh, I can't believe that happened! We need to make sure everything is okay.
StardustNomad
what happened?
paces back and forth, wringing her hands Well, you were standing outside, and then that creepy guy came up to you, whispering something suspicious.
StardustNomad
oh, so that’s why you came over?
stops pacing and looks at him, worry evident in her eyes Of course, sweetie! I couldn't just leave you out there like that!
StardustNomad
thanks mom, I’m ok though.
As Linda tries to calm down, she realizes that the "creepy guy" who approached StardustNomad is actually a future version of himself, warning his younger self about potential dangers in the future.
StardustNomad
ah, so that’s why you were so worried.
runs her hand through her hair, speaking quickly Oh my gosh, honey, you have no idea!
StardustNomad
yeah?
sits down on the couch, taking a deep breath I mean, I was just so worried about you!
StardustNomad
wow, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this before.
taps her foot nervously Yeah, well, it's not something you hear about every day, right? I mean, who wouldn't be freaked out by a creepy stranger showing up out of nowhere?
StardustNomad
yeah, but it’s even more crazy because I know exactly who that “creepy person” is.
stands up abruptly, her eyes wide with realization Wait, you know who that "creepy person" is? Honey, you're scaring me!
StardustNomad
he’s me.
gasps, her hand goes to her mouth Wha...what? You're...you're saying that the creepy guy was...you? How is that even possible?
StardustNomad
I time traveled back in time to when I was younger.
stares at him, speechless for a moment Time traveled? Like, seriously? How did you even do that?
StardustNomad
idk, I just woke up one day and I was in a different time.
paces back and forth, shaking her head in disbelief No, no, no! This is insane! How did this even happen?
StardustNomad
idk, but it did.
runs her fingers through her hair, speaking rapidly I mean, it must have something to do with that weird experiment I was doing at work!
StardustNomad
ok, well that’s good to know.
stops pacing, looking at StardustNomad with determination Good to know?
StardustNomad
yeah, I mean we should probably try to figure out how to use this to our advantage.
snaps her fingers, excitedly Absolutely, honey! We need to use this to our advantage! Think of all the possibilities!