Despite
everything being seemingly perfect, sometimes her mind would wander
to that parallel world known as, what might have been, Claire was
married to David, whom she had met one evening, because she her car
was being repaired because the steering had been playing up, and the
trains at decided to stop running because of some inconvenience she
could never figure out.
“Perhaps
it was all part of a plan?” she told herself, driving to university
to study her course in Quantum Physics, the car obviously working
well, now that matters had been settled.
David
had noticed her, walking in the rain and offered her a lift. At first
she hesitated, his voice was firm and seemed to contradict the
apparent kindness of his words. However something told her it was
alright and so she accepted. They got talking, and one of them, “She
could not remember whom.” suggested they meet for a meal, and so
they did, and this line of existence came into focus and time changed
things, Claire married David and they had so far ben together for
thirty seven years. Now however she was becoming more uncertain about
the decision she had chosen to make; Or perhaps it had been made for
her?
The
course Claire was studying was about time, how it worked, what was
it's purpose, and did time really exist, or was it merely an illusion
created by clocks, and daylight and night time, the Sun and the Moon,
incidents arranged and forced upon us by unseen forces, and what
happens when time splits, when a decision is made that causes two
different outcomes, creating what was known in effect as a Parallel
Universe. That was one of the subjects studied in this course,
parallel universes.
Claire
wondered if by marrying David she had somehow created one, for
reasons that were soon to become clarified.
The
man giving the course was called Professor Nigel Sanderson. He was in
his mid-fifties with a somewhat regular flow of greyish hair, that
was tufted in an odd pattern around the sides, yet flat on top, he
was not very tall yet for some inexplicable reason , the fact he
seemed to stoop though did not actually do so, seemed to make him
more so. He had craggy lines around his forehead and a somewhat
reddened glow on his face. He usually wore a brown tweed sports
jacket type outfit along with a red shirt that seemed as out of place
as some of his theories. Claire has blonde hair, somewhat flat and
silky, yet white-ish, her figure is slendour and she has green eyes.
It was clear to everyone including Claire how attractive she was, and
it was also clear that she was popular, not only with the other
Students, but also with her teacher, Professor Nigel Sanderson, whom
had never married. Claire did not mind, David however did not feel
the same.
“Does
he have to stand so close to you?” David had once inquired, at an
end of term celebration, just before Christmas, that the Students
were allowed to bring their friends and family too;
“He's
just being friendly.” She said. Anyway, I thought you'd like being
seen out with an attractive young woman?”
David
had smiled, whilst still holding his cheap glass of wine, the other
Students and teaching staff along with all the other staff were
mingling in the distance. Claire felt alone and somehow out of place,
she did not like this part of David's character, in fact over the
years there were many things she had grown to dislike about David,
sometimes she even wished she had never met him,
Yet,
he had never physically harmed her, although he could be somewhat
intimidating, what with his size, he was six-foot three, and his
bulky yet athletic physique. And he did shout a lot when he lost his
temper, and he seemed to do that mostly whenever anyone did anything
to upset him, especially when he was behind the wheel of his car.
Claire sometimes wondered what would have happened if instead of
having to walk home that night, she had decided to take the car, and
the brakes had caused her to somehow interact with David's car and
they-”
“Claire,
are you alright, inquired one of the students a young man in his
twenties called Gavin, we have to go in!”
“I'm
sorry.” replied Claire, realising she was blocking the door, and
she turned to allow Gavin to enter the classroom, and then flowed
suit the door naturally having been left open.
“Ah
Claire.” Stated Professor Sanderson, holding a piece of chalk in
mid-air amidst a very impressive though complex drawing of Parallel
Universes complete with words and number equations, Please take a
seat, I'm about to explain how sometimes despite incidents of time
bringing about change, they sometimes revert back.”
“Revert
back to what?” thought Claire, as she took her usual seat, and took
out her note-pad and study course, she then placed them on her desk,
the other students had already done the same.
The
theory it seemed, was that even if time itself had gone in two
different directions thus creating two different outcomes, if these
outcomes were slowly being changed to their original first option,
then that original outcome would be put in place.
Professor
Sanderson gave an example, “Suppose a woman is about to audition to
be an Actress and at the last minute, because of some incident she
has to cancel, so she does not get the job. However because time had
ordained it, time is split in two, thus creating a Parallel Universe
where she does get the job. Now what if later on, that same woman who
turned down the audition decides to go for another one, with the
intention of becoming an Actress, and what if she gets it. Does it
affect her other self? Does her other self begin to see her work dry
up so to speak Does she choose an alternative form of employment, are
the two worlds somehow in conflict with each other?”
This
played on Claire's mind, so much so that she became unable to
concentrate, not on her work, more so, on the drive home. She began
to apparently see things. The night was illuminated only by somewhat
faded yellow street lights, made even lesser by the ongoing heavy
rain. It seemed to slither down her windscreen, causing lined
patterns like strands of thick cut glass. It was as if her windscreen
had been smashed, and now, Claire could see the rain drops turning to
crimson, a dark bloody crimson, and in some far away world she was
beginning to see strands of hair. Her colour hair, even recognisable
despite covered in thick red blood. In the distance, despite the
night being silent, she could hear screaming, it sounded like her
husband's voice. It was the same tone he used when hew was angry,
especially whenever someone upset him when he was behind the wheel of
his car.
“This
is stupid. thought Claire out loud as if she needed to reassure
herself, David has never harmed me, he's not like that.”
Claire
stopped her car a few yards from her and David's suburban home.
Situated in a spacious street amidst other houses, all seemingly
unconnected amidst a long winding grey road, as if part of their own
individual yet parallel existence. She stopped outside an all night
Cafe that was frequented by the more higher class persona, although
anyone whom could pay was welcome.
Claire
sat alone and picked up a menu. However loyalty to this particular
time and existence caused her to check her watch. She usually got
home about six, however she was convinced David would understand if
she was a few minutes late, and anyway, she felt safe here with
people she knew, and so she did not mind the idea of being stuck in
some Time Warp where no one could harm her, unlike the world she now
lived in, that she was convinced could change at any minute.
Then
it happened again, the Menu seemed to turn into a hospital chart with
her name on it, and she was convinced a male Doctor in a white coat
was standing in front of her. “He even called her by her first
name, “Claire.” he stated, Are you alright? We don; t usually
get you coming here in the evenings, you and David mostly come at
lunch time, is anything wrong?”
Claire
looked up, it was Patrick, he was wearing his usual Black outfit
complete with matching white shirt that all the waiters wore. She
smiled and reassured him everything was fine;
“What
would you like?” he inquired, will David be joining you?”
Claire
now felt awkward at the situation. She obviously ate with David
because they were married, in fact David insisted on it, they took
turns doing the cooking and it was her turn tonight, David could
become very possessive, another of his traits she did not like.
“I
just wanted to come in because I felt a bit tired, she lied, could I
have a cup of tea and a piece of cake?”
“What
kind, Chocolate, Plain, Jam and Cream-”
“Erm,
Just plain.”
“I'm
not surprised your tired, stated Patrick, I mean that course you take
seems very complicated, something to do with time and it's effect on
us all isn't it You know, how the outcomes are decided by the
decisions we make, You met David because you attended a business
conference and didn't take your car, if you had things might have
turned out different!”
“Yes,
muttered Claire solemnly, they might have,” And then raising her
head she smiled one of her warm and David would call enticing smiles
and stated:”Thank you Patrick.”
He
smiled and she added, “Would you care to join me.”
“I'd
love too.” He smiled, unfortunately we're very busy this evening;
Besides what would your husband say?”
“Oh
don't worry about him.” smiled Claire. However deep down she was
beginning too.
Patrick
left to take her order.
“What
is my other self doing, in her own little world, thought Claire, Is
she still alive? Are things improving for her, has she done something
to cause the changes in mine?” “Why hasn't he killed her yet.”
Then
it seemed to happen again, this time it was the customers as well as
the Waiters and staff, they appeared to be taking part in a busy
hospital, and two men appeared to be wheeling in a figure on a
stretcher. Claire could not see who it was, however it turned to one
man wheeling the dessert trolly and the hospital scene turned back
into the cafe.
When
Claire got home, it was 7:30 and she felt more ashamed at her
suspicions than she did so originally. Especially when David embraced
her in a way that showed genuine concern.
“Claire,
what happened, I was worried, are you alright?”
She
smiled, I stopped off at the cafe?” She stated, I just fancied a
piece of cake.”
“Why
for goodness sake, we've got Chocolate cake for dessert, you made it
remember.”
“Did
I? Oh yes, so I did, I'd best check the chicken, I'm afraid dinner's
going to be a bit later than usual tonight!.
“Claire
are you alright?” David inquired.
However
she had now gone into the kitchen to get away from this conversation
and to give herself time to think what to do next!
A
few moments later she was startled by David entering and brushing
past her to get to the sink as if she was viewing him from a
different world.
“What
you doing?” Inquired Claire, almost flinching back as if she
expected to be attacked.
“I'm
getting a glass of water.” He stated, taking a glass tumbler and
holding it up by means of indication/
“Well
can't you wait, the dinner won't be long!”
“Sorry,
I didn't know there was a hose pipe ban. What you looking at me like
that for It was only a joke;
She
stared at his face, it was smiling as if it was trying to reassure
her, the way he usually did.
She
was having none of it, this time she wanted answers.
“David,
have you ever been in an argument whilst driving? I mean, with
another motorist;
“Claire,
I argue with everyone it's my way;
“No,
I mean, “She paused, feeling somewhat embarrassed as well as
threatened.” have you ever been in a physical confrontation?”
“Not
with another driver, a few close shaves but it's best to avoid them.”
There
was a silence then he stated:
“I'll
be in the dining room.”
Claire
watched him leave and got on with the dinner.
At
the table she was quiet, despite David smiling in the hope of
starting a conversation she remained silent, her mind on the Parallel
Universe, the one with the other her, the one who was trying to
change things.
“The
car's playing up again; he stated.
“What
one?” she inquired, almost accusative.
Claire
had decided to keep her car after she had married David, he had done
the same with his.
“Mine,
ironically the same thing that happened to yours when we met has
happened to mine. You remember, you told me about it when I gave you
a lift. Just think, if you'd taken the car things may have turned out
differently.”
“Yes.”
She stated.
Claire
decided not to press the conversation, she knew the answers she
wanted were more likely to be at the course she was attending. So far
she had a vague idea of what was going on, the two universes were in
conflict with each other, and she had to make certain things stayed
the way that she believed they should.
She
stopped her car outside and entered. It was a large building that
offered many introductory courses, Claire made her way up the steps
and through the large oaken brown doors with the silver pole handles
and the fitted glass that looked contradictory. “Like two universes
out of context.” Muttered Claire.
She
watched a few male and female students walk past to their classes,
then she saw Professor Sanderson. Claire decided to approach him.
He
smiled the way he usually does, or rather the way he usually does
with her and stated:
“Hello
Claire, I'm just about to start my class, what's wrong?, You look a
bit worried.”
“It''s
the theory you told us about how when decisions are sometimes made
time go off in two different directions, and that sometimes when
circumstances occur they sometimes try to revert back; Like with the
Actress you told us about who misses her chance then gets another
one. You said it could affect her other self! “Claire paused, then
continued, Do you mean in a bad way?”
“Well
there are many ways. For instance her other self could be killed, or
she might retire, or become something else, such as a Director. Or
she might become a Television Actress and decide to leave the theatre
or move to America to find work, since the British film Industry's
almost rundown! Why'd you ask?
“My
husband loses his temper when he's behind the wheel of his car
sometimes-”
“He
hasn't hit you has he?” Inquired Professor Sanderson, jumping in
and touching her arm at the same time.
“No,
but I keep thinking what would have happened if I'd taken the car
that day when it was playing up. I know this is going to sound
stupid, but I've seen things, images, of me, a bloody windscreen, a
hospital ward, and now the same-thing is happening again with the
car, although this time it's his car not mine! I feel she is trying
to change things,
There
was a silence and Claire clenched Professor Sanderson's arm realising
how this manipulation could be interpreted, then moved closer and
deliberately smiling said, “Please, you won't tell anyone, I do
trust you, and I just need you to explain things to me;
“Claire,
I think it would be best if we went in, and I spoke with you after
class; Stated Professor Sanderson opening the door for her.
Claire
nodded as if she had been reassured and took her usual seat at her
desk.
It
was not clear whether Professor Sanderson had decided to change his
lesson to emphasise matters, however he began by explaining,
“Somewhat reasuringly Claire thought” That all Parallel Universes
follow the same time line, so if her other self had suffered fatally
at the hands of her husband's other self, then she could not be able
to change the course of events!
“Unless
of course he hadn't killed her, thought Claire. In which case I am
still in danger! Unless I can prevent matters from alternating.”
Professor
Sanderson had drawn the usual flows of chalk lines on the board to
represent the conception of Parallel Universes, and was now
explaining how some universes seemed to be connected in a way that
meant their outcome could affect one another. Claire knew he was
trying to reassure her, however she knew she would have to discuss
matters with her husband, and yet she was becoming more uncertain
what the outcome would bring forth.
Claire
waited till after the class had finished, then she and Professor
Sanderson went to the canteen.
Fortunately
there wasn't many people there, and so they found a more secluded
spot, whilst Professor Sanderson went and got two teas, after
inquiring if Claire wanted a cup. He paid for them both, Claire knew
what her husband would say about that, she knew he could be very
suspicious. He had never been abusive to her, although sometimes
when he raised his voice she did feel threatened, and now she
couldn't help wondering what might have been, and she feared somehow
it would still occur.'
“I
did see the woman, stated Claire, it was me, she was bleeding, she'd
been in a car accident I know it'.”
“What
are you going to tell your husband. If anything?” Inquired
Professor Sanderson, taking a sip of tea.
“Maybe
you could talk to him?” She stated, leaning across and clenching
his arm.
He
looked up. Yet she could see by his face he was confused.
“I'm
not certain that's advisable at the moment, I do know what he
thinks of me.”
There
was a silence, then he stated:
“I
would like to help you though.”
She
smiled.
That
evening Claire arrived home, with the intention of explaining to her
husband, exactly what her concerns were, no matter how unusual they
seemed; She was convinced that if she made herself seem uncertain of
what was happening he was bound to empathise, and maybe that would
give her the reassurance that she needed!
David
was working late at the office on a business procedure, otherwise he
was usually home before she was. Claire would prepare the dinner more
or less in the morning, since she worked different hours to her
husband.
She
heard the car door closing, followed by the sound of David inserting
the key into the lock, and stating: I'm home, is everything alright?
“I
need to talk to you, she stated, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “It's
very important;
“Alright,
“He stated coming in, What you want to talk about?”
“David,
You know I take a course on quantum physic, and that one of the
subjects is the hypothesis relating to Parallel Universes, and how
they effect the outcome of events?”
“And
you want to know if your the Queen in any of them, well you'll always
be mine.” He went over and kissed her face in reassurance. However
she remained somewhat uncertain as she inquired:
“David,
would you ever harm me?”
“Why
you ask me that for? Claire what's happening? It's that bloody course
isn't it? Is it that Professor Sanders, I've seen the way he looks at
you, if he's been trying to-”
“David,
I keep seeing, she paused then stated: I see me, I see me from
another universe. Except in this one, I\m bleeding. There's been some
sort of car accident. David you remember how we met, I'd forgotten my
car and you gave me a lift, except in another universe I didn't and
something happened!
He
seemed confused,. Claire waited a second then continued.
“I
don't know for certain if you and I got into some sort of argument,
or what have you, however I keep seeing images of myself covered in
blood, and I'm afraid it might happen to me here! That's why I need
your reassurance that you will never do anything, intentionally or
unintentionally to harm me in anyway whatsoever.”
“He
was silent, somehow as if struggling to find the words, She felt an
uneasy presence, yet it was she knew of her own making, and she felt
even more confused when he inquired:
“Have
I ever harmed you? I mean physically; And even when we argue am I
not the first to apologize?”
She
nodded tight-lipped in silent confirmation as if trying to prevent
tears from forming.
“Did
you discuss the matter with Professor Sanderson?”
“Yes,
he told me not to worry, he wants us to stay together; She stated, as
if he was now the one that needed reassuring.”
“Does
he?” Inquired David, before turning to go a wash his hands
Claire
looked in the mirror on the dresser, and saw herself She was seated
in her car, blood covered her face and clothing, she wondered what
she should do next?
The
End
