There was a boy born in the early 2000s named Allen Price. He was a bright kid who loved spending time outdoors with his family. One thing he was always proud of was sharing the same name as his father, Allen Price.
"It's a good thing to share a name with your son," his dad would always say.
One summer afternoon, Allen went fishing with his eighty-year-old grandfather.
His grandfather's name was Steven Price.
The lake was calm until Allen slipped on the wet rocks.
He crashed into the freezing water.
He tried to swim, but panic took over.
Down…
Down…
Down…
The sunlight above him grew dimmer with every second.
Just as his lungs were about to give out, someone grabbed his arm.
A boy, about two years older than Allen, pulled him toward the surface.
Allen gasped for air as they reached the shore.
"Thanks," Allen said between breaths. "You saved my life."
The older boy didn't smile.
"You're not supposed to be here."
Allen frowned.
"What?"
"This is going to sound crazy," the boy said. "But… you're in 1987."
Allen laughed.
"Good one."
"I'm serious."
Allen shook his head.
"Thanks for helping me, but I need to find my grandpa. We have to get to his store. He says one day it'll be mine."
The older boy's expression changed.
"Who's your grandpa?"
"Steven Price."
The boy froze.
"S… Steven Price?"
"Yeah."
"The sheriff?"
Allen blinked.
"What do you mean, sheriff?"
The older boy took a step back.
"This town is… different."
Allen felt a chill run through him.
"You have to act normal," the boy whispered. "Don't tell anyone where you're really from. Don't talk about the future. Just stay quiet."
"Why?"
"Because if they find out…"
The boy stopped himself.
"We're the only kids in town."
A few days passed.
Allen and the older boy became friends, but neither of them could shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with the town.
One afternoon, Allen asked,
"Want to walk to the store with me?"
The older boy shook his head.
"I don't feel like it."
He tossed Allen his bicycle.
"Take my bike. It'll get you there faster."
Allen thanked him and rode toward the store.
As he reached the trail…
He saw a little girl
Her name was Mimi