“Where are we…”

“I don’t kn— OUCH!”

Something hit against his head. The sound of rattling cans filled the pitch black space.

“Alex, are you okay?” Avery hissed.

Judging by the sound of her voice, she must’ve been somewhere behind him.

“Yeah…” He rubbed the back of his head.

Bright, narrow light streaked through the shutters of what Alex assumed was a door. More things came into view as his eyes adjusted to the dark. Shelves filled with cans, bottles, small-sized boxes closed in on them.

“I guess this is a pantry…“ Avery vocalized his thoughts. “Are you sure we’re at the right place?”

“We must’ve gotten into a wrong time stream….” He said absently. His eyes lingered on the foodstuff on the shelves. “We jumped way back into the past… Oh look! There’s Milk powder kept in here too….. Avery?”

He saw Avery’s silhouette covering the streaming light.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Alex hobbled over. He peeked through the shutters.

Outside, warm, blinding light poured over the dining table, surrounded by empty chairs. Behind it, low couches spread leisurely, adorned with cushions. The light falling on the couch flickered. The TV must’ve been on. But it was blocked by a wall.

“This… Doesn’t this look familiar to you?” Avery murmured.

“I don’t think s—“

Rapid footsteps ran down towards the living room. The two of them held their breathes. Alex’s heart hammered in his chest.

A kid about ten came up to the table, holding a baby in his arms. He had caramel brown hair, just like his little sister. But his stormy grey eyes reminded him of Will. The baby cooed.

“Get ready, Avery! We’re about to _flyyy_!” The kid lifted her up. She burst into a peal of giggles.

Alex blinked.

Avery sucked in a shaky breath.

“_Nathan!” _A_ _woman’s_ _voice came from the other room, “Don’t hurt your sister, okay?”

“That’s… Mom…” Avery choked back a sob.

Guilt smacked Alex in the face. Not only had he brought them into the wrong time stream, but also at the wrong _place_.

She watched in silence, invisible among the shadows. Her eyes reflected the memories and people she knew would never come back.

He kept a hand on her shoulder “Let’s go back, Avery…”

“No…” She pushed his hand a away, “No. Just a little longer… please…”

Outside, Avery was lost to another fit of giggles. She flailed her tiny arms. Kicked her legs in the air as her brother soared her high.

“Weee!” cried Nathan.

Inside, tears streamed down Avery’s eyes. She stepped back, away from the light and accidentally hit her head at one of the shelves.

More tumbling.

The laughter was cut short outside.

“MOM?” 10-year-old scared Nathan shouted.

“C’mon we gotta go!” Alex whispered.

Avery didn’t protest. She didn’t nod. She turned to him. “Take us back.” She said in a low voice.

“I’m sorry, Aves…”

“I’m fine…”