I soared through the bright sky, the balloon in my grip defying all rules and logic. Hanging the entirety of myself on only one arm should’ve been an uncomfortable experience. But the magic of the balloon hoisted me thoroughly, instilling me with a sense of purpose and empowerment.

  It took me dozens of runs to learn to dream again. I was too “grown-up” according to the boy. The dreams I had were too cold and heavy. But with time on my side and endless repetition I got the hang of it.

  “Breaking out of the time loop” inevitably pops the balloon, while “Become CMO and get filthy rich” made it sink like a rock. I could only dredge up long forgotten memories to experiment.

  My childhood dream of “becoming an astronaut” finally produced a response. I floated slightly, and for a moment I thought I had it. But it was too whimsical and uncontrollable. I shot up to the sky, then the balloon popped, and I fell. Once I hit the sidewalk, it was my body’s turn to pop.

  I shuddered at the memory, lowering my altitude slightly. Ahead of me, the demolition site awaits. What took me minutes to cover by jogging could be done in a fraction of the time now.

  The trick to dreaming properly was to have a vivid picture that calls to you from the bottom of your soul but still grounded by cold reality.

  An indescribable sense of liberation permeated me as I felt the wind in my hair. Flying was... fun. The time loop had been a torturous hell for me. It was absurd, illogical, and couldn't be understood.

  I knew that even this fresh excitement would be ground down to monotony in time. But I realized that I didn't care. I was having fun, and I would enjoy it while it lasted.

  However, even in my revelry, I didn’t forget what I had to do. Flying had opened more options to break the time loop, but that can wait for another run.

  This run I wanted to go back to my roots and visit all four key people—three now since I had already met the boy.

  After the chat with the mysterious man by the riverbank, I’ve spent entire runs catering to one specific person or another, trying to get to know them. I did manage to help them get a better end, but it was physically impossible for all of them to have a good ending in the same run.

  The balloon changes everything. Just this run, just this once, even if it’s for my own satisfaction, I wanted to give them a good ending.

  I flew straight through the bedroom window of room #15 on the third floor with a crash and rolled forward. Glass tinkled to the floor as I brushed off my hair and shoulders. Raymon peeked in timidly with wide eyes.

  I smiled at him. "Hello Ray, pleasure to meet you."

  Raymon bolted out and I chased after him. Before he could close the door to his office, I surged forward and stuck a foot in. "Let's chat for a minute, shall we?"

  Raymon's face paled as his eyes darted around like a trapped animal.

  "Relax, relax. I'm not here to hurt you. I won't even expose your little scam with Sidebu-," I coughed. "…with Mr. Harlow. Come on, let’s chat for a minute?"

  And so we did. Like I mentioned before, this wasn't the first time I sought him out. I've spent several runs getting to know him.

  But even now, I still didn't know what to do with him. I could see where he was coming from, and since he had made up his mind, who am I to dissuade him? In fact, if I could kill myself permanently right now, I would do it instantly. How dare I prevent him from doing the same?

  This time, for the first time, I didn't try to dissuade him. In a way, I envied him a little. He was trapped too, but still had one final way out at least. More than that, his exit would even help the people he's closest to.

  We chatted for what felt like hours but more like minutes in reality. Perhaps it was because I had stopped trying to prevent him from doing what he had resolved to do, but it was a pleasant conversation. I glanced at my watch—it was 11:27.

  I sighed regretfully then stood up. "I have to go. It's been a pleasure Ray."

  Raymond looked surprised at my sudden announcement.

  I smiled at him, then turned to leave.

  "Wait!"

  I looked back.

  "Why?" Raymon asked.

  Even though he didn't specify, I knew what he meant. "No reason in particular," I said. I looked into his eyes and couldn't help but add one more sentence, "to live is to struggle."

  Raymon's smile turned brittle.

  I returned a broken smile of my own, "But struggling is too tiring. I know. You can look for me anytime you want, and I hope I'll see you again. But if not... I understand."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  I leapt from the broken bedroom window and floated away.

  Leaping off from a three-story apartment located at the peak of a hill was not for the faint of heart. Since I had a weak heart, I had no business doing it. I did it anyway.

  It was quite a thrilling—and more importantly—fast way of travelling. In less than a minute, I had fallen to the end of the street.

  My heart sank as the building lining the crossroads loomed close. How the hell do I turn? Fuck! I'm going to die!

  Miraculously, I skimmed over the top of the buildings instead, knocking rooftiles off to the sidewalk below.

  I really hope those didn't fall on someone.

  I crawled back and peered over the roof. The roof tiles laid shattered on the sidewalk, but fortunately that's the only thing that laid shattered there.

  I heaved a sigh of relief then considered my next steps.

  I want to end this beautifully.

  Taking a few steps back, I braced myself, then rushed forward. I leaped off the edge of the roof, the balloon loosening gravity's hold of me. I ignored the sea of humans below me, soared all the way to the balcony in the mansion.

  This time, I managed to land more gracefully than the previous two times, falling right between the Tycoon and his eldest son. I stared at the latter for a second, forgetting that he would be there since I hadn't lured him away.

  The door to the room crashed open and the scary old man came in.

  I put the eldest son between us and spoke as fast as I could. "Mr. Typhoon, you are late for your lunch appointment. You can kill yourself afterwards."

  Everybody in the room stared at me. I cursed myself inwardly. What the hell was that? This is why I need a script to follow.

  Surprisingly, the old Tycoon nodded. "Yes, I was wondering when you will pick me up. Let's go then."

  "Father?!" "Sir?!"

  Tycoon waved a hand to silence them and looked at me expectantly.

  Now what? I really didn't think this through.

  "I'll need to collect the ingredients first, could you please wait-"

  The tycoon cut me off with a raised hand. "Reginald, take care of it. Caspian, buzz off."

  "Father. Who is-", he wilted under the Tycoon's glare. Then they both left the room.

  Within a few minutes I was holding onto the tycoon with one hand, while my other clutched carefully packaged food ingredients and the balloon. I looked at the tycoon. "Should we get a sneak peak of jumping?"

  He looked back at me speechlessly.

  I jumped, the balloon supporting us gently. Soon, we arrived at the door of house #50. I knocked on the door and waited.

  The Tycoon was strangely silent this run. I was surprised he went this far without any questions or complaints.

  The door opened and the Firestarter stared at us in surprise.

  I smiled at him. "Good afternoon Mr. Hayes, we're here to join you for lunch. I hope you don't mind."

  That finally got a reaction of the Tycoon. He shot me a look that said, what is this crazy man doing with me? Why did I follow him?

  I gave him a reassuring nod in return then looked expectantly at Hayes.

  He was still dumbfounded.

  I cleared my throat.

  Hayes snapped out of his daze and smiled. "Ah... yes? Yes. Of course, come in."

  We trailed behind him to the kitchen.

  I made the introductions, then started cooking.

  The two old men looked at each other over the dinner table awkwardly.

  I filled the air with chatter, breaking the ice. Soon I didn't even need to prompt them before they chatted happily with each other. I served the food, then quietly left. They didn't notice my absence. The moment I got to know them both, I knew they would get along with each other. They were strikingly similar in some ways, yet widely different in others.

  I strolled out of the house, not wanting to disturb them. I sighed. I had tried to make them meet before, but this was the first time I succeeded.

  They wouldn't remember it anyway. In fact, even this run will soon pass into obscurity. Everything I did would have no meaning. But at least for this hour, they could be content.

  Subconsciously, my feet brought me to the riverbanks. The Stratos Tower stood in the distance. Even now, I still felt the pull. But it no longer filled my mind.

  A voice called out behind me, "what are you thinking so hard about?"

  I jolted and whirled around.

  The mysterious man stood behind me, hands clasped behind his back.

  "You?"

  "Me."

  I had sought him out countless times, and he showed up now? A gnawing certainty crept up my spine—this man has something to do with the time loop.

  "Yes, I have something to do with the loop," he said off-handedly.

  My heart skipped a beat. What did he just say?

  "I said I have something to do with it, and no you didn't say that out loud."

  Did I say that out lo-what the fuck?

  Thoroughly unnerved now, I unconsciously took a step back.

  "You're done by the way," he said. "With the time loop I mean."

  I felt like I had been hit at the back of my head. I couldn't understand what he was telling me. "Done?" I croaked hoarsely.

  He nodded. "Yep. This could be your last one if you want."

  I couldn't believe it. But there was no harm in believing him either. Just as I was about to express my agreement, Raymond's face crossed my mind, and I frowned. I still felt a bitter aftertaste for the whole affair. Like leaving things half done. I looked up at the bright sky above me.

  This run was as perfect as I could make things. But it was still not perfect. If I had more time, I'm sure I could-

  "No," the man interrupted.

  "Hmmm?"

  "This run. You either get out now or you stay. I suggest you get out," the man said.

  I sighed. Of course things wouldn't be so easy.

  "If you must know, Raymon's doing fine. You did your best," the man added.

  "Should've said that earlier you asshole," I said, relief palpable in my voice. Then there was nothing holding me back.

  "Are you sure there's nothing?" he asked.

  "Yes," I said.

  "It's almost noon, you know," he said.

  So what? Then I realized something and looked at the tower in the distance. The meeting.

  "Yes. Exactly"

  I shook my head. "Doesn't matter. End it already."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes," I replied firmly.

  I looked over the river, reminiscing.

  “I didn’t lie to you, didn’t I?” the man suddenly asked.

  “About what?”

  “I told you, you’ll find what you want at the end of the street.”

  The line knocked a memory loose. At the very beginning, before I was even aware of the time loop. Someone said that to me. Who,,,?

  The bus driver! I turned to look at him, “You-“

  I felt a sharp kick from behind me and was launched over the river, drawing a beautiful arc. The force pushing me forward was inexorable, and only flying practice with the balloon prevented me from panicking.

  At this rate I would fall right in the middle of the river. And there was nothing I could do about it. I glanced behind me at the bus driver waving cheerfully at me.

  What the hell?

  I crashed into the river with a splash.

  That damned bus driver!

  The river current was deceptively strong, and soon I lost all control.

  Fuck! I’m going to drown.