Reverse

10 pm 27 October 2019 (Sunday)

Chris sat on his bed and looked through the calendar on his phone.

“Tomorrow, I meant the day before...hmmm every day is a day in reverse. The next 2 days are important. The match on 26 can change my team’s fortune. It’s really my fault that we crashed out. I can change this. It is largely due to the incident with the hobo on the 25th.”

Chris went through most of the days in this post-time-reversal period as he had done in his previous reality. The truth is that attempts to alter any course of his personal history are very tiresome and often going against his personal habits, likes, and traits.

He turned off the lights and closed his eyes. He began to picture what happened previously in those 2 days in the real world.

26 October 2019 (Saturday)

It’s 8 am. He turned on the tv for the weekend news.

“A homeless man was found dead this morning in the back ally of Nicole street...”

Chris was making coffee in the kitchen when he heard this. He stopped what he was doing and walked towards the tv. The news was broadcasting a video. 3 guys were caught on video kicking the man at his head and body on the ground. That footage set the tone of the day for him. His heart was heavy.

Chris plays as a 3rd baseman for the Bank of Sicara’s baseball team also know as BOS Falcons. They will be playing against XLTech Cheetahs. BOS currently sits 4th in the league table. XL Tech Cheetahs is a spot below, at number 5. Only the top 4 teams will progress to the post-season playoffs. If XL Tech Cheetahs win, they will usurp BOS Falcons’ 4th spot and progress to the next stage. Likewise, if the BOS Falcons win, they will keep the spot and progress to the playoffs in November.

BOS Falcons vs XL Tech Cheetahs 8th Inning

It is the Cheetah’s turn to bat. They have had 2 strikeouts. 1 of their batters is at 3rd base. Chris is at the 3rd base. Looking focused and intense.

One of Chris’s closest friends Viknesh works at XL Tech and he is one of the batters. He is ready at the plate.

“Strike!”

Viknesh took a look at the pitcher and positioned himself again.

This time, the pitcher threw a fastball. Viknesh managed to hit it and the ball went in the direction of Chris. It is not at a great speed and Chris is confident of a clean catch.

The ball is going towards him. He took a glimpse and the image of one of the spectators just struck him. This guy looks like someone he saw last night.

At this moment, he lost his focus for a millisecond and the ball slipped through his hands. The runner at 3rd base completed his run and Viknesh reached the 1st base.

The score reads: BOS Falcons 2 XL Tech Cheetahs 3

9th Inning

Again, it was identical to the previous inning. It is BOS Falcons turn to bat. They have had 2 strikeouts. 1 of their batters is at 3rd base. Chris will be batting this time.

He stepped up to the plate.

The opposing pitcher threw a curveball. He swung his bat as hard as he can. It connected.

The ball flew upwards towards the 3rd base.

The 3rd baseman looks up and catches it. It was not a good hit. He caught it with ease and that’s the end. It was a shutout in the 9th inning. BOS Falcons lost the match and the playoff spot to XL Tech Cheetahs.

25 October 2019 (Friday)

Chris had dinner and drinks with a few friends at a pub near his office. He did not want to stay too late because of his match the next day. He had just a pint and head off to the train station at Queen’s street.

He walked past Nicole Street and heard a commotion. It was happening in the back alley.

A dark-haired guy wearing a black shirt and blue jeans was shouting: “Where is the other pack?”

“God knows.” An unkempt-looking man answered. He looked like he was drunk.

The guy in the black shirt pushed this man to the wall. Another 2 guys were surrounding this homeless-looking man.

“You piece of shit. Now! Give it to me! Now!”

A part of Chris wanted to find out more and help, the other is telling him to steer clear of trouble. Besides, these guys might be druggies, he thought. Without hesitation, he hurried his steps to the station.

27 October 2019 (Sunday)

On his bed, he looked up at the ceiling. Here’s the chance to change history. Specifically, mine.

“25th and 26 will be different. Nothing stays the same.”

26 October 2019 (Saturday)

He woke up and checked his phone. Yes, the reversal was in progress. The date stated 26 October 2019.

“I will change my history and maybe those that I come across.”

He told himself last night that he would not turn on the tv today.

As he walked out of the room, he picked up the remote control at the coffee table and turned on the tv.

“Damn!”

He looked away from the tv and pointed the remote control at it and turned it off.

“That was close. Lucky.”

Chris stayed home until it was time to drive to the match venue.

8th Inning

It is the Cheetah’s turn to bat. They have had 2 strikeouts. 1 of their batters is at 3rd base. Chris is at the 3rd base. Looking focused and intense.

One of Chris’s closest friends Viknesh works at XL Tech and he is one of the batters. He is ready at the plate.

“Strike!”

Viknesh took a look at the pitcher and positioned himself again.

This time, the pitcher threw a fastball. Viknesh managed to hit it and the ball went in the direction of Chris. Everything stayed the same as the actual day. Every sequence remained unchanged.

The only difference is his mindset now. Is he focused? Will he be distracted?

The ball is on the ground rolling towards him. Chris is on Zen mode now. His eyes are only on the ball. It is as if the subconscious mind is controlling his body. His right hand scoops the ball up and he throws it to the 1st baseman. XL Tech Cheetahs scored no runs for this inning.

“Yes!” BOS Falcon’s pitcher shouted at Chris with joy.

The score reads: BOS Falcons 2 XL Tech Cheetahs 2

9th Inning

Again, it was identical to the previous inning. It is BOS Falcons turn to bat. They have had 2 strikeouts. 1 of their batters is at 3rd base. Chris will be batting this time.

He stepped up to the plate.

The opposing pitcher threw a curveball. He swung his bat as hard as he can. It connected.

The ball did not fly upwards. Chris had corrected his play and altered history. It was groundball.

It rolled hard and fast. XL Tech Cheetahs’ 3rd baseman could not catch it. Chris had scored a single. His teammate completed his run from 3rd base.

The score reads: BOS Falcons 3 XL Tech Cheetahs 2

BOS Falcons won and will advance to the playoffs.

“I changed history. I can and I will.”

The team partied the night away. Chris reached home past midnight. The date is now 25 October 2019. He will right a wrong again.

25 October 2019 (Friday)

Chris had dinner and drinks with a few friends at a pub near his office. He did not want to stay too late because of his match the next day. He had just a pint and head off to the train station at Queen’s street.

He walked past Nicole Street and heard a commotion. It was happening in the back alley.

A dark-haired guy wearing a black shirt and blue jeans was shouting: “Where is the other pack?”

“God knows.” An unkempt-looking man answered. He looked like he was drunk.

The guy in the black shirt pushed this man to the wall. Another 2 guys were surrounding this homeless-looking man.

“You piece of shit. Now! Give it to me! Now!”

The 3 guys started shoving the hobo and he fell to the floor.

Chris was thinking: “If I died or injured by trying to save him, what’s gonna happen? If I were injured, will it affect my match the next day? hmm...the day reverses. If I were injured today... the clock strikes midnight, it will be the day before which I wasn’t injured. On the 24th, I am all fine. But, if they killed me on the 25th, will it be resurrection or game over? Nah, pain is too painful. I suppose injuries wouldn’t be that bad.”

He ran towards the group and shouted: “Stop!”

The 3 guys circled around him and rained punches and kicks at him. He fought as hard as he could.

A group of young adults was walking past and saw the fight. They screamed: “We are calling the police and we are recording you now. 3 against 1 is cowardly. Stop!”

Those 3 guys quickly dashed away from the scene. Chris had blood on his mouth and the hobo had some bruises on his body. He thanked the group of good Samaritans and went home.

The next morning, Chris checked himself in the mirror the moment he was awake. No bruises and no blood. There were no injuries. The date is 24 October 2019 (Thursday). He smiled to himself at the mirror. “This invention is a miracle. I am invincible. Maybe, almost...”