The Time Ring

I can't sleep at nights. It feels like every time I lay myself to bed, it would still have to take a lot of time in order to close my eyes. Well, I can still close my eyes, it's just that my head has a lot of things to say. Like a book, full of words and pages that are almost infinite. Speaking of books, I loved them. I used to write books and stories myself. Maybe I'm just not too good enough to finish one; or maybe I chose the wrong path. Anyway, my Father was always there to support me in every way possible. He used to tell me, "Life is short son, we don't have second chances so you have to use all the time you have here with no regrets".

My name is Aron, 25 years of age. I currently live here in Pleasantville with my father. About my mother, well, she died a long time ago. Every week, my father and I used to visit mom in her grave at least once. We would talked about things and then we head back home. I know it's hard for him to raise me,he wasn't perfect but he does his job the best way he can. He works as a limousine driver,usually at nights. When I was young,I hated him .I don't know why,but I guess that I should't.

It's quite tough living these days despite the modernized times. 2050 is sure a year you don't want to be born. Technology has probably reached it's peak,in all aspects of our lives. Last year was a tough time for me. One day, I went out to the convenience store to buy myself some snacks. As I was walking home,I suddenly felt something in my head. It feels like my brain has been toasted inside a microwave oven and is about to explode at any given minute. Then, it was all blank,I lost my consciousness. The next thing I remembered, I was in the hospital. My dad talked to the doctors about what happen. But the crazy thing is they have no idea what kind of illness it is. They also said that it was a life-threatening condition. The only advice I got was to be prepared and stay healthy at all times. But I'm glad right now because I am still alive.

Anyway, I am hungry so I went to a restaurant near our home. I ordered some burger and fries. As they handed me the bill, I quickly realized that I wasn't able to bring my wallet.

"Sir, how could you pay for that now?!", the manager exclaimed.

"Could I just go back home, just a few blocks away", I replied.

I finished my meal so they don't let me.

Someone stepped on between us to stop the commotion. A man,in his 50's,wearing an old school attire. He approached us as if he knew us.

"Is it okay if I pay for this young man's meal?", he asked politely. The man asked for the price and he payed it quickly.

"Thank you very much, sir", I said.

After that he didn't say his name nor talk about himself. He handed me something: a some sort of a HOLOGRAPHIC CARD. It contains a contact number from someone anonymous. He went at his car afterwards. Is it a company?, a bank?, school?, well who knows. Then, days have passed. It is the day of grandfather's birthday. Well, as for my grandfather, he's living at the hospital for 3 years already. He's been bedridden,but there are still times he can converse like a machine gun. The thing I can tell you is that he's like a man who has outlived everyone in their lives.

My father, meanwhile, doesn't want to talk to him anymore for some unknown reasons. Dad never talked to me about him and grandpa. He hates

grandfather for some personal reasons I still couldn't get.

That day, as I was about to head to the hospital to greet him, I received a letter and it says: WE don't have enough time, I have SOMETHING important to tell you. TIME RUNS OUT.