The time machine was operational. David set the coordinates to the date before the accident and inhaled deeply, soon he’d be reunited with his precious Aleena.
There was a thunderous clap and magnetic pull, as the nauseous David was sucked back in time. Suddenly, the rumbling came to an abrupt halt, nearly flinging him out of the machine.
David cautiously emerged amidst the foul stench of sewerage remains.
There was something different about his home city. He caught sight of the newspaper stand and came across stories that made his jaw drop. The history he once knew was no longer what it used to be.
It took him a couple of hours of exploring and contemplating to finally figure out that he was in some sort of a parallel timeline of the past. The people were mostly the same, but disparate outcomes.
He hurried to Aleena’s house and what greeted him there made him wish he’d lived through the heartache of losing her; for there she sat, arm in arm, with his brother Edmund.
Dollops of Heedful Ramblings 
Nicely thought out tale of the pitfalls of Time Travel! Well done.
Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! 🙂
The dangers of time travel – the alternative may be worse than the original. Well done!
There are some aspects of life we just shouldn’t mess with. Thank you so much! 😊
Ouch. That had to hurt. But then, at least she was still alive and hopefully happy. Time is a fickle mistress. Nice story!
The fact that she’s alive should make him feel better but heartache and jealousy can make one act irrationally. Thank you for reading! 😊
Oh no, time travel always seems to run amuck. And how awful to have his love married to his brother Edmund. Does he exist as himself in this parallel time universe? Interesting story and written well.
Never a good idea to mess with time! I guess he’ll find out if he decides to stay!😊 Thank you!
Ouch! He’d surely would prefer to live through the heartache of losing her than to witness the sight of her on his brother’s arms. 😦
Very well done, S!
That’s probably the last time he tries to change the past! Thank you! 😊
Most definitely! My pleasure, S~
Nicely done!
Thank you for reading! 😊
Ohhhh, ouch! That hurt! Great write.
Thank you so much for stopping by! Glad you liked it! 🙂
Trying to play with the timeline causes issues that out of control. Excellent story.
Thank you so much! 😊
You’re welcome 🙂
It seems he should have left time travel alone. He better get back to the present and make due. Good story, SW. Good use of the prompt. Well done. —- Suzanne
True! Trying to control what you shouldn’t! Thank you so much! Glad you liked it! 🙂