Future Me Saves My Life

On the eve of my college entrance exam, I receive a letter from ten years in the future. "Elliot Sutton, whatever you do, do not marry Sarah Gibson. Your marriage will be an absolute tragedy." I look up at Sarah Gibson, my girlfriend, who is sitting across from me. She is carefully picking the bones out of my fish for me. She is the most sought-after girl in our school, yet she has never had much of a temper. When it comes to me, she is always gentle and accommodating. Hence, the warning in the letter sounds completely absurd. Feeling unconvinced, I pick up my pen and angrily write my rebuttal on the back of the paper. "What do you know? She only has eyes for me. How could she ever treat me badly? "Ever since we were kids, she's always been the first to stand up for me whenever someone picks on me. Whenever it rains, she'd insist on holding the entire umbrella over my head, even if it meant that she'd get soaked." At the end, I conclude, "At worst, we'll just end up struggling a little. What's the worst that could happen? It's not like this relationship will cost me my life." The moment I stop scribbling, a new line of handwriting slowly appears on the paper. "That's exactly it. If you stay in this relationship, you will die." Chapter 1 I scoffed, convinced that this was some kind of prank. Wanting to show my girlfriend, Sarah Gibson, this ridiculous stunt, I instinctively reached for her hand. But the moment my fingertips brushed the back of her hand, the noisy cafeteria fell silent. Beside me, a man had appeared out of nowhere, floating in midair. He was wearing an oversized hospital gown, and his body was disturbingly thin. He claimed to be me from the future. "Look closely, Elliot Sutton," he said. "Look at how worthless the relationship you pride yourself on becomes after Kayden Smith enters your life." Following his gaze, I saw a hospital corridor from seven years in the future. Another version of me was seated on a bench. I looked about 25 years old, and I was hunched over and clutching my forehead painfully with one hand. Blood seeped through my fingers, staining half of my cheek and my white shirt crimson. Across from me, Sarah was frantically shouting at the nurses' station. "Where are the doctors? Kayden cut his finger on a piece of paper! Why hasn't anyone tended to him yet?" In the vision, I reached out with a trembling hand and tried to tug at Sarah's sleeve. "I'm so dizzy, Sarah. Can you take a look at my wound?" Only minutes ago, Kayden had called to say he was afraid of the dark. For that reason alone, Sarah immediately went to him in the middle of the night. I had tried to stop her because I was worried about her safety. But to my dismay, she shoved me away, and I ended up slamming my forehead hard against the sharp corner of a cabinet. When Sarah heard me, she abruptly flung my hand away, causing me to stumble backward and fall to the floor. Unlike when we were younger, she was no longer looking at me affectionately. Instead, she was glaring at me with contempt and disdain. "When are you going to drop that little act of yours, Elliot?" she sneered. "Kayden is a violinist. Do you have any idea how precious his hands are? You're a strong, rough guy. Why are you making such a fuss over a little blood?" She dusted off the sleeve I'd touched in a disgusted manner. "Go get yourself patched up somewhere else. You look terrible. You'll frighten Kayden." In that moment, a sharp pain tore through my body. I felt heartbroken. The cut on my forehead hurt, but it was nothing compared to the excruciating pain I was feeling in my chest. I tried to scream, but I couldn't make a single sound. I was being treated like a worthless piece of trash by the person I loved most. Her cold indifference made me feel as though my heart was being torn apart. By the time I snapped back to reality, Sarah was holding my face with her hands. "What's wrong, Elliot? Why did you suddenly turn so pale?" she asked, her expression filled with worry. "Does your head hurt? Are you feeling unwell?" The warmth of her palms was real, and so was the concern in her eyes. She looked nothing like the cold woman I'd just seen in that vision. Yet, the phantom pain from what I'd just witnessed still left my body trembling uncontrollably. Sarah adored me. Staring at the young woman before me, I screamed inwardly, "She loves me! There's no way that cold-hearted bitch was her. The Sarah sitting in front of me now would be worried sick if I so much as furrowed my brow! She doesn't even know anyone named Kayden Smith!" Chapter 2 To prove that my future self was lying, and that Sarah would never change, I deliberately sat on the steps beside the school field after class that afternoon and made a childish request. "I'm craving cinnamon rolls from that shop in Southside, Sarah." The shop I was referring to was three blocks away from our school, and there was always a long line. However, Sarah didn't hesitate. She shoved her backpack into my arms and affectionately ruffled my hair. "Stay right here. Your girlfriend is going to get those cinnamon rolls for you! I'll make sure you get to eat them while they're still hot!" she declared. As she took off running, the hem of her school uniform flapped in the wind. Seeing her earnestly run off to get me what I wanted made me tear up. 40 minutes later, she came back, drenched in sweat. Clutching a box of cinnamon rolls protectively, she fed me a piece and said, "Here—eat it while it's still warm. I kept the box tucked under my jacket on my way back so they wouldn't get cold." The cinnamon rolls were still warm. Sarah was smiling brightly at me as she waited for me to compliment her. I opened my mouth and took a bite. The dessert tasted incredibly sweet. My doubts finally disappeared. Turning toward the man who was floating in midair, I gave him a smug look and spat, "Did you see that? She ran three whole blocks just to get these for me. She'd never think my requests are too much trouble, and she'd never call me high-maintenance, either." The man stared at me without saying a single word. Moments later, he let out a small sigh. "You tried to convince yourself in the same way back then. You kept lying to yourself even after she abandoned you at your birthday party and dashed out to look for Kayden. You told yourself she was only trying to help someone in need, and that she had a kind heart." "Just shut up," I cut him off impatiently. "You're just jealous of me. Sarah promised that she'd never treat anyone else the same way she treats me." The man drifted closer until he was standing right in front of me. "Let's make a bet then. We'll give it a month. Even if her feelings waver slightly, you'll have to listen to me and leave her." I took another bite of my cinnamon roll. "Fine! Once you lose, get the hell out of here and stop badmouthing my relationship!" … The next day, our homeroom teacher brought a new student into the class. "This is your new classmate, Kayden Smith," she declared. "Please give him a warm welcome." Kayden stood at the front of the classroom with his head lowered, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. He had fair skin and a slender build. His school uniform looked incredibly faded, and the edges of his shoes were coming apart. He looked awkward and painfully self-conscious. Sarah was our class president. So, she knew what was going on with every student in our class. After speaking to our homeroom teacher, she learned that Kayden came from a poor background, and his family was drowning in debt. To pay for his tuition, his father even nearly had his legs broken. Once Sarah found out about this, she decided to help him apply for the school's financial aid program. "You have no idea how much he's been through, Elliot. He's just a student, but his health is poor, and he's carrying so much on his shoulders. "As the class president, I can't just stand by and do nothing when I'm aware of his situation, right? I should help him wherever I can. Don't you agree?" After class that afternoon, Sarah placed the financial-aid application on Kayden's desk. She had deliberately waited until the classroom was empty between periods so he wouldn't feel embarrassed. "Fill this out as soon as you can, Kayden. Feel free to approach me if you have any questions," she told him. From two rows of tables away, I watched Kayden's face turn bright red. "Thank you… Thank you, Sarah," he replied, his voice barely a whisper. Sarah flashed him a smile. "Don't mention it." For the rest of the day, Kayden stayed hunched over his desk, filling out the application. Now and then, he'd carefully glance back toward our seat. I knew that he was looking at Sarah. When Sarah sensed his eyes on her, she'd look up and glance in his direction. Then, he'd quickly lower his head again before blushing profusely. "See? Lending someone a helping hand does make a difference," Sarah said, with a chuckle. "Kayden looks a lot more outgoing than he was the day he joined our class. At the very least, he's mustered up the courage to look at others." I pressed my lips together and said nothing. I didn't dislike Kayden just because he was another guy. If anything, I felt sorry for him. However, I didn't want to lose to him either. Chapter 3 That afternoon, as soon as the final bell rang, I had a strange feeling that something was going to happen. So, I urged Sarah to pack up so we could head home. Sarah, Kayden, and I were the only people left in the classroom. Just as Sarah and I were about to leave, Kayden called after her. "W-Wait." Sarah turned around. "What is it, Kayden?" Kayden had delicate features, with a few stray strands of hair falling across his brows and eyes. Clutching his financial-aid application, he timidly said, "There are a few parts that I'm not quite sure of. Could you help me take a look?" Sarah agreed immediately. "You can head home without me, Elliot. This seems urgent. Since he mustered up the courage to ask, it's only right for me to help him out." "Sarah—" Suddenly growing anxious, I tried to stop her. But before I could say anything else, she walked back into the classroom with Kayden. The pair sat side by side at one of the desks and started to speak in low voices. Whatever it was, surely it could wait until tomorrow? Feeling reluctant to leave, I stood there and stared at her. This was the first time she ever asked me to go home by myself. At some point, my future self appeared in midair again. He said, "See? He's already here. From this moment onward, your relationship with Sarah will be tested every day. Just give up. You can't win against him." I gritted my teeth and snarled, "Get lost. She's just fulfilling her responsibilities as the class president. She's too kindhearted for her own good. She treats everyone well. That's how I know I chose the right partner." "Suit yourself." The man's lips curved up into a mocking smile before he vanished without a trace. … It took Sarah and Kayden an entire week to fill out the application. Every afternoon after school, Sarah stayed behind to help him. They got along really well. Kayden had a quiet resilience about him. Despite his difficult circumstances, he still seemed gentle and innocent. Sarah felt drawn to him. On more than one occasion, she told me, "Meeting Kayden made me realize that there are many people out there who have it so much harder than we do." When I tried to tell her about the latest movies, or the art exhibition happening that weekend, she always seemed unenthusiastic. "Those are such trivial things, Elliot. We should pay more attention to the hardships people are facing in the real world. Kayden can barely afford to eat, and his family is struggling to get by. I'm not in the mood to visit an art exhibition." Every time, she somehow found a way to steer the conversation back to how pitiful Kayden's situation was and how hard his life had been. She made it seem like living a comfortable life was a sin. It was as though failing to actively sympathize with Kayden's suffering made me coldhearted and out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people. Eventually, I started to question myself. Was I too spoiled? Was I being childish? Was I truly not kindhearted enough? One night, I hid beneath my blanket and quietly wiped away my tears. Some time later, my future self appeared at the foot of my bed. "Stop making excuses for her, Elliot. She's manipulating you. She's using your sense of morality against you," he exclaimed. After a pause, he added, "Little by little, she's tearing down your self-esteem so you'll start believing you're not worthy of someone as virtuous as her." I clamped my hands over my ears and didn't dare to look at him. "I don't believe you! Sarah isn't that kind of person!" I cried. "We've known each other for ten years. How could I possibly come second to a man she's only known for half a month?" I wanted to prove him wrong. Sarah used to only have eyes for me, and I wanted to get that version of her back. … That weekend, the school organized a hiking trip in the countryside. I got up earlier than usual and made Sarah's favorite sandwich. I thought that as long as Kayden wasn't around, things would go back to the way they used to be. However, once I arrived at the meet-up point, my heart sank. Kayden was there too. Sarah was crouched in front of him, casually tying his shoelaces. The gesture came so naturally to her, and the pair looked incredibly intimate. I took a deep breath and forced a smile. Making my way over to them, I asked, "Have you had breakfast, Sarah? I made you a sandwich." Sarah got to her feet and dusted her hands. "Oh, not yet." Then, she took the sandwich from me and handed it to Kayden. "Kayden hasn't had breakfast. He's prone to low blood sugar. He should have it instead." Chapter 4 I instantly panicked. "I made that for you! I didn't put any cucumbers in it. It's your favorite!" I cried. Kayden was holding the sandwich awkwardly, not knowing what to do. "I-I'm not hungry," he stammered. "You should take it—" "Keep it." Sarah cut him off and shot me a glare. "It's just a breakfast sandwich. Stop making such a big fuss about it." Then, she added, "Kayden's health has always been poor. What if he passes out? Can you try to be a bit more mature?" Here we go again. Over the past two weeks, I'd heard the word "mature" countless times. I swallowed my frustration and watched Kayden take small bites of the breakfast I'd made with so much care. My future self sighed quietly beside my ear. "See that? Your efforts are nothing more than a tool she can use to win someone else's favor. She takes the love you give her and uses it to please another man. Then, she turns around and makes you feel guilty about it." Throughout the hike, Sarah stayed by Kayden's side and constantly checked up on him. "Watch your step. Don't trip. "Are you tired? Give me your bag." I followed behind them like an unwanted third wheel. The trail was steep. Because of that, I twisted my ankle by accident. I cried out in pain and dropped to the ground, clutching my ankle. Upon hearing the commotion, Sarah turned around, frowning. "What now?" "I twisted my ankle. It hurts." I looked at her, hoping she'd help me like she used to. At the very least, I hoped that she'd show me some concern. But to my dismay, she didn't move. Instead, she glanced at Kayden. His face was pale. He was leaning against a tree, struggling to catch his breath. "Could you not make things more difficult for me right now, Elliot? Kayden's heart is acting up, and I need to look after him. Just make your way up slowly, or ask your driver to come get you." With that, she helped Kayden to his feet and walked away without looking back. "Hang in there. There's a rest area at the top. We're almost there," I heard her say. She sounded so gentle, but her love and affection weren't directed toward me. I sat on the stone steps and watched them disappear farther and farther up the trail. The pain shooting through my ankle was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. My future self crouched in front of me and reached out as if to pat my shoulder. However, his hand passed straight through me. "Do you still want to make that bet, Elliot?" he asked. "She doesn't care about you anymore." I clenched my jaw. As my tears fell onto the ground beneath me, I replied stubbornly, "I won't believe you unless she tells me she doesn't love me anymore. She… She's just doing this because Kayden isn't well." "That's right," I muttered to myself. "She's just too kind for her own good." … Sarah was so kindhearted that she was willing to sacrifice herself for Kayden. When I rushed in, she was about to sign a 50-thousand-dollar loan agreement with an illegal loan shark. "Sarah! Have you lost your mind?" I snatched the pen from her hand and slammed it onto the table. "This guy is a loan shark! The interest will keep piling up until you can't pay it off! Are you really willing to sacrifice your entire future just to help him pay off his debt?" Sarah shoved me hard. Due to my injured ankle, I couldn't keep myself on my feet. I stumbled backward and slammed my back against the corner of the wall. "You were born with a silver spoon, Elliot. You don't know anything. 50 thousand dollars is probably just pocket change to you. It's probably no more than a couple of shopping trips. But to Kayden, this money could change his life!" Kayden, who had been huddled in the corner, let out a timely sob. "Sarah, please don't fight because of me. I'm not worth it. I don't want the money anymore. Worst case, I'll go to prison. I'll sell my blood if I have to." As he spoke, his body trembled as if he were on the verge of collapsing. Sarah looked heartbroken. Jabbing a finger in my face, she roared, "See? Look how considerate Kayden is! Even at a moment like this, he's still putting you first because he's afraid you'll be upset! "Do you even have a heart, Elliot? How can you just stand by and watch someone die? How will you sleep at night knowing you did nothing to help him?" Sarah's face was contorted with rage. As I stared at her, I felt like I was looking at a stranger. The gentle young woman I'd once known had completely disappeared from my memory. A thug who was covered in tattoos impatiently slammed a knife onto the table. "Cut the crap! I'm not interested in your sob story. Pay up, or I'll take one of this pretty boy's fingers as collateral." Chapter 5 Kayden let out a terrified scream and threw himself into Sarah's arms. Sarah's eyes were bloodshot as she yelled, "Don't touch him! I'll sign it! I'll sign it right now!" I watched the thug bring the knife down to Kayden's hand. Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to stand by and watch. "Charge it to my card. Let them go," I declared. The leader of the group checked if I had enough money to cover the debt. Then, he whistled and patted Sarah on the cheek. "You're one lucky woman. You've got a man who's willing to spend money on you. Next time, don't come to a place like this and act like you're some kind of big shot. There's nothing wrong with relying on a man." I leaned against the wall, feeling completely drained. I waited for Sarah to come over and thank me—or at least, flash me an apologetic look. But to my dismay, she didn't pay me any attention. All of a sudden, Kayden clutched his chest and went limp. "Kayden! What's wrong? You're scaring me!" Color drained from Sarah's face. She hoisted him onto her back and rushed outside in a panic. "Sarah, wait! We can't get a cab from here," I called after her. We were deep in the city's slums, and the streets were filled with all kinds of shady people. To make matters worse, even the streetlights in the area were broken. Sarah stopped dead in her tracks. Then, she turned around and yelled, "Don't follow us! You were so aggressive just now that you scared Kayden!" She went on after a pause, "You need to reflect on yourself, Elliot. Why are you always so pushy? Why can't you simply coexist with Kayden?" With that, she hopped into the only car waiting by the street with Kayden. She was gone. She had just left her boyfriend—the man who had just paid off her 50-thousand-dollar debt—alone in a run-down neighborhood that was crawling with thugs. As if on cue, rain began to fall. The icy water soaked through my clothes and left me freezing. Shivering, I pulled out my phone to call my driver, but the screen flickered once before going completely black. In the alley behind me, I heard a man let out a drunken laugh. "Hey, kid! Out here all by yourself? Did your girlfriend dump you? Why don't you lend me a little cash? If you don't, we'll have no choice but to loosen you up a little." As the man's voice fell, heavy footsteps and the scrape of metal against the pavement gradually drew closer. I didn't dare to look back. I dragged my injured leg through the muddy streets and ran for my life. Trembling, I hid behind a foul-smelling dumpster and clamped a hand over my mouth to keep myself from making a sound. This was the love I'd fought so hard to protect. This was someone who was supposed to have eyes for me and me alone. "Do you still want to keep fighting for her?" I hadn't noticed when he'd appeared, but my future self was now crouching in front of me. "Listen to me, Elliot. This is only the beginning," he said. "What you're going through now is practically child's play compared to what's waiting for you in the future." I hugged my knees. My teeth chattered as my tears mixed with the rain running down my face. "H-How much worse could it possibly get?" I stammered. The man lifted a gaunt hand and pointed to his stomach. "Three years from now, you'll drink until your stomach bleeds just to help Sarah close a business deal. Then, Kayden will say that he wants some soup from the west side of the city, and Sarah will force you to go buy it even though you're still recovering in the hospital. "It'll be snowing heavily that day, and the roads will be slick. You'll get hit by a speeding truck all because you want to shield that bowl of soup with your body. Do you know what Sarah will be doing when that happens?" He flashed me a bitter smile before continuing, "She'll be watching fireworks with Kayden." "You'll lie there alone in the snow, slowly freezing to death as you bleed out. Your phone will be filled with unanswered calls to her, and while you're dying, she'll post this on social media. 'One smile from Kayden is worth more than anything else in the whole world.' "The whole time, you'll be clutching that bowl of soup in your dying hands. You'll be terrified of spilling a single drop for fear that she'd be angry with you." I suddenly covered my mouth and started retching violently. My future self leaned in closer. "That was a human life, Elliot. It's your life. Are you really going to let someone like her get us both killed?" I lifted my head and wiped the cold rain from my face. "I'm done gambling on her," I said hoarsely. "I give up."