Prompt 17 of 31

The Writer's Book of Matches pg. 138 "I know it sounds corny, but this is really going to be the trip of a lifetime."

Start time: 10:49

"I know it sounds corny," Michael said, he looked to the young woman standing next to him before the time vortex, "but this is really going to be the trip of a lifetime."

Tabitha rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Pun intended?" she said.

"Of course," he replied.

The two faced forward and clasped their hands together.

The swirling bright cloud before them, containing the tear in the fabric of time, beckoned them forward. All of the voices and sounds of the past echoed from it.

"How does it work," Tabitha said.

Michael laughed and shrugged.

"Hell if I know."

"Okay."

Tabitha bit her bottom lip and bowed her head.

"Do you think we'll ever come back?"

Michael's expression went from happy to blank. For a moment his eyes searched the air before him before he turned toward his time traveling companion.

"I don't know," he said.

The two pairs of eyes met.

"I don't think so."

Tabitha ripped her hand from Michael's and stepped away. Her hands were held at her chest and she fidgeted with her fingers nervously. It was then that she shook her head.

"I can't do this."

"What?" Michael said. "All the talk. The preparation. You said you would go with me."

Tabitha lifted her hands to her ears and she closed her eyes.

"I know what I said Michael, but I thought all of this was unachievable. Who ever thinks that their boyfriend will actually rip a whole in space and time so that they can travel to any period." she paused for an answer. "No one!"

Michael moved toward her but with every step she moved away until her back met the wall.

"Why didn't you believe me?"

"Seriously?"

A scream echoed from the tear and Michael turned toward it.

Tabitha took that moment to slide along the wall and away from him.

When he turned back around his expression was surprise.

"Love, it doesn't matter," he said, "regardless if you thought I could do it or not I have. We have the greatest opportunity before us. Many in the world would give up everything just for the chance."

"You don't know where we'll end up. That is a crap chute, Michael."

Michael laughed.

"Does it even matter?"

"Yes!" She said.

Tabitha began gathering up her things quickly.

"We could end up in a time where we could be slaves. Or we could end up where there is no running water or food. We could end up where there is no one around and it's just us." She paused. "Are you prepared for that type of situation?"

Tabitha started for the door.

"Where are you going?" Michael said.

He threw himself against the door, blocking her only route out.

"I can't believe I even entertained this idea. This is ridiculous and I would like to leave. Please, let me go."

Michael crossed his arms over his chest and slid halfway down the door, so that he was eye level with Tabitha.

"You'd really let me go on my own?"

Tabitha looked back at the rift for a moment.

"You would really go?"

"We were just about to go a few moments ago!" He said, gesturing towards the portal. "Why all of a sudden the change of heart."

Tabitha opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

It was at that moment that Michael grabbed her arms and began pulling her toward the tear in time.

"What're you doing, Michael?" she said.

Tabitha began to fight against him but he was just too strong for her to battle with.

"Whatever we encounter we will do it together. I will take care of you."

"I told you I don't want to go!"

Tabitha fought harder as Michael stood within inches from the tear.

A grin spread across his face as he stuck a foot into another time and place.

Tabitha lifted her leg and collided with the apex of Michael's legs. His arms retracted toward the pain and it was in that moment that Tabitha shoved him into the tear and it swallowed him whole. With a bolt of lightning it vanished and she stood alone in the garage.