Screen Sharing | Short Story

Hari walks off the elevator with his arms reaching out wide. Every finger is sprawled as he moves through the vast open space. The Vancouver skyline fills the windows surrounding him. Sunshine pours in, reflecting an intricate symbol across the floor. “This space was once the heartbeat of our cities’ newspaper.”

A crew of three men hold the elevator open. Hari pulls his laptop out of his shoulder bag, “This is the spot guys, bring it in.” They carry an old wooden office desk and chair towards him. This is the first moment he's sat down all day. Sinking into the chair and leaning back he looks up with pure delight. “That will do it for today fellas.” They walk away laughing, and pretend to box with each other while waiting for the lift.

A “show new message from Esha” prompt appears on the laptop screen. The men stop goofing around. All three of them take a step back from the elevator doors. Hari hears the clicking of high heels.

There she is. Esha from 2002. How did she find me already?

Dressed in all black and looking like a monolith, she gazes around the wide open space. The movers gawk at her for a moment as she walks right past them.

“Hari, I know this is sudden.”

“Well, I did come back here to find you and start the publishing company.”

“Look, it’s the necklace. The one we found together.” Her hand reaches out as sunlight sparkles across the diamond surface.

Walking towards her, his eyes widen. There it is, I never thought I’d see it again.

A loud rumble passes through the building. Hari can no longer see straight. Esha’s figure blurs and starts to disappear. Pressing his hands against his temples he shakes his head. “What is this? Everything is so bright.” The necklace shifts in and out of perception.

Okay, this is happening, I’ve been here before, this is one of those episodes.

Hari is now walking through a snowstorm with Esha at his side. A city bus blows by as he turns to cover her face from the wind. Time slows to a halt. With incredible precision he notices the same symbol from the necklace within a drifting snowflake.

“Hari, are you okay?” The necklace and snowflake merge together as one. White light shines in his peripheral vision. Hari takes another step towards Esha. He can see the snowstorm deep in the black of her eyes. Reaching his hands out Esha takes hold of them. With incredible detail he sees into the past as if it is the now. The window to the storm in her eyes is mesmerizing.

It is the winter of 2002 and they have decided to walk home, through the storm, together. Esha walks right beside him, “I really hope you get the job.” “Well, if I don’t we should start our own publishing company!”

Esha sprints forward and slides across the ice covered sidewalk. “Keep sliding like that!” Hari tosses her the camera. Just after catching it she makes a fierce stride forward. While gliding across the ice with ease she snaps a photograph.

“Hey, look at this!” Esha leans down and picks up a necklace off the sidewalk.

---

---

---

Original short story written for Art Prompt Writing Contest #8 by @gmuxx

Many thanks to all the folks at The Writers Block
Especially these editors who personally helped me
understand so much more about my writing.
Your input was a blessing.
@anikekirsten
@rhondak
@caleblailmusik
@jonknight