The ether was calm. In circling patterns it gently moved in the velvety softness of night, shimmering under a multitude of lights and mesmerising Alex with its spellbinding flow. This silvery, water-like substance appeared very peaceful and by the look of it, it was supposed to give life rather than take it. But Alex knew better than to trust appearances and kept a respectful distance as she watched the circling patterns from an edge of the long pier.

The sound of approaching steps broke Alex’s meditations. Lewis, her friend and a classmate, had been pacing the pier and his restlessness brought him back towards the edge. He untied a skyboat moored nearby and carefully pulled it closer.

‘It’s time,’ he said, ‘it’s time to go.’

‘I’d wait a little longer. The tide is not high enough.’

‘Who cares about the tide! We should go now. I am tired of waiting.’

‘Sometimes waiting is the best thing we can do. You’ll always have time to kill yourself.’

Alex shivered. This unintentional remark made her aware of what she was about to accomplish. Would she dare to proceed?

Lewis wanted to reciprocate Alex’s remark but hesitated. Fixing the boat back to where it was, he sat down. He had fiddled with the boat three times already.

‘What is it?’ Alex asked softly.

‘Nothing.’

‘Nothing doesn’t make you pace up and down the pier. It would be better if you let it out of your system.’

Lewis grunted. It was his way of admitting that Alex was right. He retrieved an apple from one of his pockets, which after a long journey became bruised and lost its appeal, and threw it into the ether. The apple floated on the surface for a while and then suddenly disappeared, dissolving into nothing. 

‘This could happen to us, you know.’ He finally verbalised the obvious. ‘Are you not afraid?’

‘I am a little,’ said Alex sincerely.

‘And this does not bother you?’

‘No, why?’ (She was lying)

‘Why?’ Lewis raised his voice in concern. ‘We can die!’

‘Of course we can die. I thought we were already clear on that.’

Lewis flung his arms in frustration. Grabbing a handful of pebbles – there were plenty around – he threw them carelessly into the ether. With a big splash, the pebbles hit the surface, and both Alex and Lewis dodged to avoid the threat of tiny ether droplets heading their way.

‘Relax,’ said Alex maintaining her calm. ‘Everything will work out in the end.’

I hope, she mused. She looked back at her friend and noticed that he collected another handful of pebbles and squeezed them tightly in his fist. She uneasily glanced at the ether. Now this would be a very silly way to go.

Touching Lewis’ hand, Alex loosened his fingers one by one until he finally let the pebbles go. ‘I think you are far too stressed.’

‘And I think you are taking this far too lightly.’

I wish… Alex mused. You have no idea…

Shaking off the pebble dust from his hands, Lewis walked back towards the shore. There was a glass construction next to the Pier’s base and Lewis went inside. The construction was round like a ball and was a safe haven during ether storms. It was a perfect place for Lewis to vent out his anger.

‘Wait, Lewis.’ Alex’ voice was far more serious now. ‘I am sorry. It’s just… I’ve got so much on my mind… I’d go insane if I let it get to me all at once…’

Scurrying after Lewis, Alex entered the ball construction. Lewis clutched his fists and paced the interior with even more vigour than before. She came closer. Putting her hands around his waist Alex looked into his eyes. The electricity between them was intense and it calmed Lewis down. He breathed deeply without saying anything and his eyes became more relaxed.

‘We are in this together,’ said Alex, ‘and no matter what happens I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure this mission is successful.’

‘I hope you are right. I hope it is all worth it in the end.’

‘It is all worth it, I am sure of it.’

It better be. Alex sighed.

Remembering why she dragged Lewis out here, she shuddered again. A thought of what she was about to do frightened her. But she had come this far and there was no going back. When Lewis was completely relaxed, Alex placed her hands around his face and gently pulled him closer. Then with a brisk movement, she twisted his neck and knocked him out. He did not see this coming and with a big thump, he fell down onto the floor. Alex winced; she did not dare to look at her friend’s face but only glanced to recapture his trusting look. Pulling Lewis’ limp body back onto the Pier, she pushed it into the ether. It floated on the surface for a few seconds and then disappeared into nothing.
I am sorry, Lewis. I said I would do anything to ensure this mission is successful.

Feeling a big knot at the pit of her stomach, Alex trembled: killing friends was not what you would call normal… But then what was normal anyway? The fact that she was so calm about it or that she had travelled into the future to do it? She did not know and she would need a long time to resolve this philosophical dilemma. Time, which she did not have.

Glancing at the ether waves, which were becoming bigger now, Alex realised that her own future self would be catching up with her very soon, and she needed to get out before this happened. With all the strength that was still left in her, she conceptualised her not so distant present and concentrated on it.

She was breathlessly curious about the reality to which she would return and had no fear, but she also felt unsure about the choice she had made.