The journey of a Time Traveller 2

Chapter 2:

The Butterfly Effect

Time travel, Daniel had theorized, was like walking on glass—every step left a mark. Changing the past could ripple outward, affecting the future in unpredictable ways. But in that moment, none of that mattered. He couldn’t let his great-grandfather be erased from history, murdered before his time. Daniel proposed a plan: they would fake William’s death, hide him away, and allow him to continue his work in secret.

The plan worked. With the help of some of William’s trusted colleagues, they staged a fire in the lab, and William disappeared into the shadows. Daniel, knowing he had altered history, returned to his time—both hopeful and fearful of what he might find.

As the ChronoLink hummed and the familiar feeling of being pulled through time enveloped him, Daniel felt both excitement and dread. When the world snapped back into focus, he was in his workshop again. But something was wrong.

The room wasn’t as he had left it. The clutter was gone, replaced by sleek, advanced technology. ChronoLink Industries—a name he had never seen before—was emblazoned on a series of futuristic gadgets scattered around the room. Panic gripped him as he rushed to the window.

The world outside was… different. The streets were cleaner, the air purer, but towering structures made of glass and metal loomed over the city. Hovering vehicles zipped by overhead. He had changed too much.

Daniel had known the risks, but the reality of the butterfly effect was more profound than he’d imagined. He rushed to his computer—now a holographic interface—to find out what had happened in the timeline. His fingers trembled as he searched for records of William Eldridge. The name popped up instantly.

William had not only survived but had gone on to revolutionize the world. His discovery of limitless energy had led to a technological golden age, transforming human civilization. The energy wars of the 20th century had never happened. Entire industries had been reshaped. But there was one detail that caught Daniel’s attention and froze his heart: ChronoLink Industries. The very company that was now seemingly everywhere was founded by none other than Daniel Eldridge.

He had become a key figure in this new world—a world shaped by his actions. But the success came at a price. This future, though advanced and clean, was rigid, controlled, and utterly dominated by the corporation that bore his name. He had inadvertently created a monopoly on time travel and technology, a power that governed everything. CHAPTER 3