Back To You ?River Phoenix?

•••November 28th, 2018•••

That morning was quite the hassle. I spent longer that I had ever before on my appearance. If this wasn't a scam, maybe I needed to dress professional. But, if it was, I'd need something easy to run in.

In the end, a skirt, and a button up shirt worked just fine. I slid into the car, ready to battle LA traffic. Even at 4:30 in the morning.

My fingers drummed against the steering wheel as the name 'Dr. McGrieves' ran through my head. Where had I seen that name before?

After honking at at least seventeen strangers, running a red light or two, and forgetting to see a yield sign, I managed to get to the Science Department place. It was massive.

Pristine white walls, smooth marble sidewalks, clear glass, and the nasty smell of cleaners decorated this place. There were almost identical buildings everywhere, large and towering over me to block the sun.

I held the letter in my hands, wrinkling the perfectly straight paper. The sound of my flats hitting the perfectly shined floor of the south wing unnerved me. This place was too strict for me.

"E-Excuse me miss? I'm looking for the South Tower?"

The lady looked up, peering at me through the lenses of her glasses. "Mhmm. Do you have an appointment?"

"I don't... I don't know. The name is Lydia C-"

"Carlton?"

"Y-yes ma'am."

"Go to the right, walk straight down the hall, take the second elevator to the left , go up to the eighth floor, walk down the hall. Take a left, then the door to Dr. McGrieves' office should be the third to your right."

My eyebrows furrowed. I should've brought a notepad. As I journeyed to the the office, all I could do was run the directions through my mind.

This seemed like a legitimate mission, but why was I just now questioning? Why me? How did they even know I was alive? How did they manage to get my apartment address? There were more questions than that, more to name.

Soon I was standing in front of a wooden door, knocking. The door was opened by the exact same man I had bumped into on Halloween night!

Same hair, same glasses, even the same outfit. I opened my mouth to speak, but I found myself stripped of words. He had given me his card- that part of the mystery was solved.

"Well, Well well! So we meet again! Please, please. Step inside. Step inside."

I walked in, wishing he would stop repeating things.

The office was extremely messy compared to the rest of the building. There were papers strewn about, most containing doodles. Empty Diet cokes and pizza boxes were piled up and around the desks. The walls were plastered with papers and high tech looking designs.

"Have a seat."

I glanced at the only other chair. There were piles of thick books and more papers.

"Oh." He muttered, and with one large whack of his hand, everything went flying from the chair.

I pursed my lips and sat on the edge of the chair, crossing my knees.

"So, you must be wondering why we've called you here today. But, please, introductions first. I am Dr. Philip McGrieves. It's nice to meet you without ramming into you. Really is."

I managed a fake smile. "So, what will I be doing? Exploring a jungle? Building something high tech-"

"Now, we both know you aren't capable of that." He chuckles. I merely glare at him as he continues. " you are here to do something that no one in the history of our universe has ever done before."