Echoes of Tomorrow

Chapter 1: The Unraveling Dr. Emily Carter had always been obsessed with time. As a quantum physicist, she spent years developing a machine that could send objects—and potentially people—through time. Late one night, in her secluded laboratory, Emily finally succeeded. The machine hummed to life, and a shimmering portal appeared before her. With a mix of fear and excitement, Emily stepped through the portal, clutching a small device she’d designed to bring her back. She found herself in a desolate, futuristic city. Buildings lay in ruins, and the sky was a sickly orange. As she explored the crumbling streets, she realized she had not just traveled through time—she had entered a possible future. A figure emerged from the shadows, someone who looked unsettlingly familiar. As the figure stepped into the light, Emily gasped. It was her, an older, battle-hardened version of herself. “You shouldn’t be here,” the future Emily warned, her voice tinged with urgency. “You’ve just changed everything.”