This is a #storygram (mini-story) from my Instagram, which you can get to via the social media links at the top of this site. I do my best to make them daily for you to enjoy! YES, many of them will hopefully be expounded upon in novels or other future writing endeavors of mine. Thank you very much for reading and sharing them! And don’t forget to check out my film Portfolio too!
The Story:
The Nobel Prize. An honor he had dreamed of achieving. In his dreams he would enter the stage riding on the applause of his colleagues and admirers.
He wasn’t vain, but he had poured his life into his work, and this moment was the ultimate acknowledgement of his sacrifice. It was sweet. It was deserved. After all, he was the one that finally eliminated humanity’s need for fossil fuels.
He reviewed his acceptance speech cards, unable to stop smiling. Only a few seconds until he took the stage.
“Jeremiah Vost, it’s a pleasure, sir.”
Jeremiah turned around to see a man in his 20’s with an outstretched hand. He accepted the handshake.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, yes sir. So, you’re really going out there?”
“That’s the plan, son. Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”
“Well, yeah! I mean, death is scary! I’m not sure I could do it!”
Jeremiah held his eyes on the young man’s. He couldn’t decide if this was a joke or if he should call security.
“Okay, how did you get back here?”
“Oh, I’ve been here all day. I came to tell you that you’re about to die,” the boy stated like a memorized fact.
“Uh huh… And I suppose you’re a time traveler?”
The young man cackled. “Dr. Vost, you can’t travel through time. Well, not yet, anyhow. No, I can see things happen, you know, beforehand.”
“You’re talking about a premonition.”
The young man smiled, “Yes, that’s incorrect. I see a suggestion.”
Amused and slightly unnerved, Jeremiah decided to continue.
“And you think I’m going to die here tonight.”
“Oh, yes, definitely. And you’ll be a legend! Unless you don’t go on stage, in which case your reputation will be damaged, your research more heavily scrutinized, and the people that were killed during your 2037 experiments will be discovered.”
Jeremiah’s gut twisted into a knot. How could he choose between his reputation and death? He heard the host’s voice over the speakers, “And now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you…”
He searched the young man’s eyes for any signs of truth or insanity. Nothing.
“Doctor Jeremiah Vost!”
The applause he’d waited so long to hear thundered through the auditorium. He shook his head and walked onto the stage.