A Tear in the Fabric of Time🔊

Once in a city of endless possibilities called Avalon, two best friends, Alvin and Milo, dwelt. Alvin, a reserved mathematician known for his groundbreaking research, was cherished by the academic fraternity. Milo was his sharp contrast, exuberant, and passionately curious about the mysteries of the universe. Alvin respected science and its parameters, whilst Milo, though not a scientist, had limitless belief in the supernatural mystical world. This stark contrast in their personalities endeavored to create an unorthodox harmony in their friendship.

One fateful day, Alvin, after years of meticulous research, discovered a mathematical anomaly, a mistake repeated in centuries of scientific formulae. In layman terms, he stumbled upon a probability of a tear in the fabric of time. This discovery grayed him overnight, with the weight of its implications. Speaking out publicly could jeopardize his credibility, on the other hand, keeping quiet felt like an abandonment of duty. Assistance was required, and for Alvin, it was clear that he needed his counterpart - Milo.

Greeted by an effervescent Milo, an apprehensive Alvin presented his mind-bending discovery. Milo, rather than being petrified, gazed at the research with curiosity bordering on delight, discussing the fantastic possibilities it offered, ranging from time-travel to inter-dimensional existence. His joyous demeanor rubbed off, and the once timid Alvin became a daring explorer.

Tirelessly, for weeks, working at Milo's chaotic basement full of clocks and ancient artifacts, they contrived an odd contraption that, theoretically, could manipulate the tear to pave the way for time travel. To conquer its unpredictable nature, they decided to test the machine on inanimate objects, and shocking as it was, their trials yielded success. Encouraged by their results, Milo became over ambitious and decided to transcend time barriers himself.

Ignoring Alvin's pleas, Milo stepped into the contraption. As the gears turned, and the already hacked-up room began to vibrate, accompanied by a cacophony of noise, Milo disappeared. Alvin fell to the floor with the realisation of what had transpired. He had lost his friend, his confidante—lost in time.

Days stretched into weeks, then months. Alvin spent this time contemplating his actions and the world kept spinning by, unaware of the monumental inventiveness that had transpired. Meanwhile, he constantly attempted to bring Milo back, to rectify the consequences of their scientific temper.

Exactly a year later, after countless efforts, Milo reappeared from the contraption—hair greyed, eyes dulled yet smiling. His return astounded Alvin, driving him through a spectrum of emotions. Overwhelmed with relief, remorse and a myriad of question, he hugged his friend tight. Milo's journey, however, had aged him tremendously.

Milo regaled him with tales of his otherworldly travels: past eras rich in history, future civilizations technologically advanced, beings of other dimensions. Despite the exhilaration of his stories, the perilous venture had drained him. The anomaly, the contraption, their invention—all was dismantled and buried in the past. The duo agreed never to inform the world, taking their secret with them to their graves. Yet deep in his heart, Alvin retained the knowledge that the world was not as simple as it seemed, and that time was as fluid as the river, adding another layer of mysticism to his platonic world view.

The story stands a testament to the marvels and terrors of innovation, emphasizing the duality of all things conceivable: while the discovery was monumental, it had its perils. Despite immediate gratification, potential long-term impacts lurk in the shadows, reminding us of the essential balance in every aspect of existence, not just science. Conclusively, this tale is an elegy for unshared knowledge of every man who carried secrets with them to their grave, of potential lost and potential gained, and the traces it leaves in the sands of time.