Chapter 3

"Grandma, run! Don't come over!" I screamed hysterically, "He has a knife!"

But Helen didn't back down. She raised her trembling phone: "Fletcher Thompson, I've already called the police! You better let her go right now!"

"Called the police?" Fletcher sneered, "You think I'm scared? Since you insist on meddling..."

He slowly pulled out a gleaming folding knife from his pocket. The blade flashed coldly under the dim streetlight.

"No!" Seeing that knife, I completely broke down, "Grandma, please run! Please!"

"Bailey, I won't abandon you," Helen looked at me firmly, then roared at Fletcher, "If you want to hurt her, you'll have to step over my dead body first!"

"As you wish, old lady!" Fletcher grinned menacingly and raised the knife.

Time seemed to freeze. I watched helplessly as that knife plunged toward Grandma's chest, just like the nightmare from eight years ago replaying itself.

"NO!!!" I let out a heart-wrenching scream.

Blood instantly stained Grandma's lavender cardigan red.

"Bailey... be strong... I love you..." Helen trembled as she reached out, wanting to touch my face one last time.

"Grandma! Why... why is it the same again!" I held Grandma's gradually cooling body, crying and screaming in agony.

Police sirens wailed in the distance. Fletcher had already fled. A police officer rushed over to check the situation: "Miss, the ambulance is coming, don't give up!"

But I knew it was all over. The light had already faded from Grandma's eyes, just like eight years ago.

Fate was so cruel. Even though I had returned to the past, even though I had changed our route, the tragedy still repeated itself.

In overwhelming despair and shock, my consciousness began to blur. In my final moment, I heard that familiar voice calling me back to reality...

Everything plunged into darkness again.

When I woke up, I found myself back in that cold living room. The monitoring equipment was still flashing blue lights, the screen displaying frozen images.

My cheeks were still wet—I didn't know if it was from tears during the time travel or if I had just been crying again.

The first time travel... had failed.

"Why? Why didn't changing the route work?" I buried my head in my hands, curling up on the sofa. Everything I had just experienced was vivid—Fletcher had anticipated my actions all along. He had been watching us!

I reached out with trembling hands to touch Grandma's face on the screen again. But this time, nothing happened.

I desperately pounded the screen: "Why won't you let me go back? Why? I haven't saved Grandma yet!"

Tears blurred my vision again. I realized a cruel truth: simply running away wouldn't solve the problem.

Fletcher hadn't encountered me by chance—he had planned everything. He knew my school route, knew Grandma's schedule, and even the alternative routes I might choose were all within his expectations.

"No... I can't give up." I wiped away my tears and forced myself to think calmly, "This time I must change my strategy. Not passively avoiding, but actively changing the entire timeline!"

I remembered what had happened during the day. What if I could make Grandma stay away from home all day? What if I could find others to help?

That's right! The community center!

I suddenly remembered that on November 23rd, 2017, the community center had hosted a Thanksgiving charity dinner. I hadn't participated then, but if I actively suggested helping out, Grandma would definitely agree!

That way she could stay away from home, away from danger!

"This time I'm going to change everything completely!" I stood up and placed my hand on the screen again, "Let me go back, let me start over!"

I stared intently at Grandma's face on the screen, but this time nothing happened.

"Why? Why won't you let me go back?" I pounded the screen forcefully, tears streaming again, "I know I was wrong! I can't just run away, I need to actively change everything! Please... give me one more chance!"

My tears dropped onto the screen, landing right on Grandma's loving smile. In that instant, the screen suddenly flickered.

Unlike the gentle pull of the first time, this sensation was much stronger, as if testing my determination.

The image began to spin violently. I felt dizzyingly disoriented. Grandma's voice echoed in my ears: "Bailey, be strong... I love you..."

I closed my eyes and let that force drag me into the vortex of space and time...

Echoes reverberated through the time tunnel—my own desperate voice: "Why is it the same again! Grandma! Why... why..."

Then came Fletcher's evil laughter: "You think changing routes would help you escape?"

"No!" I roared angrily through space and time, "This time I absolutely won't let this happen again!"

November 23rd, 2017, 7:00 AM.

I jerked my eyes open to find myself lying on that familiar single bed. Sunlight streamed through the curtains onto the covers, and the aroma of chocolate cookies wafted from the kitchen.

I was back. The second time travel. But this time I had traveled back to the morning, giving me more time to prepare.

I sat up and clenched my fists. This time was different—I had returned with a brand new plan and stronger determination.

"I won't let the tragedy repeat!" I said to myself in the mirror, "This time I'm taking the initiative!"

"Bailey? Sweetheart, are you awake?" Grandma Helen's gentle voice came from the kitchen, "I'm making your favorite chocolate cookies!"

I rushed out of the bedroom and threw myself toward the kitchen.

"Grandma!" I hugged that warm body tightly, tears instantly streaming down my face.

"Oh my, what's wrong with my little angel?" Helen patted my back gently, "Did you have a nightmare?"

If only Grandma knew this 'nightmare' had already come true twice...

"Grandma, let's go help at the community center today!" I suddenly looked up, my eyes more determined than ever before, "They need volunteers to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner. Let's go help!"

Helen paused for a moment, then beamed: "Of course! I was just thinking about sharing these cookies with people who need them. You know what? The secret is adding a little sea salt, and most importantly—"

"Making them with love." I finished the sentence.

"Yes! Making them with love!" Helen clapped her hands in delight, "My little Bailey has really grown up!"

This time I would keep Grandma in a safe place all day. During the day at the community center, and not coming home at night either—Fletcher wouldn't have a chance!

I forced myself to smile, but the tension inside was climbing frantically. Time was running out; I had to act quickly.

After breakfast, I went to school with my backpack as usual, but I was distracted all morning.

Sitting in the classroom, I kept checking my watch, calculating the time. The math teacher was explaining problems at the blackboard, but my mind was completely elsewhere.

2:20 PM... just ten more minutes until class ended, but the community center started at 3:00. I had to leave now!

I raised my hand: "Teacher, my stomach hurts. May I go to the nurse's office?"

The math teacher frowned but nodded: "Go ahead, be careful."

"Thank you, teacher." I quickly packed my bag and whispered to my desk mate: "If anyone asks, just say I wasn't feeling well."

After rushing out of the classroom, I didn't go to the nurse's office. Instead, I ran straight toward the school's perimeter wall. There were still other classes in session in the hallway; I had to be careful not to be discovered.

I circled around the main building, crossed the playground, and finally reached the most secluded section of the school wall.

This area was rarely visited and was the perfect spot for cutting class. Just as I was about to climb the wall, a strong hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"What are you doing?"