It was a dark evening when everything began. I stayed late at school to finish my homework. The halls were empty and silent. Suddenly, I heard a strange metallic sound coming from the science lab.I slowly walked inside. The lights flickered. In the corner of the room, I saw a strange machine covered with dust. It had wires, a glowing screen, and a large red button. On it, there was a warning: “Time Travel Device – Dangerous!”My heart was beating fast. I knew I shouldn’t touch it… but I did.The moment I pressed the button, the room shook. A loud sound filled my ears. The walls disappeared, and I felt like I was falling into darkness.When I opened my eyes, I was no longer in my school.The building around me looked different walls made of glass, moving screens, and flying drones. A sign above the entrance read: “Welcome to School – Year 2052.” At first, I was amazed. But then… something felt wrong.The school was too quiet. No laughter. No voices. Just the cold hum of machines.Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me.I turned around slowly… and saw a robot.Its eyes were glowing red.It looked at me and said in a cold, broken voice: “Unknown human detected.” My body froze. Then it shouted: “ALERT!” Suddenly, more robots appeared from the corridors. Their metal footsteps echoed loudly. They began to run toward me.I started running as fast as I could.The doors slammed shut around me. Screens on the walls flashed warnings: “SECURITY BREACH.”I turned a corner, but two robots blocked my way. Their arms transformed into weapons. One of them reached toward me.I screamed and ran the other way.My heart was beating fast. I could hear them chasing me—closer… closer…I found a classroom and rushed inside. The door closed behind me. I hid under a desk, trying not to make a sound. But then… A shadow appeared under the door. The handle slowly moved. The door opened. A robot entered. Its red eyes scanned the room. “Scanning… scanning…” I held my breath.It stepped closer.Closer.I thought it was the end. Suddenly, a hologram appeared in the air—a teacher!The teacher’s voice echoed: “System override!”The lights flickered again. The robots stopped moving. Their red eyes turned off.Silence.I slowly stood up, shaking.The teacher looked at me and said, “You don’t belong here. You must go back.”My hands were trembling as I searched my pockets. I found the small time device still glowing.Behind me, one robot suddenly moved again.Its eye flickered red. “Target… not… eliminated…”It started moving toward me again.I quickly pressed the button. Everything exploded. When I opened my eyes, I was back in my school. The lab was quiet. The machine was gone. I ran out of the room, breathing heavily.Since that day, I never stay late at school again. Because I know… the future is not always safe.
By Ayşehan Güler
6th Great Trackers