That was my mistake.

  Thinking everything would go as before. That my trip back in time was just a second chance… and not a sentence.

  Then the pandemic came.

  The world shut down. Empty streets, silent cities, an invisible fear creeping like a shadow over everything and everyone.

  But I went on with my life as usual.

  I said good morning to my grandma, and she replied in the same sweet tone as always. I went outside to the wall of the house we rented, played with my brother.

  My mom showed up, picked Miguel up in her arms, and said she was going to work. Doing nails. The day went by.

  And then came the next morning.

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  I said good morning to my grandma. She replied… exactly the same way.

  Breakfast was the same. My mom arrived shortly after, holding Miguel by the hand.

  That made me stop.

  — Again?

  I frowned. Something felt… out of place.

  She asked if Miguel could stay here with grandma.

  — But you already brought him yesterday.

  My mom furrowed her brows.

  — I didn’t even come here yesterday.

  The world froze.

  My skin bristled, my chest tightened in a terrifying realization.

  I’m dumb, but I’m not stupid.

  Something is wrong.

  I went through the day as usual.

  I played with my brother the same way as the day before. The same game, the same laughter.

  The sun set, the night fell, and I went to sleep.

  But when I woke up… the same events repeated.

  I said good morning to my grandma. She replied exactly the same way.

  My mom arrived with Miguel, asking if he could stay.

  — But you already brought him yesterday.

  And once again, she frowned.

  — I didn’t even come here yesterday.

  Breakfast had the same flavors, the same words, the same actions.

  It was as if… time had gotten stuck.

  At first, it was just an annoyance. Then, it became unsettling. By the third time, a shiver ran up my spine like icy fingers dragging me into a silent nightmare.

  Why?

  Everything followed the usual course. But was that because it was supposed to?

  Or because… there was no need to change?

  What if this was the best choice?

  The human mind rejects perfect patterns. Anything repeated too much starts to feel wrong. But what if the mistake was me?

  I wondered: what if I changed something?

  And with that thought burning in my mind, I looked down at the ring on m

  y finger.

  Shining, silent. Watching.