The place was dead quiet, seeming even more so as Joseph opened the door that lead to the priceless antiques. It creaked loudly, as if to warn him not to trespass. He stalked in silently, tiptoeing … perhaps the walls could hear his defiance?

The room was pristine, contrary to his expectations. The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with shelves. Shelves filled with books, maps, keys, trophies and even an old sword, still in its scabbard.

“This is amazing,” he muttered to himself, as he stared at the sword. “If only Zuri were here to see this.”

The sword was beautiful, and Joseph did what any 21-year-old Star Wars movie fanatic would do. He grabbed it, pretended he was Luke Skywalker, and swung the sword like a lightsaber, mimicking its security beam sounds.

Mid-action, Joseph heard gut-wrenching screams fill the air; the sound of swishing back and forth whistling overhead. The thundering of a hundred horses charging by. Joseph saw men swinging and thrusting swords at each other, the metallic sound of blades clashing, echoing throughout. He let out a startled scream as a man darted towards him, sword brandished and ready to kill – but Joseph dropped the sword he was holding and fell to his knees.

The dreamlike vision immediately disappeared, and he found himself sitting back in the store.

“Shit shit shit! What the hell was that?” he said to himself, trying to recollect the events that had just transpired.

Dazed, he made it back to his feet, leaving the sword on the floor. He wanted to kick it back up to the shelf but thought better of touching it in any way. He walked to the doorway out of the room … but something else intriguing caught his eye. Right at the back of the room stood an old clock.

He walked cautiously over to it. Everything about the clock seemed intricate when he stood before it, examining it closely – from the way the arms moved, to the Roman numerals. Joseph had never seen anything so complex.

For fear of what had happened with the sword, he decided not to touch it. Instead, he moved around it slowly, staring at every fine detail. Then he found an inscription on the glass:

Time is simple, yet it is wise

It is a friend, an enemy in disguise.

Twist and turn, make an unbreakable pact

Remember, I cannot change

For the past is intact.

Fear stood on the threshold, but curiosity kicked down the door. Joseph grabbed the clock and turned the long arm back 15 minutes. Instantly he found himself back in the main room of the shop.

“Alright Joe. See you later. Off to see my little man…” and he watched his uncle wave goodbye once more.

He had travelled back in time and his uncle did not even notice it!

Joseph knew what he would do next. He would turn back time far enough to save his family.

Tell us: Do you think time travel will one day be a reality?