Cullen's Paradoxical Odyssey

Cullen felt tired, the day's ride was hard on his body. The sun was starting to set and he was within sight of the inn where he had planned to rest for a few days before moving on. He always liked this place, its simplicity reminded him of his childhood back in America, it also had one of the best meads in the country.

He had traveled for weeks and crossed many borders before arriving in England. He was looking forward to a good long rest so he could plan his next move. He had no trouble finding the place and walked into the small tavern with a smile on his face. It was quiet, most people were either at home or out doing their business for the evening. Only two men were sitting at a table and drinking. He approached them and greeted them "Good evening, how are you gentlemen?"

The man closest to him looked up and smiled while offering an empty chair to Cullen, who gratefully accepted it. "Good eve'nin' stranger, we're jus' havin' a drink." The man said while pouring himself another cup of mead from the pitcher on the table.

"I'm Cullen by the way." Cullen replied with a nod as he grabbed a cup of mead from the table, filled it with some beer from the pitcher and took a gulp.

"Bill," said the man as he poured another cup of mead for himself and his friend "and my wife is waitin' for me at home." Bill said as he stared into his cup "She's gonna give me hell tonight... I don't know why but she always does!" Bill snickered to himself and shot some of the contents of his cup into his throat.

Cullen smiled at Bill's comment but quickly realized that something wasn't right; there was no wife waiting at home for Bill! There was no home to begin with! This wasn't the same place Cullen remembered from before he jumped ahead in time! Everything was different! It was like nothing made sense anymore!

Bill's friend looked at him with disappointment "Bill," He called "Your wife is dead. You know? Dead?" His eyes were red and watery, he looked sad but not surprised "Your son died too," He continued while still staring down into his cup "He drowned two years ago." It started raining outside and thunder echoed through the night sky "Fucking rain..." The man mumbled under his breath while taking another sip out of his cup.