A World Without String Is Chaos 3 Chapter 3: Timelines

His father.

Fred felt guilty. How could he have been so selfish? If anything, he could've done the thing somewhere n.o.body could find him, or his body. Then again, he didn't want to kill himself anymore. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he already did-

"That timeline is gone."

Fred jolted in surprise. He found himself in darkness, but he clearly heard someone. Or something.

"I am the knife that cuts the strings of fate, that bind you mortals to your destiny."

Fred saw the knife again. He felt ill. He was going to jam it into his neck. But wait, he felt it cutting something, something thin-

"That was your fate. A short life. A family devastated. Didn't even make it to the 27 club. Well, it was the 26 club."

"Who are you?" asked Fred.

"Like I said, I am the knife that cuts-"

"Why?"

"...You humans, always trying to know the reason behind everything. Not even knowing the how."

"...just please explain."

"Not a lot of fight in you. Fred, you are now my owner. I am the knife that cuts the strings of fate. You see, the future for people, places, things, ideas, it is all set. Set in stone. In this world, at least."

"...so I was meant to live like a crazy person and then commit suicide?"

"Yes and no. It didn't mean anything in the first place. It all just flows on, maybe in circles, maybe branching out infinitely. But the futures of you, your loved ones, and all the people you meet are preordained, immutable, like dominoes click-clacking down in sequence."

"But I chose to kill myself, or at least, I was going to." Fred protested.

"There's as much choice involved in suicide as is there in the blood flowing in your veins. And even if you had the free will you like to think you have, didn't suicide follow the decision you made to end it all? Cause and effect, like dominoes click-clacking down in sequence."

Fred had to think, but he felt the knife was wrong.

"Well, whatever. Now you have me, and this order of things is no longer the case for you. You cut the string of fate that ends with you dying on the kitchen floor. And you are still alive now."

"Thanks."

"Now you got some life in you! You have cut yourself off from your fate. That doesn't mean you are free from the world. Yet. There are still strings that bind you; however, now that you have me, you can cut them."

"Put simply, you can cut the timelines of people, things, places, and ideas. Nip it in the bud. Fate has a tricky way of mending itself, though, so it's not like chaos will take over any time soon. No, all you can do now is change the future. At least, put an end to a future."

"Why does it sound like you're contradicting yourself? If the future is set in stone, and dominoes, how could there be other futures."

"Fate is tenacious. It's a tricky thing."

"...Okay." Fred wasn't too convinced, but he was getting fed up with the lecture.

"What do I do now? And do I have to use you to cut these strings of fate? I mean, I can't walk around with a knife all the time."

"No, you can do it with but a thought. Aren't you used to that? You thought you had mind powers-"

"Stop, that was a long time ago!"

"In any case, I'll be in your soul. And my power is yours to use, however you seem fit."

Fred felt his consciousness returning to his body. He felt his eyelids about to open. He was leaving the darkness, and in came light into his vision.

The knife remained in the darkness, and he called out:

"But remember Fred- there will be consequences."