[ WP ] Time travel exists , and a new form of capital punishment is introduced : Transporting the convict back to the worst , practically unsurvivable , places in human history to find yourself in . You are such a convict , and just got sent back . You will do anything to try and survive .

After being a lurker for so long, this is my first response on /r/writingprompts. Be gentle and hope you like it. 
 
 _________ 
 
 They call it capital punishment, and I never really knew why. I mean, in the past they used guillotines, ropes, electric chairs and lethal injections. But this was totally different. Someone could argue those alternatives were more humane. At least as humane as sentencing another human being to death can be. 
 
 This was not any of those. It was basically being sent into a gladiators' arena without an audience watching. Well, I should watch what I say, in case they really do send me back to a coliseum. 
 
 As they strapped me in, it really dawned on me how unfair the whole thing was. I was walking down the street and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know that's what most criminals say, but you can judge for yourself. 
 
 It was a Sunday morning when I saw the little girl walking home along the park across the street. Cute little backpack humming some kind of'pop' music. I had no clue what was'in' or not since I did n't bother with that stuff. As she was walking around the corner of the block, I caught sight of a dog who was acting strangely and limping. In what was essentially a blink of an eye, the dog started attacking the little girl. Of course I could n't just stand around and do nothing. I rushed as my tired legs could carry me and grabbed the largest rock I could find at the park. On my first swing, it hit the dog in the head and some red was showing, but I'm sure it just angered as it tore more violently at the little girl. By this point I was panicked, and so I quickly took a second swing. Unfortunately it hit the little girl in the leg and there was the sound of a small `` crack''. For whatever reason, the sound scared the dog and it ran off. 
 
 Then I noticed the screaming and crying of the little girl. Torn little dress and the contents of her backpack spilt all over the sidewalk. It was probably the adrenaline but I did n't hear her until now. Before I knew it, two officers arrived and arrested me for sexually assaulting the little girl. I tried to explain, but like most people, ignored me. I guess I too would ignore me if I was in their shoes. I have n't showered in months and probably smelled real bad. Unshaven, with raggedy clothes I found at the dumpster behind those big box thrift stores. 
 
 Why was the punishment so severe you may ask? I was being made the example of the new `` Protect The Children'' campaign the mayor was using to secure votes in the upcoming election. Poor girl, she was so traumatized and I heard she has n't been able to talk to anybody since. I really hope she gets better. She deserves a good life. 
 
 And so, it brings me to now. As the technician does the final checks, she drops an envelope in my lap and I feel a giant jolt through my body. I guess it was more similar to the electric chair than I thought. 
 
 After I get a little more oriented, I decide to open the envelope. Inside I find a note and as I unravel it, a fountain pen drops out. 
 
 The note read: 
 
 Hi, 
 
 You do n't know who I am, but I am the mother of the little girl you saved. She was n't able to talk to anyone for the first week, but later on, she was able to tell me the events of what happened. You sir, are truly a hero and I am infinitely thankful. You may wonder why I have said nothing if I knew the truth. And to be honest I really did consider doing that. But I really did want to thank you, and so I've included my great grandfather's fountain pen. He got this from someone he too saved when he was young. My grandfather told me that if my great grandfather or anyone he gave the pen were to return the pen to the owner, he would give him half his estate as his thanks. My great grandfather was said to not seek any compensation since it was his duty as a fellow human being. So I have sent you back in time 160 years to claim this gift. I hope this gives you a new start in life as you have given my daughter. 
 
 Much love and forever grateful, 
 
 The technician 

