[ WP ] `` Rule # 1 of meeting a future version of you : Never assume that this is your first meeting . ''

Of course I'd daydreamed about time travel. Who has n't? 
 The thing is, I always thought that, when the time came, Future Me would appear out of thin air and save me from a horrible, otherwise fatal accident. That, or give me an invaluable piece of advice just at the right time. 
 I'd never have thought that it would be me to go meet him. Me. I'd never met myself before. 
 
 `` Are you ready?'' one of the scientists asked. He was just another figure in white robes and with empty eyes; I'd long since given up on trying to learn all their names. They did n't care about me, did n't care about the rates of success of this mission. In fact, they saw it as a complete waste of time. If they'd had their say, or just anyone else for that matter, it would n't be me to go through this door but a platoon of special forces. 
 However, it *was* my decision. I had the right for this one chance. 
 
 `` Sure, fire it up'' I answered. The scientists turned away and hit a big red button. The doorway in front of me suddenly lighted up in a color I could n't really describe. One moment it glowed red, then greenish, then... something entirely else? 
 I did n't wait for them to give me one last set of instructions as planned. I knew that the passage was working now and could n't wait any longer. I stepped through. 
 
 It did n't take long for me to find myself - I'd got all the necessary information with me. Before I knew it I found myself in front of an enormous pair of metal doors, armed guards in front. 
 `` I'm authorized'' I told them as I brushed past and put my finger on the scanner. 
 The doors swung open. 
 
 `` Hello'' the Me sitting on the chair in front of me said. 
 `` You know why I'm here.'' 
 `` Of course'' Me chuckled. `` I've done the same journey myself. I expect similar outcomes.'' 
 `` Why did you decide to do it? Why will *I* decide to do it?'' 
 `` Reasons'', Me answered, `` are a peculiar thing. I do n't think I'm supposed to tell you; you'll have to reach the conclusions on your own.'' 
 I grew desperate. 
 `` They're waiting, back where I came from. You know the machinery they have. They've seen what you're going to do, and when. You - *I* - will be killed! Please. I've only got this chance to reason with you - me. Find out why, prevent it from happening.'' 
 Me seemed sad. `` I remember. I was sent here, too. You, too, will one day meet your younger self. Tell him that it's alright - because it is. Some things are meant to happen. `` 
 
 I did n't give up that quickly, of course, but I could n't get any more out of Me. Before too long my time was running out and I was pulled back. 
 The scientists did n't even ask me what happened. One look on my face and they knew. 
 `` It never works, you know'' one of them said. 
 I knew. They'd told me before. I'd just hoped that, somehow, I would be different. More reasonable. 
 
 I left the lab with an uneasy feeling. I knew that I'd do *something* bad, but not knowing the specifics or reasons was driving me mad. I just knew that I'd had to do anything in my power to prevent it - anything at all. 
 
 
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 ^Constructive ^Criticism ^is ^always ^welcome. 
 ^If ^you've ^enjoyed ^this ^story, ^you ^could ^go ^over ^to ^/r/lakelet ^to ^look ^at ^my ^other ^ones!
