Warning from the Future - Episode 1
by Linda Joy Singleton
Do NOT go out tonight.
Who is this?
Don’t freak out…
But my name’s Nora. I’m from the future.
Yeah. Right.
You have to listen to me.
Why should I? I don’t know who you are.
But you can trust that I know you.
And I know what will happen with your boyfriend Cooper tonight.
How do you know I’m going out with him?
Future, remember?
Prove it.
You’re wearing a purple sweatshirt.
Everyone knows purple is my favorite color.
You were late to school today because you couldn’t find your unicorn earrings.
So I lost them. No big secret.
They fell behind your nightstand. Go look.
I found them!
Now do you believe me?
DO NOT GO TO THE LAKE TONIGHT.
But Cooper and I are going to a movie.
That’s what you think.
But you’ll go to the lake and something terrible will happen.
What?
Someone will die.
Who?
WHO??
Are you there?
Ellie texts her best friend.
Shanna! I just got the weirdest text.
Spam?
No. Do you know anyone named Nora?
Nope.
Neither do I — but she knew all these things about me.
Maybe it’s Cooper’s crazy ex-girlfriend messing with you.
I don’t think it’s her. Nora said she was from the future.
Seriously?
She knew what I was wearing and where to find my lost earrings.
Oh yeah? If she texts again, ask her to find my missing sneaker 😏
Not funny. She really freaked me out.
She kept warning me not to go to the lake.
She said someone would die if I went there with Cooper tonight.
I don’t like this…
I’m starting to freak out too.
At least you aren’t going to the lake, right?
Yeah, we’re seeing a movie.
So no one dies. Problem solved.
I hope so.
Forget future girl and enjoy your date.
I wish I had a guy like Cooper. He’s perfect.
He is for me ❤️
A few hours later
Cooper, where are you?
Sorry, El. Had to work late.
Hurry. I miss you.
Miss you, too. I have a surprise for you.
What is it?
Can’t tell you — then it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Come on! You can’t even give me a hint?
It’s something really big…
But also something small.
That doesn’t make sense.
Everything will make sense when we’re together.
It always does. Love you 😘
Love you more ❤️
Can’t wait to see you.
I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Bring a jacket.
Why? The theater is always too hot.
Change of plans. We’re going to the lake.
Panicked, Ellie texts the mysterious stranger from earlier in the day.
NORA! Answer me!
I’m still here — but won’t be for much longer.
What does that mean?
Actually, don’t answer that — we don’t have enough time.
You were right!
Cooper wants to go to the lake.
What should I do?
Stop him before it’s too late!
But he said he has a surprise for me.
It’s not worth it.
Really? It seemed important.
Just don’t go, okay?
Why not?
His ex-girlfriend will show up with a gun.
You mean…she’s going to shoot me?
She’ll try. But Cooper will jump in front of you.
NO!
Cooper will die if he goes to the lake.
Don’t let him go.
But he’s already on his way!
I know. In that beat-up Chevy with the broken speaker.
I hated that car.
Me, too. This is too weird. Tell me what I should do!
Save your boyfriend.
My time is up. I can’t talk anymore.
Save him.
Frantically, Ellie texts Cooper.
COOPER!
ANSWER ME!
Ellie? I just got to your house.
OMG! I’m so glad you’re safe.
Haha, I’m pretty sure I can handle the drive to you.
I know. It’s just…I love you so much.
I love you, too. And I’ll show you just how much at the lake.
You’re going to love this surprise.
At least I hope so…
Something tugs at Ellie’s heart.
I don’t know. Could we hang out at my house instead?
But we always hang out at your house.
I want to do something different. Something special.
Ellie glances down to her phone.
She doesn’t know who this Nora is anyway.
And right now, her heart is with Cooper.
Who cares so much about making her happy.
Okay, babe. I’ll be out in a second with my jacket.
Cooper is oddly quiet when Ellie gets into the car.
He keeps jerking his head around to look out the windows.
And his fingers tap nervously on the wheel.
They pull up to the lake and Cooper helps Ellie out.
And then…Cooper gets down on one knee.
He looks up at Ellie, his face full of adoration, and says her name.
Eleanor—
WAIT.
Cooper looks up at her questioningly.
It’s just the way you said my name.
My full name. Eleanor.
It’s almost like two names. Ellie and Nora.
And that means…
All the color drains from her face.
Her next words come out as a whisper.
It was me. All along. Nora is me in the future.
What?
Ellie tackles her boyfriend to the ground.
Stay down!
A shot fires in the air.
What was THAT?
Your ex-girlfriend. She’s trying to kill me.
Amanda?
Yes. And you’re going to try to save me.
Tears run down Ellie’s cheeks.
Why didn’t she listen to Nora?
But I’m not going to let you.
Instead, I’m saving you.
So stay down, okay?
Cooper looks at Ellie quizzically.
Um, not okay.
Cooper whispers in Ellie’s ear.
I can’t see her…
So she might not be able to see us either, right?
On the count of three…
Let’s get in the car and drive away. Okay?
Let’s do it now instead.
Cooper smiles at Ellie, but it looks more like a grimace.
Okay. Go!
They jump up and throw themselves into the car as shots fire.
One shatters the right back headlight.
But somehow, Cooper manages to start the engine.
They get away.
A few minutes later, Cooper pulls into Ellie’s driveway.
He cuts the engine.
Cooper?
Yeah?
I know this isn’t special.
We’re in a car, parked in front of my garage.
And you have mud on your face.
She laughs softly.
But I really want to marry you.
She slips the ring box out of the cupholder.
And places it in Cooper’s hands.
So…will you be my husband?
Cooper snaps the box open.
There, shining brilliantly in the moonlight, is his grandmother’s ring.
Ellie’s breath catches.
Yes.
App