Warning from Oneself

Warning from Oneself

Alex Rogers was a mostly normal person who enjoyed playing video games and drawing. He was also a student at a local college named Hilltown College studying engineering. One day, something strange happened. Someone who looked like him suddenly appeared while he was playing video games. To his surprise, it was the future version of him.

“Hello Alex, I bring dire news,” begin future Alex, “it is important that you know this right now, so that you can make the appropriate changes.” “You will become diabetic in a few years,” continued future Alex, “you need to make lifestyle changes in order to avoid this fate.”

“How do I know that you are the future version of me,” replied Alex who sounded annoyed, “and how do I know that this isn’t just an elaborate prank from my neighbors.” “This will be the tenth time they have tried something like this,” continued Alex.

“The first prank they tried was going into your car and putting a confetti balloon in the front seat which exploded when you sat down,” responded future Alex. “And if you still are unconvinced,” continued future Alex, “I remember that the birthday present that he received when you were ten was a stuffed elephant.”

“Alright then,” replied Alex, “how did I get diabetes in the future.” “Explain to me how that happens,” continued Alex. It was clear that Alex was adamant that he was not in danger of developing the condition.

“It was because you didn’t take care of yourself,” responded future Alex, “because you refused to eat healthy and exercise.” “For years I was in denial about it,” continued future Alex, “I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t happen, and I didn’t try to make changes until I was finally diabetic.”

“Maybe I will get lucky this time,” responded Alex who remained adamant, “maybe you are only one of a few possible timelines where I get diabetes.” “I feel fine now, and I believe that I will continue to feel fine for years,” continued Alex.

The future version of Alex did his best to avoid looking annoyed. “I am warning you,” responded future Alex, “it wasn’t easy for me to time travel in order to tell you this.” “I am warning you, that is easier to prevent these diseases than it is to heal from them,” continued future Alex.

“I heard that most conditions can be healed from,” replied Alex, “I think that even if I develop diabetes, I will be able to find a way to manage.” Alex was in denial about how difficult it actually was to manage and live with diabetes.

“I need to leave,” responded future Alex, “and I am pleading you to change your ways.” “I am not asking for much,” continued future Alex, “maybe talk a walk everyday and your chances of diabetes will decrease.” Future Alex then left through a portal, and Alex can only give an annoyed look when he finally left.

“I must be high on something,” replied Alex, “that didn’t just happen.” “After all,” continued Alex, “I am in no danger of developing diabetes. I am just not.” Alex continued to play video games after the future version of himself left.

The next day, he was invited by his friends to attend a pizza party where he knew there would be a lot of junk food. “I should go there,” Alex said to himself, “I haven’t felt bad in years, and I don’t think I will after attending this pizza party.”

A year later, he was invited by a family member to a party where he heard who have a lot of candy. “I haven’t feel bad this year at all,” Alex said to himself, “maybe I should take a walk after attending this party.” “What am I saying,” continued Alex, “I am not exercising after I attend this event.” Alex then did what he planned, which included not exercising.

Three years later, he was invited to another party, this time one that would have a lot of alcohol. Alex had also barely exercised in the past few years. “I am definitely going to event,” Alex said to himself, “I must’ve been on something when I saw that vision a few years back.” “I haven’t felt bad in years,” continued Alex, “and I won’t feel bad in the future.”

In the same year, Alex later learned that he was diabetic, and the future version of himself visited again. “I did try to warn you,” begin future Alex, “do you want to talk about it?” “I don’t have a lot of time to talk, because time travelling this time wasn’t easy either,” continued future Alex.

“Are you here to tell me ‘I told you so,’” asked Alex, “because I agree that I should’ve listened to you.” “I don’t know how I am going to manage and live with diabetes,” continued Alex, “everyday feels like a struggle.”

“Don’t feel too bad,” replied future Alex, “I heard that you wouldn’t be the only past self that didn’t listen.” “I am still upset that you didn’t listen to me,” continued future Alex, “but I don’t think that you deserve punishment. You already are facing terrible consequences for your mistakes.”

“I am I going to die,” asked Alex, “I don’t want to die.” Alex genuinely sounded scared as he didn’t know how difficult it would be living with diabetes. There were days where he couldn’t sleep, because of the fear.

“People with Type 2 diabetes can still live a long life,” responded future Alex who sounded sympathetic to the struggle that Alex was going through. “Life won’t be easy and at times, you will need medication,” continued future Alex, “but if you enact the appropriate lifestyles changes, including a better diet and regular exercise, you can still live a long life.”

“Thanks,” replied Alex, “I needed to hear that.” “Also, I am sorry for not listening to you earlier.” “You were right,” continued Alex, “it is easier to prevent diseases from developing than it is to cure or manage them.”

“I apologize, because I need to leave,” responded future Alex, “I will try to visit when I can to offer advice. As future Alex prepared to leave through a portal, he said something to himself before he left. “I don’t believe in punish,” he said to himself, “he is already going through a terrible fate.” “I believe in helping people and believing that they can still change,” continued Alex.