The Time Box: A Letter from the Dead
"Her Mother’s Final Message Held a Warning… And a Countdown to Her Murder"
I was told I had six months to live.
But my dead mother scheduled my death for tomorrow.
The diagnosis—stage IV pancreatic cancer—hung in the sterile hospital air like a death sentence. Dr. Nader’s voice was gentle, but his eyes held that clinical detachment I knew too well. "Focus on comfort, Ghada," he’d said, handing me another bottle of morphine-laced pills. I swallowed one dry.
That night, rummaging through my mother’s dusty attic, I found it.
A black metal box, cold as space.
Etched on its lid was an equation I’d studied for years: Schrödinger’s Wave Function.
My fingers trembled.
Mother—a brilliant, distant physicist—died when I was 15. We never made peace.
I typed the date of her death into the keypad.
Click.
Inside lay ten envelopes.
Each stamped with a future date.
The last one—tomorrow’s date—pulsed like a dark star.
I tore open Envelope #1:
"Ghada,
Trust no one. Especially not Dr. Nader.
He is not who he claims.
—Mom"
A chill cut through me. Nader? The man who’d held my hand through chemo?
Suddenly, my apartment door creaked open. Footsteps. Heavy. Deliberate.
Nader?
I hid the box under loose floorboards just as his shadow filled the doorway.
"Ghada? You look pale," he murmured, stethoscope glinting. "Your pain... is it worse?"
His syringe hovered near my IV.
Envelope #5 arrived with the rain five days later.
*"The killer isn’t the cancer.
It’s you.
Find what he hid in Room 3.
Solve this: X² + 2X - 15 = 0."*
I choked. Me? Was my body betraying me? Or was I poisoning myself?
The equation burned in my mind:
*X² + 2X - 15 = 0*
Solutions: *X = 3* or *X = -5*.
Room 3.
At midnight, I broke into Nader’s clinic. Room 3 was a blood-test lab. Behind a centrifuge, I found a file: "Project Lazarus: Synthetic Neurotoxins."
My bloodwork glowed on-screen—CLEAR.
No cancer.
The pills weren’t painkillers.
They were slow death.
The final envelope arrived with a silent hum at dawn.
Today’s date.
My hands shook as I slit it open:
"By now you know the truth.
Nader used you to test his weapon.
Confront him.
But know this—he will try to silence you.
—Mom"
Rage burned through the morphine haze. I stormed to his office, file in hand.
"Why?" My voice cracked.
Nader turned, calm as ice. "Your mother stole my research. This was... poetic justice."
He advanced, syringe aimed at my neck. "Such a pity. Terminal patients die so quietly."
I dodged, but the needle grazed my arm. Fire spread through my veins.
"You injected me—"
"With your final dose," he smiled. "You’ll be dead before sunrise."
I stumbled home, vision blurring. Collapsed at my desk. The Time Box glinted.
Thump. Thump.
A new envelope pushed through the slot.
Impossible.
With fading strength, I ripped it open:
"This isn’t your end, Ghada.
It’s your beginning.
The box isn’t a messenger.
It’s a doorway.
Enter the date you wish to escape to.
LIVE.
—Mom"
As darkness swallowed me, I typed:
6 MONTHS AGO
The box’s hum became a roar. Light swallowed the room.
And then—
silence.
I stood in my sunlit kitchen, healthy.
No pills. No Nader.
On the counter: one envelope.
"Change your fate, my daughter.
And make him pay.
—Mom
🔥 WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
If you had a Time Box, would you rewrite your past or risk the future? What’s your theory about Ghada’s mom? Did she time-travel or hack reality?
DROP YOUR THEORIES IN THE COMMENTS! 👇
*(Bonus challenge: Solve the equation X² + 2X - 15 = 0! Did you get "3" like Ghada?)*
Word Count: 642
About the Creator
Ahmed Abdeen
An experienced article publisher and writer specializing in creating high-quality, engaging, and well-researched content tailored to captivate diverse audiences. Adept at crafting compelling narratives
Keep reading
More stories from Ahmed Abdeen and writers in Criminal and other communities.
Heir of the Devil: The Secret Pact That Doomed the MacLeir Family
When Ethan MacLeir (35) opened his inbox that morning, he found a message scrawled in childish handwriting: "Save me from Grandpa… He wants me to be the next sacrifice!". Little did he know, those words would drag him into a family secret buried for 70 years in the basement of his grandfather’s abandoned mansion.
By Ahmed Abdeen10 months ago in Criminal
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 5 days ago in Criminal
Federal Law Enforcement Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks National Debat
## **Federal Law Enforcement Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks National Debate** In early 2026, a serious incident unfolded in Minneapolis when federal law enforcement officers shot a civilian during a large-scale operation in the city. The event immediately drew public attention and ignited widespread discussion about the role of federal agencies, public safety, and accountability. The shooting occurred in a residential area, creating fear and confusion among residents and prompting strong reactions from local leaders and community groups.
By America today 6 days ago in Criminal
Comments (2)
Part 1 blew my mind! 🔥 But that twist with the pills... Damn! Was Dr. Nader working alone? And how did Ghada’s mom know EVERYTHING? That quantum box feels like a Chekhov’s gun waiting to fire in Part 2!"
This is a wild ride! The mystery around Ghada's supposed cancer and Dr. Nader is intense. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds. Finding out the pills were poison instead of painkillers is a huge twist. And that equation clue led to some big discoveries.