That one single day repeated for years, even several centuries later. Days would pass where time jumps to future years would also be seen to the point where it showed present day fates. Everything to the guillotine to a car accident was placed in front of Francis's eyes. And not a single one he was able to stop. Every morning, regardless of it being the same day, he would wake up thinking the previous event was a dream until the time came when the event was about to start again.
August 14th. A fateful day now known for its brutal ending. After centuries of Francis dealing with Maria's death over and over again, something changed.
The day where Maria was sentenced to the guillotine was repeated. After she was accused of causing trouble and committing a crime she never even knew happened, something clicked and Francis knew what he was supposed to do.
"That's what they all say." The sheriff said, reaching for Maria who stood behind Francis.
A flash of what was to happen made the Frenchman change its future.
"Non..." Francis said, grabbing the sheriff's arm. He looked the sheriff straight in the eye with the most serious of faces. "Take me instead. The woman is innocent."
"Francis...?" Was all that Maria was able to speak with all the shock she's been receiving for the day.
The sheriff looked between Maria and then Francis. It wasn't often that women were brought to the guillotine. And they didn't want to cause a revolt for taking the head of one even if they were guilty.
A pause in thought before the sheriff nodded. "Alright. Come with me, then."
The tables have been turned. On his way to the stage, Francis saw 'himself' in the crowd again. The cigarette in the man's mouth almost fell to the ground with his mouth open in surprised as far as it was. Francis couldn't help but give a smirk in some form of victory. He would lose his own life, and head, yes. But he would be able to save Maria and take away the satisfactory feeling of watching others suffer from the man Francis kept seeing. He hadn't heard the phrase 'what you see is exactly what you're going to get' yet, and that was a good sign to him that Maria would survive.
In the front of the crowd stood Maria. A heavy watch was placed upon her, to make sure she wouldn't make more of a scene. Because of this, she had to watch in silence.
Francis was walked up the stage to the center, where his last breath would be taken. He was pleased that Maria was in the front. He was guilty and sorry that she had to watch this happen to him. But at least he would die happy with his last sight being on the one he loves.
He could see the tears threaten to show in her eyes, but Francis knew Maria wouldn't let herself cry. No matter how much she wanted too. She was too prideful of herself to let others see her break down. He gave her the most reassuring smile he could as he was place with his neck right below the blade. But they both knew that his smile held guilt. He wasn't sorry for taking her spot, just sorry she had to suffer witnessing it.
The chairman's speech began, but his voice didn't reach either's ears. They're eyes were locked on each other until the blade was released.
Francis thought that this horrible cycle was finally ended. That he finally found the way to stop it. In his last moments, he found his answer. Instead of a peaceful last sight, what seemed like a twin appeared beside Maria, a mischievous look shown upon her face. He was wrong. It ended but started another loop for the one he didn't want to see suffer more than she already has.
Crows flew to the sky in a flurry once the blade hit the ground and then the world went black starting with the sky.
A silver haired girl woke up to a knock upon her door. "Maria! Wake up, schwester. Your bruder und I are leaving now. We'll be back later tonight." The footsteps of her eldest brother faded away as he left, and then the front door being closed telling Maria that her two brothers were officially gone for the day.
A tear dropped onto the sheets when Maria sat up and looked outside. August 14th. About a week after her eldest brother brought her and her other brother to visit the small French town they were currently staying in. She met the friend of her brother that he would constantly talk about and she came to start feeling something for him. But with the dream she had the night before.
"I failed again?" Maria muttered unconsciously, looking out the window next to the bed.
The white cat that Maria owned as a pet pushed open the door to her room and hopped onto Maria's bed. The cat purred as Maria's hand brushed over its fur.
A girl of the same age and same appearance showed up next to Maria's bed. There were a few details different about her, but beside that, they could have been twins.
"What you see is exactly what you're going to get," she purred softly, a chuckle following.
Another tear dropped to the sheets before the world faded to black.
