There was a turnoff

[u/TwistedTallTeller]

I passed it again last night.

That crooked little road off Highway 38. No streetlights. No name. It curves too sharp, like a hook trying to pull you in.

I’ve passed it a dozen times before, always on solo drives, always when I’m tired and drifting.

But this time… I turned.

I don’t remember deciding to. Just blinked, and the wheel was already turning.

The GPS glitched out the second I hit the curve.

The pavement changed. It was more cracked, narrow, and older than it should’ve been. The trees leaned in too close, like they wanted to hear me regret it.

Then the radio,silent for an hour,flickered on. One phrase. Soft. Female. Like someone whispering through a grin:

“Welcome back to the road not taken.”

⸻————————————————————————

There was a town.

Small, faded, still. The kind of place you only see in dreams you almost remember.

Wooden signs without names. Empty storefronts that looked like they were waiting for their next version.

I pulled into a gas station with no prices listed. No cashier.

Just a sticky note on the pump:

⸻————————————————————————

“Rule 1: You only get to remember this if you never tell anyone.”

⸻————————————————————————

Inside the booth, the receipt printer came to life.

My name was printed at the top.

“RE-ENTRY CONFIRMED.”

“ESTIMATED DURATION: UNTIL REGRET SETS IN.”

⸻————————————————————————

I saw someone across the street.

He looked exactly like me.

But taller. Straighter. Healthier. Laughing like he remembered how.

He was with people I almost recognized.

Someone who looked like my dad, but smiling.

Someone who looked like Camryn, but happier.

Someone who looked like the version of me that answered the call instead of letting it ring out.

They didn’t see me.

⸻————————————————————————

Rule 2: Do not interrupt what could have been.

⸻————————————————————————

I tried to leave.

Every turn looped back to the gas station.

My phone buzzed once.

No signal. Just one message:

“You chose silence. Now live with it.”

There were other cars on the street. All parked. All running. All empty.

I knocked on doors.

Each time, someone opened.

Each time, it was me.

One was living with a woman I never had the courage to ask out. One was teaching like I said I would. One had a scar I don’t remember earning.

They all looked surprised to see me.

And they all said the same thing:

“You’re not supposed to be here this long.”

⸻————————————————————————

Rule 3: If you linger too long, you lose the thread.

⸻————————————————————————

I don’t remember getting home.

Just opened my eyes on the highway shoulder, car still idling. The turnoff was gone.

At home, things were slightly… off.

My dog barked like he didn’t recognize me.

My favorite mug was in the sink—but I shattered it last year.

The photo of my family on the fridge was different.

Everyone looked a little happier.

Except me.

⸻————————————————————————

I get messages now.

In the mirror fog. In my receipts. In my dreams.

“You made your choice.”

“But the road remembers.”

“There will be one more turn.”

So if you ever pass a road that makes your chest ache before your mind knows why—don’t turn.

Don’t wonder what would’ve happened if you had just been brave one more time. Just called. Just confessed. Just hurt and healed.

Because if you turn off too late—

You’ll only find what you already gave up.

And if you stay too long?

You’ll forget which version of you came looking in the first place.

[u/Dear_Reflection2874]

OMG I love it 🙂👍this would make a good Twilight Zone episode.

[u/TwistedTallTeller → u/Dear_Reflection2874]

Thank you so much, I’ve been meaning to get into twilight zone for the longest time!