Wondering why I didn't think of this earlier, I close my eyes, clench my fists, grit my teeth, and concentrate. I feel reality start to waver, then with a snap like a camera shutter, I wake up. Exhilarated beyond words, I open my eyes to take in this new world, this new life.

It's not quite what I expected.
I am still at work. I am still tired. My breathing is still labored. Only one thing is different. Here, in this bright new reality, the clock no longer reads 9:30. It reads 8:30.

~~~