FETCH

 

Flash fiction that muses upon a possible explanation for the expansion of the universe.

 

“Fetch” has not been previously published.

 

 

SHIP BROUGHT THE BALL TO God, quivering with eagerness, for this was Ship’s favorite game.

With a sigh, God picked up the ball. She brought her arm back, back, back, aiming for the far end of the universe. Lately, Ship had got into the habit of launching itself across spacetime at an atom-smearing speed almost before the ball left her hand. Ship would leave the other balls spinning in its wake, its eagerness a thick bow wave pushing others aside.

Thus was the Great Expansion born.

God wanted to throw the ball as far as possible, to give herself time to return to the current project. This universe was a delightful thing, full of curiosities and unexpected developments. It reminded her of the seedling that had sprouted on her windowsill. It had looked like any other green stem to begin. Then it developed odd leaves, strange branchings, growing into a mature plant that was not what she thought she had planted, but which pleased her even more.

A few more tweaks and shifts and God thought this universe would be just about done.

Ship dropped the ball into her lap, even as her arm was extended back.

And thus, time travel was discovered.

God was so startled, she dropped the ball she was still holding.

Thus, the very first reality-trashing time paradox was—