Book of One Shots

Future Day, BTTF

"Call me Doc," he insisted.

...

A few minutes later, Claire and Doc were walking through Hill Valley together.

Claire explained, "Back in 2001, Hill Valley lost one of its reasons to really exist. The best mayor in the world...died in the World Trade Center."

Doc looked confused as Claire had a pained expression on her face. He decided not to press in what happened.

He asked, "Killed instantly?"

She merely nodded and answered, "Yeah and when the next mayor came in, nothing was really the same. Eventually gangs took advantage of it and practically destroyed Hill Valley by 2002. All those that dared to stay had to flee to Hilldale."

Doc breathed, "Great Scott! And they still rule the city?"

Claire nodded again as she further explained, "The cops aren't doing much of anything. They just keep the gangs inside of the city limits. Those who have to venture into town have to go at their own risk."

Doc cried, "That's terrible! Why can't the people do anything?!"

Claire responded, "We can't, Doc. The gangs have a strong hold over the government and police force here. So even if we could do anything, the rebels that dared to do something would be arrested for something stupid."

Doc couldn't help but feel bad for her as he asked, "So what is gonna happen to you?"

"Sadly, I can't move out until I am 18," she answered as they crossed a dirty street. "Even then, I'm not leaving without my cousin and my friends."

"Loyal," he commended.

She shook her head modestly and admitted, "Stubborn."

"Well, whatever the reason, you have a good head on your shoulders, Claire." He told her as they stopped in front of Hilldale.

"Eh, usually I'm annoying people," she replied, smiling a bit.

Doc chuckled as he responded, "Well, you aren't annoying me."

Claire had to smile as she hugged Doc suddenly. Doc was surprised by the sudden gesture but slowly returned the hug, instantly remembering the first time Marty hugged him back in 1955.

"In thirty years?" He remembered asking his teenaged friend.

"I hope so." Was Marty's sad and quiet answer.

Doc smiled at those memories. He and Marty had been through so much together. While he didn't know what Marty was trying to tell him at that point, he wished that he wasn't so stubborn. He could only wish going back in time but that, in itself, was a recipe for disaster.

Claire pulled back from the hug - breaking him out of his thoughts - as she stated, "It was nice talking to you, Doc."

Doc smiled as he replied, "The same to you, Claire."

The teen girl smiled as she walked to her house, leaving Doc behind. Doc couldn't explain it but there was so much about her that he wanted to know. Her parents, her friends, her life. He wanted to know more than what she provided him. But he had one other stop before he left this terrible version of Hill Valley.

He had to see Marty. Doc walked into Hilldale, on a quest to see his old friend. Sure Hill Valley didn't have happiness, but with people like Claire in it, maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

...

Marty, Doc was quick to discover, was living in Hilldale. Unlike the alternate future he saw with his own eyes (both with and without Marty from 1985), Marty of 2015 was just like his 1985 self. He practically glowed when he saw Doc on the doorstep. He was 47 years old now, his hair a slight lighter tone of brown.