Time travel is no something that should be messed with. Y/C knew that before going into their parents basement. Their parents were scientists who haven't been seen in days. Y/C decides to look for clues in the basement to where they could have gone. They aren't normally allowed in the basement. They see an odd wristwatch on the table and a portal near the wall. Y/C puts on the clunky watch. It turns out to be a time machine as is the portal. Y/C believes their parents have been lost in time.

Beware of time travel.