It sounds like you're describing a narrative device or storytelling technique. When a story shifts from the past to the future, it often involves a change in setting that can affect the characters, plot, and overall tone of the narrative. This shift can provide context, reveal character development, or set the stage for future events.
If you're referring to a specific term or concept, it could be related to themes of time, such as "temporal shifts," "flashbacks," or "foreshadowing." Is there a particular context or example you had in mind?