It started two weeks ago and lasted only five seconds.
I couldn't believe it…the world paused. Sound slowly dulled like music played underwater. People froze in their actions like someone had pressed the pause button on a remote control.
No, this couldn't be real. Was I hallucinating? I shook my head and everything resumed like the time pause did not happen.
The following week, it happened again but it stretched into thirty seconds. That was when I knew this was no hallucination. Had time always stopped like this without no one noticing? And why wasn't I affected?
“Because you paid attention.”
The voice was tiny and frail but hit me with like a jolt, startling me. I spun, my heart pounding, fists raised and ready for a fight.
Beside a fruit stall stood a tall, lean man. One of his shoulders was bare while a cloth tied around his neck covered the other, falling down to his thighs. He wore gold bangles on both wrists right up to his elbows, his eyes are brown, bright and lined with kohl.
He smiled to put me at ease. I unclenched my fists, giving him a once-over. “Who are you?”
“Just like you,” he replied, stepping closer, “I noticed the cracks in time two millennia ago.”
“Cracks? The clocks stopped for a short time.”
“Yes. They appear as cracks, a thin line, on the walls of existence.”
I gestured at the frozen people, frustration rising. “Look, don't speak in riddles. These people need help. Time shouldn't just stop!”
“I said the same thing too when I first noticed.”
“Then how do I…we fix this?”
“You don't.” His brows knit together, his eyes glowing. “Not every broken thing is yours to repair.”
“Are you being serious right now?”
“Your government is curious and their end game is wrong. They will find nothing. There's nothing anyone can do about this.”
“Then what are we supposed to do?”
“We watch,” he said simply. “We are the Watchers and must stay so.”
Silence stretched between us, thick and unyielding. I scoffed and wiped my face. A few deep breaths and I gazed at him. He gave me a firm nod, answering my thoughts without voicing a thing.
An understanding settled within me. He and I were not the only ones. There were others like us.
I blinked and was back at ASA. Darius hovered over me with concern. “I'm fine,” I said quickly, my voice hoarse. “How was the test?” He shook his head.
Carr White stepped into my view. “Nothing, Agent Fishe,” he said, his mouth curling with disappointment. “We got nothing. I believe you hallucinated the incident. I'll be recommending sessions with the Agency psychiatrist.”
I shut my eyes and gently let my head rest. They saw nothing. The secret of the time cracks was mine to watch over.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "strap yourself in".
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Image credit: Geralt