x
Catherine was just finishing unpacking her old stuff from her parents' home to a fresh apartment. She was finally going to that university she and her parents were waiting for her to go to.
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She moves things through her "living room", adjusting the dresser to be against the wall and placing her dusty family photos on it. After a bit more shuffling and placing, she sits down on her puffy couch and turns on the TV to her favorite show.
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"Finally done..." she sighed.
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Then she remembers the gift her grandparents had left her for the graduation party. Catherine told herself not to open it until she got to her apartment, but now that she was here, her curiosity finally broke her, causing her to snatch the box from the table beside her and rip open the wrapping paper.
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She slowly opened the box, and the only thing that was inside, was a brilliantly golden watch that sparkled when she rocked the box from side to side. There was also a note, written in her grandmother's handwriting.
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You have been selected as a Prodigy. Use that watch well, and have a wonderful time at university.
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"Prodigy?" She read the note over and over, trying to make sense of it. What was a Prodigy?
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She turned the card to the other side. More writing, it's seemed like directions.
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In the dead of night
Tap on the inside
Drag forward or back
Close your eyes and hold your breath
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Her cellphone started to vibrate. She picks up the phone, and holds it up against her ear.
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"Hello?"
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"Cathie!" It was Talia, her friend from high school. Her eyes lit up when she heard her voice.
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"Tal? It's been a while. How's everything doing on your end?"
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"Good. Still working on getting my stuff ready to move out, how about you?"
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"Traffic was slow as hell, but I have most of my stuff in the apartment. I have to go to the storage place tomorrow and get the rest.."
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"I could help you. We can meet up tomorrow and go together."
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"Awe, thanks," she said, twirling the golden streak of her hair. "I can go after I finish class for the day, show you this pretty watch my grandparents bought me."
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"Ooh, a watch?"
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"Yeah. Also came with this weird note. Something like directions?"
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"Weird. Your grandparents didn't say anything about it?"
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"No, I'm just opening the box, and you're the first person to call me.."
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"I dunno, maybe follow the directions and see what happens. Maybe it's how to get it set or something?"
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Catherine looked back down at the clock, realizing it hadn't moved an inch since she'd open the box.
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"You actually might be right, it's not moving...like at all."
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"I thought so. I'll let you concentrate on that and I'll call you back, okay?"
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"... Okay. See you later."
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"Bye!"
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...She looked out the window. The sky was bleeding orange through her curtains. Now was the perfect time to see what she what these instructions really did.
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She tapped the middle of the clock as instructed. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and slides her fingertip counterclockwise.
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A wave of wind blew past her hair and almost knocked her down.
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"What the-"
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She reaches for the window to shut it from this hurricane blowing the papers in her room, until she realized. There was no way wind could be blowing past her. The window was closed.
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Catherine was even more confused now, frantically looking around to figure out what was happening. She could see the air around her warp into faces and memories of the past. Her living room shimmered a dim and faded blue. There was a blinding light, calling her to come closer.
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"Holy crap..." she said underneath her breath. "I guess I'm supposed to...go in?"
She takes a step towards it, the sound of the now shattered floor crackling beneath her feet. Then, she carefully walked towards the light.
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It felt as if she walked past a doorframe.
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"Grandma, Grandad, what the hell did you get me into..?"
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Catherine was outside, a large wall in the distance and music playing. Swaying next to her was a thin tree bearing large apples on almost every branch.
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"...Well, if I'm gonna stay here forever, I might as well get a snack..."
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Forcefully, she started to kick and ram into the tree, causing something larger than a couple apples fall out. At least a big one fell right beside her.
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"I hope that wasn't a dead body..." she half jokes, taking a bite of her newly obtained snack.
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It was a body, but he was very much alive.
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"A very comical jester thou are..." He says with clenched teeth as he gets up.
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She almost choked on the bite she was chewing on.
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"Jesus Christ!"
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"...Art thou okay?"
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"You could've told me you were in that stupid tree!"
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"I was asleep..."
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"...Who the hell sleeps in a tree?!"
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"...I shall ask again..art thou okay?"
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"I don't even know where I am!"
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"...I see.." The boy takes a look at Catherine's watch, which was swinging around her neck, only to for Catherine to jump to conclusions and slap him as hard as hard as she could.
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"What's your problem?!"
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"I was admiring your clock. I have no interest in you."
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He pulls a golden chain from his garments and revealing another sparkling golden watch, identical to her own.
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"My name is Nathaniel. It seems thou art also a Prodigy..."
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"Prodigy?"
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"A Prodigy is a time traveler and protector of Time itself. This ability is gifted to one of Prodigious blood before them."
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This was so unbelievable to her, but to be honest, so had everything else.
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"Well, if I'm freely able to time travel, I should be able to get back home, right?"
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"...No, not necessarily. If thou go to a time too far, thou won't have enough Tempural Energy to go back to thine own. Thou will need to travel to a closer time.."
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"Does that mean I'm stuck with you?"
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"If thou wants to survive, thou might want to stay with me."
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"I can't tell if you're being sincere or a damn creep.."
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He creates a sword from nowhere and places it's deathly sharp edge close to her throat.
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"Does thou want to die here from starvation?"
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"Are you seriously going to kill me if I don't go with you?"
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"No, that was for attempting to insult me.."
He lets it go, where it fades away into metallic dust, pulling her up.
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"Now, if thou wants to survive, I would suggest you follow me.." he says walking away.
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"Fine. But do something weird and I'll beat the hell out of you."
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"We must be far aroint from the commoners. We mustn't expose ourself."
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"Yeah yeah, secret organization and whatnot. Just hurry up so I can go home,"
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Nathaniel, with his own watch, does the same movements. The time warp appears, brilliantly blue and whispering just as before.
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"Ladies first..." He leads Catherine inside.
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"Ugh.." she stomps into the warp, dragging him by the cravat with her.
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This new time period. It was definitely more industrial, and in the front of them was an worn, abandoned mansion, the windows covered by wooden planks.
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"...Maybe it's better looking indoors?"
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Catherine walks up to the menacing house, but as soon as she knocked on the splintered door, it creaked open.
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"...Come on Nate, door's open."
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"Nate?"
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"It's a nickname. Just hurry up."
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"Why don't thou go by thyself?"
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"Because. You have weapon powers. What if this place is full of gangsters or something?"
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"Fine...however, I shan't be responsible for thou."
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"Just shut up and come in."
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The walk across the wooden floor,9 screeching every step they took.
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"What does thou plan to find?"
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"We can stay here for the night, and we get out the next morning."
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"In this rodent infested place?"
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"It's better than outside, isn't it?"
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They hear another creaking door from somewhere from above the crooked stairs.
Suddenly realizing someone was here, they hid behind a dusty, dingy, couch.
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Shaky footsteps follow.
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"E-Ezra?" A girl's soft voice echoed. She flicks on the barely functioning lights, only slightly brightening the room enough to see.
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Just before the girl could come towards them, Nathaniel jumps up and chokeholds her. The girl appropriately screams, struggling to break free.
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"Nathaniel, what the hell?"
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"If she wants to survive, she'll stop screaming."
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Catherine sees the girl reaching for something from her back pocket...
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The girl takes her object and jams it into his arm, allowing herself to escape. Nathaniel pulls the object, a pair of scissors, out of his arm.
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"H-How did you get here? Who are you?"
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Catherine slowly gets up from her kneeling position. "The door was open when we knocked. We didn't break-...well, we did, but we thought it was abandoned..."
The front door swings open. An older woman runs in and throws Nathaniel and Catherine out of the way.
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"E-Ezra!"
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"Isabelle! Are you alright?!"
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"I'm o-okay,"
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"Good, good.." The woman, supposedly named Ezra, lets her go. She turns to the two, her expression changes from a caring mother figure to a ball of rage.
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"What...are you doing here?"
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"We just wanted a place to stay for the night.."
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"And you think attacking my sister is a reason why I should let you stay?"
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"We thought the place was-"
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Ezra pulls out a knife and points it towards Catherine's neck.
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"... Isabelle?"
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"Mhm?"
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"What should we do?"
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"...If t-they need a p-place to stay...I don't mind letting them stay in my room.."
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"...You're too sweet." She removes the knife and slips it back into her bag. "Show them upstairs. Scream if anything happens."
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Isabelle nods carefully hops up the stairs and disappears into the shadows of the dimmed house.
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The duo carefully follows her. Isabelle grabs the stairs to the attic.
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"Damn, you live in the attic?"
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"It's very spacious up here..." she responds, carefully climbing up.
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Isabelle was right, the attic was extremely spacious, but that space was filled row to row with porcelain dolls.
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Catherine hated the things, their uncanny faces and glassy eyes intimidated her. She carefully walked up, the attic emitting a stuffy, but aromatic mist upon her face. That didn't stop her from cringing at the collection, though.
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"I found them when we moved here..." Isabelle stated, her voice a slight echo. "My little sister loved them, so I fixed them for her to play with.."
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"If you don't mind me asking..." Catherine started. "Where is she now?"
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Isabelle went silent. "I d-don't want to t-think about it..."
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Isabelle then sits in her lofty bed, in the more immense part of the attic. Dolls and stuffed animals decorated the
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The two Prodigies sit down on the wooden floor next to it.
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"You d-don't have to sit on the floor."
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"I mean, this guy sleeps in trees like a goddamn sloth, so maybe the floor is an improvement.." Catherine quipped. Nathaniel angrily stares in response.
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"A-anyways..." Isabelle interrupts. "How did you two get here?"
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"If the Tempural Energy brought us here..." Nathaniel thinks aloud.
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"That means one of them is a Prodigy, right?"
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"Most likely..."
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"P-Prodigy?"
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They both pull out their golden watches. "You haven't seen a clock like these have you?"
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"It seems...familiar..." Isabelle instantly gets up and rummages through a desk full of needles, thread, and fabric, when she stops and pulls out another identical watch from the drawer.
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"At first, I t-thought it was just a normal pocket watch my father had forgotten..."
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"Huh. Well, I guess that answers our question.."
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"S-so does that m-mean I can go with you two?"
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"Considering that your sister isn't too keen on letting us stay here in the first place, I don't think asking her is a good idea."
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"D-do have to ask Ezra?"
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"Ask me what?" the sound of the older sister's voice boomed throughout the attic.
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Isabelle finally spoke up. "I-I want to go with them!"
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"...If that's what you're going to do.." she fully stands up from the opening. "then I'm going with you. Prodigious or not."
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"Would that even work?" Nathaniel asks.
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"It wouldn't h-hurt to t-try..."
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"...If thou insists.."
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"But seriously, you three head to bed. I want sleep too."
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"Okay..." Isabelle calls out. "Goodnight."
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"Goodnight.."
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And with that, Ezra left the attic, sliding down the ladder with fading footsteps. Isabelle throws a couple blankets and pillows their way.
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Lights leak through the planks of the roof the mansion the next morning. The stuffy perfume was instantly overpowered by the smell of warm breakfast cooking downstairs. That was enough to wake the three of them.
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"Good morning you two..." Catherine says, stretching the tired out her body.
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Nathaniel was already sipping a cup of coffee. "This drink is surprisingly...bitter.."
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"Well, you're supposed to drink with milk or sugar if you don't like it bitter."
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"I think w-we have some downstairs.." Isabelle informed, head slightly poking from out of her thick comforter and quilt. She then pulls the blankets off and steps out, stretching herself and stepping down to the floor. Catherine had seen something peek out from the opening behind Isabelle, just out of the corner of her eye.
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"Hey, Isabelle. I think one of your dolls is caught on your clothes.."
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"O-Oh? That's never h-happened before..." she reaches behind her. "I c-can't reach it.."
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Catherine sighs, walks over to the girl, and attempts to pull the plush cat, adorned with a creepy stitched grin, off of her back. But when she tugged, the thing angrily screamed and gripped tighter.
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"What the hell?!"
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"Hey hey hey!" the thing said with an angry tone. "Don't pull on me! You'll rip my fabric, you idiot!"
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Catherine stepped back in astonishment.
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"D-Dawlly?"
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"Heya Izzy!"
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"B-But..."
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"What? You think my memory died with your sister?"
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Isabelle starts to go slowly down the rest of the stairs, continuously asking the talking and asking the doll questions. Catherine followed behind, eavesdropping on their conversation.
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"What are...you doing here?"
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"Apparently, I'm your new Gift! Look look!"
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Thin black thread ran between Isabelle's fingers, wrapping around her arms and up her neck.
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"Pretty cool right?" the doll asked, smiling from ear to ear.
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"...I need to wash the sleep from my face.." Isabelle runs like a bolt of lightning to another part of the hall. Catherine hears water running, a splash, whispering, another splash, whispering again.
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"Isabelle, are you alright over there?"
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"I-I'm fine!" she calls back.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Akqe5cQVa
"Do you want me to come in?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtoGuP1caU
"N-No!"
Catherine shakes her head and walks towards the smell baked into the air.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv0zm42247
"Took you long enough." She places a plate next to an empty chair. "Where's Isabelle?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61T7RcIF3f
"In the bathroom.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvvNz8V2sr
Ezra leaves another plate and speedwalks to the bathroom door.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD6ouNO8v7
"Isabelle-"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70HrFg7MoM
"J-Just a minute.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFygPhS3laZ
The door opens, and Isabelle scrambles to pull down her sleeves.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMACSRMh7r
"...Did something happen?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lfGXRxhza
Isabelle softly shakes her head no.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjCa3zwHcY
The doll's piercing, scraping voice suddenly entered the room.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RMUICvnuW
"She's lying. She's trying to hide me!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8aa32N9i5
"N-no! G-go a-away!" Isabelle was holding her head inside her hands as more thread spilled from her sleeves.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyniL40P6x
"Don't get too frustrated. Don't want you to go insane and start stabbing people again, right?" the toy chuckled.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpPvdd1BYF
"W-what?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF0ORfXE5Y
"I don't know what you are, but stop messing with her." Ezra said sternly.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R9DJkLXdk
"You don't want to attack me either. I'm attached to her soul now, and you won't like her when I make her angry~!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lekl7gsgb
"Let her go, asshole!" Catherine yelled.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKRSwpJPsa
"Wow, such vulgar language! I wonder how many words you can say after she sews your damn mouth shut!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M3DBrMDei
"Try it, prick!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBNGS49pgN
"Oooh, okay!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oCbz37Uh9
Isabelle's expression changed from fear to anger in seconds, her scared mumbling to angered growls.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mpPNEKLxX
"Isabelle?" Ezra slowly tries to approach.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguhZmPw8rV
Isabelle reaches for her back pocket once again.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGx5i7xxUm
"Move! She's got a-" Catherine pushes Ezra out of the way, taking the jab from Isabelle's scissors.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDDKb01Vox
"See? I told you!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhR2cXNrWt
"Shut up.." Catherine says, holding the shoulder wound.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZfQ8g3eOd
"Isabelle, that's enough." Nathaniel says, approaching her. "Or... maybe she's in the doll's control?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIVmkANdHL
"Damn straight! And that's only a portion of what I can do!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ZEae1M5i
"I see.." Nathaniel states, showing his own Gift. A large, metal, thorn shaped shield adorned his right arm, sharp enough to cut the air around it.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySbkPh8CxD
"Catherine, I would like it if thou take her dearest sister to safety."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTIbwYfgih
"Alright, but I'm coming back. Ezra, let's go."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGCj99K5aa
"...Be careful with her, Nathaniel."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YL8VgSbvc
"...I shall try."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2EVvcI69c
The two run out of the mansion, only barely able to hear the sounds of things clattering to the floor.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQFYCjqNKo
"I'll be back, hopefully with your sister."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwgA63yYGF
"Please..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgn0um6cvy
Catherine runs back into the now destroyed house.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S0zM0EuOu
"Awe, Cathie's back!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EH7ENFgvp
Catherine takes a glance at Nathaniel, scratches from the scissor jabs and slashes all over him and his shield-spear.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZenzZaiYw
"Isabelle is very formidable when angered.." he says in-between shallow breaths.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDi02qKsJ7
"Finally giving up, Nate?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY3hRAinep
"...Yes."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXClNji98m
"Good! Now..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaKLL3sHfH
Isabelle snaps back to her normal self, dropping the scissors.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwXPnAilCM
"Dawlly...never do that again..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBLYIwVTzn
"How about this? I only do it when you need me to. I'll even ask, okay?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJBqGeU3HE
"...Only w-when I need to."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicVMpV1CR4
"You got it boss!" the doll disappears, slipping itself inside her pocket.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYeQMD2bv5
The three of them go outside, where Ezra makes sure Isabelle is okay. Isabelle assures her she's just fine.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9968Etmhxb
Catherine tapped her clock, pulled the hands forward, and the time warp opens.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5UF0AbnUA
"Well, let's see where this takes us. Hopefully, I can finally go home."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOPG5OwixK
"I-I've never d-done this before.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7es5Jgvb8
"It's like walking through the door. Nothing bad's gonna happen, alright?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU7xwHvPtD
"O-okay.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpluQeBZQq
And with that small exchange of words, the four of them went through the time warp, but instead of a different Time Period like they were expecting, it was a small pocket dimension. And inside...was a giggly, eccentric white-faced jester, covered in makeup and vibrant colored clothing.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gEoHZtZDl
"Oho! Visitors visitors!" it said, jumping up and down.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dDLSo82F9
"Oh great.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4yJyiJh43
"U-uhm..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLY4EnHB6E
"What's the matter? Afraid of lil' old me?" it's crescent moon like smile only got wider. "I know plenty of games that'll get you nice and warmed up to me!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNjoqSoH5L
"Games like what?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZxuALAYmF
"Dodgeball perhaps?" he pulls out bells, three times as small as his spindly hands.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Pj2q4iMu
"Those are...easily avoidable." Nathaniel says, taking a better look at them.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJmdsyw13h
Ohohoho! No, no, these are everything but avoidable!" the jester proclaimed. "Take a look and see!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkfRfvzx0t
The jester threw them behind himself. Then, a loud boom emanated from every corner. A burning ball of orange and red roared behind. "So, let's get playin', shall we?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbfrahW0Ud
"I'm afraid not.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd116yTjjI
"Yeah, you can't really play dodgeball with high grade explosives."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXpAq0DkcN
"Oho! I don't think you understood! That was an order..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dnIJBcU1H
"You, a jester, order me?" Nathaniel revealed his Gift.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy2NtXSubG
"That's the rule of the game!" the jester throws the bomb from every angle it can with such agility, leaving the four to barely escape the explosions.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aFKGa5hyJ
"This piece of crap isn't kidding!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwlMyZA2S5
"I-I'll try to hold his arms b-back! Dawlly!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhwJ7e0ezI
"Yeah yeah, I've got it." Dawlly took Isabelle's Gift, wrapping the thread around the jester's body.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eb77XspCY
"Oooooh, not fair, not fair!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgesR3xnN4V
"Shut the hell up, you almost killed us, you better believe it's fair." Catherine snapped, dusting the ash and gunpowder from her clothing.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx1CP1ar6m
"You rulebreakers must be punished!" A loud roar came from the jester's voice. They braced themselves.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2NHXLYz7b
"Tempus: Cessatio!" another voice called out. Suddenly, it felt as if time itself had stopped. Catherine and the others couldn't move. In their frozen state, they saw a woman, floating there in front of them. Going in front of their assailant, the woman tears a warm, brilliant light from the jester's chest, and slips it into her bag. She snaps her fingers, and suddenly...
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivFcT6muff
The four of them grab ahold of their chest and faces, frantically trying to understand what happened.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQacOio7c9
"Hey hey hey, don't worry, I didn't do anything to you.." the woman states. "I just took Pierrot's Tempural Spirit."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgdAZf7zse
"Is that w-what that...warm light was?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaWXOETMI4
"Mhm. I'm glad I came at the right time, too. Can't be a teacher without students, right?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhYKuwinvk
"Teacher? You mean to tell me I have to go to school here too?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNEivk1ItT
"Eh, somewhat. My name's Verna, by the way. I keep watch of the Time Realm while Father Time is away. Now, for your next mission..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXA3NS4qJP
"Mission? We literally almost got blown to smithereens by clown boy over there, don't you think we need a little bit of a break?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqtJT9BV7V
"Well, you still need one more Prodigy in order to reach your 'breakroom', so find him and come back, okay?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF00gjvHj20
"Uuugh, fine. We'll find the stupid boy and bring him back. Where are we headed? Past? Future?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKcu0s0wc8
"Future, now hop to it."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO3aYAyKhE
"Alright, alright, but after this, I'm going home."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y56be50wX
"If you so desire.." Verna gladly drags Pierrot to the time warp and chucks him in. "I'll see you guys later. Don't die."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M4Pjw0RLh
Catherine hoped this was the last time she had to travel around. The after affects of it was starting to hit her, but nonetheless, she did the thing threw herself in, and...
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYNbrQdZEM
Suddenly, she was surrounded my metal bars, and a dingy atmosphere.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdne2mSr789
"Ah, crap..." she grumbled. "...We're in prison.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz0w015CO2
"We shall split up. I go west, Isabelle and Ezra go east, and Catherine, thou go north."
Nathaniel states, pointing them in the right direction.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWgrzxi25w
"Okay, splitting up inside a place like this is not a good idea.." Ezra returns.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM2zpoBz9M
"It is the only way we can cover ground. I'm sure you understand we're looking for someone in such a large facility."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE5zws9Dzf
"If this was a horror movie, we'd be dead. If we split up, we get lost and can't get to the others if we need them." Catherine adds. "The best way is to go down to every four way, and try your plan. We go down each of the halls, if we don't find the guy, we come back, go down to the next four way, repeat."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGMETYWmmS
"That's a b-bit complicated..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3g5wCXUOH
"It's not as complicated as you think."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KQ6kXzp8y
"Yeah, let's try this one and see.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ64VrE2UK
They try it on the first four-way they come across, but all the cages in the halls were empty. They try the second one, same thing there. The third time, but to no avail.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mS9sVIvl2
It was only after the fifth time when someone was found within these brick walls and metal bars.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmRs8pstcN
"God, I hate this place. Why are we in prison, damnit?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4jSRP77FV
"Correction..." a boy's voice echoed. "I'm in prison. You're in a prison."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgXKuRbDW4
"Oh shut up, smarta-"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVlIArVVSG
For once she could finally feel the Tempural Energy reaching out to her, pointing her to the person they were looking for.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YWIeWlD01
"You. You're a Prodigy."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqHQh322Zg
"A what now?" He begins slinging around a golden blur.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z2UbeM2YI
"Whatcha got there?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozjCjpcuyY
He stops twirling the thing around his finger. "It's a watch or something. I just liked the way it looked. I'm a bit of a kleptomaniac."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5nLE42gH
"So you stole it."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRndvVLKatY
"I'll take what I can get. Now, what's a wonderful looking lady such as yourself doing here?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4OOiD1nfD
"Oi, d-don't flirt with me!" Catherine sputtered. "I'm here to get you, and then I'm going home, that's it, alright?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Vq3lILD6
"I'd love to take you."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pfurNms8p
"...I hate that you'd love to take me. Now get up."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkovr1GoHES
"If I move any further than that doorframe, it shocks me. Unless you have a better idea, I'm staying right here."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsToNkHN5ZR
"If the problem is the doorframe, then I can just destroy it, right?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu0LzEdb6Z
"...If that's what you want to do."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1sExgzd6i
"Do you have a stick or a bat or something?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7uFNvaEqE
"Nope, they confiscated my stuff before they threw me in here."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbRce9hVet
"Then I'll just break it by hand." Catherine states. She walks up to the bars, starts kicking at the bars to, at least, loosen them, but suddenly... she's on the other side.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZjr5Ps7JA
"What the hell?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNoUniynph
"Got anymore good plans, Einstein?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln2BYFkChQ
"You shut up." She sternly commanded. "I'm trying to figure out how I got in here in the first place."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSwPtNUAoO
"From what I've seen, you just clipped right through. The bars didn't move a bit."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8b1HkgWcF
"...Let me try-"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfPZhyrHC9
As if on cue, she falls through the floor, unaware of her newly obtained Gift. It was like swimming through water, as she gracefully glided through the solid rock floor. She peeks out from the floor, finally discovering her ability, Phasing.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgqn8XJKxn
"Holy crap." she snickers. "I'm definitely pissing off Nate with this."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ipfhf5nN
"Hey, you're not helping me out by plotting whatever you're planning."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1EUhJc92I
"Yeah yeah, give me a second."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx1kGRgRrQ
She slips back through the floor and back behind bars.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesQFm0IeJ8
"I'm gonna be honest, I don't think this is going to work."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefBcZc7Z1d
"Can't hurt to try though, right?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eY114TRI6
Catherine sighs. "Come on...try not to breathe."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbaLf9XBos
She unwillingly grabs the guy's hand, and activates her ability. On the other side, she throws him out first, then climbs up after him.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YL2RBCKtj
"Nice...I guess."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1y7iV7QQW
"Now, let's go. Please."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLobWzLHJAW
"Finally."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtuOjP9CRg
"Hey Nate! Isabelle! I found him!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1iTGfBZXa
Catherine turns to the boy. "Put the stupid watch on...what's your name again?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N8tvLK1Sg
"Arsenio..." he letting the watch drop around his neck.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThCeo1O5zu
"Alright, we just have to wait for the others."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjPuMvvXa4
"N-no need Catherine..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzjKQeoTo3
"Speak of the devil. Here they are."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxZAXAJ3tg
"H-Hello...my name is...Isabelle..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNl9qFIW7s
"Arsenio..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBYKJcon7g
"N-Nice to meet you.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9sGPP2upf
"I haven't seen anyone for the last...five years. And two beautiful young ladies at that."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMgv4NvFgD
"Let's skip the pickup lines and get out of this place, please?" Catherine rushed. " I have classes tomorrow, and you people are wasting precious time."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgHODuamce
"Actually, you guys won't be staying home for long." Verna's voice echoed through the dingy halls. "I'm sure you'll miss your friends and family, but the Time Realm really needs your help.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdNdhAJmoH
Catherine groans. "I don't want to keep moving around different points in time! I'm getting sick just walking through the stupid portals and whatnot!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3FX5B5Yi8
"I understand, you want to go back to your normal lives, but without you, we basically have no concept of time at all."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpBhcf3qHP
"...What else could you possibly need?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkuxja2Dok
"I need you five to come with me.." Verna's usual bubbly tone grew stern and serious in a heartbeat as she opened another time warp, guiding them inside. They walk out the other side, to an almost heaven-like place.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEOniD8zqP
"This...is the Time Realm. And over there...is the home of Father Time."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAB6ua8AnK
"What are we doing here, exactly?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcpzB4SR9y
"It's the Fabric of Time..." she almost mumbled. "It's ripping apart as we speak. Quickly, we mustn't waste time."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINcIX1AIdz
The Prodigies ran as fast as they could, following Verna to a secret room, and when she opened the door, the mess of what seemed to be the Fabric of Time floated within.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsuoqrggQ4
"This is where we keep logs of events of the past and future, and without them, the events that helped become you will disappear and..."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8SbYXo45J
"So what can we do to fix it?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb8UUHiLPQ
"The Timebreakers are probably a cause, pocket dimensions do tend to warp the timeline quite a bit. Stop them, and we might be able to mend it enough to solve the other part and heal it completely.."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzM0IPrEgf
"And what happens if we don't?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbDpn6Max6
"I'm afraid the concept of time would be lost. No night, no day, no anything, the world...no, the universe would be destroyed if there's space but no time."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxCFhfS1QO
"So, mend the Fabric, and we can go home?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7NWNf561k
"Yes. If I could do this alone, I would."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYKuYYJOVQ
Before Catherine could speak her mind, Nathaniel comes up with an answer.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SwEOyKVAc
"Thou may rely on us."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcztMRNwitF
"Nate!"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqDR8SFwxL
"Would thou rather us die without trying?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe0afOjLNP
"No, but have you seen what the stupid jester did? We almost died back th-"
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"Dying is not something I am afraid of. If thy cowardice is what is holding thou back," he turns his back towards her. "Then maybe thou should not be a Prodigy after all."
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Walking towards the door, he looks back towards the Timekeeper. "Does thou have any rooms for us to stay in?"
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"...Ah, yes. This way.."
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Verna gracefully leads them out, closing the door as she peeked inside. She approaches another door, places her own, slightly larger watch into the divot in it's center.
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As the door slowly opened, Catherine heard the clicking of the gears as the two parts glided from each other.
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The room was strangely comfortable to the five when they finally dropped where they were standing.
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"Finally!" Catherine exclaimed. "I can finally sit the hell down!"
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"Get comfortable, because this is where you're going to sleep every night until the Fabric of Time is fixed."
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"I can deal with that." Arsenio states, lounging on one of the beds. "Now, how about some snacks? I'm starving.."
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"Yeah yeah, I'll get you teens something to snack on. Just...don't destroy anything, alright?" Verna replies.
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"O-okay.."
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Verna leaves them in the spacious room.
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Isabelle gets to sewing and knitting with Ezra helping her, Nathaniel starts to read a book, and Arsenio tinkers with his handcuffs. Catherine watches as they do their own hobbies and starts to do her own, writing short paragraphs in her notebook. She enjoyed as her slightly cursive handwriting inked on the paper as she wrote about some ideas she had rattling in her head.
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She looked at the others. The paragraph's words entered her head as she saw what each were doing.
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Catherine wrote and erased, thinking of other ways she could rephrase it. It took forever for her concentrated mind to slow down and fall asleep, and just before she gave up, she noticed everyone else, items in hand, asleep comfortably in beds.
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"Heh." she chuckled. "I can finish this later." Catherine slips the now dull pencil into the book's crease before shutting it closed, pulling the blanket over herself, and finally closing her eyes.
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To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time: Chapter 2
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