Chapter 4: Falling into Danger

The sound of ticking of clock grew louder, mixinng with the pounding of your heart. You stood frozen in the middle of your living room, gripping the clock like it is your lifeline.

“Y/N!” C’s voice came again, softer now almost pleading. “It’s me. Open the door.” But something about it still didn’t feel right. The tone was off, hollow somehow as though it didn't had the warmth you felt when you met him in the park. “Prove it’s you!” you demanded again, your voice cracking.

A pause. Then, “I… I know about the letters. I wrote them. I told you to keep the clock close. Please, Y/N, I’m here to help you.” The words were right, but the tone was wrong. And then you heard another sound a soft, almost whisper under the ticking. You couldn’t make out the words but it chilled you to the bone. “Who are you?” you said, backing off further into the room.

The doorknob rattled again and violently this time. “Open the damn door, Y/N!” the voice snapped, losing its calm tone. Terror was surrounding you. You didn’t know what was on the other side of that door but you were certain now that it wasn’t C.

The clock in your hands began to vibrate, the ticking growing impossibly loud. The glass of the watch glowed faintly, casting shadows across the walls. And then, as suddenly as it had started, the banging on door stopped. Silence. You didn’t dare move, your breaths coming in gasps. The glowing from the clock dimmed and the ticking returned to its normal, steady rhythm.

“Y/N” a voice said softly from behind you. You spin around, nearly dropping the clock. C stood in the middle of your living room, his expression were normal. “How did you—”,  “I told you” he interrupted gently, “I don’t play by the same rules as everyone else.” You stared at him, the events of the past which happened few minutes ago, spin in your mind. “That… wasn’t you at the door?” you asked, your voice trembling. “No” he confirmed, his jaw tightening. “Then. who. what. was. it?” you demanded for the answer. “One of them...” he said, “They have found you.”

C sat across from you at the kitchen table, his hands folded as he explained everything. “They are called Shadows” he began. “People who had interfere with time too much. They lose their humanity, their identities. All that is left is their hunger for control... for power. And they will do anything to get it.” You shivered, glancing at the clock on the table. “And they want this? Why?” “The clock is… special” he said carefully. “It’s more than just a key. It’s a stabilizer. It keeps the time normal. Without it, the Shadows would gain control over every timeline.” He explained. “And me?” you asked. “Why am I involved in this?”

C hesitated, his eyes flickering with something you couldn’t think... guilt maybe. “You are connected to the clock in ways I don’t fully understand. It’s like it chose you. And because of that the Shadows see you as a threat.” You swallowed hard, your mind filling with different thoughts. “So they are trying to kill me.” you asked, your voice trembling with fear. “They won’t stop until they have the clock or until you are gone” he admitted, his voice heavy. “But I won’t let that happen.”

The rest of the night passed in tense silence. C stayed close, his presence both comforting and reassuring. Every creak of the apartment made you jump, every shadow seemed to stretch farther than it should.

As sun rises, you finally spoke. “Why are you doing this?” He looked at you, his expression softening. “Because I have seen what happens if I don’t.” , “What happens?” you asked with confusion. He hesitated, then said quietly, “You die and... and the world falls apart.” The weight of his words settled over you, suffocating you. “Why me?” you asked him. C didn’t answer. Instead, he reached out, his fingers brushing against yours. “I promise I’ll protect you. No matter what it takes.”

And despite everything the fear, the confusion, you believed him.