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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlboekFznsb
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PkhIFtx4M
"Finally done..." she sighed.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBOp41Nd5d
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadrcTsYInT
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2zkP8sXCe
You have been selected as a Prodigy. Use that watch well, and have a wonderful time at university.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTUxM3BtFA
"Prodigy?" She read the note over and over, trying to make sense of it. What was a Prodigy?
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGMH6zHjXW
She turned the card to the other side. More writing, it's seemed like directions.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNcnScjuMk
In the dead of night
Tap on the inside
Drag forward or back
Close your eyes and hold your breath
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz4JexXqi1
Her cellphone started to vibrate. She picks up the phone, and holds it up against her ear.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiH0YHx4yl
"Hello?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64xqgmEfIt
"Cathie!" It was Talia, her friend from high school. Her eyes lit up when she heard her voice.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwZbDb1CRU
"Tal? It's been a while. How's everything doing on your end?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oEGQnzJ3x
"Good. Still working on getting my stuff ready to move out, how about you?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqvTTgP3hO
"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.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnam5XFTUmQ
"I could help you. We can meet up tomorrow and go together."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPdOBfJRJH
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjcW7yX3A6
"Ooh, a watch?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnskmkU8VZ
"Yeah. Also came with this weird note. Something like directions?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKf7hcJENZ
"Weird. Your grandparents didn't say anything about it?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ577XdT278y
"No, I'm just opening the box, and you're the first person to call me.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaa6qLy91X
"I dunno, maybe follow the directions and see what happens. Maybe it's how to get it set or something?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CgGiG2MQ5
Catherine looked back down at the clock, realizing it hadn't moved an inch since she'd open the box.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIBHzU0Soe
"You actually might be right, it's not moving...like at all."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcWUTKvvnX
"I thought so. I'll let you concentrate on that and I'll call you back, okay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07bIFxXMO
"... Okay. See you later."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LwtVkP0Sh
"Bye!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXeYuDKsgo
...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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXer7WnkxdD
She tapped the middle of the clock as instructed. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and slides her fingertip counterclockwise.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGD9EkQUNc
A wave of wind blew past her hair and almost knocked her down.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Epjs2bHW
"What the-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhrHuOqsfF
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl7vuW9xYz
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcgEHphq8o
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWDl5lJKZQ
It felt as if she walked past a doorframe.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofrEbGvHzz
"Grandma, Grandad, what the hell did you get me into..?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ7pxcYcqi
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLlaVPHTYe
"...Well, if I'm gonna stay here forever, I might as well get a snack..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmfORZKFBt
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL1PrC24wS
"I hope that wasn't a dead body..." she half jokes, taking a bite of her newly obtained snack.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzZSbCNJLU
It was a body, but he was very much alive.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVhJ7J7W1d
"A very comical jester thou are..." He says with clenched teeth as he gets up.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkUEp3Uqjs
She almost choked on the bite she was chewing on.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G80V7s9Z1
"Jesus Christ!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugZ1MtkqCm
"...Art thou okay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVowwFevRyl
"You could've told me you were in that stupid tree!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzy0IVTUAX
"I was asleep..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NTnpYUrBJ
"...Who the hell sleeps in a tree?!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT7lCVaXqz
"...I shall ask again..art thou okay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquaiS5Qtqg
"I don't even know where I am!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6T5Rbd3ZQ
"...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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaekiZtT1L
"What's your problem?!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngR5r0tr2e
"I was admiring your clock. I have no interest in you."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlasjXmYuBv
He pulls a golden chain from his garments and revealing another sparkling golden watch, identical to her own.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3RMi9Z5eC
"My name is Nathaniel. It seems thou art also a Prodigy..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99p42dyjwG
"Prodigy?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVb8OlgBkq
"A Prodigy is a time traveler and protector of Time itself. This ability is gifted to one of Prodigious blood before them."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCPrf0XiHv
This was so unbelievable to her, but to be honest, so had everything else.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuULaijNydE
"Well, if I'm freely able to time travel, I should be able to get back home, right?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWErPzfl00
"...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.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d1Hbz5Lpd
"Does that mean I'm stuck with you?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1wfB9HaJy
"If thou wants to survive, thou might want to stay with me."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgCaf2xAjN
"I can't tell if you're being sincere or a damn creep.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkr0QpgRoT
He creates a sword from nowhere and places it's deathly sharp edge close to her throat.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd05fyRNk3
"Does thou want to die here from starvation?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh28fQmKLoG
"Are you seriously going to kill me if I don't go with you?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG0UKGG7Fu
"No, that was for attempting to insult me.."
He lets it go, where it fades away into metallic dust, pulling her up.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo4i0xtcGv
"Now, if thou wants to survive, I would suggest you follow me.." he says walking away.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLHoDKcVeV
"Fine. But do something weird and I'll beat the hell out of you."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCviElTpRa
"We must be far aroint from the commoners. We mustn't expose ourself."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1osqzmi7V
"Yeah yeah, secret organization and whatnot. Just hurry up so I can go home,"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX7ZVbUMGP
Nathaniel, with his own watch, does the same movements. The time warp appears, brilliantly blue and whispering just as before.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzaaewDkrb
"Ladies first..." He leads Catherine inside.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7PF6YdFdr
"Ugh.." she stomps into the warp, dragging him by the cravat with her.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhodAshkM6
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhhiLximpb
"...Maybe it's better looking indoors?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMynLSXYaGt
Catherine walks up to the menacing house, but as soon as she knocked on the splintered door, it creaked open.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSm7VKJa5G
"...Come on Nate, door's open."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBgsjINEQH
"Nate?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvnvGUt1Sl
"It's a nickname. Just hurry up."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWqdA3BBmJ
"Why don't thou go by thyself?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkQcu2r3sg
"Because. You have weapon powers. What if this place is full of gangsters or something?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUq4Iay9oM
"Fine...however, I shan't be responsible for thou."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqwNvqXv9D
"Just shut up and come in."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B8v2gycZQ
The walk across the wooden floor,9 screeching every step they took.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaojRSAYyxI
"What does thou plan to find?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVngQnplJP
"We can stay here for the night, and we get out the next morning."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPZezwpbvf
"In this rodent infested place?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitoLglPyTb
"It's better than outside, isn't it?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iKic0Gd0K
They hear another creaking door from somewhere from above the crooked stairs.
Suddenly realizing someone was here, they hid behind a dusty, dingy, couch.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBVQcycj6N
Shaky footsteps follow.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Iwazaf2h9
"E-Ezra?" A girl's soft voice echoed. She flicks on the barely functioning lights, only slightly brightening the room enough to see.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsknv67cfy
Just before the girl could come towards them, Nathaniel jumps up and chokeholds her. The girl appropriately screams, struggling to break free.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdw3f21S54
"Nathaniel, what the hell?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o536Mxd90
"If she wants to survive, she'll stop screaming."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPkMwAScNb
Catherine sees the girl reaching for something from her back pocket...
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEph9Kv1FkQ
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFDVKb7XDD
"H-How did you get here? Who are you?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQTA09VkLl
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30IgDYKGUL
"E-Ezra!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5jyGImPYW
"Isabelle! Are you alright?!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n0qgv1pvg
"I'm o-okay,"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDCI6qZMQW
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFS47mGrbH
"What...are you doing here?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44umhVkLZo
"We just wanted a place to stay for the night.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsERt6i1I76
"And you think attacking my sister is a reason why I should let you stay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ltxlLdric
"We thought the place was-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAWvftXwQa
Ezra pulls out a knife and points it towards Catherine's neck.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQJZyiK6Zi
"... Isabelle?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiHIMbFOep
"Mhm?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcAsORylHJ
"What should we do?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YVUGpHBnP
"...If t-they need a p-place to stay...I don't mind letting them stay in my room.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf2sw7jfkm
"...You're too sweet." She removes the knife and slips it back into her bag. "Show them upstairs. Scream if anything happens."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKfMokCI2P
Isabelle nods carefully hops up the stairs and disappears into the shadows of the dimmed house.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz5D82Me5X
The duo carefully follows her. Isabelle grabs the stairs to the attic.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrsVnEmtwO
"Damn, you live in the attic?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7PEayFO6x
"It's very spacious up here..." she responds, carefully climbing up.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWCnK4VuxY
Isabelle was right, the attic was extremely spacious, but that space was filled row to row with porcelain dolls.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDawbAqoFhF
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumI1z8HlRe
"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.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBZeDjKJj9
"If you don't mind me asking..." Catherine started. "Where is she now?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmt6Ftuiyv
Isabelle went silent. "I d-don't want to t-think about it..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr151gRD2N
Isabelle then sits in her lofty bed, in the more immense part of the attic. Dolls and stuffed animals decorated the
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv1dyRV7Ia
The two Prodigies sit down on the wooden floor next to it.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjfYXQnKV9
"You d-don't have to sit on the floor."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv52WxPTl3B
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5hhKoKWn4
"A-anyways..." Isabelle interrupts. "How did you two get here?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a4hTR9Zhl
"If the Tempural Energy brought us here..." Nathaniel thinks aloud.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qmb8aMi6P
"That means one of them is a Prodigy, right?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvZq2LR1Tj
"Most likely..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJoMbZYj1M
"P-Prodigy?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX5Z3ZqlVR
They both pull out their golden watches. "You haven't seen a clock like these have you?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgpwoVtHGD
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxl2exavVQ
"At first, I t-thought it was just a normal pocket watch my father had forgotten..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmZi5id3Gv
"Huh. Well, I guess that answers our question.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZixmbfmaVo
"S-so does that m-mean I can go with you two?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2n1auf4Ht
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITUZF8Vfw8
"D-do have to ask Ezra?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRnXuJIW0q
"Ask me what?" the sound of the older sister's voice boomed throughout the attic.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO76tcenOCK
Isabelle finally spoke up. "I-I want to go with them!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0yzcBBova
"...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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxuUOicIQ3
"Would that even work?" Nathaniel asks.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOstSNmMm1F
"It wouldn't h-hurt to t-try..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTXvYUERkU
"...If thou insists.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j6odn9D0F
"But seriously, you three head to bed. I want sleep too."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVtLeE2MWa
"Okay..." Isabelle calls out. "Goodnight."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVt52CRTLd
"Goodnight.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsZs7Wq0dE
And with that, Ezra left the attic, sliding down the ladder with fading footsteps. Isabelle throws a couple blankets and pillows their way.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs39ZpnxClH
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmDKJgMgPQ
"Good morning you two..." Catherine says, stretching the tired out her body.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfYMgHOs3d
Nathaniel was already sipping a cup of coffee. "This drink is surprisingly...bitter.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBODZLyk4M
"Well, you're supposed to drink with milk or sugar if you don't like it bitter."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexDW11FhEv
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gzzmYmaWL
"Hey, Isabelle. I think one of your dolls is caught on your clothes.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ5I8Du86M
"O-Oh? That's never h-happened before..." she reaches behind her. "I c-can't reach it.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQhLpjFpVF
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHPjTxydsg
"What the hell?!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIAoVsmeRZ
"Hey hey hey!" the thing said with an angry tone. "Don't pull on me! You'll rip my fabric, you idiot!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0fYZojJEb
Catherine stepped back in astonishment.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIfX3RB1GD
"D-Dawlly?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2t7FkxJ4s
"Heya Izzy!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6NRGvHHGd
"B-But..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXKxV6tK94
"What? You think my memory died with your sister?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT27JeJLDLT
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijv7MNQkxv
"What are...you doing here?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXSAwmVXn7
"Apparently, I'm your new Gift! Look look!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMFPv7yLS9
Thin black thread ran between Isabelle's fingers, wrapping around her arms and up her neck.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBC7tKhBR7
"Pretty cool right?" the doll asked, smiling from ear to ear.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgSJg1Zu9w
"...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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUdBlR2kMG
"Isabelle, are you alright over there?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptMa9vup6d
"I-I'm fine!" she calls back.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9yb0ZVs7q
"Do you want me to come in?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHmlAGcRVv
"N-No!"
Catherine shakes her head and walks towards the smell baked into the air.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNix6VfbQQE
"Took you long enough." She places a plate next to an empty chair. "Where's Isabelle?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbyrQvjhYo
"In the bathroom.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXdgE9VyD6
Ezra leaves another plate and speedwalks to the bathroom door.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJScAG4aulu
"Isabelle-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr9QVoGoSn
"J-Just a minute.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHrtDJtBl4
The door opens, and Isabelle scrambles to pull down her sleeves.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u0iVczMFL
"...Did something happen?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJskNw1IgzV
Isabelle softly shakes her head no.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjU73bzu6Y
The doll's piercing, scraping voice suddenly entered the room.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezM4h9vvlP
"She's lying. She's trying to hide me!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtwKscS2ya
"N-no! G-go a-away!" Isabelle was holding her head inside her hands as more thread spilled from her sleeves.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7j7It1o3G
"Don't get too frustrated. Don't want you to go insane and start stabbing people again, right?" the toy chuckled.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a5gRxwF7Y
"W-what?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEsBXehgvZ
"I don't know what you are, but stop messing with her." Ezra said sternly.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuJJpBqIIV
"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~!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY54H5bCepP
"Let her go, asshole!" Catherine yelled.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZpOcYKeZS
"Wow, such vulgar language! I wonder how many words you can say after she sews your damn mouth shut!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ew4IlnvUO
"Try it, prick!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNqcv8RXtP
"Oooh, okay!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajuc5bBZkN
Isabelle's expression changed from fear to anger in seconds, her scared mumbling to angered growls.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRT2PO4wzg
"Isabelle?" Ezra slowly tries to approach.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mY3HSMxLz
Isabelle reaches for her back pocket once again.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQOCrB4Ri
"Move! She's got a-" Catherine pushes Ezra out of the way, taking the jab from Isabelle's scissors.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzuy11AWYZ
"See? I told you!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtiBv96HLY
"Shut up.." Catherine says, holding the shoulder wound.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoxy7jgvZZ
"Isabelle, that's enough." Nathaniel says, approaching her. "Or... maybe she's in the doll's control?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAs5pjgUfS
"Damn straight! And that's only a portion of what I can do!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4citsgqtA
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDcLRZLQ7l
"Catherine, I would like it if thou take her dearest sister to safety."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECts3MZKCB
"Alright, but I'm coming back. Ezra, let's go."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxp9EjDskkx
"...Be careful with her, Nathaniel."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpN17fBypE
"...I shall try."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8YadrnxkG
The two run out of the mansion, only barely able to hear the sounds of things clattering to the floor.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIKU95m17R
"I'll be back, hopefully with your sister."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11E77x6cM
"Please..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuDzEIH8Da
Catherine runs back into the now destroyed house.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN80lXamo3
"Awe, Cathie's back!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwkthpLjj8
Catherine takes a glance at Nathaniel, scratches from the scissor jabs and slashes all over him and his shield-spear.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1W7yX04Pe
"Isabelle is very formidable when angered.." he says in-between shallow breaths.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcdLa3MZru
"Finally giving up, Nate?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU0Rhr0t5M
"...Yes."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAGPYl4gIi
"Good! Now..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdt9kzOlt3
Isabelle snaps back to her normal self, dropping the scissors.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu62GULiJ8
"Dawlly...never do that again..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui9djHPWhM
"How about this? I only do it when you need me to. I'll even ask, okay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefqwbbXEhi
"...Only w-when I need to."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsmYN4gQGy
"You got it boss!" the doll disappears, slipping itself inside her pocket.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oaeQl6fjL
The three of them go outside, where Ezra makes sure Isabelle is okay. Isabelle assures her she's just fine.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNspykSYG58
Catherine tapped her clock, pulled the hands forward, and the time warp opens.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdJSZDRdoV
"Well, let's see where this takes us. Hopefully, I can finally go home."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwdmUs9fCk
"I-I've never d-done this before.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ341gFcB1eN
"It's like walking through the door. Nothing bad's gonna happen, alright?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazyFoRcUYP
"O-okay.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZSEvSbccv
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M5MI5HDDN
"Oho! Visitors visitors!" it said, jumping up and down.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJfkOl751C
"Oh great.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4K6xKDjoN
"U-uhm..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDr2RgVRc4
"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!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ZYuNUQjj
"Games like what?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFO98QQsbn
"Dodgeball perhaps?" he pulls out bells, three times as small as his spindly hands.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNpGPXIXLV
"Those are...easily avoidable." Nathaniel says, taking a better look at them.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDdpKmORqO
Ohohoho! No, no, these are everything but avoidable!" the jester proclaimed. "Take a look and see!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1k7Y0CPKN
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?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YLDuSB8DE
"I'm afraid not.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1a082E5tw
"Yeah, you can't really play dodgeball with high grade explosives."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaGrcBfuj5
"Oho! I don't think you understood! That was an order..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfY1D2IiUB
"You, a jester, order me?" Nathaniel revealed his Gift.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz62TdB5AJA
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCg40zxC0Z
"This piece of crap isn't kidding!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5zZeUOAA6
"I-I'll try to hold his arms b-back! Dawlly!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwY3a28kCC
"Yeah yeah, I've got it." Dawlly took Isabelle's Gift, wrapping the thread around the jester's body.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGN0igRFCh
"Oooooh, not fair, not fair!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLc7tzL9Hu
"Shut the hell up, you almost killed us, you better believe it's fair." Catherine snapped, dusting the ash and gunpowder from her clothing.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQGTCBXMwg
"You rulebreakers must be punished!" A loud roar came from the jester's voice. They braced themselves.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy306j4AF1
"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...
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEY0rH4RhU
The four of them grab ahold of their chest and faces, frantically trying to understand what happened.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVT1WcYC5W
"Hey hey hey, don't worry, I didn't do anything to you.." the woman states. "I just took Pierrot's Tempural Spirit."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyDrqZJGGr
"Is that w-what that...warm light was?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYUq7NiwiM
"Mhm. I'm glad I came at the right time, too. Can't be a teacher without students, right?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3qv0irh7f
"Teacher? You mean to tell me I have to go to school here too?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5skRKC3D8u
"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..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw0XUsX8xJ
"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?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZENPweNICw
"Well, you still need one more Prodigy in order to reach your 'breakroom', so find him and come back, okay?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3gDDFTGr2
"Uuugh, fine. We'll find the stupid boy and bring him back. Where are we headed? Past? Future?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwIEFLtxOe
"Future, now hop to it."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT0JXO4RMB
"Alright, alright, but after this, I'm going home."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwR9kKzuUm
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILHJcmod6m
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...
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZwBOcZaV4
Suddenly, she was surrounded my metal bars, and a dingy atmosphere.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhWEON1yOX
"Ah, crap..." she grumbled. "...We're in prison.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYlzXSKVly
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvCYJhh3iW
"Okay, splitting up inside a place like this is not a good idea.." Ezra returns.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrNamT8JUc
"It is the only way we can cover ground. I'm sure you understand we're looking for someone in such a large facility."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgmwgofxcC
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj5QxNpqJG
"That's a b-bit complicated..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2kNABmbho
"It's not as complicated as you think."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQW3QV55lo
"Yeah, let's try this one and see.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5zcPk17vw
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBru6dcZNiL
It was only after the fifth time when someone was found within these brick walls and metal bars.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57n24ahpGK
"God, I hate this place. Why are we in prison, damnit?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXutSlP00Y
"Correction..." a boy's voice echoed. "I'm in prison. You're in a prison."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAQwo8Wxgy
"Oh shut up, smarta-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqTrFP9U8a
For once she could finally feel the Tempural Energy reaching out to her, pointing her to the person they were looking for.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEoDB2NY9p
"You. You're a Prodigy."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmngmZJRM1
"A what now?" He begins slinging around a golden blur.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTZHK2z9o5
"Whatcha got there?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdZmb6PK3z
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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1g050POfh
"So you stole it."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgJXuTeriv
"I'll take what I can get. Now, what's a wonderful looking lady such as yourself doing here?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0MrCdg3aR
"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?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCIiz4Zcfs
"I'd love to take you."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58R5y9I2hF
"...I hate that you'd love to take me. Now get up."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D0x2yYsD7
"If I move any further than that doorframe, it shocks me. Unless you have a better idea, I'm staying right here."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV5XHxOkri
"If the problem is the doorframe, then I can just destroy it, right?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLFmLK75E4
"...If that's what you want to do."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaMbIpGzLr
"Do you have a stick or a bat or something?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJt1jJDHlZ
"Nope, they confiscated my stuff before they threw me in here."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4laKwu2jj3
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0O9STm7Ts
"What the hell?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6siebAZdxy
"Got anymore good plans, Einstein?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJPmWa4y1q
"You shut up." She sternly commanded. "I'm trying to figure out how I got in here in the first place."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnq3vHBMjl
"From what I've seen, you just clipped right through. The bars didn't move a bit."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ7FOzw3ar
"...Let me try-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2tWlx9pEE
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8paQ8aw2k
"Holy crap." she snickers. "I'm definitely pissing off Nate with this."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtDDGTLGCD
"Hey, you're not helping me out by plotting whatever you're planning."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Gg5NmZDG
"Yeah yeah, give me a second."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrScI4nWzLN
She slips back through the floor and back behind bars.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pHvW17x2M
"I'm gonna be honest, I don't think this is going to work."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthomw2Q1Bx
"Can't hurt to try though, right?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4ZkkGElr5
Catherine sighs. "Come on...try not to breathe."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMGFJHpfRR
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO4bQLFE4m
"Nice...I guess."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpm7RsbJCs
"Now, let's go. Please."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41xQYWxevv
"Finally."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJKpJhRDM9
"Hey Nate! Isabelle! I found him!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUhYK4Eo7K
Catherine turns to the boy. "Put the stupid watch on...what's your name again?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gaiMkfhEq
"Arsenio..." he letting the watch drop around his neck.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByHU3MRoay
"Alright, we just have to wait for the others."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYSyBsTqsV
"N-no need Catherine..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCQNad196m
"Speak of the devil. Here they are."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTnI6ZJvrT
"H-Hello...my name is...Isabelle..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnYJqELNgo
"Arsenio..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j0kiHT86E
"N-Nice to meet you.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpmX1jrpcg
"I haven't seen anyone for the last...five years. And two beautiful young ladies at that."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3i4QT0f5p
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNrl7OwNxM
"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.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR31uNc1m8
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!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkmLBJapfY
"I understand, you want to go back to your normal lives, but without you, we basically have no concept of time at all."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw4k1bai13
"...What else could you possibly need?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9TdCA690M
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAssuH5NXLS
"This...is the Time Realm. And over there...is the home of Father Time."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYlI3D3gaV
"What are we doing here, exactly?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFCZqNnfzf
"It's the Fabric of Time..." she almost mumbled. "It's ripping apart as we speak. Quickly, we mustn't waste time."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHdV1u6var
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqkvH0WfX6
"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..."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqENMUhzwmH
"So what can we do to fix it?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoniaa4l6e
"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.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47LoS4LFlG
"And what happens if we don't?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZKlgJnpJF
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGG4WLVZzn
"So, mend the Fabric, and we can go home?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmLgjgEACJ
"Yes. If I could do this alone, I would."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wxsI45C0f
Before Catherine could speak her mind, Nathaniel comes up with an answer.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcIuV2gam8
"Thou may rely on us."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjP95xGsLB
"Nate!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVZD3wbvgH
"Would thou rather us die without trying?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1GraVNH5G
"No, but have you seen what the stupid jester did? We almost died back th-"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCF0KDjTJI
"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."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuFFQ3sDAj
Walking towards the door, he looks back towards the Timekeeper. "Does thou have any rooms for us to stay in?"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm66h2mlIdZ
"...Ah, yes. This way.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVMI2sdtWb
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHxJlXuBHi
As the door slowly opened, Catherine heard the clicking of the gears as the two parts glided from each other.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUQz5gSfHX
The room was strangely comfortable to the five when they finally dropped where they were standing.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxmel1ibig
"Finally!" Catherine exclaimed. "I can finally sit the hell down!"
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXS2mlQclZ
"Get comfortable, because this is where you're going to sleep every night until the Fabric of Time is fixed."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iGYO58vJn
"I can deal with that." Arsenio states, lounging on one of the beds. "Now, how about some snacks? I'm starving.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTpCL2qfdi
"Yeah yeah, I'll get you teens something to snack on. Just...don't destroy anything, alright?" Verna replies.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc0lrrg6X4
"O-okay.."
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg9Ty0Twf2
Verna leaves them in the spacious room.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiYjx14jio
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uu4F1kY6M
She looked at the others. The paragraph's words entered her head as she saw what each were doing.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLg66xpAh6
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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8f5q6PR8Y
"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.
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjyqOTY6Dy
To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time: Chapter 2
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydxQqHYqN1
