This story is one of the September Writing Challenge entries chosen to be a featured story.
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Tick-Tock
Glass shatters.
Tick-Tock
People are screaming.
Tick-Tock
Time stands still.
Tick-Tock
My time stands still.
Tick-Tock
Everything explodes.
People scream, guards rush in, everybody runs in a different direction. I stand there, paralyzed, not moving a single muscle.
Tick-Tock
The time. I awake from my shock and start running. I have to find the crown before it’s too late. I rush through the huge palace halls, leaving the big wooden clock behind me. I can still hear it, hear every second passing by. And with that hear my time running out. I avoid guards and frightened servants, keeping my head straight, not looking back.
Tick-Tock
I arrive in the hall of mirrors. Mirrors, mirrors everywhere. I see myself a thousand times, my projection being reflected and reflected and reflected…. But no crown. I know it must be here, hidden in one of these mirrors.
Tick-Tock
I run. Pass every mirror, try to see through my reflection. Nothing.
Tick-Tock
Then I see it. Almost invisible, yet if you pay close attention, it’s there.
Tick-Tock
I stumble towards it, reach my hand throw the glass and–
Gong.
First strike. I reach further, almost stepping inside the mirror.
Gong.
Second strike. I grasp the crown.
Gong.
Third strike. I clutch the crown to my breast. Pull out.
Shattering glass. The mirrors explode, leaving me behind in a tornado of sparkling particles.
I’m too late.
All I hear is the crystal sound of glass crashing and the sharp wind blowing through the hall. Like in a snowstorm, everything is white. Everything spins, spins faster and faster until suddenly…
Silence.
Silence, until it starts again.
Tick-Tock