The Clock of Memories

Episode 3: "The First Split"

Victor Almeida sat on the sofa, the watch pulsing in his hand like a constant reminder of his recent foray into the past. The image of Clara, laughing and surrounded by a new life he did not recognize, still burned in his mind, a deep cut in his soul. He needed to understand what he had done and, more importantly, what he was willing to do next.

After the strange experience, the hours dragged on as he struggled to regain his composure. The weight of the consequences of his actions grew heavier. The memories he longed to relive were becoming a trap. He had never imagined that his desires could have such an impact on reality.

With a renewed sense of urgency, Victor decided he needed to try again. If the watch had the power to revive moments from the past, perhaps he could find a way to restore what he had lost. But the persistent question in his mind was: at what cost?

That night, he found himself sitting at the table, his hands trembling as he held the watch. It was time to revisit another crucial moment: the night he and Clara had an argument that marked the beginning of their separation. He remembered the bitter words, the wounds that never healed. That was a point that needed to be adjusted.

“If I can just make her see the truth…” he thought, determination rising within him. With a deep sigh, he activated the watch once more, his heart racing with anticipation and fear.

The environment around him dissolved, and light enveloped him again. When everything returned to normal, Victor found himself in his old living room. The scene before him was familiar: Clara was sitting on the sofa, tears in her eyes, while he, younger and full of pride, seemed blind to the pain he was causing.

“Victor, you don’t understand!” Clara shouted. “You’re pushing me away, and I can’t stay here forever!”

He felt a sharp pain upon hearing his own words. “You’re being unreasonable! We both know I’m doing this for us!”

The present Victor watched in silence, anguish swelling within him. He wanted to scream, to warn himself about the traps of pride and selfishness. But he knew he could not intervene. The past was immutable.

The watch pulsed in his hand, and in a moment of desperation, he decided he needed to take action, however small. He approached the younger Victor, only to feel a wave of frustration upon realizing he could not be seen or heard.

“No! Stop! You’re about to do something terrible!” he wanted to shout. But reality continued on its course, and the argument grew more intense. He watched, powerless, as the divide between them widened.

“If you keep this up, I don’t know if I can stay!” Clara finally declared, and the words echoed in Victor like an alarm bell. The scene began to blur, and before he could process what was happening, he found himself back in his room, sweating and breathless.

The watch was once again in his hand, now warm and pulsating. He realized that nothing had changed. The argument had still happened, and the wound remained open. What he had tried to correct not only failed but became more painful. The memories he wished to avoid were becoming a vicious cycle.

Feeling lost, Victor looked around. The room was dark, and the reality around him felt oppressive. “What is happening?” he whispered, despair starting to take hold.

Deep down, a part of him knew he needed to stop trying to correct the past. The changes he was causing were not just superficial; they were affecting his very essence. He was losing himself, and this struggle was consuming him.

He took the watch and, for the first time, felt a rising anger. “Why did you bring me back? To t*****e me? To remind me of what I’ve lost?” He shouted at the watch, frustration overflowing.

In that moment, a soft light emanated from the object, and he felt as though the watch was responding, as if it had consciousness. Victor stood frozen, breathing heavily, as the glow enveloped his hand. Was it an invitation or a warning? The possibilities seemed endless, but the line between past and present was becoming increasingly tenuous.

He realized he could not continue down this path without consequences. The memories he so desperately wanted to relive were becoming a burden, and he was about to discover that he could not escape what he had already become.

What should he do now? With each new choice, the pain intensified, and the idea of simply accepting what he had become grew more seductive. But how could he let go of what he still loved?

Victor was on the brink of an emotional precipice, and the next decision he made could change everything again. But now, he needed more than just courage; he needed wisdom.