Time control
870 Words
Suddenly, warmth spreads through my chest. It’s like a gentle wave washing over me, calming the storm raging in my mind and body. The waterfall’s roar begins to fade, the crashing sound softening to a gentle hum. Everything slows.
I’ve soothed my own senses—quieted the noise within me. It’s as though the entire world has slowed down with me.
I glance ahead and see the wolf. He’s still running, but something’s strange. He’s moving impossibly slow. I watch, transfixed, as his paws lift and fall as if he’s running through molasses.
Is this real? Is he… running in slow motion?
I take a hesitant step forward, then another. The wolf doesn’t seem to notice me. His movements are sluggish.
What’s happening?
“Stop!” I command instinctively, and the world obeys. The wolf halts mid-step, completely frozen, eyes wide but unmoving. The waterfall, too, has stopped, suspended mid-cascade like a glass sculpture frozen in the moment.
It’s like hitting the pause button on reality.
I approach the waterfall, curious. Reaching out, I let my fingertips brush against the icy surface of the water. It moves—just barely—but it’s slow, as if even time itself has turned sluggish. The droplets under my touch shimmer, but they don’t fall.
I… I did this. I don’t know how, but somehow I’ve slowed down time—maybe even stopped it altogether.
How is this possible?
A sudden tingle runs down my left arm, pulling me from my thoughts. I glance down to see something appearing on my skin. A symbol—one I don’t recognize—slowly etching itself into my forearm. The lines are sharp, ancient, almost tribal in design, but I have no idea what it means.
As incredible as all of this is, I can’t help but want the world to return to normal. How do I unfreeze time?
“Unfreeze…” I mutter aloud.
Nothing happens. The world remains still.
“Resume?”
Still nothing. I grit my teeth, frustration bubbling up inside me. Think, Lenora, think!
I close my eyes, recalling what I did before. I’d just… wanted time to slow down, and it did. Maybe that’s the key—intent. I take a deep breath, focusing on reversing it. I picture the wolf moving again, the waterfall flowing. I open my eyes, and—
The wolf skids to a stop beside me, his eyes wide with surprise. He stares at me, confused, as if I’d just appeared out of nowhere. A moment ago, I’d been further back, near the trees, and now I’m right by the waterfall.
He blinks, shaking his head, then lowers it to drink from the water.
I follow his lead, kneeling at the edge and cupping the cool water in my hands. I bring it to my lips, letting the fresh liquid flow down my throat. It’s refreshing—more than that, it feels like it’s cleansing me from the inside out, like every cell in my body is being revitalized.
I can’t stop. I drink more, scooping the water again and again, until I feel reborn. The sensation is overwhelming, pure, and powerful.
Suddenly, an urge takes hold of me. Without thinking, I peel off my pants and shirt, leaving them in a pile on the forest floor. I step to the edge of the pool, feeling the cold mist on my skin, then dive in.
The water engulfs me, cold and exhilarating. I dive deeper, the world beneath the surface alive with vibrant energy. Tiny fish swim past me, their scales shimmering in the light filtering through the water. I can feel them—sense their presence, their joy—as if we’re somehow connected. My body tingles with the same electricity I’d felt earlier.
I swim back to the surface, gasping for air as I break through, and take a deep breath. The wolf watches me curiously from the edge of the pool, his head tilted as if trying to make sense of what he’s seeing.
I climb out of the water, noticing a new glow on my skin. Another symbol is engraving itself on my body—this one fluid, like waves flowing across my arm. It’s different from the first symbol, but no less powerful. I have no idea what these symbols mean, but I know they’re connected to whatever is happening to me.
As I stand there, dripping and breathless, I feel another sensation ripple through my body. The water around me begins to respond, moving in a way that defies logic. It shapes itself, cradling me, and lifts me from the river, placing me gently on the forest floor beside my clothes.
I stare at the water in awe, the last ripples fading back into the pool as if nothing had happened. I’ve never felt more connected to the world around me—more alive, more powerful. Something inside me has awoken.
I slip my clothes back on, feeling the damp fabric clinging to my skin. The wolf watches me intently, his golden eyes gleaming with understanding—or maybe recognition.
I nod at him, acknowledging our strange connection. I don’t know what’s happening to me.
But I’m ready to find out.
- Writer
