The Time Capsule

Chapter Nine.

          Over the next two days, Nadia Wolfe went on a gigantic search. She talked to everyone she could see. Including the grocery store clerks, the people buying groceries, the mail carriers, the janitors of the school, the students hanging out at the mall, etc. By the end of day two, she was exhausted.
        Day three came around, and she had two potential options: Piper Whitlock, a student at her High School who was very creative, and a big loner, Leonardo Madden, another student at her school, was her second choice. He was an orphan, raised in the foster system with no known relatives. He got a scholarship to come to the school, and ever since then, has been known as the loner artist. Piper, on the other hand, was very popular with helping out at local libraries, art shows, and town square events.
        The question was: Could one of them be the Keeper of Time? Living for thousands of years? Serving under the thumb of the High Council? Nadia didn’t know. But she would have to investigate and see if one of them is worthy. The reason that Nadia was being so crazy about finding Roman Adair’s apprentice was because she was worried that if she broke her end of the agreement, he would become her enemy and not help her escape. His reaction a couple of days ago led her to believe that he was not as nice as he seemed. And he’s thousands of years old. AND the Master of Time. No pressure.
        However, since Fate was already after her and possibly the High Council, she couldn’t risk having yet another enemy. So, as she walked down the sidewalk of the outdoor mall, searching for Piper Whitlock, she bumped into someone. Coffee spilled everywhere.
          “Oh, pardon me. I just need to find-” There was Leonardo Madden. He crossed his arms.
           “Apologies for the inconvenience. But you did just spill coffee on me.”
        “I did? You were the one holding the coffee. I think it’s the other way around.” She gestured to her coffee covered outfit and face. ‘How do I approach this? Would you like to control time? No…’
        Leonardo Madden wore a grim expression on his face. He had dirty blonde hair and dark brown eyes. The frown that always crossed his face made him seem even more unlikeable. Like if you got hit by a car, he wouldn’t cross the street to help you. Or maybe he was the one that hit you with a car… ‘Not important!’
         “You bumped into me. So… no. I’ve got to get going. See you… stranger.”
        Nadia’s eyes widened. “Wait! I’m running out of time. I need to ask you something. How do you feel about time?” ‘No! Don’t say it like that.’
        “Time? I think it’s time for me to leave. Goodbye.” He turned to go, and she stopped, thinking.
        “I know of a way to have endless power. Power that is so strong, you can control the flow of time.” Hopefully, Roman Adair could erase his memory if he didn’t want to be the Keeper of Time. And it’s not like Leonardo would remember this.
         “I think you’re crazy. You spilled coffee on me, and you offered me endless power? You know what? I’ll entertain this wacko conversation for a moment. How do I get this power?” Leonardo asked, not even seeming to care much about his stained appearance.
         Nadia took a deep breath and started, “There’s this being called the Keeper of Time. He controls the flow of time. Like… what goes on in this world. And others. If there are other universes. Well, probably. Anyways… would you like to become the Keeper of Time?”
         She figured that he’ll forget this if this messes up and backfires, so might as well be straightforward.
        “Wait, the Keeper of Time?” His eyes lit up with something. Recognition, maybe? Right as this happened, a voice called out from the throngs of people.
        “Leonardo. What’s taking so long? You should have just made yourself the coffee and saved a lot of time.”                 
          Piper Whitlock came into view, and Nadia became confused. Piper was tanned, athletic, and had long black wavy hair that stopped at her waist. She always dressed in trendy streetwear, and her eyes were the color of, well, coffee. ‘Why are they friends? I didn’t know they knew each other…’ Nadia was even more confused now.
          “Hello. I’m Nadia Wolfe. I was just talking to your friend because I accidentally bumped into him. Now we’re both covered in coffee. Luckily, it was decaf.” She noticed this from the writing on the cup.
           “Oh! Well, nice to meet you, Nadia. Do you go to our school?” ‘Yes. I do. But for some reason, no one remembers me. It’s only been technically one day since summer started. How could they forget me that fast?’
           “Yeah, actually. I do. How has summer break been for ya?”
             Piper sighed. “Long. Way too long.” Okay.. weird.
           “Long? Did you get out early or something?” Nadia asked, her curiosity peaking at the statement that Piper had made.
         “Yeah. We had good grades and got out a few weeks before school ended.” Leonardo replied, glancing at Piper.
          Nadia checked her phone, which buzzed. She had set a reminder at 3:00 to make sure she didn’t forget that the time loop would reset soon.
        “Someone text you?” Piper inquired, sipping her smoothie.
       “Something like that. I have to go soon.” Nadia replied, crossing her arms.
        “Well… I’m off!” Nadia was about to turn and leave when Leonardo called out.
       “Wait. You mentioned the Keeper of Time, correct? How do you know him?” She stopped in her tracks. ‘Why is he shouting this secret in the middle of a crowd? Seriously?’
       “Shhhhh! Don’t shout his name.”
         Piper tilted her head to the side, curiosity lighting up her features. “You know the Keeper of Time?” She asked quietly, eyes wide.
        “Yes.” ‘They won’t remember this.’ “I’m stuck in a time loop.” A ticking sound spread throughout the room. It increased in speed.
        “We’re stuck in a time loop, too. No! The clocks will reverse again!” Piper shouted. “Meet me at the library. Right when you wake up.” Nadia shook her head.
       “But we can talk now! You’re stuck, too?” The ticking boomed so loudly now that her eardrums felt like they would burst.
       Leonardo shouted back, “The library! When you wake up!” Then the ticking stopped. And all was quiet.
       The morning rays of the sun shone through her window, and Nadia jumped out of bed. She realized something: ‘I accidentally met other Loopers. But what will this cost me? My life? My sanity? Or something much, much worse?…’