Professor Time

Chapter3

The machine transported Bowed and the Professor to a foggy back street, exactly one week prior based on newspaper dates. Peering stealthily, they witnessed a hooded figure emerge from the shadows...

There was a muffled cry. Musa and Jag's silhouettes appeared, fighting valiantly but overpowered within moments. The friends looked away, hearts heavy, as the figures collapsed.

More sounds of struggle. When Bowed peered again, only one shadow remained standing over two still forms. They had witnessed the original, unaltered sequence of events.

As the figure vanished, the Professor whispered sadly, "Now we understand. By interfering the first time, we disrupted history's natural course and birthed this instability."

"Then we must return to that moment and do not intervene," said Bowed. "Fate will take its toll, though it breaks my heart. Then the timeline should resume balanced."

The old man nodded solemnly. "A risky gambit, but our only hope to save the others. Come, one final leap through time's streams..."

They launched once more through the blinding white void. Emerging at the fated street corner, Bowed steeled his nerves as shadows emerged, struggle ensuing as before...

This time, they did not interfere. Would letting darkness play out free them at last? Only time would tell...

Though it pained him deeply, Bowed knew letting fate take its course was their sole chance to undo the damage wrought.

However, as Musa and Jag's silhouettes collapsed once more, he could bear it no longer. "Professor, please - there must be another way!"

The old man sighed wearily. "I understand your compassion, my boy, but history demands balance. Any further meddling risks grave consequences."

Bowed gripped his shoulder insistently. "Your teachings showed us that even small actions can shift destiny's tides. What if we don't directly intervene, but work to prevent the root cause?"

The Professor considered this. "Go on..."

Quickly, Bowed outlined a plan. "We trace the attacker's identity discreetly and discover what drove them to this. With that knowledge, perhaps we can alter future circumstances and curb this tragedy!"

It was a risky proposition, but held logic. The Professor saw Bowed's fierce heart unwilling to quit on his friends. Finally, he acquiesced.

"Very well, we track the assailant covertly. But take care - one misstep could restart this whole nightmare."

As the hooded figure departed, Bowed and the Professor followed their only lead into the deepest mystery yet. Would they unravel the secret driving these killings in time?

Only destiny would reveal the result of their final gambit...

Bowed and the Professor trailed the shadowy form carefully through darkened streets. After some time, they noticed it heading into a rundown apartment complex.

Bowed signaled the Professor to continue observing from a hidden position while he crept closer for reconnaissance. Peering through a cracked window, he gasped silently at the scene within.

The attacker was agitatedly packing provisions while a young boy wept in the corner. "Please father, don't hurt anymore people!" he begged.

It seems some financial hardship or mental break had driven the man to desperation. An idea came to Bowed - if they could get authorities to provide aid anonymously, perhaps this tragedy could be averted.

Quickly formulating a plan, Bowed returned to brief the Professor. "We must get assistance to the family discreetly and change the circumstances leading to the attacks, without altering events directly," he explained.