Stopwatch

Prologue

I am a man of sin.

I am a man beyond redemption. I am of man of trickery and lies. I have no good left in me, no hope. There is only darkness, and darkness is all there will ever be.

I was once a young lad, like yourself, full of spirit and daring. Curiosity always got the best of me, and that led me to the unimaginable.

Most times I would get into trouble, and all along the way, I dragged my sister along with me. Just Evelyn and I, exploring the four corners of our own little world.

That turned out to be my downfall.

You see, on one such vigorous adventure, when I was about sixteen, and my sister was fourteen, I thought it was a good idea to venture into the fabled Hollow, hidden deep in the Eruhl Forest, where we lived. The Hollow was feared by all, said to bedevil any soul who dare stray into the cavern. None have ever tried to discover what lay in it's depths, which was the cause of my wonder. We would be the first! Maybe even bring back inconceivable riches for dear old Ma. It was going to be sumptuous!

We journeyed to the Forest, finding the location of the Hollow easily. That was facile part. Going in and coming out alive was going to be more of a feat. However, the Hollow was well-hidden. Disguised, is a better word. As we walked, our eyes keen and alert, Evelyn fell. I watched her myself get swallowed up by the Hollow, her terrified face still etched to my mind after all these years.

Without thinking, I launched myself after her, fear coursing through my veins.

The Hollow was the darkest place I've ever been in. Shadows lay in every corner, and with my vision useless, I had to use my sense of touch to guide me, down what I thought was a straight tunnel. I remember how cold it was; the way it sent shivers down my spine, and a flood of goosebumps across my body.

I called out Evelyn's name, as loudly as I could, hoping, praying that she wasn't dead already. I called out until my throat was raw, and there were tears brimming around my eyes.

I had no idea how long I had been in there; hours? Days? But it didn't matter, Evelyn was my first priority. I kept going until I finally stopped to rest, sitting on my knees, my head barely scratching the top of the hole and my knees bruised and scraped, my hands no better.

Then suddenly, I felt an unexplainable, ominous presence behind me. I felt it's stare behind my back, and my blood turned to ice.

I couldn't turn around, in fear of what I might see, and what I won't see.

Moments later, I felt the presence approach me, until it was just feet away, whispering into my ear.

"You're sister is dying," it murmured. The speech was low and high at once, and it was as if a thousand voices were speaking in one. The very sound made my heart accelerate, and my body freeze, my eyes staring into darkness.

Confusion hit me, and then panic. Did something happen to her? How did she get hurt? Before I could say anything else, the voice continued.

"She is lying somewhere here, bleeding to death," it said. "And if you want her to live to see tomorrow, we must make a deal."

I gulp. "I've nothing to bargain with," I tell it, my voice thin and high. I was scared stiff. The whole situation was white-knuckled. It was like an archaic folk tale come to life and I was splat in the middle of it.

...

...

Damn.

"I do not need money, or any other precious item of yours," responded the presence, which confused me, but at the same time, made relief flood my veins. We weren't the richest family in town, so it was a relief that our riches weren't going down the drain.

"What I need, is for you, Andrew, to do a favour for me," it continued. "I need you to accomplish a mission. A very important mission, One that will save the world."

"What about my sister?" I demand, not giving a damn about the world. All I cared about was my sister. If I was going to do this, I needed proof that this being would keep their end of the deal.

The presence laughed, a strange sound indeed. It was a mix of high hyena-like laughs, matched with low, baritone chuckles. "Your sister will be fine. I will slow her inevitable death while you search for what I need." It says. I take in a shaky breath. "And you can save her?"

"Yes. I can save her."

"How?"

"Your perishable brain simply cannot comprehend such a thing."

"Please. I must understand."

"..."

"Please."

There was a static sigh.

"I turn her hours into days, to say it simply."

I think for a moment. "You... stretch time?"

Another guttural laugh.

"I suppose you could call it that, although I would never use such a crude measurement as time."

I take delve into the silence, searching for noise. Yes, there, the sputtering of a nearby stream. A light breeze softly butting trees. I stole those moments for myself. I swallow the dusty air.

"What do I have to do?"