Premonition

Chapter 1: We Run Like Clockwork

I’m late.

I can see The Tower in the distance, the stone walls climbing towards the sky, the slender black hands moving across the metal face of the clock. If I squint and reach my hands out, it’s as if I’m touching it. So, in a way, I’m already there. As long as I’m squinting, that is.

“You’re hurting me!” I look down at Mason. I hadn’t let him comb his hair, there wasn’t enough time. Now, his brown curls lay in matted clumps over top his head as he shakes my hand off his shoulder.

“You’re walking too slowly,” I counter, but let my hand fall anyways. “You’ll be late for Class and I’ll be late for Duty if you don’t hurry up.”

“Fine,” he grumbles and we pick up speed.

The Main Road is crowded as we weave through thick groups of people and slow walking stragglers. It’s a sea of colors, indicating that we all have somewhere very specific to be, moreover, at a very specific time.

“Mason, come on bud. You know I can’t be late.” By habit, my hand moves back to his shoulder and I push him along faster.

“Stop it Wynn!” He shouts and tries again to wriggle out of my hold.

“Then move faster short stuff,” I feel him stiffen and I know that I’ve hit a nerve.

“I’m not short,” he tells me through gritted teeth. “Half the guys in Year 5 are smaller than me.”

“And half the girls are taller, now move it kiddo.” Immediately, I regret what I’ve said. Mason stops mid stride and turns to look up at me, his freckled face twisting in frustration.

“First, I’m not a kiddo and second, shut up!” I can’t help smiling over his meltdown, his chubby cheeks turning red and his big brown eyes narrowing is just about the cutest thing I have seen, but the smiling only makes things worse. “You never take me seriously. I’m not a kid. I’m eleven years old.” He states and crosses his arms.

“Alright, alright,” I say and glance down at my watch, “you’re a grown up, now can we please get moving?” He mumbles something under his breath but starts to walk again. A few feet up, I spot a boy in an identical blue uniform to Mason and I jump at the opportunity.

“Mason, do you know him?” I point towards a tall, slender boy with his back towards us and his blue uniform slightly creased around his shoulders. 

“I think that’s Max. He’s in Year 7.”

“Great, go with him. He’ll take you to Class.” I push him towards the boy and watch as he stumbles awkwardly into his back. Max turns, anger flashing on his face as he looks down at Mason. After a moment, the tall boy sighs and takes him by the arm and together they move towards the Education Building.

“Thank you Maker.” I say in relief, “I might even get to The Tower on time.” Quickly, I turn down a small side street. Without Mason, I don’t have to take the long way and pass the Education Building; a whole ten minutes out of my way.

The street is quieter than the main road and I pass only a few people, I’m the only one wearing black though. There are a few men in red who work at the Mine and a woman in green who must be a metal smith, but nobody else has the black outfit of a Tower Clerk. That isn’t surprising, there aren’t many.

As I come to the end of the street, I glance down at my watch.

 7:01

I’m officially one minute late. I imagine Jarvis pacing back and forth, his eyes trained on the door as he waits for me to enter, a frown on his wrinkled face. I know he won’t be happy. Punctuality is the number one priority of a Tower Clerk.