The Clock of Miss Fortune ✔

Chapter - 4

The clock alarm rang at 12 in the afternoon. Despite being an antique Hannah installed an alarm mechanism befitting the clock. She attached it inside the wall. She didn't want to add anything modern inside the clock itself. Along with the alarm, a loud thud startled her. She hurriedly entered the living room. Her cabinet was shattered on the floor and her antiques kept inside were in pieces as well. She was heartbroken and the day just took a step in sadness of losing those antiques. She, however, couldn't understand how the cabinet fell. It was a solid placement and she had nailed supports in the wall to hold the cabinet in place and avoid any accidents.

Later that day a vase fell down that was placed near the fireplace and her world war 1 rifle fell and fired a shot. The rifle didn't have any bullets inside. And that questioned her sanity. No one was home beside Hannah. So, no one was hurt. She told Michael about the accidents. "It happens. Maybe you loaded the gun and forgot to remove the bullet."

"I didn't." Hannah said, a little annoyed.

"There is no other explanation." Michael said. Hannah didn't respond and thought about it for a moment. "Accidents happen. Maybe it was an earthquake?"

"And it only affected our house?" Hannah raised her eyebrows. "And I didn't feel that earthquake? Really?"

"Alright. Maybe it wasn't an earthquake." Michael said. "Rats running around inside the walls. Everything that fell was hanging on the wall."

"Could be." Hannah wondered. "Enough to disturb and throw of that big cabinet?" She looked at Michael looking a little confused.

"I just suggested."

"And that vase?"

"The rifle knocked it off? The vase was nearby, right?"

Hannah slowly nodded.

"I'll call in the exterminator to have a look around."

"That sounds great."

"Stuff happens." Michael assured her. "Alright?" Hannah nodded.

The night disappeared in a flash and sun rose bringing in a new day. The shadows grew longer than usual and masked everything that came in contact with it. It wasn't strange or unusual. This was the first time Hannah measured the shadows so precisely and had a thought about it.

Miley was still in bed. Hannah checked on her. She had a fever. She was burning crazy. She called their family doctor. She'll be completely fine in two or three days, the doctor said. There is no need for any concern, he further added to calm them. He had some small talk with Hannah and Michael, gave them the prescription and left. Hannah decided to stay in for the day. Looking after Miley was her top priority. Michael decided to leave for work and ask for a half day from his supervisor if it seemed necessary.

It was 12:30pm, the sun was high and the heat rising. Hannah was alongside Miley on the bed. She rested her head on her hand. Miley was sleeping soundly. She could hear her calm breath. Her chest slowly rose and rested back down following the same calm pattern. Hannah brushed Miley's hair off of her face. Hannah smiled. "You'll feel better by tomorrow." She whispered. "My brave girl." She brushed her hair.

Light pierced through the darkness. It was small at first. Almost nonexistent. She swam towards the light. It grew as she slowly swam her way towards it. More than that, it felt like the light was pulling her closer. Pulling her towards the memory it held captive. It wanted her to experience it again. The light wanted to remind her of that memories existence.

Inside the darkness she felt light, almost weightless. The darkness was more like water surrounding her as she struggled to swim forward. It was not hard to breathe, nor any different than being on land. It was warm but coldness crept in between the cracks which were wide open for it to slither through. Her hair swayed, her gaze was fixed at the light. Her hands were moving forward in rhythm, and her legs kicked behind her. Her small pink lips pressed tightly, and her body naked. She felt almost alien, but the flesh was hers, her eyes were hers, her lips, her nose and her heart was her own.