All the Time in the World

Prologue

   Whenever the rare situation arises in which I am sent to find a new recruit, it is never an easy task. There are a plethora of subjects to select from, as always, as well as, well, many other factors that make the crucial decision difficult. However, I am much more advanced than most. I always find the correct person, no matter how hard the task. I'll admit that it is not, as they say, "my first rodeo." Nevertheless, every time I am sent to search, I cannot deny the overwhelming urge to stay for a bit to watch the "transformation" and see how the subject reacts. After all, I always have the time. Every subject is different. Some barely notice the subtle change, while others completely overthink it. Occasionally, the transformation is completed over a long period of time, but oftentimes it takes barely any time at all.

   Time. I have heard it said too often that time is an ever-moving force which pushes us through our lives. "Time marches on." While this may hold true for most, like with every rule, there are a select few who said "rule" does not apply to: the exception. These are the the people who utilize the entirety of everyday things, recognize the advantage that everyone has (and take advantage of their hold on time to preserve what is meant to be; the superiors of this group even eliminate to accomplish it), and push their own capabilities to the limit. Some are better at this than others; I am the former. So, as a result, each time I complete the search for a new recruit, I wonder which group they will fit into. The best, or the best of the best. Surprisingly, I can usually glean all this information simply from observing the subject change over.

   This particular possible new recruit is not very intriguing to the eye; however as a result of  observing her for three weeks, I can tell that with a bit of training she will be a highly successful edition. After all, her family has a... history with us. I watch the girl change. Of course, she has no clue what is going on at all. But I know. I know exactly what is occurring. I know that her throat is constricting, becoming devoid of all moisture. I know a thin sweat is breaking out across her forehead and at the small of her back. I know that she is experiencing what her human nerves would tell her is like a shock of electricity flowing through her bloodstream. I know that her heart rate is accelerating by almost 20 beats for every "precious" minute that ticks by. I know all of this, of course, not exclusively because I understand the symptoms of The Shift, but because I once experienced them myself.