The White Clock Tower

    THEY have been there for a while. THEY can not remember how or why THEY had come there. All THEY knew was that THEY were here for now, and for now, that is where THEY would stay. THEY looked at the people around THEM, disinterested, yet also amazed. Each face looks the same to THEM, even though each face is unique. THEY could start a conversation, but THEY do not know if they can talk. And so, THEY stand silently, with not a single noise breaking the silence around THEM.

    After some time, THEIR attention is drawn to the pure white clock tower standing in the middle of the crowds of people. The clock on the tower has not moved once since THEY arrived, though it has occasionally chimed, the only sound THEY have ever heard here. Sometimes after it chimes, the sound of a clock ticking can be heard, though the clock itself does not move. Other times, the clock goes completely silent after the chime. Everyone looks up when the clock chimes, though it hasn't done so for a while, and so all the people stood silently.

    For the first time, THEY looks down to the bottom of the tower, seeing a gray door. THEY have not seen any color other than white for a long time, so this door is very curious to THEM. THEY decide to walk forward, pushing through the crowd towards the odd door. THEY examine the door, finding it completely ordinary. THEY cannot remember where THEY have seen a door before, but the door in front of THEM looks like every other door THEY have seen before.

    Cautiously, THEY touch the door, pulling back immediately at the sensation. THEY have not felt anything for a long time, and the sensation was frightening. Even more so, THEY are suddenly hit by small snippets of memory. Bright light different from the light where THEY are. Strange noises that sound different than the clock. Things and colors that THEY find familiar yet distant.

    Looking back, THEY debate returning to the crowd, worried. Nobody has seemed to notice THEM, nor would they notice if THEY were to disappear entirely. THEY knew that the only thing that attracted their attention was the sound of the clock, which was not making a noise. THEY know that THEY can return easily. It would go back to how it had been for as long as THEY had been there. Continuous silence that remains uninterpreted. THEY want that, yet... THEY don't want that. THEY want to break free, but THEY are scared. THEY struggle to make a decision for some time, though THEY are not sure if it was a long or short time.

    THEY reach out, clasping the gray doorknob and pulling the door open. THEY look into the room, seeing nothingness. Deep down, THEY know that once they go in, they will not be able to come back out again, but THEY know that it is too late to turn back now. THEY walk through the door into the darkness, and the door closes itself behind THEM.

    The clock chimes loudly and the people look up. As the chime begins to fade, the people wait to hear if the clock will tick today.

Authors Note: Thank you for reading my first story! This really isn't my usual style, but it's something that I've had in my mind for a long time, and I really wanted to get it out there for people to read. In any case, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed. I welcome constructive criticism! (But please be gentle, I'm a bit new at this.)