The Gold Watch

1800

Mary stood staring at the golden pocket watch resting on the merchant’s wagon.  The owner watched her like a hawk, he could tell that she couldn’t afford the item and feared she would steal it.

He was fortunate enough to come across it on his journey to the small village although the former owner didn’t have such luck, he was attacked by wild animals his bloodied body barley recognizable.

Mary reached out her fingers and stroked the golden pocket watch before recoiling her hand; the watch was warm to the touch.

  Glancing at the merchant she quickly turned and scurried away from the wagon.  Clutching the basket full of vegetables to her chest Mary hurried home to her mother.

“Mom I’m home,” she announced walking into the small rundown shack.

“In the kitchen”

“Mother…”

Mary started before looking down trying to gather her thoughts.

“What is it dear?”

“Well it’s just that my birthday is less than a week away and at a merchant stand I saw this golden pocket watch…”

“Mary!  Now you know we can’t afford such extravagance”

“I know I’m sorry”

Mary set the basket of vegetables down on the small wooden table before going to her room.

“It’s not fair,” she cried softly sitting on her wooden bed, which is actually too small for her now that she’s grown into a teenager.

“The Smiths on the farm can afford anything they want but I can’t even get a small pocket watch”

She allowed the salty tears to flow from her eyes, down her cheek, and soak her wolf-fur blanket.

“Mary Dinner’s ready”

Her younger brother called from the other side of the door.

“Coming” she answered quickly wiping the tears from her face.

The three of them ate in silence, which was typical ever since herß father was burned at the stake for being accused of using the dark magics.

Mary knew that her father did use the dark magics, but she never believed that he used them for evil.  When he was alive their family was prosperous, they could afford most anything.  After he was accused and burned at the stake the elders of the village shamed the rest of the family making it nearly impossible for them to make money. As a matter of fact, Mary’s mother is forbidden from going into the village, the people fear that she would place a curse upon the ones who were responsible for her husband’s death.  Mary and her little brother are permitted in the village for shopping, since they were young when it happened and deemed “not a threat” by the elder.

After dinner Mary gathered up the dishes and headed out to the stream to clean them; which was part of her nightly duties, while her brother chopped the firewood to use during the night.

“Father,” she whispered quietly “why did things happen the way they did?  Why didn’t you use your power to escape from the flames?  Things have been so hard since you left us.  We can barley take care of our selves and the one thing I want for my birthday we can’t afford.  Dad, please lend me your power so that I can take care of our family.”  

Once the dishes were clean, she walked back home making sure to lay they out separately so ensure the wood would dry fully.

“Good night.  I’m heading off to bed.”

She shouted through their small house knowing that both her mother and brother would hear.

“Good night dear.  Tomorrow morning can you go to the berry patch near town to pick some strawberries?”

“Of course”

Mary lay down on the hard wooden bed that her father had built for her.  She fell asleep almost instantly.

The golden sunlight shown brightly through the small window announcing dawn, Mary awoke feeling refreshed after a goodnights sleep.

“Good Morning,” she sang cheerfully as she came into the small kitchen.

“Here, have an egg before you go,” exclaimed her mother, she handed Mary an already shelled hard-boiled egg.

“Why are you so happy?” asked her younger brother

“I don’t know. I just have a good feeling about today”

Grabbing her basket, Mary skipped out of the house heading toward town.

The smell of burning wood flooded her nostrils forcing her to stop abruptly, the smile fell from her pretty face

“Oh No”

A stream of smoke drifted towards the sky.  Mary ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards the village her mind reeling; was the village attacked? Did a fire just get out if control? Was anyone injured?

The closer she got to town she realized that just one stand caught fire and the villagers were able to put it out before it spread to the others.

“What happened?” she asked another woman in the village

“It looks like this merchant was killed by a wild animal and someone lit his wagon ablaze.”

“HUH”

Mary gasped looking for the first time at the scene before her.  She recognized the wagon that was still smoldering; it was the one she stopped at yesterday to look at the golden pocket watch. The bloodied body, she guessed, could only belong to the traveling merchant; it was dismembered so badly she couldn’t recognize it.

Holding one hand to her stomach, the other to her mouth Mary ran from the scene.  The smell of the blood and half burning flesh had gotten to be too much for her, falling to her knees, tears running down her cheek Mary vomited against a large oak tree.

“WHY”

She slammed her fist up against the tree as hard as she could.

“Owe”

A small trickle of blood was seeping from a scratch on her hand.

I have to get the strawberries for mom

She forced her legs to stand, using the tree to steadying herself.  Slowly, she made her way to the berry patch trying to wipe the image of the mauled body from her mind. Like a mindless zombie she picked strawberries until her basket was full then headed for the stream near her home to wash the berries.

As she neared the stream, something glimmered in a small hint of sunlight that wound its way through the trees.

“Huh! what’s that? It wasn’t here yesterday”

Kneeling down she picked up the object and gasped…It was the golden watch from the traveling merchants stand.

Slowly turning the watch over in her hands Mary noticed a strange symbol etched onto the cover I wonder what this strange symbol means?  She gently pushed in the little button on the side; the lid popped open effortlessly.

“WOW”

The numbers were beautifully etched behind the glass faceplate.

“Wait this isn’t right”

Taking a closer look, the second hand was moving counter clockwise.  Mary stared at it 5…4…3…2…1 the minute hand also moved backwards.

“I guess it’s broken”

Mary rinsed off the berries in the stream, making sure to grab the golden watch, she walked the short distance home.

“Here are your strawberries”

“Put them in the kitchen dear”

Mary did as she was told before heading to her room; she once again opened the golden watch.  The slow ticking filled her silent room as the second hand continued to move backwards.

“I wonder if someone in the village can fix it?”

She jumped off her bed.

“Going out”

“Don’t forget your chores”

“I know”

She pulled the thick wooden door closed behind her.  When have I ever forgotten my chores?  She rolled her eyes at the thought.

Mary ran back to the village, the sound of metal hitting metal made her ears ring as she neared the blacksmith’s stand

“Excuse me sir could you fix this?” she asked the blacksmith.

The old man looked at Mary studying her carefully

“Where did you get this?  Is this the watch that belong to the traveling merchant?”

“Uh…um…No sir it was given to me…um…by my father”

She tried not to sound guilty

How could I be so stupid?  Of course people in the village will recognize the watch.

“Y…Your father,” stammered the blacksmith

He quickly tossed the watch back to her as if it were burning his hands.  Without another word the blacksmith turned and walked to the back of his stand.  He began working on his prior project.

Mary watched him another moment, anger filling her at the thought that this man refused to help her simply because she mentioned her father. Sometimes she really did wish that her father had cursed the town at least then her family would be respected even if it were through fear.  On her way back out of town Mary couldn’t help but stare at the location the where the traveling merchants wagon had been, only the scorch marks on the ground remained.

She headed back home, dust from the dirt path kicked up around her.  The sounds of the birds chirping, the wings of various insects buzzing all around her, would usually make her happy today they had no affect.  She couldn’t stop thinking about the strange watch and how the blacksmith refused to help her because of her father.

She proceeded to complete her chores as if on autopilot not even taking notice when one of the chickens pecked her hand leaving a scratch, which oozed a small amount of blood.  The rest of the evening was uneventful including the dinner where they had vegetable soup and everyone ate in silence.

“Night,” she called after her evening ritual of cleaning the dishes then laying them out to dry.  The house was silent as she slipped into her room; the sun had mostly gone down leaving her room dark.  Instinctively, she reached for the candle she kept on a small wooden stand next to the door.  Striking a match she lit the candle; flames shivered in the small breeze coming from the window.  The candlelight caused the shadows to dance on the wall giving her room an eerie feel.

Placing the candle by her bed, she lay looking at the golden watch once more.  It was warm in her hands somehow familiar.  The numbers on the watch were difficult to read in the eerie candlelight, but she could still make out that it was 2:45.  Closing the watch she laid it down next to her head.  After blowing out the candle, she closed her eyes to get some sleep it was going to be an early morning since it was her duty to milk the cow.

The light was getting brighter nearly penetrating her eyes. Mary sat up.  The watch was glowing, hovering over the spot on the bed where she placed it.  Not wanting to wake up her mother or brother Mary held back a scream; she scrambled out of bed pressing up against the wooden wall as far as she could.

Moving on its own the watch popped open, even from the distance she could tell the time on the watch was now exactly midnight.  The light from the watch grew more intense it got so bright Mary had to shield her eyes

“What’s going on”

Slowly, the light began to die down she opened her eyes.

“AAAAHHHHHH”

She NOW wanted to wake someone up.  Before her stood a monster whose sharp horns nearly struck the ceiling of her room.  Its long razor sharp tail swished back and forth creating gashes in the wooden stand by her bed.  Its glowing red eyes penetrated her as if it could see her very soul.  The entire house shook as it slowly took a few steps toward her.  Mary turned her head away from it as its vile putrid smelling breath invaded her nostrils.

“W…What do you want”

The monster turned its head from side to side like a puppy who’s trying to understand the human language.

“Someone please help me,”

Tears flowing down her cheek.

The monster raised one clawed hand.  Mary could feel its sharp claws tearing her flesh.  Her neck was sticky with blood as she slid down the wall into a heap on the floor.

2012

Karen leaned up against Mark as they walked down the crowed street.  The movie had just gotten over they were heading to his favorite restaurant for his birthday dinner even though he still had a few more days.  

“Whoa! Hey check that out!”

Mark stared in the shop window.

“UGH again?”

“I’ll only be a minute”

He pulled his arm from around her waist and opened the antique store door.  A small bell chimed announcing their arrival.

“Mark, it’s good to see you again.  Come check out my new inventory”

Mark walked away talking excitedly to the storeowner.

Karen was used to this behavior Mark collected unusual and old watches, a hobby his father started and Karen usually got drug along.  She was browsing around the store like usual looking at the same old lamp and dusty rocking chair when something glistened from under the shelf in the next aisle.

“Hmm”

Lowering to her knees she reached under the shelf trying not to flinch as the dust bunnies and spider webs attacked her hand, a moment later her fingers clasped around a warm metal object.

She gazed at the small golden watch in her hand.  This would be the perfect birthday present for Mark she had been struggling with what to get him, it was like fate lead her here to this watch.

She clicked the button on the side to get a look at the inside of the watch after all it was going to be a gift she wanted to make sure that it wasn’t scratched on the inside.

“Hmm that’s strange the second hand just moved backwards”

She had to look at her watch just to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.

“Man it’s broken but there has to be someone who can fix it”

“Hey, thanks man”

Mark’s voice drifted from the backroom.  Karen quickly closed the watch, she placed it on the bottom shelf before standing up trying to look casual as the two men emerged.

“Ready to go?”

“Yep whenever you are”

She stole a glance back at the small golden watch.  The night air blasted Karen in the face as she walked out of the shop.   She waited until they were a few feet from the antique store before stopping.

“Oh, I think I left something in the shop.  I’ll be right back”

She quickly turned and walked back toward the store before Mark had a chance to say anything.  The small bell chimed once again to announce her arrival as she pushed the door open.  Stealing a quick glance back at Mark to make sure that he didn’t follow her she walked straight over to where she left the small golden watch.

“Did you forget something?” asked the shop owner

“Yeah, could you hold this for me I want to get it for Mark but I will have to come back tomorrow”

“Sure Karen by the way where did you find this?  I was going to show it to Mark myself tonight but it wasn’t in the back with the rest of the shipment”

“Um it was over there under the shelf”

“Hmm strange.  Ok.  I’ll keep if for you until tomorrow”

“Thanks!”

She rushed out of the store and back to Mark’s side.

“Welcome back”

The shop owner greeted Karen as the small bell rang.

“Thanks, I’m here to pick up the pocket watch”

“Ok.  I don’t know if you looked at it but it seems it is broken, all the hands on the clock are moving in the wrong direction”

“Yeah I noticed and I was going to see if you could fix it or if you knew anyone who could”

“I tried to fix it but I couldn’t even get the glass face plate off.  There is a guy down on 4th that may be able to help.”

“Thank you”

She paid for the watch then headed the few blocks to 4th street.  The shop the old antique owner was talking about couldn’t be mistaken, the building was old black paint was peeling just about everywhere.  The large tinted picture window was so dark that Karen couldn’t even make out what as inside.  The words Fix-It were barley visible on the cracked sign above the door.  There was a small open sign hanging in the window of the door, which looked like it would fall apart if Karen were to touch it.

Maybe this is a bad idea

She looked around, the street was empty there was no one who would see her enter the creepy shop; therefore, no one would know if she never came out.  Clenching her fingers tightly around the small golden watch she made up her mind.  Taking a deep breath Karen walked up the cracked walkway to the old door.  The doorknob felt cool in her hand as she turned it effortlessly just like with the antique shop a small bell announced her arrival.

The air inside the shop was stale from the lack of visitors, the lights were dim it was difficult to see

I wonder how he sees to fix things

The large room was empty except for a few tables with everyday items on them, a computer, a lamp, a toaster and even a few clocks.

“Welcome my dear how may I help you?”

Karen jumped at the sudden noise, behind the old wooden counter stood a young man.  Everything else in the store was so old he seemed out of place.  All except his eyes they matched the décor…old.  Karen was completely startled by his ruggedly handsome looks all she could do is stare at him behind the counter.

“Are you ok?”

He came around the counter and took her hand in his.

“Oh Yes”

She pulled her hand away

“I was hoping you could look at this pocket watch.  It’s broken”

“Of course”

He took the small watch from her hand and returned to the counter.  It was so quiet in the store Karen heard the small click as the watch lid popped open.  A sinister smile spread across the handsome shop workers face.

“There is nothing wrong with this watch”

“Yes there is,” Karen protested, “It is moving backwards”

“As it should”

What! Watches should move clockwise not counterclockwise” she said beginning to raise her voice.

“That’s how most watches work but not this one.  It’s enchanted”

“You mean like magic?  That stuff only happens in the movies”

“Have a seat”

He gestured to a chair behind the counter before sweeping his long black locks behind one ear.

“A long time ago a small village stood right where this town is now.  In the village there was a man who practiced magic, but he only used his abilities for good to help others.  One day he fell in love the two got married and had children.  Their family prospered as he continued to use his amazing gifts to benefit everyone in the entire village unbeknownst to them, of course.  One day the child of the village elder grew extremely ill even the medicine woman was unable to cure her disease.  The elder’s child was his own daughter’s best friend so he knew that he had to do everything he could to help her.  During the night the man snuck into the child’s room and use his magic to heal her he escaped undetected or so he thought.  The child’s caretaker had seen everything and told the elder.  It was just as she had described his daughter was completely healthy but tainted by magic.  The man was drug away from his home and family.  At midnight both the elder’s child and the man were burned at the stake him for practicing magic and her for being tainted by magic.  It is said that this watch is the curse he placed upon the village.  It is said the hands moving backwards symbolize a countdown until midnight when the curse is released.”

Once the man finished the story he clicked the watch closed and held it out for Karen to take.  She sat there staring at the watch petrified.

“Y…You don’t actually believe that, do you?”

She reached out a shaky hand to take the watch.

“I do.  As far as I can tell everyone who has ever owned that watch has ended up dead,”

The watch made a loud clanking sound as Karen dropped it onto the counter.

“Dead”

She gulped pushing the lump in her throat down.

“But there has to be some way to stop the curse.  I don’t want to die.  You know so much about the watch isn’t there a way to stop it?”

“There’s no mention of a way to stop the curse or I’m sure that someone in the past would have done it.”

“Throw that thing away I don’t want it”

Karen quickly stood and headed for the door

“Thank you for everything”

She scurried out the door a small breeze greeted her sending a shiver down her spine.

“You’re Welcome,” he said as the door closed behind her.

“You will not be able to escape your destiny”

The shop owner looked at the empty counter where Karen had dropped the golden watch only a few moments ago.

“That was so creepy”

Karen distanced herself from the shop as quickly as she could.

I still need to find a birthday present for Mark

She headed towards the shopping plaza only stopping at a vending machine to get a bottle of water.  Shaking her purse the coins jingled as they hit one another.  Stretching her fingertips towards the bottom she brushed up against something warm.

What’s that?

She closed her fingers around the small round object and gasped as she pulled the golden watch from her purse

“But I left it at the fix-it shop”

She stared at the warm object in her hand shimmering in the sunlight.

I have to get rid of this thing once and for all.  Perfect

She ran over to a small sewer grate in the side of the road.  Rushing water could be heard below as she lowered herself to her knees.

“Good riddance”

She dropped the golden watch into the grate listening closely for the splash it made as it hit the water.  Smiling to herself Karen walked into the store to purchase a gift for Mark.  A few minutes later she emerged victorious.  Bag in hand she headed home to relax checking her purse from time to time to make sure that the golden watch didn’t show back up.

A smile crossed her face as she started up her asphalt driveway towards the house she’s lived in all her life.  It was a little ways out of town but that’s how she liked it, peaceful.  The small 2-bedroom ranch house was home to Karen and her parents even though her parents frequently thought of building on and adding one more to the family.  Karen was happy being an only child but wasn’t opposed to the thought of a little sister.

She set the bag on the dining room table and headed to her favorite place in the back yard.  The water gurgled in the small stream as it clashed with the rocks on either side.  Plopping down in a chair Karen closed her eyes and listened to the nature around her.  The birds chirping their happy songs, the buzzing of insect wings as the bees collected nectar from the flowers.

Sitting out here always makes me feel better s

“Guess I better go wrap Mark’s gift”

With a sigh she pushed herself out of the chair.  Stealing one more glance down at the stream Karen saw something glittering a few feet away.

“Don’t tell me dad left something out here again.  What am I going to do with him?” As she got closer horror crept across her face.  It wasn’t something her dad left outside…it was the golden watch.

“H…How”

Her heartbeat speed up, her breathing became quick and shallow.

“I don’t want to die”

She sank to her knees tears flowing freely down her cheeks.  Karen sat on the cold ground sobbing until the sun began to go down.  Darkness was creeping upon her like a chilled blanket.  The golden watch still lay on the ground only inches from her.  Instinctively, she grabbed a nearby rock

“AAAAHHHHHHHHH”

She smashed it against the small pocket watch…again…and again.  No matter how many times she slammed the rock into the watch there was never a scratch.

“Karen sweetheart what’s going on?”

Her father rushed to her side grabbing her arm preventing her from smashing the rock against the watch for the fourth time.

“What are you doing?”

He picked up the watch from the ground.

“No, don’t touch that? It’s evil”

“Honestly Karen it’s a beautiful watch. Was this Marks?  Did the two of you break up? Is that why you’re trying to destroy it?”

“No, we’re still together but we have to destroy this watch”

“Nonsense, come on lets get cleaned up for dinner”

He stood pulling Karen to her feet.

“But what about destroying that watch”

“Karen we are not destroying it and that’s final.  If you don’t want it then I will take it.”

“No, it’s broken.  The clock inside it moves backwards”

She desperately tried to convince her father that the watch needed to be destroyed without telling him the entire story.  As if he didn’t believe her Karen’s father clicked open the watch.

“Hmm you’re right.  I will see if I can get it fixed tomorrow”

“But…”

She tried to protest again but her father took the watch into his room leaving Karen to stare after him wondering what she is going to do.  All through dinner Karen was distracted trying to think of a way to get the watch from he father.  The only option she came up with was to sneak into her parent’s room after they go to bed and hope that he has it sitting on the dresser.

“Karen are you alright?” asked her mother pulling Karen from her thoughts.

“Oh Yeah”

“I put your shopping bag on your bed.  It’s a gift for Mark right?  I think he will really like it”

“Yeah me too.  May I be excused?”

“Sure sweetheart,”

Her mother stole a worried glance at her husband then looked at Karen’s barely touched plate.

“I think her and Mark may be having a rough patch.  I saw her outside trying to break a pocket watch with a rock”

“Oh. I see”

Karen’s mother looked in the direction her daughter had disappeared.  Once upstairs Karen flopped on her bed nearly knocking the gift for Mark onto the floor.

“Whoa”

She grabbed the bag by the handle gently sitting it on the floor.

“I guess all I can do now is wait”

She reached for the T.V. remote.  Sound instantly filled the once silent void.  It was a show she had never seen before.  She wasn’t really paying much attention to what the actors were doing, she was lost in her own thoughts of how she was going to destroy that watch before the curse killed her.  Slowly Karen slid into a deep dreamless sleep.

“Turn off the light”

She shielded her eyes from the brightness around her.  Forcing her eyelids open Karen gasped the light bulb on her ceiling was dark, but the room was as bright as day.  With a gulp she turned to investigate where the light was coming from.  Sitting on her nightstand was the golden watch bright white light radiated out from it filling the entire room.  The light was getting too intense for Karen to continue watching, she was forced to shield her eyes but only for a few moments before the light died down.

Before her stood a monster whose razor sharp horns reached for the sky scraping the bottom of her ceiling fan.  Its long tail swayed back and forth like a dog’s tail does when it’s happy.  Only this tail was sharp enough to leave a huge gash in the side of her desk.  Its body looked as if it was made from some type of elastic material but its eyes were the most frightening; glowing red staring at her as if seeing through to her very soul.

“So you’re the curse?”

She didn’t really expect an answer but needed another sound beside the monster’s rasping breath.  It took a step toward her the entire house shook as if caught in an earthquake.

I can’t get to the door my only hope is the window but I have to distract it first.  Frantically, Karen looked around for something she could use as a weapon.  She slowly backed up against the wall where she set her backpack after school it was the only thing she could use.  As the monster got closer it’s putrid smelling breath found it’s way up her nose, Karen nearly gagged at the smell.  Clutching her fist around her backpack she waited until the monster was only a few inches from her before swinging with all her might striking the beast in the side of the head.

Now’s my chance

She ducked under the monster’s arm and headed for the window.

“AAAHHHH”

Something strong grabbed her ankle sending her falling to the ground.  She hit with a loud thud, the air was forced out of her lungs in a loud whoosh.  In seconds the monster was on her.

“No, I don’t want to die”

Tears once again drizzled down her cheek.  The monster raised a clawed hand.  Karen closed her eyes waiting for the pain of the claw to slice through her flesh.  She could hear the monster snarling as it prepared to attack.  Without warning another sound could be heard mixing with the monsters snarling, a higher pitched growl. Slowly, Karen opened her eyes there were now two monsters in her room.  The two monsters were identical except for one thing…the eyes.  The second monsters eyes were a bright blue, the color of a beautiful summer sky.

Karen slowly slid out from under the red-eyed monster, pushing her body under the desk as the two monsters faced off.  The blue-eyed monster was the first one to make a move it lunged at the other, tackling it.  They smashed into the window, shattering the glass into a million.  Karen covered her head to shield her eyes, the pieces of glass raining down all around her.  On shaky legs she crawled out from under the desk glancing out the window.  The two monsters were wrestling on the ground below each slashing at the other.

Screams of pain filled the silent night as they connected sending splashes of blood in all directions.  Soon the red-eyed monster had the blue-eyed one pinned to the ground.  It raised its claws for one final blow

I have to do something

Karen picked up a book from the floor

“Leave it alone”

She threw the book as hard as she could, hitting the red-eyed monster in the shoulder.

The monster snarled at her giving the blue-eyed one enough time to attack.  It shoved its clawed hand directly through the chest of the red-eyed monster.  Shrieks of pain and agony filled the night.  When it pulled its hand back out it was holding something; Karen covered her mouth to prevent from throwing up.  The blue-eyed monster was holding the still beating heart of the red-eyed monster.  With one final flex of the hand the blue-eyed monster crushed the heart; sending its opponent crashing to the ground dead. Slowly, its body tuned to dust and was blown away with the cool night breeze.

The blue-eyed monster stood up and in one swift motion jumped through Karen’s window forcing her backward.

This monster wasn’t trying to save me.  It was fighting with the other one because it wanted to eat me

Karen slowly took a few more steps toward her door; trying not to draw the monsters attention.

“Please don’t kill me”

“Thank You”

The words resonated inside her head

“Huh is that you?” She asked the monster standing a few feet from her.

“Yes.  This body doesn’t posses the capabilities of human speech.  So I’m speaking with you through telepathy”

“Thank you for saving me”

Karen sat down in her desk chair if she stood another minute she feared the legs would give out.

“It is I who should be thanking you.  You helped me to defeat Roselyn now I can rest in peace”

“So the curse is broken?”

“Yes, Roselyn created the curse when she was burned at the stake for being tainted by the dark magics.  She swore to destroy every child born to my father’s bloodline since he was the reason she was killed.  When she killed me I finally understood about my father’s powers; it has been passed on through our blood.  I vowed to stop her; thus, turning myself into this monster, I was also trapped within the watch.  I have tried for centuries to stop her at times I was able to detain her until we had to return to the watch, but thanks to you I was able to end her curse for good.  Good bye Karen.  Always trust the power within you.”

Another bright flash of light radiated out of the watch and the monster was gone.

“Karen, are you alright?”

Her father burst through the door

“What on earth happened in here?”

“Um...burglar,”

Karen gave a hopeful glance at her parents she couldn’t tell then that two monsters had just fought a battler in her room.

“Are you ok?”

They both rushed to her side wrapping their arms around Karen holding her in their tight embrace.

“Yeah I’m fine”

She smiled looking down at the watch…12:05.