WEBVTT

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The dust motes drifted like lazy fireflies through

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the slant of afternoon sunlight.

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On the scarred surface of the heavy wooden

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table, the world seemed to hold its breath.

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Arthur adjusted his magnifying loop, squinting at the

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miniature chaos of brass gears, tiny

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springs, and ruby bearings exposed within the hollowed

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heart of the timepiece.

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It was a magnificent antique pocket watch, a

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survivor of a forgotten century.

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With a gentle twist of his jeweler's tweezers,

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Arthur coaxed a reluctant tooth of an escapement

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wheel back into alignment.

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For weeks, the intricate clockwork had remained silent,

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its golden hands frozen at ten minutes past

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four.

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He held his breath and reached for the

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winding stem.

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He gave it a single, careful turn.

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For a second, nothing happened.

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Then, a sharp, crisp asterisk tick broke the

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heavy silence of the room.

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It was followed by a rhythmic, breathless asterisk

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-tock asterisk.

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Within the brass skeleton, tiny wheels began to

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spin in a blur of polished metal,

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translating tension into living time once more.

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Arthur smiled, leaning back as the vintage object

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resumed its endless, beautiful march.