The Gold Watch Read online

hers. She turned away as its vile putrid smelling breath invaded her nostrils.

  “W…What do you want,”

  Mary wasn’t even sure her voice was audible until the monster turned its head from side to side like a puppy that’s trying to understand the human language.

  The monster started at her for another moment Mary thought she saw a flash of sadness in its eyes before it raised a clawed hand.

  “Someone please help me,”

  Tears flowing down her cheek dripping onto her nightshirt. She closed her eyes not wanting to see what was going to happen.

  Mary could feel its sharp claws tearing her flesh.

  “AAAAAHHHHHHH”

  Sticky blood ran over her shaking hand as she tried to cover the wound, flowing down her arm dripping off her elbow into a puddle on the floor. With one final gasp Mary slid down the wall into a heap on the floor.

  2012

  Karen leaned up against Mark, his body head warming her in the chilled evening air, 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 stopped abruptly at the store window causing Karen’s right foot to leave the ground and nearly topple backwards. Luckily Mark still had his arm around her waist, her shoulder slammed hard into his chest although he was unfazed.

  “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 their voices becoming barely audible as they entered the next room.

  Sighing, Karen looked at the same old lamp and dusty rocking chair she’d seen the last several times Mark had drug her to the old antique store in attempts to acquire an old or unusual watch, a hobby Mark’s father started when he was young.

  She plopped down in the rocking chair, a cloud of dust swirled around her. Karen immediately swung her arms back and forth as if the dust were tiny insects she could simply shoo away. It was then she realized the small stream of light from the lamp outside was striking a metal object causing it to glisten from under the shelf in the next aisle.

  “Hmm”

  Taking the chance to escape from the subsiding dust particles she rushed towards the glistening object. Karen 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. Slowly, she traced the symbol on the cover with her finger.

  What does this represent?

  She held the warm object between her hands, a large smile spreading across her face, this would be the perfect birthday present for Mark she had been struggling with what to get him; it was like fate led her here to this watch.

  Karen clicked the button on the side to get a look at the inside of the watch; she admired the calligraphy of the etched numbers behind the scratch free glass plate.

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

  She stole a glance at her own watch just to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.

  “Man, it’s broken”

  Karen leaned against the display case.

  I wonder if there’s someone who can fix it

  “Hey, thanks man”

  Mark’s voice drifted from the backroom. The watch made a little click, which in the empty store sounded like thunder, as Karen snapped it shut, she placed it on the bottom shelf before scrambling to get 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 as Mark led her to the exit. The night air blasted Karen in the face as she walked out of the shop. After walking several feet she stopped.

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

  She quickly turned and jogged 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 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.