The Clock Is Ticking

9:30 AM

I heard a loud noise that was ringing in my ears. My alarm. Fuck. I checked the time and realized I was already late for school.

I put on some new clothes, tossed my schoolwork into my backpack, and tried using the auto teeth cleanser. It was out of energy. How can this morning get any worse?

I checked my mother’s room and noticed she was gone. She had already left for a morning shift at the factory. I bit my tongue and didn’t have time to eat breakfast.

As I ran down the stairs, I noticed an apple sitting on the kitchen table. I smiled and took it with me.

I proceeded to run to the pad and dialed both the area code and password for the school. Once it lit up green, I stood on it and teleported to the front of the school. I noticed the security guard at the front and had to get my ID card ready. The guard put his hand up to stop me and began to shout.

“ID please!”

I pulled my ID card out for him. He checked it and gave me the thumbs up. The gates to the school opened, and I was finally able to get to class.

I went inside and used an elevator to get to my history class. It was quiet inside the school halls. I could hear some teachers yelling at their students as I was heading into mine. I already knew I was going to be in trouble for being late.

I walked into the classroom and had everyone’s eyes staring at me. I looked over to my professor, who just looked disappointed. He sighed and began talking to me.

“Tom, do you realize what time it is right now?”

I looked over at the time.

8:38 AM

I was shocked. I thought I was going to get in big trouble, but I wasn’t too late after all.

“Did you forget about daylight savings or something?” asked the teacher.

Damn. I forgot to change the time. This is what I get for having an old-fashioned analog clock. I apologized to the teacher and tried heading for my seat, but he stopped me.

“Since you’re late, I would assume you have completed your homework, correct?”

I rummaged through my backpack and gave him my papers. He swiped them off my hand and left them on his desk.

“And since you’re late, why don’t you come up to the front of the class and explain how Germany won the Great War,” said the teacher.

I swallowed my saliva and walked up to the front of the class. I could feel everyone staring at me. I’ve never had this much attention on me before. I put my backpack down and began to explain how Germany won the war.

“Germany won the war by being patient. As the Russians were fighting amongst themselves during the Bolshevik revolution, Germany was able to win multiple battles against France and Britain.

“After winning those battles, Germany allied with Russia, which was under new leadership and was able to hold off America’s forces. Germany would then ally all the countries surrounding it, forming a foundation for what our country is today.”

Two people clapped for my speech. I looked over to my professor, who seemed displeased. He began to ask me questions.

“Not enough, Tom. I want to know how Germany won those battles and what other events led to Germany’s ultimate victory in history.”

I hesitated for a second. I cleared my throat and began to speak again.

“Germany won the battles by having intel on the enemy’s strategies and locations beforehand. Some people would argue that the spies ultimately won the battle for Germany.

“As for what changed history, in my opinion, it would be the hydrogen bombs that were dropped in America and Russia, decades after the Great War. Germany would only stay successful as they began to take over other countries in rapid succession during the years between 1930 and 2000.”

“I agree, Tom. Those bombs truly made a statement to those filthy American pigs back then. The only thing America had on us was keeping English and Spanish as important languages to learn.

“Other than that, they had no answer for the bombs and immediately surrendered. Don’t even get me started on Russia, haha. Overall, I agree with your points and hope you did just as well on the paper,” said the teacher.

More people clapped for me, as I went to my seat and sat down. The teacher kept lecturing us about how Germany is so glorious. I always zoned out during this class. Once the class was over, I began to get ready for my math class. I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around and realized it was Claire. She lightly waved at me and giggled.

“Nice speech, Mr. Always-late-to-class Tom,” she said.

“Haha, very funny, Claire.”

“You know I like messing with you.”

“I know, I know.”

“Say…are you free after school today? I was wondering if we could study for the math exam that’s next week. I won’t have time during the weekend, and I know that you’re pretty good at math, even though you seem to not care at all about school,” she said.

I smirked at her.

“You think I’m good at math? Thank you for the compliment Ms. Number-one-student-in-the-school Claire,” I replied.

She gave a light chuckle. We walked together to math class. I always felt bored during school and just wanted to go home and catch up on my sleep. Now I have to study with Claire after school ends.

The same ghostly figure from the other night was now in the back of the classroom.

I noticed the two of them were pretty close together. Was that his girlfriend? I could tell he still couldn’t notice me. No one in this room could notice me. I feel like a ghost or something along those lines. I need to figure out what is going on with me. First of all, who am I, and how did I end up here?

After school was over, I followed Claire onto the pad, and we teleported to her living room. Her mother seemed busy training some new android chefs in the kitchen. She smiled and waved at me. I waved back and lightly nodded.

I forgot how spacious their living room was. Higher-section homes really were on a different level.

Claire grabbed my hand and took me to her room. We began studying math, and I realized that the test shouldn’t be too hard. I wasn’t studying too much with her. If anything, she was tutoring me. She always seemed so alive when she was teaching me stuff. She started coughing a little bit.

“I’ll go get us some water,” I said.

“Thank you, that would be much appreciated,” she replied.

I headed for the kitchen and noticed a man sitting on the couch, watching TV in the living room. He turned around and looked at me. A cold stare. He smiled and stood up. He approached me, as I was picking up water bottles.

“Have we met before, young man?” he asked.

“I believe this is the first time we have met, sir. My name is Tom. I’m Claire’s friend from school,” I replied.

He stared at me with careful eyes. He slightly grinned and patted my shoulder.

I’ve seen him before. Why did he look so familiar to me? Am I starting to get my memories back?

“Have you seen what’s happened recently?” he asked.

He pointed towards the TV, and I looked more closely at what he was asking about. One of the King’s sons was assassinated. The other son is of similar age and will now be the sole heir to the throne. I was shocked to hear the news. Both of them were very popular at our school. I can’t imagine what his brother is going through right now.

More familiar faces. I need my memories to come back faster—I have to understand how I got here and figure out how to get out of it.

“It happens. A shame it had to happen to one of the King’s sons,” he said.

“Yeah, it is a shame.”

“I didn’t get your full name, Tom.”

“Oh, sorry. My full name is Tom Wilson.”

“Ah, okay. My name is Dr. Roberts. I work at one of the main medical facilities near the King.”

Dr. Roberts?

“Wow, that’s cool. That explains why your home is part of one of the higher sections.”

He chuckled a little bit.

“That is one of the benefits when you work for the King. You’re welcome to come over anytime,” he said.

“Thank you, sir, that means a lot to me. I’ll be sure to not overstay my welcome,” I replied.

I walked over to Claire’s room with the water bottles. I could hear her calling for my name and surprised her with a water bottle. We both laughed and continued to study for the math exam.

Dr. Roberts turned off the TV and lay on the couch. He looked at his watch.

8:30 PM

It wasn’t too late.

Tom Wilson.

Wilson sounded familiar to him. He grabbed his lab coat and walked to his pad. He teleported himself inside the medical facility. The interior of the facility was all-white. He noticed some soldiers loitering around his office door. They were all in red military uniforms. He had a look of disgust. Nurses walked by him and immediately turned their heads to not be within his peripheral vision. He got to his office door and noticed one of the soldiers was trying to talk to him.

“S-Sir, General Vogel is waiting for you inside.”

He didn’t bother to respond to the soldier. He opened the door and saw General Vogel standing by his bookshelf, a human skull in his hand as he examined it. He was wearing the same red uniform with a red beret to top it off. Dr. Roberts slightly winced.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence, General Vogel?” asked Dr. Roberts.

He turned around and smiled at Dr. Roberts, still holding the skull in his hand.

“I just came by to check on your progress, Doctor. I noticed on your desk that the results came out better than expected, no?” he replied.

Dr. Roberts grinned. He walked over to his desk and sat down, checking the final test results. He realized why the name Wilson sounded so familiar. One of the test subjects had the same last name.

Josh Wilson.

He then looked up at the General and decided to respond.

“Yes, better than expected, General. Three subjects have passed the second round of testing. This was far better than last year’s results where no one survived after the first round.”

General Vogel laughed. He began responding to Dr. Roberts.

“I have already apologized for bringing poor specimens last year, give me a break already.”

“I know, I was just kidding with you.”

General Vogel walked over to Dr. Roberts and placed the skull on his desk.

“You know what will happen to you if you don’t bring results this time around, correct?” said General Vogel.

Dr. Roberts then stared at the skull. He shifted his gaze to General Vogel, who wasn’t smiling or laughing anymore. Dr. Roberts nodded. General Vogel walked around the room and continued talking.

“We wouldn’t want to disappoint him. Not after what happened last year. We need results. He needs results. The clock is ticking, Doctor, do you understand?”

“Yes, General, I understand.”

“Good. I will be on my way now. I hope to see success in your future, unless you want to end up like Dr. Johnson,” said General Vogel.

General Vogel walked out of the room and tipped his beret to Dr. Roberts. He proceeded to walk to the pad with the other soldiers right behind him. One of the soldiers jogged to the right of General Vogel and began speaking to him.

“Sir, one of our groups spotted the woman entering a store.”

“The boy’s mother?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Any weapons?”

“No, sir. She had a piece of clothing on her, that’s all.”

“Great, let’s head there next then.”

8:35 PM

There was only silence in the room. Dr. Roberts stared at the skull after General Vogel left his office. He cursed under his breath and threw the skull at the wall. The skull broke into pieces. He looked down at what was left of the skull.

Nothing.