Time sat up in bed, staring at the wall for a couple of seconds to fully process being awake
She went to rub her eyes, only for her fingers to be interrupted by the cold feeling of metal, a mask made of unknown material
'Guess I forgot to take it off,' she thought, making it disappear with another touch, glancing at the clock placed at the head of her bed
[8:29 am]
''Huh."
'The alarm didn't ring'
Or maybe she slept through it, wouldn't be the first time.
She got up and walked towards the kitchen, reaching for the cabinet for coffee as per her usual routine.
- Oh come on.
The jar was empty yet again
She clearly remembered buying some the previous day
'Was that a dream?'
She said that in her mind, before deciding to say the next part out loud
"wouldn't be surprising," followed by keys, the door, the store. And a feeling of déjà vu slowly following behind
_________________________________________________________________________________________
…
[8: 43 am]
She'd only checked the time before putting the watch back in her pocket,
taking just a few steps before spotting a familiar face
"Bruh"
The child, no older than 7 stood there, wearing the same white dress she remembered seeing her in
'Please don't say it'
"Good luck. It's not gonna leave you easy.''
"...''
Why waste thought on a child's blabbering?
But this time, something about it sent a chill creeping up Time's neck.
The girl's tone wasn't the same—gone was the innocent, confused lilt from before.
Flat. Certain.
"Mmh," Time groaned, the unease and mostly confusion growing as she turned away, it was only for a moment before she glanced back.
"She's gone-"
It was as if she'd vanished, leaving only a gust of wind behind—along with an eerie silence.
It grew too quiet, like even the wind had decided it was time to fall still.
—-
Time blinked
A brief moment of disorientation, followed by the familiar feeling of her bed.
She was awake—staring at the ceiling, breathing slowly, as if nothing had happened.
'So that was the dream, great'
She sat up, looking towards the clock on habit
[8:29 am]
The chill came back, this time seemingly for no reason.
You react differently when you're dreaming —like following a script you had no part in writing. Stuff you'd brush off awake feels heavier in there.
Time headed towards the bathroom, splashing water on her face, then looking up to stare at the mirror
A pair of black eyes stared back, void of expression.
She ran a hand through her dark hair, letting out a sigh before heading out of the bedroom.
And then, as if on cue, an energetic face greeted her as she crossed the door.
"Morning!"
"Ugh—"
Time stumbled back a step, clearly startled by the sudden appearance.
Dae laughed in response, visibly amused. "I thought you'd be used to me showing up by now," she teased, that same annoying grin firmly in place.
Time just glared back, already done with the day before it even started.
Dae Adler.
someone who'd suddenly appeared one day at university, who now more often than not welcomed herself into Time's home.
At some point, they had become mutually close.
It wasn't unusual for Time to be grumpy in the morning. But anger was not something that face wore often either
"That look stings, you know," Dae muttered, slightly caught off guard by the glare. "Are you trying to burn a hole through me? Or is this what I get for checking up on a friend?"
Time didn't respond immediately, walking past her toward the counter. "Anyone would be upset if they had to see your face first thing in the morning."
- Ouch.
- How'd you get in, anyway? I locked the door.
Dae shrugged. "That's never stopped me before."
There was already breakfast on the table.
Time chuckled, walking over to the cabinet. "You treat this place like you own it."
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"I'm pretty sure it's too late for that."
Time started making her coffee, and by the time she sat down, Dae had already finished eating, the sound of her anklet followed every step as she walked. She was putting away her plate when she remembered why she had come in the first place.
She hadn't planned on visiting for a few more days, but something had been bothering her.
"Hey, by the way…" She leaned over the counter, facing the table. "What were you talking about yesterday ?"
Time paused, thinking for a moment before shrugging. "It ended up being nothing."
"You sure? You sounded off."
There was another brief hesitation before Time responded in the same tone. "It's nothing. Probably."
Dae nodded. "Just checking."
Still, it was hard to believe. Time wasn't the type to put much thought into a response like that.
Time wasn't sure if Dae actually believed her or just decided not to push. Either way, the conversation shifted, the silence between them settling into something less expectant.
Dae stretched her arms above her head with a yawn. "Well, if you're not dying or secretly cursed, I guess my job here is done."
Time scoffed. "You had a job?"
- "Keeping you alive counts as one."
"And yet I still wake up disappointed."
Dae let out a mock gasp, pressing a hand to her chest. "I am wounded. But fine, if you don't appreciate my hard work, I'll just leave." She made a dramatic show of heading toward the door—before casually grabbing an apple from the counter.
- "Are you capable of leaving without stealing something?"
Dae, already halfway out, tossed the apple in the air and caught it with a grin. "Nope."
And with that, she was gone.
Time exhaled, finally allowing herself to lean back in her chair. The apartment was quiet again.
She glanced at the device on the table. Letters blinked back at her, the ones she had sent the night before.
It really was nothing. Probably.
Is it really that hard to be sure?
It almost sounded frustrated.
Before she could dwell on it too much, there was a sharp knock at the door.
Time blinked.
Then frowned.
There was only one person stupid enough to leave and then immediately come back.
Sure enough—
"Forgot my wallet," Dae announced, already halfway inside before Time could say anything.
She walked straight past her, grabbed something off the table, and then, instead of leaving like a normal person, she sat back down.
Time stared at her. "You just said you were leaving."
"Yeah, well, I changed my mind."
"That's not how leaving works."
Dae shrugged, spinning her wallet between her fingers. "Maybe I decided I wanted to hang out with my dear friend a little longer."
Time gave her a blank look. "What do you want?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You definitely want something."
Dae grinned. "Okay, maybe."
-"Out with it."
Dae leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Hypothetically speaking," she began—never a good sign, "if someone allegedly needed a favor, and if that favor might involve having to —"
"No."
"You barely let me start."
"I regret letting you start at all."
"At least let me get to the part you can refuse properly," she said, lowering her hand.
"I already know it's stupid."
Dae sighed, leaning back into her seat. "You've tagged along before, so why not this time?"
"Maybe I just don't wanna be dragged into whatever you're getting into."
She leaned farther back in her chair, tilting it onto two legs. "Wow. So heartless. Here I am, trying to include you in something fun, and you're just shutting me down?"
"Yes."
She let the chair drop back onto all fours with a thud. "Okay, fine. I'll just ask someone else."
Time raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"I have options."
"No you don't, and I doubt Vinn is gonna agree either."
Dae clicked her tongue. "Okay, maybe not good options. But options nonetheless."
She truly just wanted to sit around and do nothing, and this was only going to ruin it— but there was something pulling her.
"Dae."
"Yes?"
"Say, if I do agree to listen to whatever nonsense you're about to say, what's in it for me?"
She knew the answer.
"I don't know, money?"
"That's a given."
"Is that a yes?"
Time just stared at her.
You can never have enough of that, actually.
Dae beamed. "Great! And before you ask, it's probably not going to be illegal."
"I don't think we've done anything 'illegal' yet…" She leaned on one hand, already regretting her decision. "And what technically legal thing are we talking about?"
Dae leaned back in her chair, grinning. "Actually, I don't know all the details yet, but she'll tell us when we go meet her."
"Oh boy."
This could range from babysitting to summoning storms, and whichever it was she'd just made it her problem.
Again.