This is what’s in the project mobile and pc friendly The Watchmaker. I began to pick up the pace. The footsteps were getting closer, and I could tell that the person or,… the thing was walking faster. I knew what they wanted, but I wasn’t about to give it up. Oh you don’t know what’s going on do you? Well, that’s ok, I guess I can tell you what happened. Or I can try. Hi my name is Chloe P. Altermin, and let me just rewind. It all started on May 12, 1983 four days before my little sister… Well, stepsister Raya and I are going to stay a week at our Aunt Neptunes for her birthday. My mom’s name is Raina, and that's what Raya calls her. My mom got engaged to Raya’s dad Thom Westerfield a couple of months ago. He’s a nice guy, really he is! Just … well … not there most of the time. He’s been traveling for about a month or two now. He’s always traveling. My biological dad, I don’t really know where he is. He left when I was around 2 years old. But anyway back to my story. It all started in May. It was almost summer break, just 2-3 weeks left of school. For the last couple of weeks we had just done fun stuff, like watching movies, playing games, etc. The school day had just ended and I had just went to pick Raya up from school. It was miserable. It had been at least a million degrees that day, and I had to wait outside so I could walk her home. And all the way there she kept on blabbering about how Jessica and Elli had got to go to a water park over the weekend and how when we got back from Aunt Neptunes her dad, Thom was gonna take her to a water park. When we got home, I had to go run an errand. I had to go to the pawn shop before we went to Aunt Neptune's house. While I was in the pawn shop, I found it. I had the perfect gift because Aunt Neptune loved antique, old and dusty stuff. It was perfect for her collection. It was a small, blue, rusty, pocket watch. She would love it. The clerk at the desk looked at it and gave it to me, and hesitantly told me the price I paid for it, and I went on my way. I opened the pocket watch to see if it worked. Even if it didn’t, that wouldn’t matter, Aunt Neptune would have loved it either way. That was a mistake. A poof of almost black smoke appeared before me. It looked shimmery. I reached to touch this mysterious smoke, and a tall figure with a golden overcoat and large golden top hat with gears all over all his clothes and hat appeared. There was something about him that looked familiar. “That doesn’t belong to you, young lady.” He growled. I began running back toward the house, but then suddenly he reappeared. How is he doing that?, I thought. “I said it's not yours, young lady.” He said loudly. “I - I don’t understand. I bought it for my aunt. Isn’t that considered mine then? I mumbled confusingly. “No. No it does not. I made that watch, making it mine. Not yours.” He said sternly. “B-but I paid for it. At Valerina’s Antiques,” I stuttered. “Just because you pay for something doesn’t necessarily mean it's yours, Chloe.” “How-how do you know my name? This can’t be real,” my words tried to escape. “Oh, I know a lot of stuff about you. ” he said, with a smirk on his face. Continued on credits this was for school
It's not yours Chloe. I thought we established this already. I made it. It belonged to me. Someone stole it. Sold to the pawn shop . You bought it. And now we're here. That’s why I’ve come back to get it.” He said “You are going to give that back, it's my aunt's birthday present. Plus if you made it, make another. No big deal.” I stated “ No big deal. For 7 years I had to collect things from all around the world. Why do you think I'm always traveling? “ he explained. “What do you mean? I know nothing about you other than you’re trying to get this watch.” I replied “ oh but you do know me Chloe i live in your house.”he declared.“ Why are you living in my house.- wait no it can't be. Thom is that you.” I asked, “ Wow, you really are your mothers kid. . yeah it is me.” Thom told me. “ But then why do you need the pocket watch?” I questioned him. “ it's not important right now. I just need it back “ he muttered “ Hmm, let me think about it, No, not until you tell me why you need it.” I announced “ I told you already, it doesn’t matter.” He argued. “ Oh, really because it seems pretty important for you to want it so bad.” I argued back. “ Plus why didn't you just double everything anyway? ” I added“ because I just didn’t. Now, I won't ask again to give me my watch back.” He angrily grumbled. “ No!” I exclaimed as I snatched the watch away and ran home. “ MOM!!!” I yelled. “ tsk, tsk, you should know she’s at work” he snickered. He was standing by the doorway now. At least 5 feet away from me. “RAYA!! ARE YOU THERE?!” I yelled “ hmm, is that you Chloe?” She asked quietly (Despite all her energy.) as she sat on the stairs holding her Griffin toy. “What’re you doing? It's almost time for dinner.” Raya announced. “Oh nothing. Hey when did my mom say she was gonna get home?” I asked. I was trying not to scare her. I didn’t want her to think something was wrong. Even though I sounded alarmed. “ I don’t know.” Raya shrugged. ‘‘ probably around 6 like always. Why?’’ Raya asked. “ no reason just … um.. hungry. Yeah I'm just hungry.” I lied. as I spoke she gave me a look that said you’re weird. “ Ok, I guess just call me down when Raina gets home then.” Raya hollered. ‘‘ will do, " I sighed. Raya ran back upstairs chanting the magical creatures squad intro music. Thom waited for Raya to leave, then he picked me up and grabbed the watch once more. “ Ok you're gonna tell me why you need this watch, Right Now!” I demanded ” Fine you really wanna know why I need this wat-“ yes “ I had interrupted rudely. “ it allows me to go places other people can't without the right equipment “ he replied “ ok so “ As I added I stared hard at the watch. Aunt Neptune would have loved this more than anything but now he had it and he cranked it 1… 2 …3…4…5, times then poof the shimmery black cloud of smoke with what looked like gold flakes reappeared. I reached out to touch it but when i waved my hand i realized it was like a figment of my imagination like nothing happened. But i know something did. Then just as fast as it came it vanished along with Thom. I never saw him again after that day neither did Raya or my mom. He just vanished. Never to be seen again. I don’t really want to know what happened to him. But I suppose I am a little curious as to what happened to him. .THE END. -B1U3 jade © Feb 13, 2025 Report I’m editing this guys
