Episode 5: The Boy Who Knows

Mira stopped using the clock.

At least that’s what she told herself.

Two days passed.

Then three.

She avoided looking at it, avoided touching it, avoided even thinking about it.

But it didn’t change anything.

Because the damage was already done.

“Hey… Mira?”

Rhea’s voice pulled her back to reality.

They were sitting in class, the teacher writing something on the board. Everyone else looked normal.

Too normal.

“You’ve been really quiet lately,” Rhea said, frowning slightly. “Did I do something?”

Mira blinked.

For a second, she didn’t understand the question.

“…What?”

Rhea hesitated. “You’ve just been acting distant.”

Mira forced a small smile.

“No, it’s nothing.”

But even as she said it

She realized something.

She couldn’t remember what Rhea’s birthday used to feel like.

She knew it happened.

She knew they celebrated.

But the feeling?

The memory?

Gone.

Her chest tightened.

“I’m fine,” she repeated softly.

The bell rang.

Students began to leave.

Mira packed her bag quickly, trying to ignore the heavy feeling in her chest.

She just needed air.

Outside, the sky was cloudy again.

A quiet wind moved through the empty street beside the school.

Mira walked without thinking, her footsteps slow.

Lost.

“…You’re doing it again.”

She froze.

That voice

It wasn’t familiar.

But it felt like it should be.

Mira turned.

A boy stood a few steps behind her.

Dark hair.

Calm eyes.

Watching her like he’d been waiting.

“…Who are you?” she asked.

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he took a few steps closer.

Not too close.

Just enough.

“You shouldn’t use it so carelessly,” he said.

Mira’s heart stopped.

“…Use what?”

The boy tilted his head slightly.

“The clock.”

Silence.

Mira’s fingers tightened around her bag.

Her pulse started racing.

“How do you know about that?” she demanded.

He studied her face carefully.

Like he was searching for something.

Or noticing something missing.

“…So you really don’t remember,” he murmured.

Mira’s stomach dropped.

“What are you talking about?”

He let out a quiet breath.

Then finally said

“My name is Kai.”

The name felt strange in her mind.

Like it should mean something.

But didn’t.

“Okay… Kai,” Mira said slowly. “Answer my question.”

“How do you know about the clock?”

Kai looked at her for a long moment.

Then

He said something that made her blood run cold.

“Because this isn’t the first time you’ve changed the timeline.”

Mira froze.

“…What?”

“You’ve done this before,” he continued calmly. “More than once.”

“That’s not possible,” she snapped. “I only used it a few times.”

Kai shook his head slightly.

“Not from your perspective.”

Mira took a step back.

Her thoughts spun wildly.

“What are you saying?”

Kai’s voice softened.

“Every time you go back… you lose memories, right?”

Mira didn’t respond.

She didn’t have to.

The silence was answer enough.

Kai looked at her, something sad flickering in his eyes.

“Then tell me,” he said quietly,

“How would you remember the times you already changed?”

Mira’s breath caught.

The world felt like it tilted.

“No…” she whispered.

“You think this is new,” Kai continued. “But for me…”

He paused.

His gaze didn’t leave her.

“…this is the third time I’ve met you.”

Silence crashed between them.

Mira’s heart pounded so loudly it hurt.

“That’s not true…”

But even as she said it

Doubt crept in.

Cold.

Sharp.

Unavoidable.

Kai took one step closer.

His voice dropped.

“In the last timeline… you trusted me.”

Mira’s breath shook.

“…I don’t even know you.”

Kai gave a small, almost broken smile.

“I know.”

That hurt more than it should have.

Mira’s mind raced.

If what he was saying was true

Then how much had she already lost?

How many memories?

How many moments?

How many people?

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked.

Kai looked at her.

Really looked at her.

“Because,” he said quietly,

“you’re going to use the clock again.”

Mira flinched.

“And when you do…”

His voice dropped even lower.

“…you’ll lose something you can’t afford to forget.”

The wind picked up slightly.

The world felt heavier.

Mira tightened her grip on her bag.

Her voice was barely a whisper.

“…What is it?”

Kai didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped back.

Slowly.

“You’ll remember,” he said softly.

“Or… you won’t.”

And then

He turned and walked away.

Leaving Mira standing there.

Alone.

Confused.

Terrified.

Because deep down

She knew one thing.

He was right.

No matter the cost…

She was going to use the clock again.

End of Episode 5

Thank you for reading

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