Time Away , Establishment of Terror

In the heart of a marketplace, could be any marketplace is a shop. Oh it looks like an antique shop with glass windows stylized with the brasque wooden carved trim, curled like the claws of a lion. The sign above the black and red awnings was also carved in wood, a simple glossed background with words etched delicately in black. This shop was artistically named "Time Away"; two simple words, magic words. This shop sold one type of item, pocket watches. An innocuous thing, unless you are seeking to obtain your wishes, fullfill hope, or be redeemed. Story One: The Runaway Felix had been on the street for three months, escaping an alcoholic father who beat his mother. The sixteen year old boy had taken to picking pockets and shoplifting. He leaned against the brick wall, gliding his fingertips in his spiky red hair. His other hand was in his denim jacket, holding something tightly. His ears were still ringing from the shop owner's shouts as he ran out with the emerald ring held tightly in his fist against his beating heart like a bird panicking in a tiny cage. Exhaling hard he tried to calm himself down. Blue and red lights reflected off the dumpster nearby alerting to the fact that cops were closing in. Hurtling hinself from the alley he saw a shop up ahead as rain started to fall upon hus shoulders,soaking through his coat. Trembling he ignored the cold seeping in and reached out, grabbing the handle of the door and pulled it open. The shop was dimly lit with long red velvet curtains and glass cases filled with pocket watches, rows and rows of pocket watches. They were each unique made of different metals and woods, carved and decorated. There were no prices listened. Felix stared around in sudden awe, as if he had been dropped into another world all together. It was then he could hear the violins playing on a bearby victrola machine on one of the cases, it made an ethereal background. The young man inhaled sharply, a perfume or incense filled hise nose making him feel tingly. What kind of place is this? Other then the sound of a soft orchestra and the ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner it was strangely empty. Felix thought it was odd since shops were still open and the sign had said open. "Welcome to my shop, young man." The voice came from a man who was standing right before him. He was a man in hus early thirties, but dressed in clothing from the Victorian-ish era. The proprietor was garbed in a button up white shirt, a black vest over it was a frock coat, and trousers. On his head if raven black hair was a top hat with a crimson red band. "My name is Aleister Corviston. I am the proprietor of this shop. I hope I can help you find what you desire." The shop keeper placed his pointer finger and middle finger to the brim of his hat and gave a slight bow. Felix nibbled on his lower lip as he took a step closer, his right hand still holding the ring. After a long moment looking into the man's eyes, orbs the color of a rolling storm upon the ocean, he finally pulled his gaze away to the pocket watches. "What's with the pocket watches?" He piped out, his own cracked voice making him gittery. Felix swallowed hard after speaking, but he found himself drawn to the middle watch calling to him. It was as if it was singing a faint song being heard from his very soul. "Oh I see, the Cypher Watch has caught you attention. Very interesting. " Aleister took a step towards the glass container, pulling a ring of keys from the pocket of his black trousers he slid the key into the lock and turned it. Opening the panel with black gloved hands he retrieved it, and placed it on the glass cabinet for further inspection. It was a beautiful silver surface, etched with ocean waves, sapphires encrusted on the undertow. Felix found himself leaning closer, the scent of incense had faded away and something else replaced it….sea salt? Gazing down at it with his green eyes he felt enraptured by the delicate lines, it must of been his imagination, but he could of sworn he heard the ocean. "It seems one of my watches has called an owner. I can give it to you on the stipulation you take good care of it, time is a funny thing and watches hold that responsibility. " Aleister's voice was soft and melodic, like warm honey on a sore throat. Felix looked up, the spell being momentarily broken. "I…I don't have any money, sir." He whispered horsedly, despair filling the pit of his stomach. "Oh well, how about that thing you have been hiding in your coat? Let me take it off your hands and the watch will be yours. Do we have a bargain?" the owner asked his voice a low purr. What was his accent? British? European, Felix couldn't tell as he removed his hand from his coat revealing the ring tight in his fingertips. "Unless it has sentimental meaning to you…" "NO, I will take the trade" the boy cried, but then frowned deeply gazing down at the ring. The ring he had risked stealing from the pawn shop. Reluctantly, but determined he placed the ring on top of the cabinet. Without it the cops wouldn't have any leads, but the reason had been so dear. The pocket watch called him. Without missing a beat Aleister scooped up the ring and deposited it in the pocket of his coat, a smile flitting on h ou s lips, picking the watch up and offering it to the boy. Felix let out a deep breath and picked it up feeling the cool, heavy metal in the palm of his hand. Staring down at it his pointer finger pressed down on the button, opening the etched top panel with waves. Click…click… Felix felt a shock run through his arm causing him to startle. Blinking he realized he was no longer in the tiny shop on a gloomy city street, but a rocky coast by the ocean with a lighthouse.