Chapter 10 — Three Minutes Missing
410 Words
Chapter 10 — Three Minutes Missing
Travis began having dreams.
Every night.
Always the same corridor.
Always the same clock.
Always three minutes missing.
In the dream, he walked toward Room 214.
The clock read 3:00 PM.
He reached for the handle.
Then—
Nothing.
Three minutes disappeared.
He would suddenly find himself standing farther down the corridor.
The clock would read 3:03.
And someone would be crying behind the door.
He woke on Thursday morning sweating.
At the hospital, he checked his employment records again.
There was nothing.
Then he searched his personal records.
Nothing.
But one detail bothered him.
There was a three-month gap in his history.
No employment.
No university records.
No explanation.
Three months.
He called someone he hadn't spoken to in years.
Professor Elias Voss.
Voss had once taught Travis psychology.
When Travis mentioned Westbridge, there was silence.
“You shouldn't be asking about that,” Voss said.
“Why?”
“Because some memories are better left alone.”
“Was I at Westbridge?”
Another silence.
“Yes.”
Travis's pulse increased.
“When?”
“Years ago.”
“Why?”
“I don't remember.”
“You're lying.”
Voss sighed.
“You were involved in a research program.”
“What program?”
“I can't discuss it.”
“Professor—”
The call ended.
That afternoon, May arrived exactly at 3.
She looked exhausted.
“Did you dream about the corridor?”
Travis stared at her.
“How do you know about my dreams?”
“You told me.”
“I've never told you.”
May's expression fell.
“Yes, you did.”
“When?”
“Fourteen years ago.”
Travis stood.
“May, stop.”
She didn't move.
“You were there.”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to help me.”
He looked at her carefully.
“Who were you?”
May's eyes filled with tears.
“I was the girl behind Room 214.”
Travis felt something inside him shift.
A memory surfaced.
A hospital bed.
A little girl.
A clock.
3:00 PM.
Then darkness.
He grabbed the edge of the desk.
May stood.
“Travis?”
He looked at her.
For one brief second, he remembered her face.
Not as she was now.
As a child.
Sitting alone in Room 214.
He whispered:
“I know you.”
May closed her eyes.
“Finally.”
Then the clock stopped.
3:00 PM.
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