The Clock of Memories

Episode 2: "The Addiction of Nostalgia"

Victor Almeida woke up that morning with a strange feeling, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. He had decided not to use the watch again, but the memory of the conversation with Gabriel still tormented him. The idea of having something valuable in his hands, something that could bring his brother back, was an irresistible temptation. He felt that the pain of loss was a scar that would never heal, and the watch represented his only chance to alter that reality.

After getting ready, he decided it was time to go out and breathe some fresh air. The sunlight streamed through the window, but he knew that the brightness did not reflect the darkness in his heart. He walked through the streets of his city, observing the people around him, each following their daily routine, indifferent to his internal torment. The frantic movement of everyday life was a constant reminder of what he had lost.

Upon arriving at the park, Victor sat on a bench beneath the shade of a leafy tree, trying to organize his thoughts. He watched a child playing with a dog, and for a moment, his mind was pulled back to simpler, happier memories. Gabriel used to take Victor to the park when they were younger, and those carefree days now seemed like they belonged to another life. He remembered how Gabriel always wore a smile, as if the world were at his fingertips.

With a sigh, he closed his eyes and let the feelings wash over him. But soon, the weight of guilt and pain dragged him back to reality. The watch in the drawer felt like an echo of his own vulnerability, a constant reminder of what could have been and what he might still try to change. The idea of visiting the antique dealer came to mind, a seed of curiosity planted by their earlier conversation.

“Maybe I should go back there,” Victor thought, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope. If the dealer was truly wise, he could give him advice on how to deal with his memories and what it meant to have the power to alter the past. Without further ado, Victor stood up and decided he needed answers.

As he arrived at the antique store, the atmosphere felt denser than the first time. He entered, greeted by the chime of a bell. The dealer was behind the counter, busy organizing some items, but soon raised his eyes and smiled upon seeing Victor.

“Ah, you’re back,” the man said, his voice sounding as if he already knew what was in Victor's heart. “Have you decided to explore more about what the watch can do?”

Victor hesitated before responding. “I… I’m confused. I don’t know if I should use the watch again. What happens when you alter a memory? What are the consequences?”

The dealer nodded slowly, as if he had heard these questions before. “Altering a memory is like touching a delicate thread. You can fix something that seems broken, but the line connecting the past to the present can snap in ways you never expected. The pain you feel now is an echo of what you lost. But at the same time, you must ask yourself if you are willing to live with the consequences of altering that echo.”

“So, you’re saying it could make things worse?” Victor asked, concern growing in his chest.

“It can. Or it might not. Every choice we make has a cost, Victor. And it’s important for you to understand what you’re willing to sacrifice.”

Victor found himself immersed in his thoughts, the dealer’s words echoing in his mind. He was placing himself on a path of uncertainty. “I just want my brother back,” he confessed, his voice faltering. “I wish I had the chance to fix what happened.”

The dealer approached, his intense eyes piercing into Victor’s soul. “And what are you willing to lose for that? Sometimes, what you think you desire may not be what you truly need.”

The heavy wisdom of the man struck Victor like lightning. He remembered what he had told himself, that he couldn’t live trapped by the past. But the temptation of the watch was strong. He wasn’t sure if he could resist.

“I want to try,” he finally decided, determination taking hold of him. “I want to see if I can save my brother.”

The dealer nodded, as if he had been waiting for that answer. “Very well. But remember, every choice you make can alter not only your past but also your present and future. Choose wisely.”

A chill ran down Victor’s spine, but he was resolute. He took the watch from the drawer and held it in his hands. “How do I do this?”

“Focus on a specific moment. Remember everything you can about that day. The watch will respond to your intention,” the dealer explained. “But don’t forget you must return to the present as soon as you understand what you need to know.”

With a nod, Victor prepared himself. He closed his eyes and concentrated. The day of Gabriel’s accident unfolded in his mind, like a vivid scene playing out before his eyes. He remembered the sunny morning when his brother left home, radiant and full of plans. The feeling of fear and despair began to invade his mind as he recalled how their lives changed in an instant.

“Please, take me back,” he whispered, his heart pounding in his chest.

The sound of the watch began to quicken, and the sensation of unfolding enveloped Victor like a whirlwind. When he opened his eyes again, he was on the same day, but in a different place. The smell of fresh coffee filled his nose, and he realized he was in the kitchen of his home, as if the events that led to the accident hadn’t yet occurred.

The echoes of cheerful conversations resonated around him. He turned to see Gabriel sitting at the table, a wide and carefree smile on his face. “Hey, Victor! You won’t believe the idea I came up with for the college project!”

Victor’s heart raced with joy at the sight of his brother, so alive and happy. The emotion of reliving that moment wrapped around him like a warm embrace. But as he listened to Gabriel’s words, a part of him was aware of what was about to happen. He needed to intervene; he needed to stop what was coming.

“Gabriel, wait! Don’t go out today,” Victor exclaimed, but his voice sounded strange, as if it weren’t his. Gabriel looked at him with confusion, his expression shifting to concern.

“What are you talking about? I have to meet my friends later,” Gabriel replied, laughing. “You’re acting weird.”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like something is going to happen. Stay home today!” Victor pleaded, urgency rising in his voice.

But Gabriel just shook his head, chuckling. “You’re overreacting. Sometimes you just have to live life, Victor.”

Gabriel’s laughter echoed in Victor’s ears, and for a brief moment, he felt powerless. He couldn’t change his brother’s mind, and the feeling of despair began to take hold of him again. He glanced at the watch in his pocket, his last resort, but hesitated. Should he use the power of the watch again to change the course of history?

“Please, Gabriel, I’m begging you. Just trust me. Don’t go out today,” Victor said, his voice choked with emotion.

But Gabriel just smiled, got up from the table, and began to get ready to leave. Reality began to blur, and Victor realized he was about to lose what he had managed to regain. “Gabriel, no!” he shouted, but the sound of his voice seemed to be swallowed by the air, as if it couldn’t reach his brother.

In an instant, the scene began to fade, and the light around him was engulfed by a dark whirlwind. Victor tried to fight against the current, but everything became more and more confusing. He found himself back in the park, his heart racing, breath hitching. The watch was in his hands, but now it no longer held the same shine. It was just an object, a reminder of what could have been.

Desperate, he sat on the bench, reality hitting him like a wave. He had had the chance to change the past, but he had failed. The pain of loss intensified, and the weight of guilt crushed him. He had tried, but his helplessness consumed him.

The feeling of emptiness enveloped him as tears streamed down his face. He realized that regardless of what he did, the past could not be changed. And now he was back in the same place, trapped in his pain, with only the memory of a brother who would never return.

“Victor!” A familiar voice pulled him from his thoughts. It was Clara, his sister, approaching with a worried look. “What happened? You seem distant.”

He wiped away the tears angrily, trying to hide the pain that consumed him. “Nothing, Clara. I’m just thinking.”

She sat down next to him, and for a moment, silence settled between them. But then Clara broke the barrier. “You’re still feeling guilty, aren’t you? About Gabriel.”

Victor looked at her, the sadness in his eyes reflecting her own. “It’s hard, Clara. Sometimes I feel like I could have done more. Like somehow I could have changed what happened.”

“You can’t carry that weight forever, Victor,” she said softly. “We all lost Gabriel, but he wouldn’t want you to dwell on what can’t be changed.”

Her words pierced his heart like a balm, but the pain still remained. “I know, but it’s so hard. I feel like everything I do is in vain.”

Clara placed her hand over his. “You have to allow yourself to move on. Gabriel would be proud of you, and he wants you to live, even without him.”

Victor smiled sadly, but his sister’s words helped him see things from a new perspective. “Thank you, Clara. I’ll try.”

“Let’s do something

together,” Clara suggested, her eyes sparkling with determination. “How about we go grab a bite and talk about our memories of Gabriel? We can share stories and celebrate his life instead of dwelling on what happened.”

Victor nodded, grateful for her presence. Together, they walked through the park, a weight lifting slightly from his heart. As they strolled, Victor felt the sun warming his skin and realized that perhaps healing wouldn’t come overnight. But he had his sister by his side, and for now, that was enough.

As they reached a café nearby, Victor took a deep breath, ready to embrace the moment, the laughter and memories that would arise. And even though he still felt the pain of loss, he knew he could not let it consume him. He had to find a way to live on for Gabriel and honor his memory, not through regrets but through love and shared stories that would keep him alive in their hearts.