The Girl Who Borrowed Time

"The Girl Who Borrowed Time"

She ordered a croissant and a black coffee when she first entered my café, and then she gave me a piece of blood-stained paper. It said, "The man in the trench coat is not here for the espresso, so don't serve him."

She was gone by the time I looked up. However, she came back the following day. 3:04 PM is the same time. The same gauze-wrapped wrist, still leaking crimson, the same empty expression. She said, "You're Elara, right?," as she slipped into the booth this time. The graduate student in physics who left school following the accident?

My throat constricted. "Who are you?"

"Ivy. starting in 2034. Unflinching, she took a harsh sip of her coffee. "And time is falling because of you."

The bell above the door chimed before I could chuckle. With eyes like a razor, a man in a trench coat strode in. Ivy took hold of my arm. His title is Chrono-Warden. To correct timelines, they remove errors people. You were killed by him last night. Then I took this.

Her hand opened. The gears of a pocket watch sparkle like fading stars. Ten minutes are rewinded by one spin. However, it's his time, borrowed time. He also wants it returned.

The Warden's eyes were fixed on us. Ivy thrust the timepiece into my grasp. "Midnight. The ancient clock tower. Or we both disappear.

Now, the watch is as weighty as a heartbeat as it ticks inside my apron. I have six hours to choose between serving the man who will ensure she never existed and trusting the girl who shouldn't exist.

Is Elara able to go back in time or does she run out of it? For Part II, follow #TheGirlWhoBorrowedTime.