The Alcove - Chapter 2 -

# #twitterfiction The Alcove - Chapter 2 -
# Removing his prize he ran through the rain toward the rear entrance to the servant's quarters, he had to get out of the blowing weather.
# As he sprinted to shelter, his mind flashed back to his youth, carefree and light - filled with delight at the hidden knowledge of the wall.
# The old estate no doubt had many trinkets and childhood treasures stowed and long since forgotten in the multitude of hiding places within.
# The sounds of Stephen's movements were obscured by the weather that battered the swaying trees and reflected off the staunch buildings.
# Closing the door behind him he moved to the table and placed his treasure in the center of the table. Forty three years was a long time.
# Stephen's fingers trembled as he popped the lid off of the tin. The ticking now drown out the sound of the storm outside, it was still here!
# The pocket watch had been handed down from his grandfather, to his father, and now it was his. He had waited till his dad had passed.
# His father had warned him that if he were to use it too soon he would face the wrath that only those tiny hands had wreaked upon his dad.
# Grandpa had been a positive man, minding his own business and constantly reminding others mind theirs. So many fond memories, now it's mine.
# Stephen marveled at the hands as they spun with perfect precision. The finish was untarnished with age as the tiny hands moved backward.
# The curse of the thing was obscured by it's overwhelming beauty, he felt drawn to it, his gaze unwavering. It was beautiful, he knew better.
# He felt compelled to wind it out of sheer habit, his father had passed the instruction down to him in the most somber of tones:
# "This pocket watch NEVER needs to be wound, stopping the hands of this watch will stop time itself, it caused my father nothing but pain."
# Father always kept the watch hidden, and when grandpa died father vowed it would not be used again during his lifetime.
# Stephen swore an oath, an oath he had kept.
# Until tonight.
# Mere mention of the watch made father livid with righteous indignation "Some things should not be tampered with by mortals!" he would say.
# Stephen had grieved his father's passing, and returned to his childhood home that now felt empty, cavernous, cold and quiet. Too quiet.
# There would have been no sound at all save the ticking of the watch his focus loosened and he realized he was still in full rain garb.
# Placing the watch in his pocket he took off his hooded poncho and retired to his bed his mind racing with possibility. He gazed at it again.