The Assassin of Time

Chapter II: A Family Treasure

February 23rd 1769

It's been over a week since I killed Mr. Thatcher at the Theatre. It's still the talk of the week. I often see kids on wooden boxes in front of my shop. Holding papers saying, "Mysterious assassin still walks around Boston. Twenty-four pounds to anyone who has information that could lead to an arrest." I often find myself laughing, they're never gonna find out it was me. I made sure of that myself. Can't afford to have any loose ends, no matter how small. Everything must be discrete.

I was sitting at my table thinking about my orders today. Because of the madness on the streets, orders haven't coming in as much as they used to. On a regular day, I get about fifteen to nineteen orders a week. Mostly standard stuff like, eleven standard wood clocks, seven cuckoo clocks, three grandfather clocks, and the occasional pocket watch. Because of my powers, I can do them whenever I want. But I'm still cautious to how many times I manipulate the Flow of Time.

In one hand was a small black hour hand and in the other was a small gear. I got an order a few days ago from some woman who's father gave it to her. Technically she sent me a letter with the watch in pieces. Apparently she tried to fix it herself but she ended up breaking it. You never let someone without experience fix something so valuable. The last time that happened I got a grandfather clock all the way from New York that was completely trashed. I could've fixed it but someone from the other family was too close for comfort. I would've killed her but I detest killing children.

I managed to fix the watch up and figured I had thirty-four minutes and seven seconds of time to kill before she got here to pick it up. I have two minutes and fifty-three seconds before Zen comes. (Before you ask I can see into the future but only if I choose too) And then in two hours, sixteen minutes and nineteen seconds before an older gentleman comes in to ask for a cuckoo clock repair. I guess I'll have a busy day but I'll have a lot of extra time.

A small knock came at the door as I looked at olive green clock beside my right hand. My brother walked inside with a small grin on written on his face. Just like I said he came in the exact amount of time I said. I'm actually glad he decided to come because he was hiding from the other family. I'm surprised that he hasn't sent in a single letter since the theatre incident. He's normally very adamant about sending me a letter the very next day.

"Hello Zen, what brings you around on this afternoon day?" Zen walked over to a small collection of old broken clocks that I've been scrounging parts from for the past few days.

"I'm sorry I haven't sent a letter to you but I've been speaking to mother and father about your recent assignment," he said. With his right hand, he reached inside his coat pocket and pulled out a balled up old red cloth. "He held it firmly in his hand as he turned around to walk over to me. "Because of your excellent deeds and mastery of our family's gift father has decided to pass this down to you." He set the balled up cloth onto the table.

As my hands touched the cloth, I could hear this small ticking in my ears. I pulled back the wrappings to reveal a silver pocket watch with the Galigandro family crest; the hourglass and shield on the front casing of the pocket watch. It was a little bigger than all the usual pocket watches but what really drew me in was the expert artisanship of the casing. It was brand new and freshly polished with engravings of all the hours circling our family crest. This is extremely detailed and valuable to carry in an old cloth. That's just an insult to good craftsmanship when it could be displayed with the upmost respect that it deserves.

I picked it up and carefully opened it to reveal its older inside. The yellow parchment and standard ink designs look much older however. The hands were the sorest sight because they were painted black but there was also plenty of chips in the paint. The gears too had the same situation but they seem to work. Everything twisted and turned however as it should because it wouldn't be worth as much if it didn't.

But this pocket watch never ceases to amaze me. It's been in my family for hundreds of years since our family first came to America. From what I've been told these parts haven't been changed or fixed up in any way. But the casing however has been replaced just recently. Nothing this nice can last for years without getting a niche or two at least. Especially in our family because father's getting older and he's dropped it a few times because of his arthritis.

"I thought father was gonna give it to you. After all you're the oldest and most worthy." He smiled as he reached out to pat me on the shoulder.

"Thank you for that but I happen to agree with father," he said in a proud tone. "I've offered to have the honor to bring it to you because it's a special occasion. I just hope that you treat this with the upmost respect and discretion. For this treasure is an important artifact of our family."

I couldn't agree more, this is an artifact. However it's not the thing you lock up in a museum. Our family has been protecting it for a reason. A watch with the power to control the very essence of time is no joke. It's been blessed by the Goddess of Time as a tool to teach it's bearer that time is fragile. If held in the wrong hands than it'll destroy us all. We could bury it but it's been given to our family because of our respectful and discrete nature. We don't go flaunting our powers around like utter fools.

But a treasure like this shouldn't be in my hands. Zen is older and much more mature than me. The only reason I do so well is because I can see into the future. That's an ability you don't really see in my family. We just travel to the future to see what's gonna happen next. It's only on a rare occasion that someone could be blessed with such a gift. How I am blessed with it still boggles my mind.

"I can't believe that father would give this to me."

"He believes as well as I do that you and me are the future of our family," he said. "But this watch is made for those who can and will be masters. I am an honors student just like you but your gifts exceed even my own. I myself am glad to see my baby brother being trusted with this responsibility."

I held the watch firmly in my hands and thought about father. He's a great man and mentor to us. But he was in his early forties when I was born. I had to learn under my brother because time was starting to get to father. His arthritis and hips aren't like they used to be. Back then he could've done anything but he was forced to retire because he started throwing out his hip every once in a while. Even though he can't time-travel anymore I still respect him. He's my dad and I love him for it.

"How's father doing?" Zen's gaze turned sharper and his face became grim as I asked.

"He's gotten sick again," he said in a serious tone. "His seizures and his feint spells are lasting longer and longer and his headaches are turning into migraines. We jumped to the 21st century to find out what was wrong and it turns out that father has a tumor in his brain."

My heart started to beat even faster. I can't believe that father wouldn't tell us he was sick. He's normally very open with us about his condition. Why couldn't he tell me that his condition was getting work? I would've gladly left work to go and see him. Then again, he's the type of person to pass something off as nothing. But this is serious, he could die from this. This just isn't like him either.

"Is there any way to help him?"

"There's a surgery procedure that could save his life but I'm afraid the risk of him dying is too great. It would be easier but he's been dealing with this for years and it's just too advanced."

"What's he planning on doing now?"

"You should be able to see what he's gonna do with your magic eyes," he said. His fists clenched up and his attitude towards me became more jealous. Since I was born he was always jealous that I can see into the future. However…

"I'm afraid it doesn't work like this. I can't use these eyes for personal gain. All I can use them for is if my life is in any danger or where my target is gonna be so I can prepare. If I try to use them to see father than all it would do is give me a searing migraine."

His face didn't look too pleased in my answer. I wish it could work like that but it just can't. The last time I tried to see his future all I got was a blurry picture and a horrible migraine. I don't understand why that happens but then again I don't use it as much as I should. Like I said I only use them it see my targets next location and to secure my life. I only discovered I had it when I was eleven but I've hardly used them for myself.

This family, something doesn't feel right about them. They've trained us to be emotionally distant from other people, even our own family. Hell even my own father would be considered a friend at best because of this. We're not that close because we don't see each other much. My brother Zen however is more like a father to me. After all he's the one that trained me and taught me about my heritage.

"You've made quite a life for yourself here," he said, walking over to a small red clock on the shelf behind me. "I never would've thought I'd see you as the type to work with clocks."

"They're interesting. Every bit and gear is special." He didn't seem impressed in my answer. Then again, I could care less. I've made my choice to hide out here as a clock repairer. "And besides, all I'm trying to make a life for myself in case I have to stay here for longer than I have too."

"That's good thinking about the future," he said. I focused my attention back on polishing and already finished pocket watch for my client. She should be here in ten minutes and forty-nine seconds. "I'm sorry that I've overstay my visit. I should've left a few minutes ago to take down my next target. We don't have anything for you at the moment so you have some free time."

"Thanks Zen. And thanks for trusting me with our family treasure." He nodded his head and made his way over to the front door. As he reached for the handle, I could see a small smile on his face. But I didn't pay attention long enough to care. It was a good visit and I could use some free time to work on some things.

I listened to the door open about halfway before it stopped. I looked up from my work to see Zen staring outside. His tall bulky figure tightened and rose as he took a breath. I couldn't help but wonder what seemed to distract him. But as I thought about it, something felt off. I can't explain it but seeing him is starting to make me feel uneasy. Like something's gonna happen or he's gonna do something….I'm not really sure. But I can bet that if he messes up or something bad does happen that it'll be fixed.

"Tell father thanks for trusting me." Zen nodded his head and walked out the door.

I focused back on my work but still listened to door close behind him. I'll admit that it was a nice visit from my brother. But I'm still troubled by that feeling. It's completely unprofessional to think about feelings but in my case it's different. I can't see my family's future but I'll get a feeling all the time.

But the best thing for me to do is just think about my work. I have time off from assignments so I can continue my work. Luckily I finished the watch a few days ago so I could put it off and work on other things. In a few more day's thing's get back to the way they used to be and I'll have more orders. But for now I'll just focus on finishing up for my next client.

Find out what happens next in Chapter III: The Woman in the Window.

Sylvester Galigandro: I do apologize if I seem a little boring to anyone reading my diary. But to be honest this is how I was back in the day. All I thought about was whatever assignment I was doing. But I guarantee you guys that it's gonna get more interesting from here on out. So please stay tuned for the next chapter to see what happens next.