storyteller: cristabella

Imagine A  World

It was a normal world. Peaceful. Nothing strange. The town of Balment WAS normal, until a new manager came and changed everything. Now this town is overrun by an evil curse that has spread through the whole world infecting everyone, my one message for you, make sure you check your time.

Beep! Beep! “Peter! Wake Up!” I burst awake, wishing that it wasn't a school day. I head to the table for breakfast, the news pops on the television, “Dad, look at the news.” The newsreader states ‘Breaking News. There is a new mayor coming in the town of Balment, expect new things. Back to you Debby.’  “Dad, there's a new mayor, that's so cool!” “Mmm well, I hope he does something for this town. The last mayor did nothing!” said Dad. “Okay, Okay Dad, I’m going to school now see ya later!” I reply as I walk off to school. As I approach the school grounds, everyone, everything seems normal. Boring school work all day, until the teacher pauses…“Class, the principal wants us to listen to this. Everyone, quiet please.”  “The town of Balment, please listen up for this public announcement. We have detected an evil curse that has spread into everyone’s homes at some point in the past month. Due to this curse, every person in town will receive a specific amount of time to live. That's all we know at this stage. Stay safe!”  The teacher shushes everyone, as they chatter in panic and encourages all students to return home to discuss further with their families. I walked quickly, my heart pounding and suddenly…an indescribable pain pierced my wrist. Stopping me in my tracks. A watch appeared that read 100 years. I stood petrified. I stared stunned when it happened. This was the time I had left in life.

I slap my face quickly to see if I can snap out of this dream. ‘No.. not a dream ‘ I say to myself. I look around at people examining the watch. It looks into my soul,  a fierce, piercing look. I furiously try to take it off - but it's glued down permanently. No matter how hard I try, the watch will not come off and the pain, unbearable. It’s feels like it’s internally wired or something. I run home traumatised. I see my dad with a worried expression with the same watch. Sky blue straps, watch screen as clear as ice and the watch slick and futuristic. My dad tells me “This watch Peter indicates how long you will live! But you can extend the time by working or getting it from others,” says Dad. I'm a little relieved but then my Dad sees my expression and tries to comfort me “Peter, this is extremely bad. We need to survive by using time for important things. I know, I'm getting a paycheck and we can exchange all of our old money for time? OK?” I agree and we take all our old money and we exchange everything. My Dad is working really hard, we both make time to provide for ourselves. Everyone is acting normal, but I think everyone knows it's not just a coincidence that the mayor came and this happened. We notice people who are rich go past the mayor, dropping dead the next day. Something’s up I know it and I can feel it. He's hunting people…showing no mercy.

Dad and I go into hiding, running swiftly through alleyways, as disaster struck. “POLICE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP! screamed the cop. “They found us Dad.” I whisper “REVEAL YOURSELVES DON'T MAKE THIS HARDER THAN IT HAS TO BE!” screams the cop. My Dad and I knew exactly what would happen so we made a last ditch effort to run. We run strategically but my Dad is seen. “Sir we don't mean any harm, we are just trying to get home,” my Dad says confidently. He gives me all his time left, it’s a month in total and he cautiously says “Run Peter. Run as far away as you can.” I look sadly at him but I know he’s right. So I run, faster than I ever thought possible.  The cops see me run and instead of running after me I hear a BANG! BANG! BANG! followed by a groan and collapsing. I start crying in fear, but I don't stop. The words in my head move me forward. I can't believe I'm alone in this crazy town like a horror moving haunting my every step. I get to a bank and transfer my time, investing it to make me a little wealthy. I try to get a better job, but every shop looks like it's shut down. People are going CRAZY, civilians are dying every minute, like a pandemic. 

Time is running really low. I follow a group of people to a fresh food store located down, way down on a path away from town. It's worth the walk when we get closer. Everyone in the group is nice and generous. We turn up to the store, but hear a rustling noise in the woods next to us. The trees start to sway, birds squawk furiously, plants struggle to keep up with the wind “Everyone Shh!” whispers the leader of the group. “Somethings coming!” “Oh no.” I whisper “What's happening?”...

Scared for our lives, we cling to the rock for dear life.  An extremely loud HOWL followed by an echo of howls creates a cream in unison from the group. “RUN!'' Automatically, my legs take control of my body and propel me out of this situation. I had one second to look back but I shouldn't have. A pack of ten wolves, chasing like cheetahs, searching for their dinner. I felt like a cartoon running through danger, but as I ran I didn't see the horrible tree root in the ground. Just like that, with a thud and a crash, I was on the ground too winded to move, expecting my doom before me. I saw the group run past me, sympathy painted on their faces, then panting next to me. A huge, grey, provoked wolf pack, looking hungry and angry. I flinch and my life flashes before my eyes, This is it isn't it? I hear one last HOOWWWLL followed by a kaleidoscope of colours that flash before me. “What a brutal world,” I say to myself. Black.

Time is everything. Use it wisely.

Storyteller: Cristabella