Time

By Rachel Werling

The year is 2900, and North America is no longer the place it used to be.

Over the years, three men rose to power. They renamed the northern landmass Flikes and divided it into seven Sections. The three men declared themselves the Alpha, Beta, and Calvin—the oligarchs of Flikes.

These men did the unthinkable. They took away our free will by controlling every aspect of our lives.

At birth, we are issued a bracelet. At age five, we are issued a necklace. At age ten, we are issued a watch. And at age thirteen, we are issued a digital watch. These are collectively known as our Accessories. Accessories must be worn at all times.

Each one counts down time. The bracelet counts down the time until we meet our best friend. The necklace counts down the time until we meet our soul mate. The watch counts down the time until we meet our enemy. The digital watch counts down the time until our death.

Nothing can change our Fate. Meeting our best friend, our soul mate, our enemy, and our death; these are all decided for us. Or, at least that was what everyone thought.

That was before me, Cassandrea Gultian. That was before all of my Accessories just stopped. That was when my death was just a second away.

I am the girl who stopped time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781662422836

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Time

Rachel Werling

Copyright © 2020 Rachel Werling

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-6624-2282-9 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-3036-7 (hc)

ISBN 978-1-6624-2283-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

I would like to dedicate this series to my parents, Mike and Julie Werling, for always believing that I could achieve my dreams and for bearing with me through this long process. I also dedicate this book to my friends and family, for their support and outstanding feedback every step of the way.

Prologue

Gary smiled to himself. He’d always been a loner at school. He’d always wanted a friend. No one liked him, and everyone thought he was weird. The vast sea of students in his eighth-grade class avoided him like the plague. They did have a point, though; he really was nasty. He picked his nose, and he hardly bathed, but that didn’t mean people shouldn’t give him a chance. At least that was what Gary thought.

But today would be different. His bracelet said that today he would meet his best friend. After being alone in the world for so long, Gary couldn’t wait.

He made sure he got to school early that day. Excitement radiated off him, but time seemed to stand still as he waited. His eyes continuously wandered to his bracelet. He would have waited for an eternity, knowing that his best friend would be walking through the door at any second.

Like a dog wanting a treat, Gary waited, and soon Jeffery Peterson walked into the room with a smile glowing so brightly it almost matched Gary’s. Both boys felt a vibration on their wrists, signaling an Accessory had reached 0y 0m 0d 0h 0mn 0s, also known as End Time.

Gary jumped up from his seat and ran over to Jeffrey.

Jeffrey looked disgusted. You’re my soul mate? he sneered.

Gary backed up. No. I’m your best friend.

I’ve already found my best friend, Jeffery announced, mimicking Gary’s motions. My necklace chimed.

My bracelet vibrated, Gary responded.

As if on cue, Shelly Marses walked in with a new student. Shelly’s necklace chimed, and the new kid’s bracelet vibrated. It seemed there had been a delayed reaction involving the Accessories’ End Times—a rare occurrence but not an impossible one.

Jeffery turned to greet Shelly and smiled cockily, Hey, Shell!

Shelly shyly smiled back, Hello, Jeff.

Jeffrey reached out his hand in an overly confident way, only for Shelly to hesitate before taking it. The new couple started walking off, but not before Jeffery yelled to the new student in the room, Have fun with Gross Gary!

Gary looked down, dejected. He’d just met his real best friend, and already Gary’s reputation had proceeded him.

Hi! I’m Peter. The new boy smiled, extending his hand.

Gary looked up and took the boy’s hand. I’m Gerald, but my mom calls me Gary. He paused, Everyone else calls me Gross Gary.

You don’t look gross to me, Peter stated, tilting his head to the side.

Well, according to the rest of my peers, I am, Gary responded, trying his best to avoid eye contact.

Peter laughed warmly at Gary’s geekiness but responded in a genuine tone, So what? I don’t care who you are to everyone else. You’re a best friend to me.

Gary’s face suddenly brightened. Without hesitation, he grabbed Peter in a hug; Peter hugged him back.

Gary finally had a friend.

By the time Gary and Peter reached high school, Gary was a completely different person. He had become the smartest and dreamiest boy in their school. Every girl, even those like Shelly Marses, wished her necklace would chime with Gary’s.

It turned out that all Gary needed was a friend to push him in the right direction.

*****

Jason adjusted the tie on his tux, picked up a bouquet of flowers, and glanced at the eleven-carat diamond ring in his hand. McKayla Jublet was soon going to be McKayla Bountel; as soon as she said yes to Jason. And there was no need to worry about that not happening: there was no way she could say no. After all, their necklaces were in perfect sync. Fate (a.k.a. the Government) had put them together. Even so, it wasn’t like she would say no, even if she could: they had been dating for three years!

The only thing that had ever made them doubt that they were meant to be together was the fact that their necklaces hadn’t chimed when they first met. It was a minor inconvenience, though. Both necklaces were still counting down, and they just assumed that somehow they had found each other earlier than they were supposed to. But, both of their necklaces would be reaching their End Times today, so what better time for Jason to propose to the love of his life than on the day that their necklaces would morph their three-year romance into forever?

Jason’s eyes followed the trail of rose petals that led to where he was standing. Everything was perfect. Jason Bountel and McKayla Jublet were meant to be together. Jason snapped out of his thoughts as a knock on the front door echoed through the house.

Come on in, McKayla! Jason started to readjust his tie once again. Nerves were beginning to set in.

What’s this? McKayla asked, instantly noticing the trail of rose petals. She followed the trail to the room Jason was in. Oh, Jason! McKayla cried, seeing him on one knee.

Jason grabbed her hand. I’ve loved you since I first met you, McKayla. Our necklaces… they are in perfect sync. You’re my soul mate. I don’t want to wait a minute longer, so, McKayla Jenny Jublet, will you— Jason’s voice trailed off, his words caught in his throat. He cleared his throat and tried to continue, but, at that moment, Jason’s older brother and his new girlfriend walked by the room. They stopped at the doorway.

All of their necklaces chimed at once.

McKayla had a strange, forceful urge to be by Jason’s brother, and Jason desperately wanted to be by his brother’s girlfriend, even though they had never met before.

One final glance between Jason and McKayla solidified that they were over. Something had instantly changed within them, and their feelings were no longer their own. Fate had intervened and twisted their love into nothing.

Jason grabbed the hand of his brother’s girlfriend. Incoherent words started to sputter from his mouth, but one line came out crystal clear: Will you marry me?

Yes, the girl replied. There was no hesitation. Her eyes widened, and she looked over at Jason’s brother, then back to Jason. My name is Lucy.

Jason put the ring on Lucy’s finger. My name is Jason, he responded. He turned his attention back to his brother and McKayla. They both looked heartbroken, but their expressions soon became blank. They were now a couple, whether they wanted to be or not. The only thing to do was embrace it. The two of them made eye contact, grabbed hands, and went right out the door.

Sometimes things don’t always work out as you plan, Jason declared, being the first to break the silence. But I love you. We may have just met, but, Lucy, I love you. What I feel for you is stronger than I ever thought possible. You and I, we have a connection unlike one I have ever felt before.

I love you, too, Jason. Lucy smiled.

It was meant to be, a Fate written in the stars—the stars of the Government. They walked in as strangers and came out as soul mates.

*****

Sasha glanced down at her watch, her heart racing.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 0mn 55s.

It was almost End Time; time for her to meet her enemy. She glanced to her right to see her husband of two years. She glanced to her left to see her best friend of seven years.

Sasha knew that whatever happened, they would always be there for her.

She wasn’t scared to meet her enemy. She’d been preparing for this. Fear was not in her vocabulary. No, fear was not what she was feeling. It was something else, but she couldn’t seem to place it. Her eyes wandered to her digital watch this time.

0 years, 0 months, 0 weeks, 0 days, 0 hours, 7 minutes, 15 seconds, and counting.

Sasha knew what it meant when the End Time on your watches were so close. It meant her enemy was going to kill her. This End Time would really be her end. Death was so close, and yet not even that was what was bugging her.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 0mn 24s.

She examined the vast parking lot. Her husband and her best friend were the only people in sight. A gut feeling told her it would not be that way for long.

It was no coincidence that her car broke down here. Although ideally, she hadn’t planned on having her husband and best friend with her when she died, a part of her was secretly glad they were here. Even though she wasn’t scared to die alone, the thought of having the two people who meant the most to her by her side gave her a measure of comfort.

The three of them waited, and soon a black minivan pulled up. Out stepped Bob Kulit, the boy whose necklace was only a few seconds behind Sasha’s, the boy she had thought was her soul mate many, many years ago.

Bob flashed a toothy grin. Hello, Sasha.

The watch buzzed on her wrist.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 0mn 0s.

End Time. Bob was her enemy.

Tell me, Sasha, what does your digital watch say? Bob asked.

She looked down at it.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 3mn 54s.

Sasha glared up at him.

Your time is almost up, isn’t it, dear? Bob gloated before continuing, Well, I’ll tell you what mine says. He casually gazed down. It says I have 67 years, 11 months, 34 weeks, 24 days, 21 hours, 53 minutes, and 44 seconds left. I think we both know what that means. He looked back up. A sinister grin suddenly appeared. What does your little friend’s say?

Puzzled by what he meant, she inspected her husband’s digital watch.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 0mn 20s.

Sasha gasped. She quickly turned her attention to her best friend’s digital watch, a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

0y 0m 0w 0d 0h 0mn 19s.

Her eyes filled with tears as she looked into the eyes of both her husband and best friend.

I love you, her husband whispered.

You’ll always be my best friend. Her best friend smiled weakly.

We’ll see you soon, they said in unison.

Their digital watches started beeping. Sasha looked up just in time to see Bob pull out a gun.

BANG! BANG!

Both her husband and her best friend dropped to the ground, a bullet through each of their hearts.

A blood-curdling scream escaped her. No! This can’t be happening!

Bob laughed heartlessly. Of course it can. They were destined to die before you.

Hot tears stained Sasha’s face. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground. Although she tried not to look, her gaze stayed glued to her dead husband and best friend.

Why? she weakly asked, as she fought back tears.

It was their destiny, and you know you can’t escape your Fate, Bob replied, shrugging.

B-but why are you my enemy? Why are you doing this?

Because you broke my heart, Bob answered.

But you knew we weren’t meant to be. We pretended we were, but our necklaces were never in perfect sync. It never would have worked! You know we don’t choose our soul mates. We are born with that choice already made for us! she cried.

But I still loved you, and you still left. We could have defied what our necklaces said. They were only seconds apart anyway. When you left me, and I grabbed your arm that last time, I saw your watch. Mine matched yours exactly. That’s why I let you go. I knew you were my enemy the moment you said we were over. I just had to wait until the right time for revenge. Bob paused for a minute. "You know, normally, the first time you truly meet your enemy, your watch sounds. That wasn’t the case in our story. I think the Government wanted to have some fun with us, and trust me, it was fun. He grinned again, Say hello to your true soul mate for me."

Her digital watch beeped.

BANG!

*****

This is the way of things here in Flikes. Each person’s life is planned out for them by the Government.

You cannot stop or change the Fate of time. It is how you were born. It is how the Government tells you to live. Your Accessories tell how your life will play out. You can’t escape it.

This is what everyone is taught, and this is what everyone believes.

That is until I came along, with both of my watches stopped completely.

I avoided the death that was only a second away.

I am Cassandrea Gultian. I am the girl who stopped time, and this is my story.

Chapter 1

Cassa! Come on, get up! my mother yelled from downstairs.

I groaned and rolled out of bed, groggily making my way downstairs. Standing there was my mother, Nacey; my father, Timothy; my older sister, Elizabeth (Eliza for short); and my younger brother, Alexander (a.k.a. Alex).

Happy thirteenth birthday, honey, my mom said, coming over and planting a gentle kiss on my cheek.

My dad smiled at me from his seat at the table. Happy birthday, sweet girl.

Thoughts whirled in my brain. Bad thoughts. I sighed and looked to the side, not making eye contact with anyone. Finally taking a deep breath, I spoke about what had me on edge. I’m scared. What if, when I get my digital watch, it says I only have a few days left? Then what? I don’t want to die. My eyes started to cloud with unwanted tears.

My mom gave me a comforting hug. I know you’re scared, Cass, but I’m sure you’ll be fine. No one in our family has ever had their digital watch’s End Time set for right after they received it.

My dad wrapped his arm around me from my other side, nodding in agreement with my mom. You’re going to be fine. I promise.

I turned to look at him. His amber eyes stared down at me, reflecting love, sincerity, and a trace of doubt. My mom and dad acted like they knew for certain what was going to happen to me today, but I knew the truth; I knew they knew it, too. My gaze made its way over to my mom’s green eyes, then back to my father’s amber ones. Worry was plain to see in both their eyes. I had to look away.

After taking a deep breath and sending them a pointed look, I debated calling them out on their lies. Deciding against it, I changed my expression to a small smile. It wasn’t much of one, but it was the best I could muster.

Long ago, before Flikes rose to what it is today, a thirteenth birthday was celebrated just like any other birthday, but in the world Flikes created, turning thirteen marked the milestone of finding out when death would claim another soul. It had become a day to fear. It was the day you received your digital watch, your Death Watch.

My mom hugged me once again and mumbled comforting words to me. My dad kissed my forehead and rubbed my back.

We all knew the gravity of the situation, no matter how hard everyone tried to ignore it. There was no way to change whatever was going to happen when I received my dreaded digital watch at high noon. For the first time this morning, I forced myself to check the time. It was currently eleven.

How about we start eating your birthday brunch? Eliza insisted on making your favorite meal, said my mom, sitting down in her seat at one end of the table.

My father followed her lead and sat at the other end of the table. He glanced at me and smiled encouragingly. Eliza smiled at me, too. I offered another weak smile back as I sat down. Pancakes and bacon, both covered in syrup, a chicken leg, and watermelon were set in front of me. It really was my favorite meal.

A smile worked its way onto my lips, directed at Eliza. The smile was real this time. Food could distract me, even in the worst of times. I was just about to dig in when the doorbell rang. My blood ran cold. Relief washed through me when I remembered that it was eleven when I checked, and an hour definitely hadn’t passed yet.

I’ll get it! Eliza yelled, running over to the door and opening it. I heard quiet chatter from the front door before the squeal of the hinges closing rang out.

At that moment, I didn’t care who was at the door. All I was concerned with was my bacon. My taste buds were watering and the bacon was almost to my mouth when my sight was abruptly cut off.

Come on! I whined. My bacon!

You have to guess who it is first! a gruff voice boomed from behind me.

I mentally rolled my eyes and held back a giggle. My best friend was not the best at masking his voice.

Hey there, Shay. I grinned.

Shayton Mitchells, my best friend since I was seven, huffed. He removed his hands, and I turned my head to see a mass of golden hair. He moved his hair out of his face to reveal once-hidden sparkling brown eyes and a pout that soon morphed into a smile.

I fondly smiled back at Shayton. How I got so lucky as to have a friend like him was beyond me. In most cases, a girl might be upset to realize that they were stuck with a boy as a best friend instead of a girl, but I couldn’t have been more grateful to have Shay as mine.

Hello, Shayton! Glad you could join us. Come in, sit, sit! my mother gushed. She never actually said it, but I knew she wished he had been my soul mate instead of my best friend. That was something beyond my control… beyond anyone’s control. Although if I did have the power to choose my soul mate, Shayton would be it, but my necklace told me that there was no way that would ever happen.

Shayton sat down at his normal seat at our table. He was at my house so often that he had his own seat.

Eliza went and got the remaining plates of food for mom, dad, herself, Alex, and Shayton. My bacon was already gone, and I was working on my waffles now.

So my surprise voice doesn’t work too well on you anymore, huh? Shayton asked through a mouthful of food.

I grinned. It hasn’t worked since we were eight, but I appreciate that you keep trying.

We ate and made small talk. Soon the doorbell rang once again. My blood ran cold for a second time this morning.

I’ll get it for you, sis, Eliza softly said. Her tone of voice only confirmed my fear of time. There was no doubt now.

It was 12:00 p.m. It had to be my digital watch arriving.

Eliza went to the door, and we all patiently waited. My heart was racing, and there was a sour feeling in my stomach. That small little digital watch held such a big impact. The door squealed shut.

I’ll get your digital watch to you in a sec. I want to grab my gift for you so you have something else to look forward to! she called and ran upstairs.

Although I loved my sister, she aggravated me often, as siblings do. This was one of those times. I looked up at my mom, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. Her smile was fake.

Moments later, Eliza was back downstairs with a small gift and my watch. Here you go, sis. Happy birthday!

Smiling at her, I looked at the little brown box that contained my digital watch. On the box was a tag. It read, Happy Birthday, Cassandrea Gultian. Enjoy the transition into your teenage years, and congratulations on receiving your last Accessory.

I rolled my eyes. My birthday would be a lot better if I wasn’t being told when I was going to die. Knowing my final End Time was one of my greatest fears, and that fear was about to come true.

Slowly, I opened the box and lifted out my digital watch. Nothing was on the screen. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion until I remembered that Accessories only activate after they are put on. I quickly put it on my wrist; it glared to life.

6y 5m 2w 2d 15h 35mn 34s.

A mixture of relief and distress washed over me. That little time on my digital watch told me that I would not be dying for a few years, but I was not going to live to be very old. After quickly doing the math, I realized I will only be nineteen when death strikes. Nineteen… so young. Those little numbers on my digital watch told me that I would not experience so many of the joys of life, like having kids. I’d meet my soul mate, but marriage would never happen.

My brain was pounding—too many thoughts at once. Instead of speaking any of them out loud, I settled on a small smile. I just needed to be happy that I would get to live another six years and that I was not dying tomorrow. Sitting down, my gaze drifted to my older sister.

Can I open my present… I paused and looked from my mom to Alex, my dad, and Shayton. "On second thought, presents after breakfast? I’m hungry."

My mom laughed, and Eliza grinned.

Of course!

*****

Cassa! Come on, get up! my mother yelled from downstairs. I chuckled to myself and pressed the pause button on my thirteenth birthday video. Some things never changed.

Like the Government. They liked things to run a certain way. One such thing is that every house has a video camera in each room (except the bathrooms, of course). The cameras turn on five times for every person—each time an Accessory is received and on the day you are to die. The videos are delivered to you (or your family, if it is the Final video).

Honestly, it’s not the worst idea. You could celebrate or mourn those moments more than once if that was what you choose. If it was a bad video—for example, your Accessories didn’t give you the results you wanted—you could choose not to watch the video. If it was a Final video, you could relive a loved one’s last day.

I rolled out of my bed and ran downstairs into the kitchen.

Morning, Mom, I gave her the best smile I could manage.

Morning, hon. You look… wide awake, she said while flipping pancakes.

That’s because I am. I was just watching my thirteenth birthday video, I responded.

A wistful smile made its way onto my mom’s face. She looked away, and the smile faded.

A lot has changed these past six years. My dad left shortly after my thirteen birthday party. No explanation at all. No communication from him since. He was there one day and gone the next. It was like he just disappeared, but we knew that was not what happened. He had abandoned us.

Two years after that ordeal, I met Jetson Ponic, or Jet as everyone calls him. When ninth-grade year rolled around, he was the new kid, the shy bad boy that I didn’t even meet until he had lived here for over two months. We had had no classes together until one day, he got in a fight with Braxton Davidson and was transferred to my class. As soon as he walked in, we made eye contact, and our necklaces sounded. He was hesitant at first, but eventually, he came around. We’ve been inseparable ever since, which doesn’t make Shay too happy.

Of course, I’ve always made room for Shayton. Shayton practically lived here. He didn’t