Out of Time 01 - Out of Time

design on the watch was the same as on the lid.
    “They have the same inlay,” she said and moved back to look over Simon’s shoulder. “What kind of watch is that? And how does it know we’re having a lunar eclipse tonight?”
    “Eclipse?”
    “Yeah, I’m guessing that’s what that little black disc thingy signifies.”
    As if on cue, the room darkened. The moonlight filtering in from the window was slowly obscured by the earth’s shadow. Moving in perfect sync, both the disc on the dial and the darkness blotted out the moon.
    Without warning, a crackle of energy erupted from the watch. Small blue streaks snaked out, shimmering over Simon’s hand. Like azure lightning, the bolts moved up his arm and covered his entire body.
    Startled, Elizabeth reached out to him, and as soon as she touched his arm, the blue light slithered onto her hand and enveloped her, paralyzed her.
    The world around her began to vibrate, faster and faster. Like the wings of a hummingbird the motion was so quick the edges of reality began to blur. It was as if universe were trying to shake itself apart.
    And then, it did.

Chapter Three
    T he sun sliced the alley in two.
    Simon groaned and rolled onto his side, his hand falling into a puddle of warm water. The strange sensation brought him back to the edge of consciousness. The blaring of car horns in the distance grew more insistent and drew him out of the haze.
    The acrid smell of gasoline and burning coal filtered between the old brick buildings. He took a deep breath and gagged on the stale, dank air. Bright sunlight stabbed into his eyes, and he brought a hand up to shield his face from the glare. Squinting against the light, his head throbbing mercilessly, he forced himself to sit up.
    The world around him finally came into focus. Battered trash bins and discarded wooden crates lay like victims of a firing squad against a brick wall. What the hell was he doing here? Or was this another vivid dream strangling him with realism?
    The last thing he could remember was sitting in his living room. He’d been going through his grandfather’s things. Days haunted with sleepless nights blurred his memories. Decomposing fragments slowly came back to him. He’d settled in for a night of warm whiskey and cold memories, but someone else was there.
    Elizabeth! The aching pain of his dreams, the loss and desperation rifled through his senses in rapid fire succession. He pushed himself to his feet and stood on shaky legs. His mind refused to clear, except for one thought—he needed to find Elizabeth. Frantically, he scanned the alley, dreading what he might find. She was only a few feet away, lying face down in the shadows. His heart raced faster in his chest as he stumbled to her side.
    She wasn’t moving. This had to be a dream. Please let this be a dream.
    “Miss West,” he said insistently.
    Nothing.
    He steeled himself for the worst. Perhaps this was a nightmare after all. His hands trembled as he gripped her shoulder and cradled her head in his hand. Carefully, he rolled her on to her back. Her face was pale, as if all the blood had been leeched away. Her body was limp in his hands. An unerring sense of déjà vu overwhelmed him.
    “Elizabeth.”
    She moaned and rolled her head to the side.
    “Thank God,” he whispered and without thinking, stroked her cheek. Emotions whirlpooled inside him. With shuddering breath, he wrestled for control and finally won.
    Her eyes opened and struggled to focus.
    “Are you all right?” he asked, clenching his fist to keep from caressing her.
    She brought a shaky hand to her forehead and groaned. “Professor?”
    He scanned her for injuries. Her pupils were reacting to the light. That was a good sign. And she seemed to be coming around. “Are you hurt?”
    “I’m okay, I think. Except for one hell of a headache,” she said as he helped her to sit up.
    “It’ll pass soon,” he said, knowing it was a lie. He felt worse than before. His own head pounded. He wasn’t one to offer false comforts and did his best to ignore the fact that he’d done just that.
    She glanced at their bizarre surroundings and shook her head, trying to clear it. “What the heck was in that wine?”
    “Can you stand?”
    She nodded and took the hand he offered. He watched her carefully. She swayed a bit and he reached out to steady her. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    She wobbled and gripped his forearm.
    Tightening his hold, he put an arm around her back