Within times embrace

It should have just been another termination; just another manifestation sent back to the realm it sprouted from. I was overconfident and was now reaping my just reward. Finally the captain trusted me with a scouting mission. He had warned me not to engage unless I was absolutely certain of the enemy type and of my ability to strike it down in a single blow. Tik… tik… tik…, a low rumble sent the dirt to gently swoop 10 feet in front of me. I laid silent and still as if death had already taken me. If only I hadn’t been so eager to prove myself. If only I could have shown a little self control. If only I could have demonstrated at least a hint of wisdom. Going back and having someone more experienced come to double check my decision was the right decision. Why, why why? My self hatred was rising within my chest like magma. I felt as if I was about to burst when a low short whistle rang out from my right; filling me with hope and dread simultaneously. They had come to check on me, no surprise since I turned my radio off within seconds of firing my shot. The pressure of its presence began to fade, blood rushed through my veins again. My body began to quiver, all of my organs were in hyperdrive; or at least they felt like they were now. I hadn’t realized it but it seemed like just being near it slowed everything in its vicinity. A shiver of fear crept down my spine thinking of the raw power this being possessed. What a terrible mistake I had made, this was so far out of my league it was almost laughable. If I made it out of here I would have hell to pay. The unbearable feeling within my chest moved me to action. For better or for worse I slowly began to sneak out of my hidey hole; inch by inch crawling my way back into the battle. I focused on each breath, steady and even, not giving a foothold for fear or doubt to latch on too. If I was being truly honest with myself, my emotions were chaotic at best, but I still had to try. Just because I messed up didn’t mean I couldn’t at least find a little redemption, right? I finally emerged into the ruins where my first attack had gone horribly wrong. I saw blood everywhere, which wasn’t in itself out of the ordinary. Still it gave me pause, as I wondered just how this being seemed unfazed after spilling so much blood. Also I’m surprised the blood was red. This monster had no business having red blood. What does that even say about it? Is it… whatever, I had more important things to worry about right now. My hand crept for my radio; but I held it back knowing the danger such an action could put us all in. I had to get my head on straight. No wonder they hadn’t trusted me with anything yet. I felt so powerless it made me sick. I could feel the want to spiral but I steeled myself and decided to put myself to use. I turned, rising to one knee and raising my rifle; finding what had to be Time itself in my sights. All this information I had gathered, now pointed to this being Time incarnate. That only made my choices up to this point more condemning. The flood of magma in my gut began to rise again, as I watched what seemed to be some harmless being floating to and fro. A glowing translucent yellow blobby orb with pitch black numbers spinning within it. It didn’t seem to be looking for anything anymore. Though I’m not sure how it would see anything with its lack of eyes. I contemplated whether taking another shot was a good idea or suicidal. Then it froze. Just stopped milling around. The distortion in its actions brought my fears front and center as its otherworldly form began to shatter. What I had seen up to this point must have just been a shell? It didn’t matter because spirals within spirals began to expand and contract bringing a body into form. Holding true to its name the arms of the clock sprang forth like spears for limbs. Slowly one at a time, one limb after another glided silently from what one could only guess to be its body. It was terrifying before, now it was down right horrifying. Primal fear gripped my heart as my very bones began to try to shake themselves free of the situation I had entrenched them in. Deep spirals illuminated its head. Before my mind could try to comprehend what was happening, they pierced my gaze. Full body shudders of terror rolled through me as the spirals tried to envelop me. Luckily, my legs gave out and I fell out of Time’s grasp. I began to shimmy sideways to a spot that was more enclosed. You would think full body shivers would help you shimmy faster but surprisingly it does not. The magma was rising again which at least helped me to pick up speed. After what felt like eons I made it to my stronghold of choice. I didn’t have the luxury of getting to relax but my body had other ideas. Deep heaving breaths dragged in as I lay limp. I tried to take stock of where I was. Damp concrete was overhead and dirt embraced me from below. I must have slid under one of the ruined buildings possibly? I wasn’t sure, I had lost all sense of direction. One thing was for sure I needed to get my breathing under control. For a moment I thought I had found success; but when my eyes began to sluggishly slide down… 

Tik… tik… tik… what could I do? Dong… Dong… Dong… Three echoing chimes rang out. Think. Think. Think. The barren classroom flashed in my mind. Right, this was Time, an ethereal being that should be avoided at all costs. Well, that was already out the window; what else was there? “If you do find yourself fighting Time then accept that death is likely but not inevitable. Running is your only hope of surviving. But be warned Time is much faster than one may think. If he gets too close, you have already lost.” said some teacher who’s name I always forgot . Dong… Dong… The echoing chimes rang out again. Honestly I couldn’t even remember her face. No wonder I found myself hiding in some dark grungy hole. I never took any of this seriously and once again I was reaping what I had sown. No surprise though, I should have known I never would have amounted to anything. All the signs were there and yet people still gave me chance after chance to prove myself. What a waste. Sorry Captain, I wish I could have proven your trust in me right, but I must have been rotten from the start. 

 Dong… One last chime rang so loud I could feel the reverberations beneath me. My breath was stolen from my lungs as I was dragged out feet first. All rational thought evaded me as my head forced out into the open again. I felt pain erupt from my wrists as it pinned me in place. My eyes couldn’t help themselves as they tried to sneak a glance at the face of this living nightmare. Time screeched to a halt: my heart which had been hammering stopped thumping. My eyes were stuck mid blink, my breath was perpetually gone, and the pain in my wrists was ever present. My last moment would be forever staring into the infinite spirals of Time’s embrace.