Russian Department of Quantum Physics
Doc 0.1.645.A.S.Y
Date: 29-10-1989
From Kelvinov Strontiy, Lead Researcher, Facility 005
Subject: NEW PROJECT
Event confirmed: Intelligence confirms that the Americans have obtained [REDACTED]. Early signs show they've begun testing experimental systems related to time travel technology. U.S. teams are now starting Phase One of their own time machine project.
Transmission ends.
Confused, hazy, and dazed, Shisui stood before the desk, staring at the book. His mind whirled, calculating the odds, questioning the chances. Could the stranger really have bought and read the exact same book he couldn't find that morning? Was it just a coincidence? The book wasn't popular, and it was far from it. Not the kind you'd expect to see in someone's hands. In fact, it wasn't the kind of book meant for just anyone. There was no way the book had just ended up here on its own. That was the most far-fetched, superstitious thought Shisui had allowed himself to consider. Despite his curiosity, Shisui resisted the urge to touch the book. He didn't want to risk stirring up any trouble with the stranger. To break the cycle of questions spinning in his mind, he turned away and faced the opposite wall. A wide, empty stretch of white surface. From four meters away, the wall looked impossibly white, cleaner than anything else in the room. Unlike the other three, it had no dust, no stains, no cracks, and no decorations. Shisui glanced around. His curiosity drifted from the book to the wall. How did he manage to keep just this one so clean? he wondered. He stepped closer. And with each step, the wall seemed to grow. Not just in size, but in presence. Shisui scanned from corner to another, eyes narrowing, glancing closely at every inch of the wall. He searched for the tiniest flaw that would break this illusion. For a moment, Shisui was a dirt detective on the job. But the wall remained perfect. Impossibly perfect. He looked again. And again. The more he searched, the more the wall seemed to shift. As if it were hiding something from him. A shy wall. Now, it felt even more vast. Time felt slower. Shisui's thoughts stretched beyond the limits of logic, ideas that nearly drove him to the point of exhaustion... more like madness. He sank to his knees, still staring at the magnificent wall. It felt as though it had won. Like it had accepted Shisui's challenge, turned it around, and owned him. For Shisui, it wasn't just a wall anymore; it was a rival. An enemy that knew him. It was studying him. But Shisui refused to lose, not to a wall. He felt the urge to win no matter what. The wall may have won the battle, but not the war. Shisui lifted his left leg, examined the sole of his shoe, looking for any stain, dirt, mark, dust...anything. The evil in him wanted to strike back. Desired to kill its enemy. To ruin the wall's magnificence, his mark will be its epitaph. Shisui started stepping away from the wall. Four meters was all he needed for one last look at his foe. A small smile played on his lips as he started to walk back, ready to kick the wall and claim victory in this silent war. But suddenly, he bumped into something. He turned around and found the face of the stranger staring straight into his eyes. He had a face with a spark of amusement. Like watching a wild animal performing tricks behind bars. Shisui froze. The stranger's presence pulled him back to reality. As if nothing had happened, Shisui approached the stranger and extended his hand for a handshake. The stranger took it briefly, then turned away without a word and walked back to his desk. In the quiet that followed, Shisui trailed behind and took a seat on the chair beside the hourglass.
"Did you fix it?" Shisui asked the stranger, breaking the silence.
"Fixed what exactly?" The stranger replied.
"My wristwatch?!" Shisui exclaimed.
"Oh! Nope... No, I didn't!"
Shisui stared at him, unsure if the man was being sincere or just messing with him. He said nothing, but his expression sharpened, tense, focused, carrying the weight of quiet concern.
"Quit looking at me like that," the stranger said bluntly. "I couldn't fix your watch. For some reason, every time I try, it jumps straight back to 6:45."
"Have you tried to—"
"Shh!" the stranger snapped, interrupting him. "Don't tell me how to do my job."
Shisui's patience was wearing thin. He was close to his limit with the guy's attitude.
"That's... odd," Shisui said, steadying his breath.
The stranger fell silent, then disappeared into a small back room. Moments later, he returned carrying an odd assortment of items. A phone, a microwave, and a coffee machine. He placed each item next to the other. Shisui blinked, watching him with growing confusion. He stayed quiet, trying to make sense of whatever was happening.
"Have you noticed anything?" The stranger asked him.
Shisui looked over the items one by one. He examined the microwave because that seemed important. Then the coffee machine, as if it might hold answers. Finally, he unlocked the phone, convinced this was the moment everything would suddenly make sense.
"They're working…" Shisui said hesitantly.
"Dumbass, look at the timer on each one!" the stranger snapped.
Shisui took a closer look. Each timer, strangely, was stuck at the same time as his wristwatch: 6:45. Confusion washed over him like never before. He stared closely, watching the timers flicker from 6:46 back to 6:45 in an instant.
"How is that even possible?" Shisui asked, a hint of unease in his voice.
"It's hard to explain," the stranger said quietly. "But these aren't the only things trapped in this... anomaly."
Shisui glared. "Then what exactly is going on?"
The stranger leaned in, lowering his voice. "Do you believe in time travel?"