He can’t leave his town, that’s why not. “He’s in Enfield, for one thing. For another, I barely know him. Forget I said anything. I might not even see him again.”
Despite Cassie’s pleading, Danny couldn’t explain further, so he left the garage to wander the dismal day alone. Besides, seeing his father’s auto strung up for repair depressed him.
He bought bread and milk. The shop blended into meaningless colors, and he hardly paid attention to his transaction with the automaton behind the counter. The figure was man-shaped and made of bronze, although it had no face. Someone, no doubt one of the other shop clerks, had put glasses and a hat on it. The automaton jerkily lifted its hat to Danny when he paid.
The city hummed with energy and insistence—go here, do this, look at that, step aside—a pushing, cycling swell of activity. Not like Enfield. Quiet Enfield, where the only push was the wind sweeping across the grass of the village green like an ocean wave. Where people’s eyes met and their lips turned up in true smiles. No averted gazes, no hard mouths. How are you and good day instead of spits and curses. A place to draw a deep breath. A place his lungs ached for.
Back at home, Danny drew a bath. He quickly submerged his body to hide it from the scrutinizing reflection in the mirror on the wall. He curled up in the water and inhaled the steam, slumping against the side of the tub.
His reflection refused to stay hidden. When he turned his head, his own face stared back: thin, sharp, young. Green eyes, dramatic eyebrows. A taunting echo of his father. A ghost that haunted his mother. What he would give for the automaton’s harmless blank mask.
The telephone rang around noon, and he rushed to answer it. He craved anything that might break the brooding silence.
“Daniel, thank God I caught you at home,” the Lead Mechanic said in a rush. “It’s that damn Enfield clock again. Something’s happened.”
Danny’s heart ricocheted off his clavicle. He’d wished for anything to break the silence—anything but this. “S-something’s happened, sir?”
“The escapement’s gone off, and time is completely warped. It runs slow, then fast. The people can’t catch up. And the face has been scratched again.”
Danny’s fear turned to fury, sharp and hot in his throat. He wasn’t going to let this sway him into going. He’d made up his mind to stay away. “Sir, I wish I could go, but my auto’s in the shop.”
The Lead sighed. Danny could almost see him nodding. “It can’t be helped, then. We’ll send a driver for you.”
“But, sir, another mechanic could—”
“No, no. You’re already familiar with the tower, and I trust you. Just try to get there as soon as possible. I’ll send Summers as well.”
“I …” No matter what he said, the Lead wouldn’t take no for an answer. Danny exhaled through his teeth. “All right. But let me call the shop for my auto, sir. My friend works there.”
“Very good.”
Danny slammed the receiver back onto its hook. Clenching his jaw, he thought about the smile he had last seen on Colton’s face, full and bright. Then he thought about the ruined clock face in Rotherfield.
He wasn’t going to let Colton get away with this.
He felt the wrongness even before he reached the town’s perimeter. A violent shudder crawled over his skin, followed by a flash of cold and a flash of heat. Danny fumbled with his timepiece. The hands were zooming around its face. As he watched, they slowed to their normal movement, then sped up again. Danny looked up and saw that, though it was early afternoon, the sky was steadily progressing toward sunset.
Townspeople were muttering and groaning, watching the same spectacle from the green. Someone saw Danny and clapped him on the back.
“Here’s our man! Fix it up right, won’t you?”
“Yes, I’ll just—if I could get through?”
“Clear the way,” the mayor said loudly, sweeping his arm to make room for Danny to pass. Still, a few people trailed behind, accompanying him to the base of the tower like some bizarre entourage. How was he supposed to work with these anxious people watching? Danny wanted to scare them off, wondering if they would scatter like the pigeons in the park.
“It’s going to take a while,” he told them. “You should wait at home.” He met eyes with Aldridge, and the mayor nodded before he echoed Danny’s words as an order. Some people muttered and walked off, but a few rebelliously stayed across the street, staring up at the scratched clock face.
“This won’t be another Rotherfield, will it?” the mayor whispered to Danny.
“No, sir. I should hope not.”
Not if he had anything to say about it.
Brandon stood outside the tower door. They nodded in greeting and took to the stairs.