When the Clock Strikes Us

The Time Loop Theory

Present Day — 3:00 PM, Kayangan Lake

The sun cast shimmering patterns on the crystal-clear waters of Kayangan Lake, revealing the limestone cliffs that stood like silent sentinels around the basin. Gretah stood at the edge of the wooden platform, her camera capturing the serene beauty of the lake. Yet, her thoughts were anything but tranquil.

Theo approached, holding a notebook filled with scribbles and diagrams. He had been researching the historical events tied to the area, convinced that the lake held secrets connected to their recurring dreams.

"Did you find anything new?" Gretah asked, her eyes still on the viewfinder.

Theo nodded. "There are legends about this place—stories of souls trapped in time, repeating their lives until they find peace."

Gretah turned to him, a chill running down her spine. "It sounds familiar."

Before Theo could respond, Leo joined them, his presence as enigmatic as ever. He handed them each a bottle of water, his gaze lingering on the lake.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said. "It's like time stands still here."

Midnight — Time Slip Begins

As the clock struck 12:00 MN, the world around Gretah and Theo dissolved into a blur of light and sound. When clarity returned, they found themselves in a different era.

The lake was unchanged, but the surroundings bore signs of a bygone time. Wooden boats with intricate carvings floated on the water, and people in traditional attire moved about, their voices carrying tales of daily life.

Gretah looked down at her clothes—she was dressed in a simple yet elegant gown, her hands adorned with delicate jewelry. Theo, beside her, wore the garb of a scholar, a satchel slung over his shoulder.

They were not alone. A young woman approached them, her eyes wide with recognition.

"Amara, Cael," she whispered, "you've returned."

Gretah and Theo exchanged glances, the names resonating deep within them.

The young woman introduced herself as Isla, a healer known for her knowledge of herbs and ancient remedies. She spoke of a prophecy—a cycle of souls destined to meet across lifetimes, their fates intertwined until they could break free from the loop.

Another figure emerged from the shadows: Elias, a warrior with a mysterious past. He claimed to have memories of battles fought and lost, of alliances formed and broken. His presence stirred something in Theo, a sense of familiarity he couldn't place.

As the night unfolded, Gretah and Theo learned more about their past lives. They discovered that their actions in previous cycles had led to tragedies, and that they were now given another chance to set things right.

1:00 AM — Return to Present

Gretah awoke with a start, the vivid images of the past still fresh in her mind. She reached for her journal, scribbling down everything she could remember.

Theo, in his room, did the same. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, but the full picture remained elusive.

Leo, sitting by the lake, watched the stars. He remembered everything—the promises made, the betrayals endured, the love lost. He knew the time loop was more than just a phenomenon; it was a test of their souls.

Morning — 7:14 AM

Theo arrived early at the small café just off the trail near Kayangan's main pier, his journal already open beside a cup of strong native coffee. The dream—the memory—was still vivid in his mind. Isla's prophecy. Elias's warning. Amara's voice echoing through Gretah's... no, through her lips.

He kept glancing toward the path, waiting for Gretah to appear. They had agreed to meet here—if she remembered.

A few minutes later, she walked in, notebook in hand, her face slightly puzzled, like someone searching for a word that sits just beyond the tongue. She spotted Theo and smiled, sliding into the seat across from him.

"I found something strange in my notebook," she said slowly, flipping it open.

Theo straightened. "What do you mean?"

"I... wrote these notes," she said, showing him hastily scribbled phrases. Some were half-drawn images—a limestone cliff, a sketch of Isla's braid, the word Amara underlined twice. "But I don't remember writing any of this. And I definitely don't know an Isla or Elias."

Theo's heart sank slightly. "Do they feel familiar?"

Gretah hesitated. "In a weird way, yes. Like I should know them. And the handwriting's mine. I just—" she sighed. "I dreamt again last night. And you were in it. Like always. But when I wake up... it fades. I only have feelings. Not memories."

Theo forced a gentle smile. "Maybe the dream version of you is trying to tell you something."

She chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, well... she better start being less cryptic."

He nodded, but inside, it confirmed what he feared: She wasn't allowed to remember. Not yet. The time loop still held her mind captive, doling out clues at its own pace.

Back at the Lake

As dusk painted the cliffs in copper light, the three of them—Gretah, Theo, and Leo—stood once again near the lake's edge. The water was calm, but the silence between them rippled with tension. Leo hid himself in the shadows. 

"We need to understand the loop," Gretah said, gripping her camera as though it might anchor her. "To find a way to break it."

Theo looked out across the lake. "And to do that, we have to find out who we really were... and what we did to be caught in it."

Leo, still holding his secret close, watched them both. The ache of something ancient pulsed behind his ribs. "Be careful," he said softly. "The past doesn't just haunt. It fights back."

The wind stirred across the lake, and somewhere beneath it, time stirred too.

END OF CHAPTER

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