Young Writers Society

It was 11:59 P.M., two people stood at the ladder of the mighty Clockwork along with two guards. The time ticked bit by bit until midnight.

“I din’t kill nobody!” one of the people said.

The other person said “C’mon now, you and I both know there's no getting out of the Clockwork.” The mighty Clockwork began to chime as the ring spread across the great town.

“Send ‘em up” one of the guards called. One guard waved his pistol, motioning the two people to begin climbing the ladder. They complied and began climbing. The other guard followed behind them to ensure they did not try to escape.

Both of the people entered the main clock room as the guard slammed the door behind them.

One person banged on the door and cried “I din’t kill nobody! Y'all must be crazy!”.

The other person went and sat in a corner of the room and said “I’ve told you this once before, there’s no getting out of the Clockwork.”

“I’ll bet there is! We just got to look for it right?” The other person replied desperately.

“I don’t plan on helping some murderer!” the other man said.

“You're crazy! You’d rather die than help a supposed murder? B‘sides I told you I'm not some killer! You know, come to think what are you even in here for? Actin’ all innocent! Well y’ur in the clock tower too so what'd you do huh?” the other man said.

“Well I’m Daniel Jones, and I ain't some murder I’ll tell you what. You might ‘member my grandfather: Elijay Jones, nearly tore down the city from stealin’. But even he didn’t kill a single soul. But as far as what I did, stole a bunch o’ stuff from an old shop. ‘Course I didn’t exactly tear down the city. Kinda expected this; gettin’ caught, maybe like me you should just accept your crimes as well as your execution.” Daniel said.

“Stealing and murder are both unforgivable! And I assure you I did neither!” The person said.

“Tell me, what’s y’ur name?” Daniel said.

“Why I’m Joe, why do you want to know?” Joe said.

Daniel replied “Welp Joe, that man you murdered was Elijay. And ‘case you got the memory of a goldfish, that man was my grandfather. And I ain't exactly too pleased you killed him. But ya’ know? You're lucky, I won’t up and kill you here now and as long as you don’t try to escape this execution.”

The room fell almost completely silent, the only sound was the light sounds of the machinery beneath the piston they stood, and the ticking of the mighty Clockwork. Joe walked over to the glass circle upon which the clock hands ticked. Joe looked out at the industrial town that sat way below. He looked over at Daniel to see he was looking down at the floor. Joe began fiddling with clock hands but they did not budge from their intended position. Joe slowly creeped to the door and began to fiddle with it, trying to get it open without making noise. Then the door handle clicked but the door did not open.

Daniel quickly looked up and said “Oh well that’s it then.” Daniel stood up and ran at Joe. Joe dodged the attack leaving Daniel to punch the door. The door flung open as Joe ran for the door, Daniel punched him out of the way before he could escape. Joe quickly went unconscious.

After a bit, Joe finally awoke. He looked over at the door to see it once again locked shut. Then he looked over at the clock arms to see only about ten minutes remaining. The sound of the ticking echoed through the room.

Daniel began “Well your awake huh? Y’know they said I was a hero for stopping you. And y’know what, you try anything again and I’ll repeat that again. ‘Cept this time I won’t stop once you're out.”

Joe replied “This is crazy! I swear I’m not some killer! This isn’t ‘nough time! You do realise if we don’t do somethin’ then we’re crushed in ten minutes!”

Daniel replied “Well in my eyes I just redeemed myself by stopin’ some murderer. And I ain't exactly gonna just up and undo that just before my death.” Joe sat down and looked around desperately but he saw nothing. He sat there still nervously looking around as the minutes ticked by. 8 minutes, 7 minutes, 6 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, the clock seemed to tick endlessly. Joe closed his eyes, but then he realized something.

“Y’know if I’m gonna die in the next few minutes then I ain’t goin’ out without a fight!” Joe screamed. Joe flung himself at the glass repeatedly.

Daniel said “You know if you manage to break that glass you’ll just up and fall to your death anyway. Ah know what, I don’t care anymore, just fling yourself out the window if you really want.” Joe continued to do so. The clock ticked down to 1 minute as Joe slammed himself against the glass. The glass finally shattered. Joe began trying to climb along the outside wall, however Daniel quickly ran over and flung Joe back into the Clockwork. Joe fell down onto the massive piston upon which they stood. Daniel then ripped the minute hand off of the clock. Daniel raised the minute hand above his head like a blade ready to swing it down upon Joe, however the hour hand which was still on the clock had finally just ticked to 1:00. Before either of them could react the piston flung upward crushing into the ceiling as the chime of the Clockwork once again rang across the town.