The Clockmaker's Paradox

the type to o

n't act rashly without consider

s work was all th

, every equation-it all pointed to o

he w

frighte

workshop. The clock-lined walls ticked in harmony, each second a li

o know t

a deep breath and reached

ic

a jolt of electricity across his skin. The air hardened, pushing in

quickly, the

le

nding against his ribcage. His eyes s

th

fir

-a g

ped. The floorboards

aught. He wa

regained co

rkshop corner, this se

refl

n object existing in th

her

essed in more rumpled clothes, his hair slightly mes

throat t

loser. "Don't-" his own voice grit

this the same clone he'd ha

you?" Elia

eyes darted towards the workbenc

ut of nowhe

ly had tim

he way. Hands clamped on the device. Elia

His voice-Elias's own voice-was desperate

didn't

round the device. "I

s snarled and

he swing. But before he could recover, his duplica

through

. He struggled, pushing his duplicate off him. They b

ed its fist ar

d as it slammed it

!" Elias shouted

nderstand! Every time you rewind, you're

pounded. "Then

hesitated. Jus

use I'd rather be t

h

mself, ready fo

't strike. Instead, he

me, he

heart

te pressed

m. Elias stumbled back as the device activ

The air stretched.

hen,

py was

into thin air

'd never

dy rebelled. His mind reeled. He spun around, sear

th

uplicate had dropped it. The machine st

attle never

that

ondering if he was leaving b

lse, something much mor

ine just. wi

he air in the room

to tell

was true-if all the rewinding left someone

rring wit