7/9/??
Within moments, the world around him morphed and twisted. The air was replaced with the pressure of water, his vision clouded by the dark blue of the sea. Echo held his breath, his chest beginning to burn, as he looked around at the unexpected sight. This underwater kingdom was unlike anything he had ever seen – the people were strangely familiar, but their features were distinctly different, with scales adorning their skin and fins in place of limbs.
"Oh no, i'm out of breath."
Then, the lack of oxygen caused a dizzying rush, and everything went black.
As time ticked on, Echo slowly woke up, finding himself lying in a strange bed in a completely unfamiliar place. The air surrounding him felt different, almost too easy to breathe. He pushed himself up, his movements slow and cautious, and looked around the small wooden house. The only light came from the faint glow of bioluminescent creatures outside, casting eerie shadows on the walls. He patted his pocket, feeling the weight of the pocket knife within. With a deep breath, he pushed himself up and stepped into the dark hallway.
"This place looks scary, i can't see a thing!"
Suddenly, he felt a pressure on his shoulder, causing him to spin around in alarm. Without thinking, he swung the knife blindly, only to see a shadowed figure fall to the ground. An elderly voice spoke, the tone soothing and reassuring.
"Wait son, I'm just an old man."
Startled, Echo looked up to see an old man standing before him.
"Who are you?" Echo demanded.
With a calm and collected demanor, the old man replied.
"Take it easy, young man.I'm Bram Nisim and I've prepared a baked fish for dinner.Why don't you come join me at the dining table for a meal?"
He realized his machine.In a moment of panic, Echo reached into his pocket, only to find it empty. He turned his gaze back to Bram.
"Wait a minute, where's my time machine?!"
"Hey, you!"
"What have you done to my time machine?!"
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, young man.Maybe, tell me some details." Bram replied.
Echo continue probing for answer.
"It's like a light ball with buttons around."
Bram pondered for awhile until he shook his head.
"Sorry, son.I can't say I've ever seen anything like that.But your worries about your time machine won't ease an empty stomach.Let's head to the table before the fish grows cold."
Bram walked gracefully towards the dining room table and took his seat, his movements fluid and unhurried. After a moment of hesitation, Echo followed suit, his steps a little slower.
The aroma of roasted fish filled the air, its tantalizing scent sending a flutter of anticipation down Echo's mind.
"Come, come."
"Don't just stand there like a lemon, have a seat."
Bram urged gesturing towards the empty seat across from him.Echo settled down, glacing at the old man.
"The smell is delicious.But It'll be disrespectful to eat before the elder.That's what my mom taught me.... Wait, I don't even know him, maybe there's poison inside.... yikes."
Bram noticed what Echo was keep glazing at him.
"Son, you can start eating now."
Echo devoured with an eagerness that seemed more appropriate for someone who had been famished for days, and within a few short minutes, the meal was finished.Bram had something in mind, raise a question.
"I suppose you have a name, my young friend?"
"Should i tell him my name?"
"Well, he seems like a nice guy."
"I'm Echo Amaryllis, I have a few questions for you.First, where am i?"
"Second, why did you saved me."
"And last of all, thanks for the fish, It was delicious."
Bram's face was serious for a brief second and leaned back in his chair.
"Nice to meet you, Echo."
"Thank you and to answer your questions, You're currently in the Kingdom of Aresella. And it's quite striking how closely you resemble my son, that's why i took you in."
While listening to Bram's words, Echo couldn't shake an uneasy feeling. His gut instinct told him something was off, and he felt a heavy weight pressing down on him.
"...Excuse me, I'll be going to the bathroom."
His eyes darted around, searching until he spotted the bathroom's door. Once spotted, he swiftly entered the small space.
Inside the small bathroom, the light was faint, casting a dim glow on the surroundings. Echo looked at the mirror and rubbed his eyes.The reflection in the mirror was not his but instead, a singular red eye staring back at him.
He quickly splashed water on his face, desperately trying to shake off the eeriness. He hurried out of the bathroom, trying to shake off the odd feeling as he returned to the table.
"Mr.Bram, I'm feeling abit stressful.I'll go take a rest."
"Take all the time you need, son." Bram nodded.
Echo retreated into his room, quickly locking the door, put his cap on the side as he slipped under the blanket.
"There's something wrong about that Bram guy... no, maybe i'm the problem.Nevertheless, i need some rest."
Echo slumbered through the night.The following day, Bram woke Echo.
"Wake up, son.I'll be out shopping.Can you mind the house in my absence?"
With heavy lids, Echo managed to spoke up.The exhaustion from interrupted sleep evident in his voice.
"Yea..mm...."
Once Bram departed, Echo's thoughts began to race. A nagging feeling clawed at his mind as he remembered something he had almost forgotten.
"Wait."
"Why does he sound like my mother?"
"And...I specifically remember locking the door before retiring....oh hell no."
With a sense of urgency, he rushed out from the bed, he observed around, determined to find the elusive time machine.
He searched everywhere, from the closet in his room to the kitchen cupboards. But so far, there was no sign of his time machine. The only area left to search was the basement.He headed downwards. To his surprise, he spotted his cap lying on the floor.
"He had my cap all this time!?"
He collected his cap back.While searching the basement, Echo stumbled upon the time machine concealed behind a closet.Relief as he found his time machine and he quickly pressed the button, only go be met with 'Out of Energy."
"No!"
"This could not be happening here!"
The slammed door sound echo through the whole house.Echo turned around slowly to see, Bram had morphed into a grotesque fusion of fish and man, with scales and fins fused with human limbs.
"Son, did you find your hiding spot yet?"