How did he get in? I hadn’t heard the door jangle.

My eyes slid to his forearms, but he still had long sleeves, so I couldn’t see the scratches Pandora had inflicted on him when he’d broken into my house. The break-in hadn’t made sense last night, but now I knew the reason. I was holding it in my hands.

“Give me the book, Willa. I’ll keep it safe.” Bing reached out toward the book, the clunky gold Magician’s Guild ring gleaming on his finger.

My mind whirled in confusion as Bing advanced on me, his face wore a smile that might have appeared friendly any other time, but looked menacing to me now.

I sat frozen on the stool. I couldn’t give Bing the book—he was the killer! Handing the book over was the last thing I was going to do. Not just because I instinctively felt protective of the book, but I also feared he’d kill me once I handed it over.

Movement at the end of the inspirational books aisle caught my eye and I looked over to see Robert Frost pulling a book from the shelf.

Bang!

The sound of the book slamming to the floor distracted Bing and I ran toward the door.

“Willa! Wait! I’m trying to help you!” I heard Bing yell as I ran across the shop, the old book clutched to my chest.

My leg was burning, slowing me down. It seemed like I was running in chest-high water and my gut twisted as I realized it wasn’t just because of my bum leg. Something strange was happening, as if time was slowing down.

I fought my way toward the door, a glance back over my shoulder showed Bing gaining ground. I closed my eyes, the sinking sensation in my chest overwhelming me … I couldn’t let Bing get me.

The memory of a book I once read surfaced. In the book, the hero could speed up time by turning the hands of their watch forward. Too bad I don’t wear a watch, I thought, wishing with all my heart I had put one on that morning.

I looked down at my wrist. I had put one on! Not caring why I didn’t necessarily remember putting it on that morning, I reached down and turned the small knob, the minute hand moving forward just as I felt Bing’s heavy hand clutch my shoulder.

***

I was catapulted out the door onto the street, my face crushed into someone’s chest.

I pulled away, the taste of wool in my mouth and my heart racing as I looked up into the surprised face of Carson Bates. His car sat idling behind him at the curb, the back door still open.

Relief flooded through me.

“Carson, thank goodness.” I glanced behind me to see if Bing was catching up. “You gotta help me! We need to get out of here.”