Delbert stood across the street, staring at the lawn and flowers in front of his Dunsel Domicile. Its shingled evergreen roof complimented the two story dwelling, constructed around a massive analog clock. The enormous hands of the clock made from antique brass, stood frozen around roman numerals. Since the ability to read analog clocks was long forgotten by most, and digital clocks were rare, the concept of time was hardly ever used anymore.
The shift happened five years ago. Time didn’t vanish, but it became decentralized, woven into the collective consciousness of every organism. Centralized clocks were seldom used. The clock house was now a architectural curiosity, a silent monument to a fading past. It had once been the master regulator of the universe, the critical lever that pushed existence forward.
Delbert, the last known Timekeeper, still lived there. His official duties – daily winding, the minute corrections against stellar drift, the oiling of the massive, hidden gears, were superfluous. Once, he lived on edge, terrified of a single missed second that could unravel the universe. Now, his life was defined by the absence of urgency. He felt a crushing sense of uselessness and often wandered about the silent home, running his hands over the outdated mechanism. Delbert was a conductor without an orchestra, a guardian of time that was shut down.
Nature became the true time keeper. The seasons, tide, and circadian rhythms reigned as the primary regulators. Crops didn’t ripen on a calendar day and time. They ripen based on internal processes, water levels, and temperature. Even the roses around the clock home bloomed when their internal, genetic timeline dictated. Delbert sauntered up the driveway, entering his home with head down and a heavy heart. Mother Nature took his job.
Walking through the attic, he found his old traveling alarm clock, a small silver wind-up model. Nostalgia made him wind it and set the hands to the same positions as the outside clock. He placed it by his bedside as a comforting token of the past. Sometime during the night a tinny ring-ring sliced the air. Delbert shot upright, heart pounding, ready for a time emergency that never was.
He felt around for the clock, silencing it. Looking out the window, he noted the stars were brilliant and sharp, and the cool air fine tuned his thoughts. He walked out the front door, down the driveway in the dead of night. Without looking back, he decided in his PJ’s and bare feet that the historical clock house possessed too many memories. Time no longer needed him, and he no longer needed its instruments. Delbert decided he would rent a small studio apartment and find a new job, without time.
end
AN: My writing group came up with the prompt “Change.” I added homage to the original Star Trek episode 24 of season 2 ‘The Ultimate Computer.’ Kirk was called Captain Dunsel.
Fictionista 
You’ve ranged widely, wisely, and well in this short piece, Darnell. It’s quite rhythmic and so well written. Most impressive!
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Thank you Annie! I appreciate your comment. You’ve been supporting me for a long time. It means much to me.
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I don’t ask for notifications of any newly published blog posts, so I have missed some of your stories. I always enjoy them!!
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I agree with Heather – what a great visual to accompany your fantastic story.
As we changed our time a week (? or so) ago I commented that many probably didn’t even realize it happened. We don’t read daily newspapers anymore, many rely on streaming services instead of live TV and on smart devices that change time on their own. How weird!
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P.S. Is your writing group a local, in person one, or virtual?
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We meet virtual once a month to give writing encouragement to each other and swap short stories. Good to hear from a long time writer and blogger. As you say “Stay Golden”
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So true! Technology changes the time for us…one reason most teens dont know how to read analog clocks. Thanks for reading. This post has resonated with readers. Glad you liked it.
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That’s a great short story, Darnell. Really interesting since I am still pondering about how we use the time now. Clocks in our house still work although I seldom look at them, and I know longer where a wristwatch. It’s my smartphone or my laptop.
But since I have retired I can wander around the garden watching birds, squirrels and things. They know the seasons, and they are very busy just now since it’s spring!
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Thanks Chris. Mother Nature is the real time keeper!
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I loved it. A very good one !
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I appreciate it. Thanks for reading.
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My pleasure🤓
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😢
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Time will tell…😉
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Real good!
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Thank you!
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What a wonderful and impactful short story!! And the AI image is AWESOME!!
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I use AI to inspire, then write! Thanks for the support.
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