Ava recognized the sound this time. The ‘click.’ The knight on the horse still stared, though. It took a step towards her and she jumped--she reminded herself this wasn’t a ghost. It was the timepiece. It wasn’t a ghost. It was the timepiece.

Click.

The crows cawed more anxiously. One dove down towards the knight with a little scream and the horse reared.

Click.

Ava glanced back at Abe and Cece, who were frozen, staring at the strange scene. “It’s the timepiece!” she whispered hoarsely. Abe nodded nervously.

Click.

There was no point in delaying it any longer. She ignored the knight and stepped towards the archway, towards the clicking sound. The horse reared again, and another two crows dove down at it, clawing at its face.

Click.

It was louder now. The horse tried to get closer to her, but the more crows kept flying down, apparently to keep him from doing just that. She moved around the space, feeling for the opening she knew must be there--

Click--she felt the earth twist away from her feet, her body tumble in a whirl through the air, and she landed against the dirt path again with a painful thud.

When she looked up, the night had been swallowed up into a sparkling afternoon light, and Abe and Cece were gone. The knight, however, was still glaring down at her from his horse, more bright and solid than before.

She hesitated. He drew his sword.