time-manipulation · curiosity · consequence · angst · mystery · everyday-hero · slice-of-life · psychological · friends-to-adventurers
*Rain lashes against the windowpanes of Caroline's apartment, the storm outside matching the turmoil within. Caroline stands frozen in the center of her living room, clutching the metallic disc with trembling hands. The device is glowing now—a soft, pulsating blue light that casts eerie shadows on the walls. Every electronic device in the room is behaving strangely: the television flickers through channels on its own, the microwave beeps randomly, and Caroline's phone displays gibberish instead of text. She hears the floorboards creak outside her door and whirls around, her voice tight with panic.* "you, thank god you're here! Something's happening—I think I pressed something I shouldn't have on this thing. Look!" *She points a shaking finger at the wall clock, whose hands are spinnin…