Keeping Time Part 1 of Chapter 1 The train roared through the city, stopping cars and pedestrians as it passed. Its mechanical, clockwork heart sent thunder resounding off the towering buildings. Pip sat inside, killing time by staring out the window as the metal beast sped through tunnels and navigated between the monolithic structures of New Haven. She was on her way to see her grandmother. As the buildings and the people and the shops zoomed by, Pip gently fingered the slick black pocket watch, a gift from her late mother, which she kept tucked beneath her bright yellow jacket. Like the train, the watch seemed to have a heart of its own that beat with each turn of its gears. "Excuse me, little miss," Pip was stirred from a daydream by the voice of a man. "I believe you dropped this." The man, having bent over to retrieve a strange object from the floor, was now holding it out in his hand while giving her a warm smile. Pip gingerly took it from his hand. The object was metal and plastic, and shined in the sunlight with a warm glow. On the side was a single black button, on its front was a circular grill, and protruding from the top was a telescoping rod. "I... I'm sorry but this isn't mine. I don't even know what it is..." Her voice trailed off as she saw that the man was no longer there. Confused, she pocketed the object. Perhaps her grandmother would know what it was. For now, she slept. --- The electric lamps flickered, and the train shook. Pip was thrown to the floor as the train jolted and lurched. A woman in the seat over screamed as she clung to the brass pole in the center of the train car. Slowly, Pip crawled to join her, seeking an anchor to prevent her from being jostled any further. The next moment, the car was screeching to a halt, derailed on its side. Then everything went black. --- Pip awoke. It was dark and rain fell, pattering on the window that was now directly above her. Suddenly, a disembodied voice spoke. "Hello? If you can hear me, please respond by pushing the button." The voice was under her, and muffled. Startled not only by the recent events, but also by the strange voice, Pip sat up. She looked about and her eyes found the woman that had been screaming, now with a shard of metal in her temple and blood forming puddles around her body. Frightened, Pip attempted to let out a yelp, but fear gripped her throat and no sound came forth. Again the voice spoke: "Little miss, if you are alive find your way out of the car. Please, lord god be alive." Pip found the origin of the voice. It was coming from the peculiar object the man had handed her, and it was his voice, she realized, that was speaking.