The Lost CreepyGrams - THE ANTIQUE MANTLE CLOCK

 

Here is another unpublished CreepyGram (a short horror story of 365 words, a two minute read). This is another escapee from The CreepyGram Chronicles, not appearing anywhere else before this. 

THE ANTIQUE MANTLE CLOCK

The 1787 bronze mantle clock featured a statue of the Greek goddess Hebe in a reclining position. It had an open escapement and face. It contained three keyholes with a vase next to the goddess to store them. The first key was to keep time. The second key operated the chime. But the third key…

It was currently residing in the Morgan Jewelers and Pawn Shop. The proprietor had only taken the clock on consignment but never returned. It went unsold for years.

Until Regina Hawfield entered the shop. She was on vacation with her wealthy yet exceedingly dull husband of fifty years, Ian. Boring, rigid Ian. 

She knew how to keep the clock and chimes wound with the first keys, but the third key intrigued her. Worried she might break it, she turned the key a quarter turn. As she placed the key back in the small vase, the hands of the clock ran backward.

She screamed outright as she saw her reflection in the display case. She looked twenty again. Make that 18.

The clerk looked up from a mystery novel he was reading. “Sorry, ma’am. You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Regina said.

“When your mom she gets back, tell her the clock is $500. No less,” he said, then resumed reading his book.

She could finally do it. She could start over, leaving that neglectful husband of hers. She could find another rich man who would take care of her. One younger and more exciting than Ian.

At 15 minutes, the clock hands resumed their forward movement. Regina was again her 67-year-old self. 15 minutes per quarter turn of the third key, Regina realized. She bought the clock.

She knew how the clock worked. First, a few men. No need to get tied down right away. But first, she had to get rid of Ian. 

The police would be looking for the 67-year-old Regina as his killer. The 18-year-old would get off scot-free. As long as she remembered to wind the clock she would be fine.

Regina walked casually back to the hotel to put her plans into action. She was in no rush. She had all the time in the world.