Draft of Time's Echo
In the heart of the city stood an old clock tower, its hands frozen in time. It was here that I found the machine-a sleek, metallic device with dials and levers that promised access to the past. The inventor had left behind only one instruction: 'Change nothing.' But curiosity got the better of me.
That first day, I stepped through the portal, expecting a brief glimpse into history. Instead, I emerged in 1920s New York City. The streets were alive with bustling humanity, and the air reeked of smoke from countless automobiles. As I wandered, I encountered a woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to my great-grandmother.
She led me to a speakeasy where prohibition-era secrets were whispered. In a moment of reckless optimism, I intervened, altering a conversation that saved lives but also changed the course of history. Back in 2045, the world was unrecognizable-a dystopian landscape with environmental disasters and societal collapse.
With the clock ticking down on my resources, I returned to 1920s New York one last time. This time, instead of changing anything, I merely observed. I saw a future that was both better and worse than my own-history had been rewritten in countless ways. In despair, I made my final journey back to the clock tower.
As I stepped through the portal for the last time, the machine hissed softly before shutting down permanently. The hands of the clock began to move again, slowly but surely, until they ticked over and stopped completely. Time had closed its book on me.
Draft Review of Time's Echo
The draft effectively sets up the premise and stakes well, but there are some areas for improvement. The pacing could be smoother, especially in the transition from one timeline to another. Character development is minimal; the protagonist's motivations and emotions could be explored more deeply. Additionally, the resolution feels abrupt without a clear sense of closure or impact on the protagonist's journey.