The Journey of the Time-traveling Watchmaker
The narrow alleys of Edinburgh, Scotland, were home to Angus McTavish, a humble watchmaker with an uncanny reputation. He was no regular craftsman; he was known to experiment with his creations, trying to extend the limitations of conventional time measurement devices.
One bitter cold morning, Angus woke up to find a strange piece of machinery at his doorstep - a series of interconnected gears and pulleys, delicately crafted to perfection. As a man of science and curiosity, Angus couldn't resist getting his hands on this otherworldly device. He quickly realized that it was an antique model of the machinery used in ancient astronomical clocks.
Driven by the intrigue, Angus decided to blend this intricate device into one of his standard pocket watches, to see what would happen. For weeks, he dedicated himself to the creation, foregoing social interactions, some meals, and even sleep on some nights.
Using his last gold piece, Angus finally completed the watch, interweaving the ancient design with his contemporary mechanics. As he clicked the button to set the time, the surroundings blurred around him. Paralyzing fear struck him as he was whisked away to a different time period. He had stumbled upon time travel.
He found himself standing in a bustling marketplace thriving with people in medieval attire. Upon inquiry, he discovered that he had traveled back to the year 1535. Determined to return to his own time, Angus tuned the watch's dials, praying that it would work. As everything started spinning around again, he held the watch close and shut his eyes tight.
He landed back safely in his modest home in 19th century Edinburgh. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized the sheer magnitude of his discovery - he had become a time traveler! Not wanting to risk another accident, Angus decided to hide the watch, fearing its potential misuse.
However, one could only resist the siren’s call for so long. The prospect of witnessing history firsthand became too enticing for Angus. He began to travel back and forth in time, visiting eras he had only read about in books. He conversed with the likes of William Shakespeare and watched the Coronation of Queen Victoria, marveling at each new encounter.
As word spread far and wide about the man who could predict the past and the future with impeccable accuracy, Angus began to attract unwanted attention. The authorities became suspicious, and there were rumors about the 'Time-Traveling Watchmaker' in quiet taverns and crowded marketplaces.
One day, the Sheriff arrived at Angus's workshop. He had come to arrest Angus under suspicions of witchcraft and sorcery, driven by fear and superstitious beliefs. In an attempt to escape, Angus used his watch, intending to travel back a few hours to avoid the Sheriff. But in his haste, his fingers slipped, and he ended up dialing a year far into the future.
He found himself surrounded by strange buildings and flying machines. It was the 21st century. Realizing his mistake, and unable to correct it because the fear of getting caught didn't allow him to focus, Angus decided to stay hidden by blending in.
Today, rumors persist amongst the locals of a wise old man who knows too much about the world. They speak of the watchmaker who mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind only traces of his marvels. Meanwhile, Angus lives amongst them unnoticed, quietly observing the ever-changing world.
In the grand library of our universe, tales of heroes, tragedies, love, and despair are written. But there are some stories, like that of Angus McTavish, that lie in the gaps between the lines, waiting to be discovered.