THE UNCANNY SURPRISE
The morning sun was just beginning to cast its warm, golden glow through the window.
Jack paced around his brightly lit room, his steps echoing through the stillness of the day. His eyes were fixed on the wall clock, its hands ticking away the seconds like an agonizingly slow drumbeat. He felt restless, anxiety gnawing at the edges of his mind. The room was shrouded in light, save for the dark glow of the clock, which cast eerie shadows upon the walls.
It was a few minutes to midday, and Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency. He longed to call Lily, to hear her voice, to feel the familiar comfort of her presence, but he knew it would be too early in Capitol City. The distance that separated them was not only in miles but also in time. Mexico and Capitol City operate in different time zones.