“There was one, after he met you on the embankment.”
“I'm sure I'll find the reason for all this mess. Right now, I need time and as much as it takes.”
“What if he doesn’t have that time?” Libby asked, frightened.
“There is always time. Be patient. And yes, Elizabeth, stop waiting for approval from other Guides.”
“What?” she exclaimed, taken aback.
“I saw how you were glancing at the other Guides while performing. Trust me, it’s not worth your worries. Fear only hinders you from focusing on your own goals.”
“I understand. But this is my first mistake, and it’s already such a serious one. I’ve thought a lot about what I did wrong. My task was to inspire Constantin, encourage him to take bold actions, fall in love with girls and his creativity. Instead, he became gloomy and obsessed with his desires.”
“We all make mistakes. The only difference is whether you are willing to correct them,” Sophia dismissed.
The Ephor approached the sink to wash her hands when suddenly a woman in her forties emerged from the neighboring stall and looked around in confusion.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked Sophia.
Sophia tapped her index finger on the earpiece in her right ear, which Libby hadn’t noticed under her hair.
“I have a theatrical production coming up. We’re constantly rehearsing.”
“Well, I wish you good luck,” the woman said with a smile as she headed for the exit.
Guide Kanis, following her charge, rolled his eyes and shook his head at them.
Libby wanted to drown herself in that tiny bathroom sink.
Returning to Constantin, she gazed thoughtfully at Sophia.
“There’s always time… How strange.”
Guides never loved time, unlike the Ephors. For them, time passed just as quickly as it did for people. They had to work diligently every second, because every moment their charge made choices that shifted the direction of their life.
The kaleidoscope of events spun relentlessly, even at night. While people slept, guides implanted thoughts and perceptions that they would wake up to. This was why sleep specialists had struggled for years to understand why the structure and routine of sleep often changed. If a guide was anxious and couldn’t separate their feelings from those of their charge, the person suffered from insomnia. This was destructive for both the guide and the charge.
At night, people’s thoughts became clearer, free from external distractions. They had space to contemplate the bigger picture and engage in philosophy. But this also created a risk of existential crises and a reevaluation of personal values.
Time became an eternal shepherd, always pushing forward. And while for the Ephors, time flowed steadily and clearly, for both people and guides, it was chaotic and unpredictable.
Libby recalled how Constantin’s watch had fallen off his wrist. The treacherous strap had lost its strength, just like his patience. But in that moment, it was so clear that he didn’t need to glance at his wrist, searching for an excuse to relax artificially or to find that precious free hour. After all, people who move toward their goals at a leisurely pace are always beautiful; it’s all about dignity.
“Looking at the clock is just a pleasant way to kill time,” wrote a famous author.
And it’s no wonder. His guide was also Kallidus, who infused him with inspiration but couldn’t keep up with the frantic pace of time.
