Dr. Peter Thorne

The arrow was currently pointed at 1, 1, but Thorne twisted until it was set at Fine.

Gears clicked as the machine prepared to work.

Dr. Thorne lowered his hand at the key and twisted it three times.

The gears turned faster, the sound filling the room with anticipation.

Dr. Thorne joined Benjamin, and together, they waited.

Various researchers had studied the machine over the years, but they had yet to figure out how it worked.

They couldn't take it apart, as it was so complex that nobody was confident they could put it back together again.

The clockwork device consisted of numerous springs, pulleys, gears, belts, and who knew what else.

They even brought in a clockmaker to see if he could make sense of it, but even he was confused.

The only thing they could do was test its capabilities, which also exceeded their knowledge so far.

The researchers recorded the object they put in, but they could never accurately guess what would be returned to them, no matter the setting.

The only thing Dr. Thorne knew was that he wasn't getting his watch back, not the way it was anyway.

He'd been looking forward to his next turn with the machine ever since it turned his white cat black.

Of course, that had been months ago, before the D-186 incident.

Biological testing was strictly prohibited now.

Even so, the possibilities were endless.

Another ding sounded and the output door opened.

Dr. Thorne hurried forward with Benjamin on his heels.

He frowned as he assessed the object that lay before him.

Benjamin's breath was hot on Dr. Thorne's neck.