Lena wasn't fond of the summer heat in the city, especially when the streets turned into a lazy, heated desert. She was a thirteen-year-old who preferred the comfort of an old library or her own room full of books and small puzzling objects. However, she was most fascinated by watches - she associated each tick with something unusual, as if time flowed a little differently when she looked at the moving hands. That day she came to town with her mother. They were to run the usual errands: the pharmacy, the paper shop, the bakery. Lena walked slowly behind her mum and when they turned into a narrow, paved street, something stopped her. She saw a small, dark shop window that had not been here before - yet she knew all the shops in the area well. The display was full of old clocks and watches, pendulum clocks, wristwatches, pocket watches. A brass plaque hung on the door: "W. Orell - Watchmaker". - 'Mum, you can go on your own, I'll wait here,' said Lena, and her mother waved her hand with a smile and moved on. Lena went inside. There was a smell of dust in the air and some strange, sweetish scent, as if there were flowers growing right next door that you never paid attention to. Behind the counter stood an old man with eyes as grey as steel cogs. He smiled slightly. - Are you looking for something special, young lady? - He asked, pointing to shelves full of all sorts of timekeeping instruments. - I... just... like watches,' muttered Lena. The man leaned towards her, as if he had something very important to tell her. - Are you sure you want to see how time really works? - His voice sounded strangely serious. Lena felt a thrill of excitement. Her gaze fell on the oldest clock in the corner: tall, carved, with a dial decorated with golden stars. She felt as if it was attracting her by an invisible force. The old man pulled a small key from his pocket and handed it to Lena. - This is the key to a door that leads a little further than you think. Open the clock exactly when the hands point to thirteen-thirteen. Until then... don't look back. The clock slowly began to strike another minute. Lena felt as if the air had thickened and each sound grew huge. Her heart was beating faster and faster. The door of the clock was waiting, and she had only a few moments to decide whether she would cross the unknown boundary. The ticking sounded louder and louder all around, and the hands were approaching thirteen thirteen....