The Tinkerer - Chapter 1- The Tinkerer's Prophecy

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INKWELL

THE TINKERER

BY: Grace Zatzkin

Salem 1616.

Hi there. Yes, I am saying hi to you. No, not him. Yes, you. Good, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let's begin.

My name is Clara. I have been a tinkerer since last year. My dad was a tinkerer along with my brother, but they both died on a tinkerer mission and I am pretty sure my mom lied about what happened. My mom died a couple years ago and so it's just me. She called my dad and brothers bastards. But anyway, tinkering is a very dangerous career. You see us tinkerers tinker and build stuff that belongs in the future. You see that phone you are holding to read this, us tinkerers made that. You know there are people who think that females can’t be tinkerers, but I am going to prove them wrong.

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I just have to think of something exotic and magnificent. Take this prophecy for example:

When the wind blows and the Earth cracks, and the fire bends, there will be a time when destruction and chaos come back to life from their shell to try to strike Earth once again. But there is a child. A child with such capabilities that the whole world could burn from just one touch of her finger. A child of the elements. The child is said to be born on a cold late December night. The child will have hair as black as the midnight sky, and a heart as pure and kind as her mothers. She will be filled with curiosity and wisdom. This child is the key to protecting life from the dangers that are yet to come and from the dangers that are already here lurking in forbidden shadows and corners. Watching your every move, your every thought, and every breath.

The question is where is this child?

Yes, we also write prophecies. But you see we have no idea who this prophecy is for, which is unusual, since we know who all the prophecies are about.

Now you might wonder why I am so driven to be a tinkerer, especially in a world where so many doubt my abilities just because I am female. It’s simple: I believe that our future is not determined by fate but instead, crafted by the hands of those brave enough to challenge the norms. Every gadget, every device we create has the ability to change lives now and in the future, to bring a better tomorrow. And I want to be part of that transformation.

My workshop is small, cluttered with half-finished projects and spare parts. Each piece tells a story of trial and error, of ideas born and thrown away. It’s in this chaos that I find my peace, where my mind races with possibilities, and my hands work tirelessly to bring those possibilities to life.

One evening, as I was tinkering with a new invention, a strange device I hoped would generate unlimited screen time on what you call phones, I heard a strange faint knock. It was unusual for anyone to visit at this hour. Hesitant but curious, I open the door to find a young boy standing there. His eyes were that of the ocean, his hair a blond mess, and he had a faint grin on his face. His presence was commanding.

“Are you Clara?” he asked, his voice firm but gentle.

“Yes I am,” I replied, intrigued.

“I’ve heard of your skills, female tinkerer. There is much you do not know, but your destiny is intertwined with the prophecy you speak of.”

I was stunned. How could he know about the prophecy?

“Who are you?” I managed to ask.

“My name is Jack,” he said, “and I am here to guide you to the one who can explain everything to you. The prophecy speaks of a child of the elements and though you do not realize it yet, you are that child.”

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My heart raced. Could it be true? Was I the one destined to protect the world from impending chaos?

The weight of such a responsibility pressed heavily on my chest, a mixture of fear and excitement coursing through my veins. The very thought of it seemed surreal, yet there was a whisper of certainty that tugged at the edges of my consciousness.

Taking a deep breath, I looked around my workshop. The familiar scent of metal and oil filled the air, mingling with the aroma of the pine trees just outside. The wooden walls, adorned with blueprints and sketches, stood as silent witnesses to countless hours of labor and ingenuity. Every corner of the room was occupied by tools, gadgets, and half-finished projects, each bearing the mark of my relentless pursuit of innovation.

The evening light filtered through the small, dusty windows, casting a warm, golden glow on the cluttered workbenches. Shadows danced across the floor, creating a mesmerizing pattern of light and dark. The soft hum of machinery provided a comforting backdrop to my racing thoughts.

As I stepped outside, the world around me seemed to come alive. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves of the tall oak trees, their branches swaying gently as if acknowledging the gravity of the moment. The sky above was a canvas of deep blues and purples, dotted with the first stars of the night. The distant chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl added to the symphony of nature, grounding me in the present.

Ahead of me, Jack stood at the edge of the clearing, illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun. His presence was both reassuring and enigmatic, a beacon guiding me towards a destiny I had never imagined. The path before us was shrouded in shadows, yet it seemed to pulse with an unseen energy, beckoning me to take the first step.

“Come.” Jack beckoned, “There is much to learn and little time.”

With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I followed him in the night, ready to embrace my destiny and prove that anyone, regardless of their gender could become a tinkerer and a protector of the world.

And so, my journey began, a journey filled with challenges, discoveries, and the unwavering belief that I could shape the future with my own hands.