Five Minutes of Clockwork

I planted both boots on the dining sideboard and clamped both hands onto the grooved rim of a round mechanical timer! Leaning all my weight sideways, I gave it a hearty twist until the internal spring resisted with a sharp, ratcheting click at the five-minute mark. The moment I let go, a brisk, rhythmic tick-tick-tick pulsed straight through the metal! I crouched down and pressed my ear against the cool brushed steel, listening to the tiny gears scurry inside like mechanical ants. Watching the red indicator band slowly shrink kept me glued to the spot until—ding!—the chime rang out, vibrating right beneath my soles!