The Time Stone, Third Edition (Extended Version)
Chapter 17

“Mark Cumberberry, CFO” so it read on the door in Temporo, Inc. headquarters in central Chronix Bay.Mark sits at his chair in the large architectural design of an office space, a wet bar on one end and a designer leather sofa with throw pillows and a mahogany cotton shawl on the other, a gilded centerpiece chandelier hanging above, and an extended marble inlaid desk with gilded monuments and statuettes of ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, Sumerian, and Central American religion and myth.Plants hung from every corner and sits on his desk, adorning the office as he was a fond lover of nature. A giant mirror occupied the full length of the side walls to his right.He tossed back an entire glass of Cabernet, then rose to his feet thinking of nothing better to do in the middle of the work day and approached the mirror.

He stared deep into it and into himself, his eyes widened and physically morphed growing into large ovals and his nose and mouth protruded outward growing larger and his face growing wider forming a hideous snout with fangs extending from there onward as if breaking free after ages of dormancy. A pair of horns grew from his head as long as scimitars and just as razor sharp, his tan complexion pigmented to a light shade of brown and hair grew on top of his balding hair line to cover his entire head, wild and shaggily extending downward, down his back, his suit ripping as his muscles grew, covered with hair and darkening in shade. Small tendrils protruded from his back and extended outward, becoming a pair of gigantic bat-like wings. His legs grew in size as did his back and stature ripping the suit pants until they were mere shreds on the floor and his feet formed the shape of hooves crushing the alligator skin loafers he has on. He is a beast, and five points form on his forehead. He relished himself in this true form of his. He stretched out his wings and muscular arms towards the various potted plants in the room. The plants began to move on their own as they recognized him communing with them. The plants began coming to him as if intelligently sensing his presence. He is in complete ecstasy as he is surrounded by the flowing vines of the plants growing around him. The plants and the beast communed, enjoying one another’s presence. He peacefully embraced his plants, relishing the bond of life they shared. Together they were happy in the moment.

Then suddenly the door opens and entered a young blonde woman with a cup of coffee and she gasped when she saw him and dropped the cup spilling its contents onto the carpet as she ran out, screaming in terror.

“Oh my God, what is that???!!!” She ran out as Mark in his true form turns in a grit of disgust at the smell of a human woman interrupting his tranquility.

A few doors down the hall in the large corner office of Broad Staffnight, Liz passed back and forth in a frantic panic.

“Liz, tell me what’s wrong. You act like you’ve seen a ghost!”Says Broad Staffnight seated in his chair arching his fingers together towards his nose.

“I think so…It is a monster… like those mythical creatures, beasts, like the goat god Pan, it looks like a Satyr, but different, more grotesque and all… I never saw anything so hideous in my life. I think it killed Mr. Cumberberry. I didn’t see him in the office.”

“Hmm” Broad thought for a moment, “that is interesting” treading off towards his window panoramic view of the city skyline while not completely absorbing her issue as if knowing more than she understands.

“Broad, you think I’m crazy don’t you?”

“Hmm”, Broad responds gazing into the panoramic view outside.

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