Read Watchman Novels & Stories

It’s Tuesday and Amber, is very excited about seeing Grant again. He will pick her up from work at 11am and take her around his family’s research facility. They’ve made some very interesting discoveries over the last few years. To help not just the visually impaired, but other disabled people with a number of impairments. Not long ago they made a watch that will monitor your heart rate and alert you if it starts to fluctuate too much. It can also send the info to their doctor, so they are kept up to date with any problems they might be having.

The moment it snapped around my wrist, it vibrated softly. A thin red line blinked to life. “Microphones next.” I clipped mine on. A faint buzz followed. “Congratulations,” Owen said, smiling wider. “You are now fully connected to APHROXIS.” A few people laughed nervously. Others didn’t. “From this moment on,” he continued, “your vitals, conversations, and reactions are monitored across the entire house.” Then he turned. “Allow me to introduce the official game master.” The lights dimmed and a faint mechanical sound hummed.

The Witness releases me and I collapse to the ground gasping while it turns its attention to my sons. “Acceptable,” it says. “I will observe your family bonds to understand the valuation of temporary existence. But I require complete access. You must allow me to watch everything, even private moments.” “Everything?” Marcus asks nervously. “Every interaction, every emotion, every choice you make in relation to your mother and each other. I will be present constantly, documenting.” My sons exchange glances and I can see them silently agreeing despite how invasive this will be. “Fine,” Adrian says. “Observe our family. Just leave Mama out of it.”

Except it wasn't empty. A single figure stood near the exit, silhouetted against the weak exterior lighting, waiting with the patient stillness of someone who'd expected them all along. Marcus's radio crackled again, this time with a voice Ryan recognized instantly from the underground corridor, calm, measured, and utterly without mercy. "Going somewhere, Warden?" Griggs said, stepping fully into the light, flanked by two guards Ryan hadn't even seen until they moved. "You really thought I'd leave the one exit nobody's supposed to use unwatched?"

He and Sam agreed to take turns keeping watch. Prince David watches them from the monitor in his quarters. he also tapped into the Island monitoring screens that Neptune uses.

I said. He looked casually toward them. Tourists. Nothing distinct. But something in my gut tightened. Damon’s expression didn’t change. But I knew he heard the edge in my tone. That night, I checked messages again. Roe had sent one line: Anonymous data trace, remote login attempt blocked. I frowned and handed the tablet to Damon. He read it, his eyes narrowing. “So, someone’s watching,” he said quietly. “Maybe a coincidence,” I said. “Maybe not,” he replied.

“If security mobilizes, I create a distraction at the east wing. Draw guards away from your exit route.” “Jake and Devon?” “Perimeter watch.” Jake answers. “We monitor patrol patterns, alert via text if anything changes. If you're compromised, we trigger the fire alarm again to create chaos.” “Connor?” “Communications hub.” He gestures to his laptop setup. “I'm monitoring pack channels, police scanners, emergency frequencies. Any change in security status, I notify everyone immediately.” “Good.” I turn to Zane, who's been unusually quiet all evening. “And us?”

Rough with awe. “I get that a lot,” I said, stepping into view. “Now tell me why you’re watching me and the girl, or I’ll let the shadows finish what they started.” His gaze flicked over me, calculating. Not afraid. Which annoyed me. “I’m not your enemy,” he said. “My name is Caelan Vire. I’m a Watcher.” The word hit like a curse. I let go of the blade, letting it drop into the dirt between us. “Those relics died centuries ago.”

Watching him was like watching a wire pulled too tight — inevitable, waiting only for the snap. It came just past midnight. A sound outside: deliberate, heavy boots on wet soil. Not stealthy. Not a mistake. A declaration. The first Watcher froze, knife clenched, his whole body going taut. His eyes flicked to Mara, then to the door. “Stay here.” The words were gravel, dragged out of his throat. Then he moved, quick and silent, vanishing into the storm. Mara’s breath hitched. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She crawled to the window, parting the curtains with trembling fingers.

But once his breakthrough was over, this thought which had been put on hold was birthed once more. “The second clue was more of a thought that a clue,” Mane took a deep breath before continuing. “It is said that the Watchers keep their eyes on everything that happens in the Allverse, but the Reaper keeps his eye on the Watchers. What better way is there to keep an eye on the Watchers than being there physically?”