The Attic Clock's Secret

Here’s a short story for you: --- The old clock in Mira’s attic had

been broken for years—at least, that’s what everyone said. But one rainy afternoon,

when the house was unusually quiet, it ticked. Mira froze. Tick.

Tick. Tick. She climbed the ladder and touched the clock’s dusty

face. The moment her fingers brushed the glass, the room shimmered. Outside the attic

window, the rain stopped mid-fall, frozen like tiny silver beads in

the air. Mira gasped. The world was paused. A small note slid out from behind

the clock. It read: *Time listens to those who notice it.* Heart pounding,