How to Stop Time

Tom Hazard begins his narrative describing his “condition” or rather his ability to age much more slowly than the average human. He ages roughly “a year every thirteen or fourteen years” (6). He is not immortal; he will die someday. However, he does have a stronger immune system that protects him from various viral and bacterial infections. Tom emphasizes that he is not a “sexy vampire, stuck for ever at peak virility” (6). Tom explains that the general public is unaware of this condition and those who suffer from it because they simply wouldn’t accept it, but more importantly, they are protected by a secret organization whose mission is to keep the condition a secret no matter the cost.

The secret organization sends Tom on a mission to Sri Lanka to kill Chandrika Seneviratne. He finds her already dead, lying under a tree watched over by a rare endangered rilewa monkey. Relieved he doesn’t have to kill her himself, Tom throws up his breakfast and realizes he “can’t do this any more” (8). He calls Hendrich, leader of the secret organization, once back at his hotel. Tom confirms that Chandrika is dead, omitting the fact that he found her that way.