Living with Lyra

Aden lay sprawled across his bed in a mess of comforters and pillows. The morning light flowing through his window and around his shutters like water. His room just big enough to fit his small one person bed, and a little work desk where his discounted laptop lay powered on. Its screen illuminating the parts of his room where the light from outside cannot.

Motionless in his bed, Aden began to mumble in his sleep. "I don't have your money... Give me a couple more days and I will pay the rent... please!" Aden begged, having the same nightmare again. It was about his landlord wanting payment for his apartment, a commodity that Aden doesn't have at the moment.

The steel mill that Aden works at, is a large two story factory that has been going through some rather rough times. With the global economical depression at the moment doesn't make it any easier for him. The mill was forced to start paying their employees minimum wage, an event that Aden was not expecting.

He was cutting it close to the line with his previous salary, and now that it's been lowered he had to start cutting down on his expenses. The first to go was the internet, he tried to avoid the phone like it was poison. He remembered how long it took to set up the first time, and it pained him to pick up the phone and cancel his service. Twas a dark day indeed.

Next was the food, an item that Aden needed to live. He budgeted himself to only spend thirty bucks a month for food. A price that would only buy him two cartons of milk, one box of cereal, and lastly a couple 'Mr. Noodles' in a cup. The noodles weren't even 'Mr. Noodle' they were just some no name brand, but Aden didn't care it was half the price.

Nevertheless with Aden's cut costs he was just able to slip on by with his monthly payments. His landlord Mae Conway was relentless with payment times. Aden could recall countless times where Mae would threaten him for missing a payment. The thing that scared Aden the most was that Mae looked like the kind of girl that would hold true to her word.

With the sound of a high pitched beeping Aden slapped his alarm clock that lay upon his desk. He was tired of waking up to the same sound of his clock, the same gloomy look of his darkly colored room. Aden yearned for the day that he would never have to hear his wretched alarm clock again.

If that day exists, it's not coming fast enough. Aden thought as he let out a large sigh and placed his bare feet on the cold cedar floor below. Once his feet made contact it sent a jolt of chills all the way up his spine. However Aden did not move, he was used to this feeling as it's what he did every morning.

Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Aden stood up and cracked his back rewarding him with several pops. A lazy smile soon found its way upon his face. His living conditions maybe poor, but they're better than the people on the streets and he knew that. Aden was content with what he had.

Aden put his arms down after his little stretch, and wandered out of his room and into his kitchen/dining/TV room. His apartment was small but convenient, with this setup he could be preparing a meal -if he had one- and watch TV at the same time. A feature that Aden used whenever he could.

Arriving in the kitchen area of the room he opened up one of his spruce cupboards with gusto. The thought of breakfast made his stomach grumble ferociously and his mouth water like a tap. With what little Aden had, he made sure to relish every single moment.

The room that Aden was in was twice the size of his bedroom. Within the room and to the far corner lay his family inheritance, a flat screen TV standing on a battered coffee table. At times Aden would think how long the table would last him, but he pushed it out of his head as the numbers just depressed him.

In front of the TV stood his black leather couch, another item he gained when both of his parents passed away. Aden's parents loved him very much and in return Aden loved them. The moment he heard the news of his parents he had burst into tears. His manly side however strong it was, was no match for the pain that ripped through him, leaving scars that are even seen in him now, many years later.

The walls were colored a light blue making his couch and TV not match the room. Aden could care less if it matched, the only one that would see his apartment is himself and maybe the landlord. With a sigh Aden picked up the only box inside the cupboard. When shopping he made sure to get the one cereal he didn't mind having every morning 'Cheerios'. It was bland, but it was the only thing that would never get old on him.

Grabbing a bowl as well, Aden closed the cupboard and walked over to his fridge. As per usual when he opened the door his eyes lay on an empty fridge, save for the milk. Having done it a million times Aden grabbed the milk and made his way over to the couch, closing the door and flicking the light switch in the process.

With a little delay the light on the ceiling flickers on, flooding the dark room with light. Sitting down upon the couch Aden pours himself a bowl of Cheerios. The large bowl soon fills and Aden switches pouring Cheerios to milk all the while turning on the TV.

Aden watches as the milk is poured in, making the Cheerios float to the top. A couple even fall out and onto his lap, however Aden pays no attention to the fallen Cheerios as he's only wearing his boxers.

Screwing back on the lid, Aden places the milk firmly on the ground making sure to put it out of legs reach. Sitting back he sighed in relief, his work doesn't start for another two hours and he's got a nice 50 inch LCD screen in front of him.

Reaching down to pick up his non-existent spoon, he realizes that he forgot to get it. Groaning he gets up and lays the bowl on the ground. As Aden trudges back to his kitchen he catches one of his plugs spark. However it wasn't a blue one like he's used to, it was a light green one. Stopping in place Aden turns to the plug, when it cease to spark again Aden shrugs and turns back to the kitchen.

Have to get that plug checked out. Aden states to himself as he arrives at the kitchen. His thoughts about paying an electrician puts a damper on his mood. I could force Mae to do it. Then again I do owe her a lot of money...

Swishing around those thoughts in his head Aden continues his search for his one and only spoon. He had more, but over the years the number had seemed to withered itself down. Now that I think of it a lot of stuff has disappeared from me. With time passing by ever so slowly Aden finally stubbles upon the right drawer.

Reaching down to grab the spoon Aden is caught off guard when the spoon emits the same green spark the plug did. "OW!" Aden yells out backing away from the spoon. The shock felt nothing more than static electricity, but nevertheless it still stung.

Assuming that, that's what it was Aden reach once again for the spoon. Thankfully the spoon emitted no more electricity and Aden pick it up safely. Holding the spoon to his side Aden walks back to his couch with a triumphant grin. No shock is going to ruin my cereal! Thought Aden.

Sitting back down onto his leather sofa Aden bends down and picks up his bowl. Much to his disliking when he has it within grasp he sees that all of the cheerios has lost their structural integrity and has molded itself into some sort of wheat paste.

Shrugging it off Aden shoves his spoon into the bowl fearlessly and takes out a spoon full. Glancing up at the TV Aden is greeted by the news channel. Aden always liked to see what's happening in the world, but what the TV was showing was stuff he already knew.

Balancing his cheerios on his right leg with his spoon, Aden picks up the remote with his left hand and points towards the TV. As Aden presses to change the channel the screen turns a bright white that blinds him momentarily, but that is all it took.

As he opened back up his eyes he could see nothing but black. Ah great the power's out again! Aden stated to himself as he moves to get up. Standing up Aden is rewarded by the sound of something hitting metal and the sound of glass breaking. It doesn't hit him until a sheering pain is felt throughout his head. "OW! FUCK!" Aden yells out as he rubs the top of his head.

This is definitely not the same place. Aden claims mentally as he feels around the room. The cold walls send shivers through his arms, he can feel the Goosebumps follow shortly after. Aden is shocked when he comes across another wall seconds apart from the first one. The room he's in now would mimic his own closet.

Taking one step forward Aden once again is greeted by sheering pain, however this time the pain resides in his feet as he stepped on the shattered remains of his bowl. MY CHEERIOS.... and fucking ow! Aden states shouting in his mind, the pain only getting worse.

Reaching out his hand he comes across a door, without second thoughts Aden opens it and rushes outside. With all the pain Aden is experiencing he pays no attention to where he's going. So in turn he hits his head upon the lowered door frame knocking him back towards the ground.

Hitting the ground with loud Crack Aden's eyes become heavy. One last thought goes through his head before the dark embrace surrounds him like a tick heavy blanket. Who the fuck has a door that small.

For the first time in years Aden wakes up by himself, the feeling brightening up his day. His eyes slowly creaking open as he brings up his arm to swipe away the sleep. Bringing up his arm he's reminded of what happened no to long ago. A pain rips through his back like a knife and he can't help but let out a little scream.

Putting his arm back down he soon realizes that he's no longer in the small room or the hallway that was just outside of it. Instead Aden finds himself in a light green room upon a bed that is too small for him. Aden chuckles as he sees that his feet dangle off the end of the bed.

Pushing the bed aside, the room looks well decorated. The windows adorn light white curtains that dims the morning light as it filters through. Along with that is a dresser and a desk on the opposite side of the room where the bed is. They both lay next to each other with the door in between them.

Aden puts on a confused expression as he realizes that the door is the same small size. Who but a midget would benefit from a door like that. Aden claims wanting to rub his head from the pain but moving his arms cause more.

Switching from the door Aden glances around the room to see that not much more lays here to be seen. One thing that does catch Aden's attention is the size of the room. The roof is lower than Aden would of liked but the length and width of the bedroom is the same size as his main room.

Shuffling uncomfortable in the bed Aden turns his attention back to the door when it flings open. Not believing what he's seeing Aden blinks with a more confused look upon his face. Standing where the door once stood is a mint green pony. what... I don't even... it even has a horn! Is all Aden can say to himself as the pony trots over to the bed.

The mint green pony stops once it's right beside the bed and looks at Aden with a huge grin creeping its way onto its face. The pony then opens its mouth but what comes out is a squeal then complete gibberish from what Aden knows. Nevertheless Aden is still frozen from shock the thing even exists. It sound like a type of language but it's not English.

"You're awake! I have so much questions! Where to begin! Ah I know, I'm Lyra! Who are you?" The pony states holding out its hoof towards Aden.

"What?" Is all Aden can say the only words he understood from that was human. He looks towards the pony's hoof then back to the pony's face. Is it greeting me? Aden ponders. The pony seems to get a knowing expression with Aden's response.

"Wait here! Dammit Lyra he doesn't understand you." The pony states once again in a language Aden would consider gibberish. Aden chuckles a bit when the frustrated pony seems to facehoof.

Nevertheless the pony seems to have gotten the message and proceeds to act out what it wants Aden to do. The pony points its hoof towards the ground and looks at Aden with a stern expression. An expression one would give a dog if they wanted it to say.

Getting the message Aden nods, he watches as the pony trots back out of the room. The door seems to close themselves when the pony exits. So that just happened. Aden states to himself as he lays back down and stares at the ceiling.

"Are we really going to stay here?"

"What do you think?"

With the shock of the whole event still present Aden can find no words to say at the moment. The only thoughts that go through his mind now is how this could of happened, which sadly he has no idea. The only thing that Aden remembers is the TV blinding him, after that he was here. Where ever here is.