Belonging Again

"You got that truck done yet, man?” called Tom from inside the paint booth. “Shit, you’ve only been chipping away, working on that truck since we’ve opened this shop! Plus, you gotta check out Mark’s wicked pin striping on this car!”

“Yeah dude, like, what haven’t you rebuilt or modified on that truck? You’ve had it since you graduated high school.” Mark added, shaking his head with a smirk.

I turned my head from under the hood of my truck to towards the paint booth where Tom was with Mark inspecting the paint job on a customer’s vehicle. I just shook my head and grinned.

“Pfft... You guys are just jealous! You know Rarity is hands down, the best all-around sport truck around here!” I said, chuckling to myself. “Plus, you know she’s got the best damn mechanic working on her too.” I added with a grin, putting down a ratchet and wiping off grime from my arms. I shut the hood of my truck, and had a moment of self-achievement.

I wasn’t a cocky person, but when my best friends got on my case, I won’t hesitate to boast a bit and rub in my accomplishments. After all, they would do the same thing in my position!

“Yeah, yeah, we know, Strach. But you can’t design concepts for shit, or come up with awesome ideas like I can,” Tom retorted with a snicker. “And Mark is the best painter and auto body specialist around here! Rarity wouldn’t be the truck it is today if it weren’t for us too, you know.” Tom added, pointing his thumb at himself and Mark, who just glanced over his shoulder, shook his head, and continued examining his work.

“Why do you call that truck Rarity anyways, Dav?” Mark asked with a cocked eyebrow.

“Yeah, not many people actually nickname their trucks, but when they do, usually its names like ‘The Blue Flame’ or something like that, I don’t know.” Tom added.

“Oh jeez, here we go.” Mark rolled his eyes and sighed.

“Ok, well first of all, I named my truck Rarity because the definition suits my truck perfectly; an uncommon occurrence, in unexpected circumstances.” I stated, crossing my arms and smirking. Tom just facepalmed.

“Davin, we really don’t need you to tell us every little reaso-” Mark stood up and tried to stop my rant, but I cut him off.

“And because the body style of my truck is so common, yet, finding a supercharged, cammed, bored-out 454ci GM motor, a custom modified racing transmission, with all the little bells and whistles to go along with that, it is like finding a diamond in coal.” I boasted happily.

“Dav-” Tom also tried to halt me going off on a tangent, but I cut him short as well. They were always pestering me about my choice of nickname, and finally they were going to hear me out.

“And plus, the pearl white exterior and indigo-to-navy blue interior just seems to fit the name. The colors are just perfect; that’s why I named her Rarity.” I finished, nodding my head. “With that being said, its bout time I finally started her up so I wouldn't have to hear you guys pester me with this shit.” I had a wide smile on my face as I walked over and grabbed the keys hanging up on the wall.

“Alright, stand back guys. I’d recommend covering your ears too.” I laughed as I stepped into the truck.

Rarity roared to life. She had that nice deep, low rumble and rough idle, the sound of classic muscle. But of course, it was a one-of-a-kind sound all on its own. I rolled her out of the shop, and parked just out front of the shop.

Every usual day at the shop was like this, and life was great, ‘living the dream,’ as they say. Us three, the best of friends, Thomas, Mark and I, opened up this automotive customization shop soon after the three of us finished college and scrounged up enough money. It took a while for the shop to really start getting business, but eventually the word got around and we started making some good money; all the while having fun doing it. When the three of us weren't at work, we'd be out chilling together, partying, going to the bar and drinking, ripping around town; the usual stuff three best buds who were practically family would do.

Thomas was in charge of designing and coordinating the modifications to customers’ vehicles, and also came up with the blueprints and concepts.

Mark was the auto body specialist and painter. He could fix any dent or scratch, and was seriously skilled with paint.

Then there’s me; Davin. Also known as 'Strach' to some. I know it’s an unusual name, but whatever. I had many interests, strengths and skills, as well as insecurities, but I’ll explain those later. Anyways, the one thing I knew I was best at, was mechanics. It was my special talent. Everything was just perfectly clear to me when I was working on things, and nothing else mattered than the job at hand.

I walked back into the shop to Tom and Mark looking my way, Mark shot me an ‘are you kidding me’ kind of look, and Tom spoke up.

“Buddy, you’ve finally finished your truck and you aren’t even taking it for a rip around the block? The fuck's wrong with you?”

“Well you guys have to go pick up parts from the south side of town today, I might go for a rip around the block when you guys leave.” I replied happily, trying to contain my excitement.

“Well, you know, you could always just follow us down that twisty road that crosses the train tracks! It’s a fun road.” Mark suggested, and shrugged.

“Yeah man, just follow us there; it’s a fun road to rip down, might as well take Rarity out there for her maiden drive!” Tom pointed out.

“You know what, sure why the hell not! It’s been a while since I’ve driven down there anyways. Let’s go!” I couldn’t even contain my excitement anymore. I practically jumped with joy and ran to the truck, fired it up, and took after Mark and Tom driving in the shop car, which was just more or less, a piece of crap Toyota Tercel we used to do running around the city with, usually to collect parts and such.

Rarity handled like she was on rails. No body roll, tight, true steering. And the horsepower! Oh man, she had some snap! I punched the gas at the last stop sign before the twisty road and the tracks, creating a very, very, satisfying squeal of the tires. She left a nice, long, black number eleven at that intersection. I felt pretty damn proud of myself. Maybe too proud...

Nah.

I let Tom and Mark trail ahead while I enjoyed Rarity’s first drive. I was rounding the last curve before the tracks and found that traffic was halted for whatever reason. Perhaps because of the railway crossing? I don’t know, I’d never find out for sure.

“Ah man, seriously? There’s never a train crossing here! Ugh. Whatever.” I grumbled as I stopped the truck a few cars back from the intersection.

To my horror, I caught a glimpse of Tom and Mark trapped on the tracks between the backed up traffic. I heard the horn of the approaching train.

“Oh my god!” I screamed as I realized the horrible trouble Mark and Tom were in.

The train was very close. I shoulder checked to the right, and nailed the gas. Squealing tires met grass as I pulled off to the right side of the road, heading as quickly as I possibly could, directly towards the tracks.

“Sorry Rarity!” The only words I could blurt out.

Just as I approached the tracks, I turned the truck towards Tom and Mark in the shop vehicle. Rarity smashed through the railway crossing arm and crashed into the shop car blocking the crossing. Mark and Tom were pushed safely off the tracks into the ditch adjacent to the tracks.

Just as I confirmed the safety of my friends, I heard the train horn again. Just out the right side of my truck, I saw bright lights.

Then there was a deafening smash.

Then there was blackness.

“Ugh, what the hell...” I came to, but kept my eyes closed. The only thing I could feel was a horrible numbness, and a ringing in my ears.

I couldn’t feel any pain. I was in shock. Then the short term memories flooded back to me of Tom and Mark, the crossing, and the deafening smash.

The Train.

I snapped open my eyes, but everything was extremely blurry. I could only make out broken glass, twisted metal, and a lot of red.

As moments passed, my hearing began to come back to me, but it became harder and harder to breathe, and I was coughing up blood.

Off in the distance, I saw a blur of wreckage. As I regained my hearing, I heard the voices of Tom and Mark yelling.

“Now what the hell did you go and do something stupid like that for?!” Mark screamed to me as he and Tom stumbled out of the shop car, and ran up to the wreckage of my truck alongside the train tracks. I tried to yell back to Mark, but the best I could yell out was a cough, hacking up blood.

“Ah man, all... All this work for nothing... Fuck... Sorry Rarity...” I managed to croak out as I involuntarily remained seated in what remained of my once beautiful, customized, ’96 GMC Sierra Sport truck.

Tom and Mark reached the truck, with me still trapped inside. Tom immediately began to try and wrench open the drivers side door, but to no avail. The door wouldn’t budge, and I wasn’t going anywhere. The entire right side of the truck was crunched from the impact, and the driver’s door was jammed shut.

“Fuck sakes Davin,” Tom had to cover his face and turn away for a second, as he took one glance down onto me inside of the wreck. Mark just stood next to him in shock, eyes wide and mouth agape.

“C’mon let’s get ya the hell outta this thing!” Tom said as he cleared the window frame of the remaining shattered glass and began to pull my broken and bloody body from the wreck.

“Mark! Call an ambulance! Call an ambulance now!” Tom yelled as he lifted me out of what remained of the truck.

“Ugh... I’ve had... Better days than this...” I coughed out, barely managing to get a breath between my words and bloody coughs.

“Just stay awake Strach, An ambulance is on its way!” Tom cried, as he set me down on the ground, fear in his eyes. Which really wasn’t helping me out. My breaths were becoming alarmingly short, and my vision was blurring more and more by the second.

“I... I had no choice... It... It was either me or... or both you guys.” I choked on the words as I struggled to breathe. “I... I know you guys can... handle operating the shop... without me. There’s... other good mechanics out there, but... but you might need to hire a couple of ‘em to keep... keep the steady pace I... I can.” I tried to snicker, but just ended up coughing up blood. So much for trying to lighten up the mood.

“Now don’t go talking like that, you’re going to be fine!” Tom croaked, tears welling in his eyes.

“Yeah buddy, you’re going to be fine! The ambulance will be here, and you’ll go and get all fixed up. Next thing you know, you’ll be back in the shop in no time!” Mark added with very much forced optimism.

“Ye... yeah, I’ll... I’ll be alright... guys; I can make... it...” I could barely speak as I choked and coughed up the lie. My vision was completely blurred. I couldn’t see a thing. But there were only a few more words I needed to say.

“Davin you have to stay awake! Stay awake!” Mark cried, as Tom wiped his eyes and shook me, both of my best friends tearing up.

“Don’t you go fucking dying on us! Everyone needs you here! You belong here, God damnit!!” Tom screamed, tears streaming down his face.

“Tom... Mark... You guys are... the best friends... I could ever... have. I... love... you guys. Tell... Tell my... folks, I’m... sorry, and... I love... them.” These were the last words I would ever speak on Earth. My breath vanished, and there was only darkness.

A blur...

Brilliant bright light...

Darkness and a chilling cold...

I found myself lying on a damp, cold forest floor. It was very dark, other than the glow emanating from the moon, hung high in the night sky.

“What... Where... I... I... don’t even...” I couldn’t even manage to comprehend what the hell was going on.

I took a glance around my dimly illuminated surroundings, only to see dark figures of seemingly endless trees in all directions.

I shook my head and looked down at the ground.

“What the fu--" I cocked my head back in shock at the sight before me.

It looked like my arms were a dark blue... fur.

“Fur? What the fuck is going on?!” I screamed out. A few birds flew out of a nearby tree and distracted me for a second.

I shook my head and tried to rub my eyes, but that was when I noticed I didn’t have hands anymore. Let alone fingers! I looked at where my hands were supposed to be.

“Hooves?! What the fuck? Damnit!” I didn’t even really know what to say. I felt like the tourettes guy just blurting out words.

“I must be dead. I-I have to be dead! This doesn’t make any sence! What is going on! Where’s Tom!? Where’s Mark!? Guys?! What the shit?!” I yelled out my anger, frustration and confusion to nothing, failing to keep my composure. But honestly, if you just thought you died and were reanimated as a different life form, you’d freaking the fuck out too. Yeah. Shut up.

The stunning realization hit me. I was gone to everyone I knew, and there was nothing I could do. I was alone, confused, and just genuinely scared. I hate being alone. All my insecurities reveal themselves after I’ve been alone to long.

I missed my family. I missed my two best friends. I missed my life... My old life. I needed a second or two to realize that I had to press on. All the happy memories with my family and friends flashed before me. For what seemed like hours, I wept. I missed everybody so damn much. I missed everything.

I lifted a hand- I mean hoof, up to my head and rubbed the tears from my eyes. That’s when I noticed another thing.

“Oh well, gee whiz. A freakin' horn. Fan-fuckin-tastic. How much worse can this get?” I shook my head and rose to my... hooves. Whatever.

“This new... body... feels so messed up. I can barely fucking walk!” I couldn’t even imagine what someone would possibly be thinking if they saw me stumbling my ass around.

After a few minutes of helpless stumbling, I found myself to a puddle, and for the first time saw my new reflection. I was a...

Horse?

“What.” I said to myself flatly.

I gazed into the reflection again.

I had no features of my previous self. No scars, nothing. Well, maybe there was just one thing that remained; the color of my eyes, the exact same, grayish-blue eyes. It was rather, comforting; knowing I managed to keep something of my previous self.

Other than my eyes, everything was different. I had a navy blue coat of fur, a pearl-white and black mane, with a matching tail.

I turned to get a better look at my tail in the reflection, and then I noticed an image on my...flank? I don’t really know parts of horses all that well. I had a girlfriend that tried to teach me about horses, but that’s another story altogether.

Anyways, I stared at the image on my flank. It was dark, but I managed to make out what looked like a crossed yellow-handled screwdriver and a wrench.

“Huh,” I scoffed, “Well isn’t that something...” I said aloud with a slight, flat smirk on my face.