Second Chances

Written by King Galaxy

Chapter One.      Cold and Alone

It was cold and late, the town clock just striking 11:00pm, He walked through the streets. His head held down and his coat held close at the winter winds whipped wildly around. He was a wanderer, never staying in one place for long. He was getting up there in age, now 43 with his once dark brown hair showing spots of grey. He walked down the sidewalk watching his breathe in the air and feeling the rush of cold as cars passed by. "Brrrr I'm tired of these cold times... makes my joints stiffen..." he said, turning to face a sign for an old motel. "Better place than being out here.." watching cautiously, he crossed the road to the motel but was upset to see the lobby lights off and a "closed" sign hanging on the door. He sighed heavily as he walked to a near by bus stop and sat on the bench; sheltered from the wind and the incoming snow. A while passed before he finally got up and headed to a diner down the street. He shook some snow from his coat and head before opening the Diner's door, walking in. There was no one there. except for a lone waitress. She was young. slim yet Hourglass-like figure, skirt and apron with her mane done up in a pony-tail. She turned and gave him a small smile as he sat down at the counter. "Hello Mister." She said cheerfully. "Sure is cold out there huh?" she giggled slightly handing him a menu. "Yeah... Seems to be cold every year I come around..." He said reaching out, coat sleeve slipping slightly showing a slightly damaged robotic limb. The young waitress gasped slightly looking closely at the Strangers robotic arm. "Sir... If you don't mind my asking, what happened and where did you get a fancy limb like that?".  He sighed and looked up at her, "I  was in a fire when I was younger.... This is a replacement to what I lost... My own design..". The waitress felt slightly sorry for him but was amazed that someone could come up with such a unique and wonderful creation. She broke from her pause and looked at him" S-Sorry sir. What can I get you? Mr.... I'm sorry.. I didn't catch your name.. He looked up at her once more," Adam. Adam Estrada.... My friends called me Atom..", He looked back at his menu slightly saddened thinking about what he'd left behind those years ago," Tea please... unsweet, and please make sure its warm." The waitress nodded and hurried to get his tea. She came back shortly later setting down his tea. "There you go Mr. Estrada. Do you think you're ready to order now? Adam shook his head and sipped his tea, letting the warmth fill him," Not quite yet... I need some time to think things over tonight. Thank you though...." He held his tea in both hooves looking down at it going silent. The waitress watched him for a moment then sighed and turned  to pick up a tray of dishes and carry them to the back room to wash them. Adam watched his tea, as if expecting it to move or something to move from it. "All those years... Brilliant invention after another.... only to be run off...", he sighed heavily," I only wish I could get a second chance... to do everything over. Fix my mess-ups..." He sighed heavily and closed his eyes going quiet once more leaving nothing but the sound of cars passing by fill the air.