Equilibrium, Book 1: The First Human.

Earth, January 21st, 2018, Tucson, AZ.
8:03 P.M.

John lazily watched the road before him, his eyes intently following the gentle curve as his mind wandered over, thinking of the day.

"Finally, I get to go home and relax." He sighed as his brain latched onto a particularly vivid event.

"I wonder what that lady was talking about?" He mumbled to himself as he eyed the small charm necklace hanging around his rearview mirror. It was a simple thing. A single strand of silver thread holding together a group of charms, each one representing an element of harmony from the MLP TV show, plus one extra. It was no secret to people who knew John that he was a brony, and he made no real attempt to hide his love of the show.

He, however, was lucky enough to come across several other lovers of the equine arts and had commissioned a special necklace with his O.C. Cutie mark taking up a pendant that was surrounded by the main six's own. It cost him a pretty penny and a trip over to the eclectic town of Sedona.

"Spiritual Capital of Arizona." He remarked as he gunned the engine of his car down the highway.

"Speed limit's 65." He noted as he passed a sign. Truth be told, he hated going on these long excursions alone but he had no choice in the matter on this ride. His parents were out of town with their friends on a several week long vacation.
"Great to see them having fun." A smile graced his lips as he thought back to the day they left.

January, 10th, 2018.
7:45 A.M.

"Come on son! Your mother and I don't want to be late!" John's dad bellowed as he waited for his son to get to the front door. John just laughed as he crawled out of bed and threw on some clothes he had scattered around his room.

"Coming!" He shouted back as he hopped around, struggling to put on his pants. He finally got out of the room, cursing as he stubbed his toe.

"Oh damn! That hurts." He sucked in a growl of anger as he saw his parents standing at the door looking both amused and impatient.

"So you guys have everything packed?" He asked giving them both a hug. They both rolled their eyes.

"And why are you so keen to get us out the house?" His mom asked.

"Yeah, son... Got a hot date we don't know about?" His dad smirked. John just chuckled and shook his head.

"If I did, you two would be the first to know." He smirked as his parents grabbed the last of their bags and headed outside. John slipped on his outdoor shoes, grabbed one of the bags, and headed out to the one of the car's they were taking on their little trip. Once all was said and done, John's parents got into their car and started it up.

"Now remember, if you have any wild parties just be sure to have everything cleaned up by the time we get back. Oh and don't forget to hide the strippers if we come home early.

"Dad!" John laughed as his mother scolded John Sr. Sharing one last goodbye, his parents pulled out of the driveway in the blue Versa Note, and began their several hour-long trip to the Grand Canyon. John stood there and waved them off.

"Now what am I going to do?" He thought as he went into the now-empty house. Spying one of the main six plushies they had on display atop their collection of DVDs, John had an idea.

"I suppose I could go online and see if anyone is selling anything."

About a week, one hundred dollars, and a several hours long car ride later John was the proud owner of one of several commissioned pieces of jewelry to be made for bronies by bronies. He shuddered as a memory came back to him of the several people he met up in Sedona.

"Could've done without the creepy old lady tho." He was referring to an elderly woman who looked to be in her late seventies who latched onto anyone she could find, trying to get a read on their fortune. John was never one to believe in such superstition, thanks to his heavy Christian upbringing, but that didn't do much to dull the creepy factor for him.

"Damn woman had one hell of a grip." He smiled, "She should play baseball with an arm that strong." He nervously chuckled as his fear was soon washed away and replaced with happier thoughts as the soft jingling of his latest purchase continued to fill the car. He looked at the clock.

"9:30." He made a few calculations in his head.

"Still about 2 more hours to go." He said as he checked his GPS. Sure enough, his head was correct. Spotting a road sign in the distance he glanced at it as he passed it by.

"Good, I could use a restroom right about now." He snickered as he pulled off the side of the road and into the rest stop.

"Should not have eaten all those Sonoran hotdogs." He chided himself as he got out of the car and made his way to the dark musty bathroom. Soon he was back on the road heading home.

"Why did I have to meet that crazy old lady?" He asked as his thought's continuously traveled to what she had said.

"That amulet is strange boy! Guard it well for evil is afoot. It knows! It knows!" She wailed before he could wrench his arm away from the demented fortune teller. Afterwards he wandered off, taking in the sights. If not for the beauty than just to get his mind off of the creepy old womans voice running through his head.

"I hope she can get the help she needs." He huffed as he continued to keep his eyes glued to the road. In an instant his vision was blinded by an intense beam of light that shot out from in front of him.

"GAHHH!" He threw his head to the side out of reflex as his foot desperately slammed on the brakes. His blood ran cold however when he realized he couldn't feel the brake pedal.

"What the-" His curse died in the throat as he gazed around his surroundings. Where the road should have been was a vast expanse of white nothingness, a void for all intents and purposes.