Prologue - Just Another Saturday
Calling the cool September air refreshing was an understatement, to say the least. It was one of those days where you don't really want to do anything, just relax. Another beautiful Saturday like usual. For some reason, this day felt special. It’s like I had found a $10 bill on the ground or something, although I can't say anything like that actually happened, it just felt like a good day.
The coffee I held sloshed lazily about in its cheap styrofoam cup. I took the lid off, not wanting to stumble around with the straw when I didn't need to. Absentmindedly, I sipped from the rim as I planned what to do for the day. There honestly wasn't much I could think of. All of my previous projects and had been wrapped up. All I really had to look forward to right now was the premiere of season three of My Little Pony, but that was still a couple of weeks away. Until then all I had planned was bide my time, and maybe walk.
I took another sip of my coffee savoring the bittersweet taste. Nothing like a good cup of Joe to wake you up in the morning. It was such a good idea to get a vanilla cappuccino as opposed to my usual plain black with a shot of creamer. How could have I have been so uninformed? The way the flavors mix together to-
HONK! HONK!
The sound of a truck blaring it's horn at me from behind pulled me back into reality and I stumbled slightly at the shock, spilling some coffee on my pants. I turned to see an old friend and coworker, Adam, pulled up next to me wearing a devious grin.
“Oh geez, did I catch you off guard there? You were seriously spacing out.” his amusement with scaring me obviously showing through his concern.
"Yeah, you got me," I huffed, paying more attention to wiping off the coffee stain as best I could than on Adam’s antics. “Why are you out terrorizing the locals this early in the morning, huh?”
"Well it is the end of the week and I haven’t quite filled my quota for annoying random strangers yet," trying and failing to stifle a laugh, he snorts at his own joke. "How about you man? Your schedule sure seems to be packed full of wandering aimlessly today."
"Just out taking a walk mostly. It's nice outside and I figured I could use the exercise for once."
"Well you’ve got a stronger will than I, that’s for sure!" he chortled, slapping his barrel of a gut like a drum. While Adam definitely had a few extra pounds floating around, his imposing frame more than compensated for it. The tree of a man looked like he could bench a small car.
“I definitely don’t plan on making it a habit." I say patting my own slightly bulging belly. Sitting in a chair for nine hours a day sure does wonders on a person's physique.
"Well, I'd love to join you but I think I’ll be getting roped into doing some window shopping with my girlfriend when I get home."
"Has she really made a man’s man like you stoop as low as window shopping?" I scoff with a faux disapproving look. "Next she'll be having you modeling her dresses."
"Haha, very funny," he said rolling his eyes. "Just so you know, I found out that I really enjoy shopping."
"I think what you meant to say is that you enjoy having your girlfriend spend money on you, right?"
"Hey! Most of the stuff is for her you know, and she’s the one who offers to get me free food as thanks for putting up with her. I don’t think you give me enough credit." his already rosy cheeks growing brighter.
"Don't get your panties in a twist, I'm only teasing." I replace the lid of the cup, preferring to deal with the tiny straw than spill on myself again.
Adam ran his hand through his curly orange hair and started to rev up the truck’s powerful engine. "Oh, and before I forget, I was supposed to tell you that Alan needs the whole department to get to work early on Monday. The IT guys are implementing a whole new system or something, and since they work graves, the only time they can train us in person was a few hours before our shift."
"Yeah, I want to say there was a bit in the newsletter about that. I don't see why they can’t just make a slideshow for us though."
"My guess is that they think the change is complicated enough that if the mighty tech wizards don’t hold our hands through the whole learning process, then us desk monkeys are gonna accidentally level the building," his tone being dry enough to make me genuinely question whether or not that’s what he seriously believed.
"I suppose that makes sense..." I trail off into my own thoughts. Silence gently takes hold of our conversation; we’ve noticeably grown distant since high school and it’s painfully apparent during moments like these. It’s my fault for the most part, we did fall in love with the same girl after all. If I could have let her go maybe things would be different. Maybe...
"Anyhow…” Adam piped up, clearly wanting to break the tension, “I'll see you later man, don’t forget about the early meeting."
"Yeah, see you later. Have fun shopping, Mr. Man Sparkles."
Adam looks genuinely surprised for a moment. "You're never going to let me live that down are you?"
"I don’t think I could forget even if I wanted to.” I do my best to give a convincing cheesy grin.
"Whatever, I’m out of here." He shook his head as he rolled up the window. I’m able to catch a glimpse of a genuinely happy smile forming as he drives away.
That dumb nickname brings back fresh memories of that day back in high school. A couple girls who shared the locker next to his were having trouble opening a container of costume glitter. Being the ladies man that he was, he stepped in and decided to be the hero. After a few sad attempts he decided to tap it on a locker to loosen it. When he tried again the container broke open and literally engulfed him in a cloud of glitter dust. Someone made a comment of how manly he made glitter look and the name Mr. Man Sparkles was born. It was mostly an inside joke between us, and it’s easily been years since I’ve brought it up.
I smile as he slowly drives off. Just imagine if that story got to the workplace. I took another sip of my now lukewarm coffee and continued walking.
A sudden wave of jealousy passed over me as I started thinking about Adam’s shopping trip with his girlfriend. He and I never fought over anything except her. Ever since the beginning of high school it was both our mission to win her affection. I had a considerable disadvantage though, being that awkward nerdy kid that no one really talked to, ever. Adam being the girl magnet that he was ultimately won out and she chose him over me. I tried not to hold a grudge though, he was and still is a great guy. I don’t have any good reason to be so upset about an unfulfilled crush.
Never in my life have I met someone as perfect as her though. Everyday she had her hair done up, her makeup expertly applied, and what seemed to be an endless supply of outfits. Even if appearance is ultimately a shallow reason to fall for someone, her complexity and lovely personality glowed through.
When you’re in school, I feel like you have a pretty good idea what your dream job is, and unless you work really hard to fulfill that dream it ends up being nothing more than just that, a dream. She was, and still is, a wonderful designer. Straight out of high school she was offered a job contract with an extremely successful interior design company. Ever since she and him and been living my perfect life.
"Gah!" pain radiated through my foot after stubbing my toe on a section of sidewalk that had been lifted by a tree root. I knelt down and massaged my foot for a moment. The pain quickly resides and upon looking up I noticed a familiar dilapidated park sign staring me down.
Memories of my childhood moments spent exploring the wooded area before me came to me in a flash; what a perfect distraction. Grabbing my coffee I set off into the tree shrouded pathway.
Row after row of trees lined up to either side of me, all of which meshed together at the top forming a natural tunnel. The icy cold railing groaned wearily as I leaned on it. Traversing the pathway was considerably more difficult than I remembered it being. It made sense though, it had been quite a while since I had been here and I had grown thankfully much taller since then. Even as a kid there was never a time when I hadn't hit my head on one branch or another though. This place wasn’t the safest to begin with looking back.
I took a deep breath and then continued down the serpentine path. It was like walking down memory lane, so many times me and my few friends shared our adventures here. Some days we were bandits, others we were space pirates. This place seemed more like a jungle back then. I guess that's just what happens when you grow up.
The small opening at the end of the tree locked tunnel began to grow into visibility. Tiny rays of sunlight began to filter in, casting a heavenly glow on the otherwise dimly lit area. The light at the end of the tunnel. If only that's how it all really worked. If only...
I ducked under another branch and made my way out into the small grassy field beyond. Having been neglected for what looked like years, patches of weeds and wildflowers reclaimed the old park. It was exactly the way I left it otherwise: the swing set, the hopscotch tiles, even the old tractor tire still sat next to the swing so we could hop up when our chins barely reached the seat. I definitely wouldn’t be needing that anymore.
The rickety swing groaned as I cautiously put my weight onto it. To my luck, it holds. I spent some time wistfully recalling the many adventures I once held close to my heart. The Autumn breeze wrapped its cool tendrils around me in a tender embrace. When did life get so complicated? It had been so long since I felt this at peace.
The ground began to rumble for a brief moment. Was it an earthquake? I don’t recall there ever being seismic activity in this area. It sounded like some huge drum beat.
Curiosity getting the best of me I decided to go and investigate. From what I could tell, the noise was close. Maybe just beyond the treeline. What could it be? Visions of an extremely valuable meteoroid or crashed spaceship that I’d sell to move out of my modest apartment filled my thoughts.
Another rumble goes off, this time accompanied with a brilliant flash of pyrotechnics. Dirt and shrapnel flew out in every direction as a visible shock wave nearly took me off my feet. If whoever is doing this kept it up, they would no doubt burn this park down, whether intentional or not.
A high pitched scream of terror pierces the still air from the blast site.
"Oh no." I muttered as felt the color drain from my face. Did they get caught up in their own blast? Are they hurt?
Before my mind can process what I was hearing, my body had already sprang into action, dodging the thick underbrush in my way while keeping coffee cup upright as best I could. As I neared where the scream came from a root reaches out and grabs at my ankle, dropping me flat on my face. The remainder of my coffee splashed out and immediately began to soak though my white shirt. I stumbled back to my feet and wiped off the fresh stream of blood oozing from my nose. It stung but my adrenaline was in full swing and there were more pressing matters. I abandoned the cup and continued pressing though the heavy brush.
Forcing though a stubborn branch I enter the opening the explosion made. Whatever it was, it was powerful. Full sized trees lay in shreds and the crater was big enough to fit a full school bus inside. The ground visibly steamed, heavy dust filled the air, and a barely visible lump lay quivering in the center.
It seemed to be murmuring something. The dust cloud was too thick for me to make any kind of judgment as to who or what was down there. How they survived is beyond me, but they were alive and that was something I could work with.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I called down.
"Mmrrmph..." the noise barely louder than a whisper.
"Do you need help out of there?" I looked around lip of the crater trying to find some decent footing to get down.
"Dirt..." That voice sounded so oddly familiar.
"Excuse me?"
"D-D-DIRT!!!" They screamed in the same high pitch voice I heard earlier. I can rule out that they aren't male, that's for sure. The mysterious woman got up and began brushing herself off frantically. The way she stood wasn't normal but at the same time it seemed completely natural. I know I recognize who's down there but I can't put a name to her. The dust started to thin out.
"No, that can't be." My brain wouldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.
She looked up at me from the pit; the dust settling making her completely visible. I'm sure I was too.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" She screamed, backing up against the wall farthest away from me.
"How are you alive after that explosion? How are you even possible?" There was no reasonable explanation for what was happening.
"Stay away from me you.. you.. you hairless beast!!!" flapping her arms defensively, or legs as they were.
"Hey, just calm down, there’s no need to scream so loud."
"This isn't how I wanted to die, I have so much left to accomplish in life." stage tears welled in her eyes as she swooned dramatically.
"I don't have any intention to kill you. Will you stop being so melodramatic please? I only want to help.” I give up trying to find any purchase and slide down the edge of the crater instead.
"I'm sure that's what you told your last victim."
"What in the world are you talking about?" Just after asking the realization hit me. I looked down at my shirt, it was stained a dirty brown from the coffee with bloody splotches from my nose. It’s easy to see how she could make that connection. "No no no, it's not what it looks like. It's just coffee and the blood from falling on my nose."
"Tell my family I love them." She said collapsing on the ground.
I’m not getting anywhere with her.
"Get a hold of yourself Rarity!" I ordered sternly.
She stopped her act dead it's tracks. Our eyes lock. The intensity of her accusing stare stabbing through me like daggers. "How do you know my name?"
Busted.
