Tipping the Scales

Location: Fairfield, CT, 56 Old Elm Rd. Time: 10:55

Night loomed over the tranquil suburb town of Fairfield, Connecticut. Cars lined the streets signifying the many men and women returning home from their day's ventures. Aaron Young was sitting in the basement of his home with his most trusted friend Conner Abrahams. The two sat in complete darkness, save for the towering LED screen in front of him, and the slight moonlight seeping in through the windows. Both had their eyes locked on the screen, controllers glued to their palms. They remained focused until a deep voice boomed from the speakers.

“GAME OVER!” the speakers blared. Conner groaned as he tossed the controller to the opposite side of the couch he was sitting on.

“Ha, what’s the count now? I think that makes about… twelve matches for me, and oh… a big fat pile of zip, zero, and or nada for  you, my good sir,” Aaron said with a smirk.

“The only reason you keep on winning is because you hog ALL the OP weapons! I swear to god if you would just man up and face me in a real match you wouldn’t be the one laughing,” Conner retorted sporting a look of disapproval.

“Ah, quit being a baby. You just can’t handle my level of awesomeness, so you look for excuses to avoid facing the truth of how much you suck.” Conner continued to sit there fuming.

“Asshole…”

“Douchebag…”

“Man-whore…”

“Hey! It was only a kiss, and I was REALLY hammered!” Aaron said still sporting the same cocky smile getting a light chuckle from Conner. Their moment was interrupted however by the sound of a phone ringing of to their right.

“Man it’s fucking eleven o' clock at night, who the hell is calling?” Aaron said, obviously annoyed.

“Maybe it's your parents? They did say they would call when they got off the plane, and isn't it about when they said they’d be scheduled to land,” Conner suggested.

“Nah, they called while you were in the can,” Aaron replied as he walked over to the phone.

“Oh… then who is it?”

“One second… oh Jesus Christ, her again!” Aaron said angrily.

“Who are you talking about?” Conner asked as he walked over to his side looking down at the caller ID. “Oh… man that’s like the third time tonight.”

“I know, man I broke up with her two weeks ago. Can’t she take a fucking hint I don’t want to be with her!?” Aaron shouted.

“Yea man, this is starting to get really weird. I mean it was understandable at first, but now…” Conner trailed off as he grimaced.

“Yea dude. I swear I’m going to look out my window one night and see her digging though the trash cans.” Aaron and his friend laughed before Conner sighed.

“Dude, I'm no professional or anything, but I think it would be a good idea to, I don’t know, talk with her maybe?” Aaron showed a look of surprise before speaking.

“Conner, there’s a reason I stay away from that bitch, she’s fucking psycho! You remember why she and I broke up, don’t you?” Conner sighed again.

“Yes, yes I do. Although man, if we don’t do something about this she’s not gonna stop anytime soon,” Conner said plainly. Aaron looked as if he was going to counter act, but his view slowly drifted down to the floor.

“Yea… you’re right. This really needs to stop. I’ll stop by her locker during free on Monday and talk to her, I guess.” Aaron said with a sigh. Conner picked up his head and smiled placing a hand on his best friend’s shoulder, Aaron looked up at this.

“I’m proud a you bro. I know it will be hard but… it’s for the best.” Aaron shared the smile and nodded.

“Yea…” Conner removed his hand from Aaron's shoulder while his eyes drifted over to the clock which now read eleven thirty.

“Well dude, I gotta go. The old man’s got me covering my brother’s shift at the restaurant tomorrow. I need to get as much rest as I can.”

“Sure bro.” They both smiled at each other once more before Conner turned and jogged up the stairs.

“See ya,” Conner said as he exited the basement. Aaron made his way over to the couch as he grabbed the remote shutting off the TV. He tossed the remote back before sitting up.

“Well, I don’t really feel that tired, but I’m not really in the mood for TV.” Aaron said as he sat. Aaron’s gaze then turned to the window showing a view of the night sky. This sight always calmed David, though he was not exactly sure why.

“Huh, maybe a little midnight stroll will help a tad?” Aaron stood fully erect then made his way up the stairs. Closing the basement door behind him he walked slowly over to the mud room in the front of the house. Looking down he saw his pair of dark tan Timberland boots. Aaron put on the pair of heavy duty boots over his denim jeans, tying them both as tight as he could get them. Standing back up and reaching over, Aaron grabbed his North Face jacket slinging it over both arms and fastening the zipper. Checking his pockets he found he had both his new I Phone plus a pair of beats ear buds, and his house keys. Satisfied with himself he turned and faced the door. Un-doing the lock Aaron steeped outside into the cool crisp night.  Aaron took a deep breath as he locked the door behind him, and was on his way.

Walking down the empty sidewalk only barley lit up by the dim street lights, Aaron pulled out his IPod turning it on and going to his ITunes folder. Resting the device in his hand he reached in his pocket grabbing the ear buds and bringing them to his face. Aaron placed both the headphones securely in his ears as a familiar toon began to play…

“Ah…” Aaron sighed happily as he continued his stroll down the sidewalk. Aaron began to sing softly aloud when the lyrics started to play

Nature nurture heaven and home,

sum of all and by them driven,

to conquer every mountain shown,

but I've never crossed the river...

Brave the forest, brave the stone,

brave the icy winds and fire,

braved and beat them on my own,

yet I'm helpless by the river...

Angel, angel what have I done,

I face the quakes, the wind, the fire,

I've conquered country, crown, and throne,

why can't I cross this river?

Angel, angel what have I done,

face the quakes, the wind, the fire,

I've conquered country, crown, and throne,

why can't I cross this river?

Pay no mind to the battles you've won,

it'll take a lot more than rage and muscle,

open your heart and hands my son,

or you'll never make it over the river...

It'll take a lot more than words and guns,

a whole lot more than riches and muscle,

the hands of many must join as one,

and together we'll cross the river...

It'll take a lot more than words and guns,

a whole lot more than riches and muscle,

The hands of many must join as one,

and together we'll cross the river...

A cold breeze blew passed Aaron as the song completed. He continued to walk down his original path when another breeze blew up against him, but something stopped him dead in his tracks.

“You…” A mysterious voice whispered into Aaron’s ear. Aaron quickly grasped and pulled the ear buds out from his head curiously looking around. He searched for several moments before turning back to his phone, but as he reached up to his head another breeze, stronger this time, caused Aaron to stumble back a moment before the voice spoke again. “You…you will do…nicely…” The voice said slowly slipping into a slightly more sinister tone.

“Where are you, show yourself!” Aaron demanded, but as he took his first step forward he was met with an onslaught of pressure against him. He felt like he was in his own personal wind tunnel. The punch carried enough force to knock Aaron on his ass easily. He reached his arm up to check his head. Seeing he was fine he went on to get up however to find… he couldn’t. Aaron tried once more with the same failure. Looking down Aaron was shocked by what he saw. His right hand was completely sucked into the ground. Aaron panicked looking around in horror as his entire body slowly sunk into the sidewalk. Flailing only seemed to quicken the process as only his head now remained above the surface. Aaron started to scream only to have his voice muffled when he was completely engulfed by the concrete. A moment later all the wind ceased, and the sidewalk returned to its normal state, as if nothing had ever happened.