"Almost there... Just a little more code to debug and the transfer process should be fully operational once more..."
"How's it coming?"
The man at the central computer access panel turned to face his comrade standing in the doorway. The two were both cloaked, all in black and hooded; unable to see each others faces. Despite this, he smiled as his comrade entered the room and stood beside him, who eyed the numbers that flashed across the computer screen.
"Come to check on me?" he asked, smirking under his hood.
"I came to see the progress, not you." he said without any emotion in his tone. He touched on the leftmost computer panel and many graphs and scanners pulled up on the screen. He stared at the screen and sighed heavily.
"How's the signal?" he asked.
His comrade only shook his head as he pushed in a few keys and watched the screen change to another set of graphs.
"Not as I had hoped..." He stood back and watched the screen once more. He turned and said, "It's getting stronger."
"Well..... I'm almost done debugging the TR," There was hesitation in his voice. He began to type in more information at his center panel. "It'll be up and running again in four or five days." He looked back up at his comrade. He was still eyeing the screen before him. "Is that him?"
"Yes..."
The man got up from his chair and stood beside his comrade. They both look upon the screen which now showed vital signs, body mass, weight, and other calculations relative to the human body. It was all normal. The individual was healthy. It was the typical state of health for a teenager.
"So... When is he going?"
"As soon as the TR is fully functional again."
"Really? That soon? Don't you think..."
"The signal is growing in strength as we speak. We need to act as soon as possible." His comrade only shrugged. Not much sense arguing with his superior.
"How's he looking?"
"You're staring at the screen aren't you?" the comrade said sarcastically.
"I meant his training. Is he prepared?"
"He's not being trained. He's not even aware of the mission, nor our very existence."
"What?!" the man turned to his comrade in shock, his silver chains that dangled from his neck lining clanked together. "What do you mean he doesn't know?! We're sending a Civi there?!"
"Exactly." the comrade nodded his head.
"Why the hell are we doing that?"
"Take a closer look at the screen."
The man, now starting to sweat, took another look up at the computer screen. He searched for anything out of the ordinary rather than the obvious. He knew how his comrade...Master... worked. However, he could find nothing.
"I don't see what you mean......and I don't understand why we're not going in ourselves besides sending a Civi."
"Well... he's unique. See here..." The Master pointed to the bottom of the screen. Everything there was in code; in many lines of it. Usually, it was just gibberish. The man was confused.
"Look, I'm good at debugging and the computer crap I deal with and what not but I'm rusty on reading the shit."
"He's unique in one particular way... Remember a few years ago... we had found a study on a set group of particular individuals? It read that, rarely, some persons are... built for some worlds?"
The man gasped. He faced the screen again; getting closer and squinted at the code. He stepped back after a few moments.
"Huh..."
"This one is especially powerful... when placed in the world, of course. However, he'll have to discover his power while he's there."
"Why's that?" His Master only shrugged.
"It's still unknown where this special power comes from. It's also unknown on how to trigger it. The study doesn't elaborate too well. All it says is that it comes to the chosen when they are ready to receive it."
"Odd enough."
"Although, its true, I would like to send some of our own into the world, but I'd think it'd be wise to try and stay out of affairs as long as we can. Don't want to get into any more trouble than we need to. Also... I'd like to see what this person can do... But, if anything does go wrong, and things take a turn for the worse, we will come go in and deal with it."
"Some experiment." the man said. "Do you think he'll be able to handle it?"
"I think he be able to. He won't be alone, though. I'll be monitoring him all the while he's there and will be pointing him in the right direction."
"So he won't be completely blind?"
"Precisely." The Master leaned over and brought back up the scanners. A blip appeared on the screen. The Master sighed. Then silence flooded the room. The two cloaked figures stood and stared at the blip for a long time; not saying a word to each other, until, finally, the Master spoke up, "There's something odd about this, though..."
"What?" the man asked.
"It's just odd that, before, there were no signs of activity anywhere in this quadrant," the Master gestured to a certain part of the computer screen. "And now, there happens to be a signal."
"Isn't that how its always been?"
"Sure... but never this far from a past outbreak..." They both stared, again, at the screen for a few more moments until the Master leaned over and turned it off. "Well... anyway... why don't you go and round everyone up. I think it's time they knew of what the plan is."
"Yes, sir." The man nodded and ran out of the room with much haste.
August... the Master thought.
Strange New World: Part 2
Blackness. Complete and total blackness.
August's mind remained in the dark the entire time throughout the Transfer Process. He was in what Master Eios called 'Stasis'. According to him, its the state in which one has his form reconfigured to fit the needs of a new world. August's appearance had begun to change drastically in the very late stages, but even then, it would still take quite some time for him to reawaken without any harm. The only thoughts that traveled through his mind were his memories.
But even those precious things had begun to change.
Master Eios himself stood in the same place he had been for past three hours. He was dead center of the Control Room, just outside the TR where August was now. He had been watching an endless amount of numbers and equations flash across the abundant computer screens. They all showed, in one way or another, August's vital signs and he was making sure everything was stable and normal as he went through the last stages of his transformation.
It was the most important part of the procedure. As well as the most dangerous...
Sweat began to trickle down Eios' face as he continued to watch the numbers on screen. He noticed that August had began to show small signs of brain activity. He began to worry as he let out a long heavy sigh. If anything were to go wrong during the final stage; any drastic fluctuation in brain activity, it would alter the transformation process and August would remain in Stasis for an eternity.
"Come on, August... Just hang in there a little more..." Eios whispered. Despite his plea, his levels began to climb. August's mind began to slip away as it ventured into an unknown part of Stasis. Eios lowered his head in disbelief. "No..."
August had walked for what seemed like ages in the vast wasteland of white and nothingness. There was no sound except for the tapping of his own footsteps on what sounded to be like plastic covering under him. The atmosphere was light and electric. His limbs began to feel numb as he moved.
He had spotted something far off on the bright horizon of the... world. He started towards it, curious to what was here, in this forsaken world, with him. Despite all what was happening, he was oblivious to the most obvious of questions: why was he here? How did he get here? All he focused on was the blonde girl who was, now, a few yards away from him.
"Gene...?" he whispered. She flinched at the sudden voice directed towards her. She was used to the loneliness and quiet and the sudden return of sound startled her. Gene turned to see and smiled as she saw him. August returned with one. "Gene." he said, happily. Gene let out a laugh... or at least, tried to. Nothing seemed to come out. Everything remained silent. August stood confused. "Gene?"
Gene began to speak to him, her facial expression turned to confusion as well. However, nothing seemed to be actually said. Nothing was to be heard from her. August shook his head at what was happening. It was so very strange. "What's going on?" he asked, indirectly.
There was a sudden shot of pain in the back of his head. August clawed at it, letting out a long grunt. His head began to swim and he fell to his knees. It was unbearable. His head felt as if it were in a vice and was slowly being tightened by unknown forces. "Aghhhhh!" he screamed. Gene stood over him, hands behind her back.
And...as quick as it came...it was gone. The pain subsided and August let his hands rest, down into his lap. He noticed that his arms had turned quite pale and he questioned how they had gotten that way. His vision slowly started to blur and he began to lose his hearing. Gene bent down over him.
"Come on you lazy bum, wake up." August could barely make out what she said. He struggled to lift his head up to look at her. Her face was a blur.
"What?" he whispered.
"Wake up."
August opened his eyes and shot up from his back, choking and gasping for air. He spit out the foam that was in his mouth and back of his throat. His heart pounded and even after he was done coughing, he breathed heavily. His body ached and a horrible migraine tortured his thoughts. August reached up to rub his forehead.
"Ughh........what happened....?"
He stopped and his eyes grew wide. He began to take in all that was around him. He squinted at the sun that shone down upon him. The sky was blue and filled with fluffy white clouds. The air was warm and sweet smelling of flowers. A line of trees surrounded him as he sat in the in its center clearing. The grass he was sitting in was soft and silky to the touch.
"Wha...Where........huh?"
I... I can't feel my fingers...
August lowered his arm and held it out in front of him. He screamed. There were no fingers upon his... 'hand'... or at this point he was unsure what to call what he was looking at. His arm ran down and slanted at one side. He took his other arm and compared the two. They were exactly the same. August began to breathe rapidly as his peripheral vision caught his legs. It was all the same.
August examined the rest of his body. Everything about him had changed. He was without his clothes and his skin was covered in a coat of soft, light grey fur. His brown hair was longer now.
What... What is this? What's going on?
August rolled over and tried to force himself up. His muscles ached as he pushed himself up. He strained as he stood on his legs. His head was swimming and he lost his balance. He toppled over quickly and fell to the ground with a thud. He tried again but with the same result.
It's these new legs... I'm not used to them...
August got on all fours and stood up. And then he realized it.
Maybe this is how I'm supposed to move around now... Great.
He took another look at his legs.
But what am I...?
He felt something brush up against his back legs. He spin around but to his surprise, nothing was there. He looked to his left and right. Nothing but the forest around his small clearing. He felt it again and turned. Nothing. He looked underneath him and saw hair dangling from his backside. He turned his head over to see it. He rolled his eyes.
I have a tail... Now I know I'm dreaming...
He sighed and took another look around him. There was nothing but forest and the sounds of wildlife.
Now what....? And how the hell did I end up here in the first place?!
"What the hell is going on here?!!"
Master Eios sat down in front of the computer screens and let out a heavy sigh. He was relieved he had finally gotten the chance to rest. He had strained over the computers for hours and hours on end. He removed his hood to reveal a rugged face and white hair. He rubbed his forehead; wiping it clean of sweat.
"So... How long's it been?"
Eios turned to face one of his own who appeared in the doorway. He was leaning against the door, arms folded.
"Ahh, Nolan, good to see you," Eios lowered his head again. "Its been seven hours since he's been in there. Thought I lost him but he's in Equestria now."
"Seven hours?" Nolan walked forward to the computer screens, removing his hood as he did so. He was blue eyed with brown hair and a small ear piercing. "That's the longest anyone's been in the TR... and he's alive?" He turned back to his Master.
"Yes... Like I said, he just made it through Stasis. Probably a rough wake-up call, though, I imagine." he chuckled. Nolan smiled.
"So what now?" he asked.
"Rest," Eios answered and he stood up from his chair. "I need rest..." He turned and started for the door. "August will be fine for a day without any direction."
"And... what exactly was your reasoning for sending him there?" Eios stopped just inside the doorway. Nolan had been told a Civi had been sent in but not specifically told why. He was second in command and wondered why he still hasn't been informed entirely of Eios' plan. He turned around to face Nolan, his arms folded back across his chest; a concerned and irritated look on his face. Eios sighed.
"He's special..."
"Special how...., exactly?" Nolan stepped forward.
"He's specially built for the world. He's built for Equestria."
"Oh, so he's a Nexus?" Nolan stopped in front of Eios.
"Precisely." Nolan stared at Eios intently.
"And why, now, are we starting to send Nexus' to other worlds?" Eios sighed.
"Its an experiment..."
"Oh, its an experiment!" Nolan nodded his head. Eios became slightly irritated.
"Don't you take that tone with me. This is my decision to send August there, not yours." Eios stated firmly.
"Master, I'm only concerned whether if your doing this for the wrong reasons."
"Wrong reasons? What other reason would I have..." Eios hesitated. Nolan raised an eyebrow. Eios knew where he was going with this and he became frustrated. Eios pointed at him. "Now you listen here; no one is to know about this. I've chosen to send August in as an 'experiment'. Its true; he is a Nexus, but..." Nolan stopped him by holding up his hand.
"Master, its not my place, nor is it in my personality to intrude on your personal life but, I just want to know that this is your decision and you want to continue along with it. If anything were to go wrong, the Committee would pin it on you."
"I am aware of this..."
"So you take full responsibility?"
"I am the leader of this Sector, so, by default, yes." Eios smiled half-heartedly. Nolan nodded.
Eios cleared his throat. "Well then..." Eios bowed his head. Nolan did as well. Eios the left him alone in the Control Room. Nolan turned back towards the computers. He went and sat down and watched as August went along on his journey.
Just an experiment, my ass. Nolan thought.
August waded his way through tall grasses, ferns, bushes and branches as he continued through the forest in the only direction he knew to go; forward. A few hours had already past since his awakening in the clearing. He felt odd leaving it. The atmosphere of it felt calm and still. Maybe it was just the changing to the forest but he still felt very safe while there. Alas, he wasn't going to get any answers staying there.
He was still disoriented and achy from awaking so he moved slowly through the forest. He would occasionally fall over from trying to get used to his new legs. He cursed every time he did. But, nevertheless, August pushed forward, deeper into the forest; the buzzing of insects around his ears, the chirping of birds and even the occasional croak from a frog. At least it was warm, unlike back home on Awehul.
He had been thinking of home ever since he arrived in this strange new world. More specifically he missed Gene. He would shake his head any and every time he thought of her. He knows she's waiting for him now. They were supposed to go to the museum together at noon. August knew, deep in the back of his mind, that that wasn't going to happen.
August stopped and examined his surroundings. Then he let out a sigh.
Dammit... Lost in the woods. Wonderful...
He lowered his head and shook it in disbelief. Then, he blinked.
Maybe not...?
He spotted what seemed like a small rugged path heading down one side where the forest began to slant with the ground. It wasn't very wide but he guessed it was a path, nonetheless. He followed it downwards with dim hope until it eventually brought him outside. The forest was now behind him and he, in an open field. The grasses were lower and spotted with flowers, and streams could be seen far off in the distance. The sun was starting to descend from its highest point in the sky. It would soon grow dark.
Hopefully this leads somewhere...
August, very easily, became accustomed to walking on all-fours. As if his new form was destined to do so. It puzzled him for the longest time as he continued forward.
So... let's think this through; Grey coat of fur, brown hair... well thats my hair color... and a tail... What animal has a tail? A dog. Could I be a dog?
August continued to ponder as he noticed that the path had grown wider. It was obvious it had to lead somewhere. A town maybe. August stopped and judged his height at a nearby tree.
Hmm.... nope. Too big for a dog..... A horse? Nooo..... to small for a horse...
August stopped and took a look on the bottom of his arm.
Maybe...
He shrugged and continued on.
The sun was lower now, the day quickly growing into the night and August began to worry.
There's nowhere to stay out here...
He took a quick look of where the sun was in the sky. He might have a few more hours before its completely dark.
I'll have to find shelter s...!
"Waah!" August fell over onto the ground. He rolled his eyes as he picked himself up, his chin now bruised. He looked down and saw that the path had changed. It was now almost a road. It transitioned from dirt and ruts to begin to be dotted with small, smooth stones. "Ow..." he said, rubbing his chin. "Damn rocks..." he sighed. "...but at least we're gettin' somewhere."
More and more hours past until it was finally dark. August, thanks to the moonlight, slowly continued. He was very tired and his leg muscles were very sore. But, he kept pushing.
Finally, as he reached the top of a small hill after which, at this point, to him, felt like climbing a mountain, he spotted lights below him. A town.
"Oh, thank Heaven..." he sighed.
August entered through a small wooden arch covered in banners and streamers, exhausted. The buildings were colorful, despite the only light being from lanterns which hung on tall metal poles, and were also made entirely of wood. No plastic siding or any made of bricks. Their tops even had hay or straw acting as their roofs. Odd.
August perked up at the sound of voices coming not far from him. He quickly darted along one side of the buildings and peered around its corner. The square in front of him was full of small wooden carts, the ones you see at local fruit or fish markets, open shops, tables and chairs and a single fountain; all lit up beautifully by the lanterns and decoration lights streamed across their gaps. He could spot other creatures at these various places and made them out to be... well, rather odd. They were all candy colored; various shades of cream, yellow, blue, brown, and even... grey. August looked down upon himself and back at the creatures.
Hu boy... I was just off...
"Ponies..."
"Hey, what are you doing behind there?" August nearly jumped out of his own skin... or rather fur. He didn't notice one of them off to his side had spotted him and came to investigate. The pony jumped itself when August reacted. It looked beyond the corner and cocked an eyebrow. "Uhhh.... are you okay?"
"Nope." he whispered. August was on the ground, his arms over his face.
"Hey..." The pony walked over to him. "Hey."
August moved one his arms from his face and looked up. He stared up into the eyes of a young mare. She was purple, her mane and tail with various shades of purple and pink highlighted throughout. She had a small horn and her eyes... her eyes were mesmerizing. August composed himself by taking a deep breath and stood up. She had a concerned look upon her face as she stared at him.
"Umm...*ehem* are you alright?" she asked. August gulped. He was still stunned by the fact she was, well, a unicorn. And was speaking to him. Asking if he was okay.
"Sorta..."
"Care to elaborate?" He started to shake his head this way and that to try to find someway of explaining his predicament. He was, however, unsuccessful.
"I can't explain it. Any of... this!" August gestured towards himself, her, and pretty much everything around him.
"What?"
"I... I don't know!" August began to raise his voice. A sense of sadness began to creep in as well. "I just... its not... your your.. your your your purple! Your your your a unicorn.. I'm a pony... You can talk... I don't know how the fuck I'm talking... We're both talking... We're talking to each other... We're interacting... I just.. I just.." Tears began to form in August's eyes. "I don't want to be like this anymore! Why the hell am I here?! Why am I like this?!" Hot tears began to stream down his face as he continued his break down. "I just wanna go home! I want to go home! I want to go back to Awehul! I want to see my Uncle! I want to see Gene! I don't want to be this way anymore! I want to go back to being a damn human!" The mare, before, seeming being very disturbed at what was happening, now perked up at his last statement.
"Wait.. Wait what? You were what?" August stopped his tantrum and looked at her, his mouth agape, tears still streaming, and his face engulfed in distress.
"A huma....humaaaAGHHHH!" August put his arms to his head as it pulsated with an excruciating pain. It was completely unbearable this time. His head felt as if it were to implode at any moment. Then, August stopped. His arms fell to his side and his eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell to the ground, out cold.
Strange New World: Part 1
It was a cold Friday afternoon, early in September. August Rush made his way down the rugged, rocky path of Awehul’s central park, the fallen autumn leaves crunching under his beaten, grey Converse. His schoolbag started slipping off his shoulder, and he adjusted it, rolling his eyes as he did so. It always had a nasty tendency of sliding off of him - Then again, it was tattered and beaten up. He’d used it for the past few years without complaint. Most of the other students usually got a new backpack every start of the new school year. He scoffed at them every time the new year began, showing off their brand new bags to all their friends. August didn't really care to get a new one. His own bag did its job fine. He also didn’t have the money for it. But as it slipped down his shoulder once more, he started to have second thoughts. August continued walking down the path towards the center of the park taking small, steady strides. He wasn’t in a hurry. If anything he was a little early. His hands were deep inside the pockets of his grey hoodie, holding tightly onto the MP3 player which blasted the heavy electronic music into his ears. He let his eyes wander around the park as he pressed on, taking in the lovely sight of autumn which had begun to take its hold. It was early, but all of the leaves on the trees had changed to their new and final colors of the year. The bright hues of the different reds, oranges, and yellows gave the park the feeling of wonder and excitement. It changed the total feeling of the area, bringing life to the blandness of the park at which it was every other time of the year. The grass was always dead and brown. Even the green from the scarce set of trees here were not as green as some of the other more vibrant shades he’s seen. Ironic. Such a wondrous sight, the colors, again, bringing life to the park but, marked the end of the line. End of the year and end of the life of the trees.
He came up to the wooden bench and sat down, now letting the backpack slide freely off of him. He leaned back and rested, taking in a deep breath of crisp air. He stared at the ground in front of him, continuing to listen to the music that flooded his ears. After a few moments had passed, however, he pulled the earbuds out and turned off the MP3, the natural noises returning to fill his head. Birds chirped from the trees and cars roared and honked from all around him.
Just another day in paradise... he thought.
He turned to look down the path he had just walked. Not a soul was there. Then again, not many people entered the park at this time of day. Or month. Well, then again, ever.
Where is she? he thought, once more, looking down the opposite way of the path. Still, seeing no one. She usually beats me here...
He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He jumped off the bench and put up his fists, adrenaline already starting to soar through his body.
“Whoa there, Ali!”
August lowered his arms to his sides, shaking his head.
“Did you really have to do that?”
“What? It’s fun scaring you, August.”
“Just..... not today, Gene.” he said, returning to his seat on the bench. The young girl froze in place, realizing the mistake she had made and came around from behind and sat down next to him. She looked horrified.
“Oh, right...” she said. Gene began to play her dirty blonde hair, biting her lip as she did. August looked up at her and shook his head.
“It’s fine, Gene. I’m alright.” he said, taking her hand.
“How could I have been so stupid! So insensitive!” she grunted.
“Gene, really, I’m ok. You forgot, I guess. It’s fine, really!” August said, trying to reassure her.
Gene just shook her head and continued to stare in front of her, still petrified. Her eyes reddened and began to grow moist, despite the cold. August squeezed her hand. “It’s alright...”
The two of them had been together since summer vacation began, and since then they've always hung out in the park by themselves. It was their place to unwind and speak privately, without any of their annoying classmates hovering over them, waiting for the next juicy piece of gossip to tell their friends. Arrogant pricks... Had they nothing better to do then to just get in other people’s business? It angered August that the entire Junior class knew about them a mere week into the new school year. He wanted to keep the relationship on the ‘down low’ so as not to draw attention. He didn’t like being in the spotlight but, it was already too late.
August and Gene have been friends ever since he had moved from the west side of the city to the east, sharing common interests, such as writing, and subjects at school; English and Science. They grew closer together through projects and class given assignments. It wasn’t completely obvious to the rest of their class but they did give off hints of liking each other. Ultimately, after their Sophomore school year had ended, Gene asked out August.
Throughout their time together, August had hesitated to ask her out first. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for a relationship. He didn’t have much money to spend for himself, let alone someone else that would become a primary figure in his life. Yet, they talked it over and said that money wasn’t a necessity.
There was another factor, however; August wasn’t the happiest of all people, and still isn’t. His parents died when he was only a small boy...
On this day...
Gene had mistakenly forgotten. August didn’t have to tell her, or anyone for that matter, how it had happened either; it was all over the news. A huge pile up of cars in one of the busiest intersections in the city. His parents had been caught right in the middle of it; a head on collision followed by a t-bone. Investigators were unsure of what had caused such a horrific accident. Many suspect that drivers weren’t paying attention, and ran the red right while August’s parents had a go-ahead green.
It was cold that day... just like today... the same.
But, August has come a long way from that. For the longest time after the death of his parents, he was very quiet, shy, keeping to himself; not allowing others to budge into whatever he was doing (or, as he calls it, life). Again, he’s come far. After meeting Gene, he began to open up more and interact with the people around him, whether if he despised them or not. And he had just recently pondered about this, back in July; almost a mere month of the two of them being together:
What if Gene hadn’t appeared in my life? Would I still be a lifeless sack of nothingness? Would I still be slouching around, caught up in my own misery...?
August let go of her hand and wrapped his arm over and around her, pulling her closer to him. A silence fell upon them. They sat close together and listened to the noises of the park. A few minutes passed quietly until August spoke,
“Soooo..... did you catch last night’s game?” Gene sat up, glaring at him. She gave him a quick jab to his arm. He flinched. “Aghh! What?!” She pointed a finger at him.
“That’s not funny!,” She slouched farther down the bench. “I feel like crap now.”
“I’m just trying to lighten the mood!” August said, forcing a smile and a slight chuckle.
“Yeah, well, it's not helping.”
“I’ve already told you, I’m fine, really!” Gene sighed heavily and looked up at him.
“You’re sure?” she asked, still holding her sad look on her face; a tear in her eye. August nodded, sincerely.
“I’m sure. I took no offense. You forgot, oh well. No harm done,” He smiled at her, taking his hand to her chin. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Yeah, well,” She sat up. “I can’t do that. I can’t even imagine the thought of you walking around here, having to bear this terrible burden... You’re too important to me, anyway...” August cocked an eyebrow.
“You know what would be great..” he started, Gene turning towards him, “If we could really stop talking about this subject...” Gene rolled her eyes.
“Ok, fine. What do you want to talk about?”
“Uhhhh.... I don’t know.” August shrugged. Gene laughed.
“Well, how was school?” August’s face turned sour.
“Really? You couldn’t find anything better to talk about other than that bore-fest?” he asked, giving out a groan. Gene chuckled. “I’m beginning to believe that my dead parents might become an interesting topic...”
Gene gave him another quick jab, this time to his shoulder. He gave out a laugh as he caressed his shoulder.
“That’s not funny, one bit!” She folded her arms into her lap and shot him an angered look. “I’m serious, August!”
“Haha.. Really? Well, let’s see......hmmm..... Well I got a 94 on my Science test...”
“HA! The cell unit? I got a 96!” Gene poked August in his ribs.
“Ooohhh! A whopping two points better!” he said, poking her back.
“Two points better than you.” she returned, snickering.
“‘Look at me! I’m Gene and I’m better because I got two points higher on my dumb science test!’ Mweueh!” August mocked.
“Well, if you would’ve studied, maybe you could’ve beaten me.”
“Oh, wow! You studied for that ridiculous unit?!”
“Hey, if you actually tried studying for once, then maybe you could do better in the class. Heck, you’d be doing better in all of your classes!”
“You know very well why I don’t study for things.”
“Oh, here we go.” Gene said, under her breath.
“Just this past year, my stupid English teacher said one day, ‘This is a very important quiz, so I encourage all of you to study hard for it.’ Trying to be a ‘good little student’, I decided it would be a good idea to study for it!...” August started wailing his arms around, emphasizing on certain points.
“Here it comes...”
“So, I studied and studied and studied, all throughout the night! Next day, take the quiz, get it back, and I freaking flunked it!!!” August shouted.
“There it is...”
“I mean how do I fail a simple English quiz which I studied hard for, the previous night?! Please, somebody tell me how!”
“By being you?” Gene said, sarcastically, her head resting on her hand. August shot her a dirty looked than sighed.
“Well, you know darn right why I don’t study for things anymore. I do WAY better when I don’t.”
“Ok. Sure. Whatever you say, Einstein.” Gene played.
August rolled his eyes. They both sat and stared at each other. Gene gave him a playful glare. August returned with one, and they burst out laughing. Then the two of them then sat together, very quiet. They sat for quite some time, listening to the wind blow through the trees; whipping up the dead leaves as it blew. Gene soon stood up from the bench and stretched out. August smiled as she did.
“Walk me home?” she asked, turning to face him, her hand reaching out.
“Certainly.” he said, taking her hand and standing up.
“Seriously?”
“What?” August grabbed his backpack and slid it up on his shoulder, tightening the strap to make sure it didn’t fall off of him again. Gene just laughed.
“Nevermind.” she said as the two walked together, hand in hand. They made their way down the beaten path and up towards 21st Street. It was just starting to get a little busier than usual.
Must be just past four. August thought. He looked up towards the sun as it started to dip behind one of the taller skyscrapers.Gene and August waited then crossed the street, and rounded the block, still hand in hand, not speaking as they walked.
It wasn’t everyday that August walked Gene home. they usually parted ways from the corner of 21st and left; they typically never spoke. To them, it was normal, only speaking if it was something important. Actually, they didn’t really speak to each other much at all. Sure, they would have delightful and fun conversations but, normally they would stay quiet around each other. To other people, especially the other students at their school, it was seen as very strange. Even as they walked through the hallways to their classrooms, they never said a word to each other; again, only truly speaking if it was something very important. August was confronted by some of his fellow students, even some of his own friends, saying why, when they had seen the two of them together, he and Gene never spoke. August replied with a simple ‘I don’t know.’ August pondered this for a while after, though. Just why did the two of them never really speak?
Are we just really shy around each other? No...that..that can’t be right... Are we just shy enough not to speak when there’s other people around? Well... no. I really wouldn’t care. I’d talk with her if she started something...but..she doesn’t... Then...why? Ugh, its so confusing.....
Maybe its Gene just relating to August. She noticed that he was shy to everyone around him and... knowing about his parents... Maybe she just wants to take things very slow, for August’s sake. Then again..... that’s awfully slow. Then, what could it be?
August and Gene made their way down a few more blocks, through busy intersections, and crowds of people, before arriving at an apartment complex on 34th Street. August walked Gene up the front stairs and turned to her.
“Well, here we are Milady.” August joked. Gene rolled her eyes, letting out a short laugh.
“Thank you, August.”
“You’re welcome.” he said, smiling.
“Don’t be late tomorrow.” she said, turning towards the keypad on the front wall. She punched in a few numbers and the door unlocked. August stood confused. Late?
“Wait, late for what?” he asked. Gene turned back to him. She stopped just inside the doorway.
“The Museum, silly! I’m having my dad take us to the Natural History Museum tomorrow. What? Did you forget already?” she said, sarcastically.
“Oh...! Right! Yeah, I’ll be here... at..at...,” August started snapping his fingers, trying his best to remember. “Noon! Noon! I’ll be here at Noon.” he said, smiling at Gene, embarrassingly. The two let out a laugh.
“Alright, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Gene said.
“I’ll be here. I promise.”
“Don’t be late!” Gene called as she ran inside the building, waving back as she did.
“I promise!” August yelled after her. He stood on the front steps until he could no longer see her through the glass door. He smiled and chuckled to himself. He turned, headed back down the street. It was a long way from his own home, but he couldn’t care less. He was in a good mood. He hadn’t been this happy since being with his parents. He smiled all the way home.
I promise...
August reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He was just outside his uncle’s apartment; headphones back in and music blaring, and with the same smile he had on fifteen minutes ago. He found the tan key that read ‘24B’ and unlocked the door. He entered the apartment, flipping on the light switch and pulled an earbud from his ear. The musty smell of the apartment crept into his nostrils.
“Uncle Alex? I’m home! Sorry I’m a little late..,” August slid his backpack from his shoulder and onto the floor near the door. He walked over to the kitchen counter in front of him. “...I was with Gene and I walked her ho...” August spotted a note laid out on the countertop. He picked it up and read the messy handwriting:
August,
Went downtown to fetch some Chinese. I’ll be back later. Please get any homework you have done.
~Alex
“Sounds good...” he said.
August kicked his shoes off next to his backpack and passed through the living room; which meagerly boasted an old couch and a small television set parallel to it. He continued down the hallway and opened a door to his left. His bedroom wasn’t much - a bed, a small closet, a desk and nightstand with a lamp and alarm clock. He pulled out his MP3 and set it onto the desk. He fell on the bed and laid there, letting his mind wander back through the events of the day. Back to school. Back to the park. Back to Gene... August turned to his alarm clock. It read 6:39 and the alarm was set for 6:30 in the morning.
Noon...
He reached over and set it for 10am. He usually slept late on the weekend and didn’t want to oversleep and miss his... date... with Gene.
It is a date, isn’t it? Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, a bit... he thought. He rolled back over and stared up at his ceiling. He sighed. Then... he smiled. He was excited about tomorrow. He was excited to see Gene again, even though they had parted ways only twenty minutes ago. Nevertheless, he was still excited. His favorite subject, or rather his easiest class, happened to be History. August closed his eyes, still smiling as he began to dream...
He saw her...
He saw her in the distance; in a bright field full of white and nothingness. He stepped forward, unsure if he would fall or how the ‘ground’ would hold him, but, if was to reach her, he stepped anyway. He continued to smile, as he walked towards her. She was some ways away, but he didn’t mind the walk. He was happy to see her. Happy to see her once again. He quickened his pace, from a small jog then to a full run. His smile grew as he lessened the distance between himself and her. His heartbeat quickened as his stomach turned. He laughed.
“Gene!” he called out.
She heard him. She started to turn towards him, he still running towards her. He couldn’t have felt happier; not anything would make him feel anymore grand than to see and hear her again.
She had turned to face him...but she a saddened expression upon her face. She was pale and her hair didn’t shine as bright as he remembered.
“Gene...?” he said. He lessened his pace back a bit, still analyzing the girl before him. The feeling of great happiness was gone.
“August...” she whispered.
Then it came. A great blackness emerged from behind her, sweeping far up the white wasteland and stretched out across the mass. It veined through the sky and through the ground. It pulsated and continued to grow, until was just behind her.
“Gene!” he yelled. He reached out his hand, but he was still far from her. It was as if regardless of how far he ran towards her, she remained the same distance away from him. The blackness swept behind her, in a thick black, condensing around her.
“GENE!!!” he screamed. She took another look at him and blinked. The blackness shot at her, twisting around her and held her in its clutches. It pulled her from her stance and she disappeared within the darkness.
He screamed as it, too, swept forward and swallowed him.
August screamed. He shot up, panting; sweat dripping from his forehead. He covered his face with his hands, wiping away the sweat. He breathed slowly, trying to calm himself.
A dream..... It was just a dream... he thought.
“Just a dream...” he whispered.
He lifted his hands away from his face and stared into the white wasteland in front of him. He froze.
What...
His eyes widened. He could feel his heart thump harder from within his chest. It rocked him from the core. His breathing was short and fast. He slowly rose to his feet, taking a look around the area around him. There was nothing... just white.
What...what is this?
August spun around, trying to look for something...anything else in the area. Nothing. Just white.
What’s happening?
He stood in same place he was when he was in his dream. He was still standing where he stood when he..... when he saw... her. He blinked and slowly turned.
Then he spotted it.
August froze once more and held his breath. There was a figure in the distance, but too far away from him to tell who or what it was. August gulped and took a step forward in its direction. He stepped cautiously, staring at the figure before him, still trying to figure out who it was. Unlike in his dream, the figure grew closer as he stepped forward.
Much time passed until August finally stood a mere fifteen feet from the figure. It was cloaked in black with a hood to hide its face; sliver jewelry hung from the neck lining. It wore black gloves on its hands and black boots on its feet. Its arms were folded across its chest. August stopped walking.
“Glad to finally meet you,..... August Rush.” he said. His voice was deep and hoarse. He nodded in August’s direction.
“How do you...” he hesitated, and peered at the man in front of him. “How do you know who I am?”
“I know a lot about you, August.” he said.
“Really?” August challenged the man’s knowledge.
“Indeed. You were born on January 15th, 2096; a Wednesday if I remember correctly..... Your parents..." The cloaked man hesitated, "Your parents died six years ago, on this day... You now live with your uncle on your father’s side, Alex Rush; Apartment 24B on the East side of Awehul... Do I need to continue?”
August, blindsided from the information the man portrayed, merely gasped. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. How did he know this...? August hesitated once more.
“Wh..Who are you?”
The man just waved a hand, evading the question.
“All will be revealed soon, son.” he said.
“What the hell does that mean?” August raised his voice. The man raised his hand into the air and snapped his fingers. August stood there dumbfounded.
What was that for?
“Good luck and be safe...”
“What the hell does that mean?!” August screamed. The man pointed at him.
“..And don’t get into any more trouble than you already will.”
“WHAT?! You’re not making any sense! Where am I?! How did I get here?! Who the fu-” August stopped. He was unable to speak anymore. He grabbed at his neck, then looked up at the man. The man just stood there, unmoving, as he watched him struggle. August began to feel uneasy, shaky . He fell to his knees. The uneasiness grew and began to overwhelm him. His strength was draining from him. His vision blurred and his head felt an immense pressure. August moved his hands to his head and clutched it. He tried to scream but nothing came out. His ears burned and he was deafened.
August fought for no longer. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the ground with a thud. Darkness crept into his mind.