With a smug, devilish grin, Ethan states a fact.
"So, you're saying you're free."
Yes, I am almost always free, in fact. I smile in response.
"Yeah, let's hang out."
His smirk quickly shifts… to pure terror. His voice shakes with disbelief.
"W-what…?"
I respond with my own grin. That of a sadistic devil.
"You heard me. Let's hang out."
So here we were, at a local diner. Ethan had to practically drag Ada, despite the fact that they were joined at the hip when they went up to my seat earlier.
Her quiet voice sounds about two minutes after we take a seat.
"Um… I actually needed to get to practice —"
Ethan responds with a pure battle cry.
"SHUT UP! YOU'RE HANGING OUT WITH US!"
The fire in his eyes cannot be extinguished. It seems you're stuck with us, Ada.
I pathetically look down at the table.
"You'd rather practice alone than hang out with me? I see, I understand. Hanging out with me is that bad, huh…"
Ada nods.
"Yeah, I'd rather do anything else."
SO CRUEL!
Ethan scrambles, his hands going up and down.
"Ada! You're going to scare him away!"
I think that's the point…
We love one another though!
"Anyway, I'm surprised you're free today."
Ada takes a sip of her drink.
"I think this is the first time we've hung out…"
Ethan nods, enthused.
"Yeah! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! The three legends of Lakeside High in one place!"
Another slam to the table. He does love slamming things.
"This place will be known as… 'The Spot' …"
…
How creative…
Ada's eyebrow raises skeptically.
"Is that seriously the best you can come up with?"
She further adds with a smirk.
"Also, what legend are you talking about… there's no way either of you two are legends of anything…"
And you are?
Ethan's face flushes red. The table shakes upon being slammed on by his fist.
Again.
I think the waitress is giving you the evil eye, dude.
"SHADDAP! I'm… brainstorming! If you two pulled your weight than maybe I could've came up with something cooler!"
Ada shrugs in response, I can almost see the steam rise from Ethan's face.
I should change the topic.
"Anyway… thanks, you two. I appreciate you keeping me company."
The two exchange looks. Ada looks away.
"Why are you getting all serious… it's not a big deal…"
Ethan crosses his arms with a nod.
"Yeah, don't get all gloomy now, dude. You'll be seen as the legendary wuss if you keep that energy up!"
Here I was trying to be genuine…
"Screw you too, asshole!"
Another table slam from Ethan.
You're going to break the table at this rate…
"What did you say?!"
Ada sighs into a response.
"Haah… now, now. Relax, you two…"
We all hung out for a while… it wasn't that bad. I have a bit of a headache from all the people, and I could tell some people thought we were annoying, but… it wasn't bad.
Thanks, really. I should be safe now, too. Everything will go back to normal now.
One step.
Two.
Three.
The diner where I said goodbye isn't visible anymore.
I'm fine.
I won't go back to that spot. I'll take a long way.
I'll be fine.
It's getting dark. I've been on night walks before, this city is pretty peaceful, so I can do that much. Still, can I really afford to this time? I can't help but think back…
That can't have been a dream.
This is my third time living today.
It can't just be déjà vu. I don't know what's going on, but I do know I don't want to get hit again.
The sun is completely down by the time I get back to my apartment. I didn't encounter anyone, really… I'm safe.
The quiet sunset almost serves a cinematic close to my day.
Apollo is protecting me, one last time…
I grab the handle to the main entrance, and pull.
I pull.
I pull.
Why is it locked?
It's never locked.
…Calm down.
I'm sure it's a coincidence.
I look through the glass, nobody is there. It's only 9:00pm… why is nobody here?
Apollo?! What happened, man?!
I hear someone behind me.
More static.
Then, footsteps.
I turn my head. His face is covered.
His hoarse voice croaks like a dying man's
"Die… die…"
He flashes a knife.
I'm cornered by the door. Both sides of me have bushes blocking my way.
I smile awkwardly, trying to keep my cool.
"How's it going? Busy night?"
He takes a step closer.
"Die… die…"
Another.
The door rattles as I pull again.
My fist rams against the door.
"Somebody!"
Another slam.
Shit!
I push off the door, and launch off the ground in a sprint!
A punch to my gut, heat spreads across my stomach.
My legs turn to lead.
My hands scrape against the asphalt as I try to catch myself.
"Ack… ugh… ugh…"
I can't breathe…
I look towards my stomach, and all I see is…
Bleh…BLAARGH
The ground is a mix of red, and my released dinner.
My heart hammers. I'm oozing red.
"Somebody… help…"
I reach out for nobody in particular.
Next, a hit to my neck.
Ggrrlllr
The taste of pennies returns. I'm drowning in it.
I'm cold.