The street was dark, and the lamps were broken. What little light shone upon this gloomy area came from the cold moon in the pitch-black sky. The assorted cobblestones of the street were kicked around as depressed-looking people stared up into the moon, not looking away. They blended in perfectly with the shadowy street, and almost seemed to be part of it. They paid no attention as a foreigner dropped from midair into their atmosphere.
"Ow."
Tech E. Coyote sat up and rubbed his head, eyes adjusting to the foggy darkness.
"Oh, no. Not again," he moaned, getting up. The cobblestones clattered off of his lab coat as he stood up.
The residents took no notice. They continued to stare at the moon.
But Tech was used to this. That's all these people seem to do, he thought grimly. Stare at the moon all night…
He wandered around until he found the specific lamppost that he had marked last night. Tech traveled up the seemingly endless road, towards the moon. He stared up at it as well. Not much else to do – the surroundings was mostly dilapidated buildings, cracked lamps, and gawking citizens. Nor did Tech think they were citizens – there was no sign of a city, only a single street, going on and on, and it was nothing like any sector of Acmetropolis. It was mostly the same thing for miles on.
And I should know, Tech thought. Two nights – three, counting tonight – I've been here, and this is all I see.
"When I was a young girl, my father took me into the city to see a marching band…"
Tech blinked and turned around. Nobody was behind him.
"Hello?" he called out hesitantly. "Anyone there?"
"What? Oh, you heard me?" came a quiet voice. Tech backed up one step, turned around again, only to jump back with a yelp of surprise as he was met by a quizzical upside-down face. The coyote nearly fell over, but grabbed a nearby lamppost just in time.
"I didn't think anyone could hear me…but then, you don't live here," said the upside-down figure. Tech looked up to see that the figure was hanging off the arc of the lamppost in a bat-like stature. In fact, it seemed to have wings…
"I was hoping for Danny," the figure continued in its low murmur. "Oh, well. I should have specified. Always should specify. That's what I've learned."
"Excuse me," Tech interrupted, "but who are you?"
The figure scrambled down the pole and landed at his feet. Now right-side-up, Tech could see that it was a raven-haired girl in her late teens. Her black coat was a severe contrast to her pink shirt. Her jeans were adorned with stars of various sizes, colors, and styles, placed in no particular pattern. Her shoes were checkered. The only difference between her and a normal girl was that there were white feathery wings sprouting from her shoulder blades.
"I'm someone or the other – and you're the same, but different…" The girl tilted her head, as if to ask the same question of Tech.
"Ah…and where is this?"
"This?" The girl gestured to the murky street. "This is the place where torn souls wander. This is the place where broken hearts linger. This is the place where people come when they've had it. This," she said, turning around and sweeping her arm through the air, "is the Boulevard of Broken Dreams."
"The boulevard of broken dreams? Fascinating…" Tech said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I suppose I've a broken dream as well?"
The girl glared at him. "This is a place of great importance, even if it's the crappiest place you're ever going to see. Call the Boulevard by its name, with capital letters, if you please."
"With capital letters?" Tech repeated, skeptical.
"Yes, that's right."
"And why am I here?"
"Ah!" The girl clapped her hands and smiled. "That's the most important thing of all! Or, right now, at least."
"Do I have a broken dream? Is that why I'm here?" Tech asked curiously. "And what about you? You don't seem to be broken…"
The girl's smile faltered for a flicker of a moment, but she merely pulled her black coat around her more tightly. "I'm here to help these people get out," she answered, looking up at the moon. "And you're here to help me."
"Ah." Tech couldn't think of anything better to say. "But…why me? I've been visiting here for the last three nights-"
"Because I summoned you here to help," the girl cut in. "And I was really hoping for…someone else. No offense towards you, but…" She trailed off.
"None taken."
"Unless you don't really want to help. That's fine as well," the girl rambled, ignoring Tech's last comment. "I suppose I could just find someone else…"
"No, I'll help," Tech said quickly. "It's…just hard to think that I've been summoned on a mission to help…er…who are these people?" he asked finally.
"Torn souls. Broken hearts," repeated the girl. "People who are pretty much in depression. You are going to find these people," she continued, pointing to the forlorn community behind them, "and I'm going to tell you everything I can about them."
"Well…if we're working together," Tech said tentatively, "I'll need to know your name."
"My…name?" The girl blinked. "Do I really need one?"
"Don't you have one?"
"I guess…I guess I do," replied the girl hesitantly.
"My name's Tech. Tech E. Coyote," said Tech, extending a hand. The girl shook it.
"I have a name, but I suppose I lost it," the girl said by way of response. "If I find it, I'll give it to you."
"Um…right. How am I supposed to know where to find these…"
"Residents. Call them Residents."
"Residents, then. How am I going to track them down?"
"You will eventually," replied the girl cryptically. "Bye."
"Bye? Hey, wait-"
Crash.
Tech was jolted out of bed as explosions, detonations, and outbursts of noise came from the direction of his lab. Muffled shouts followed each crash. The coyote jumped up and ran to his lab, the strange Boulevard and the white-winged girl forgotten in the moment of panic.
He didn't notice that there was a white feather on his pillow, stirred by the breeze.
Notes:
A fanfiction? From me? How shocking.
I'm not very satisfied with it...for some odd reason...
Yes...the girl is crazy...and she's not me. Background information about her is in another one shot fanfic I be writing. I should probably finish writing that one shot before finishing this...
HAY LOOK I BE USING TECH IN A FANFIC GASP
...I is not a very good anti-Tech. xD
Or maybe I could bash him... -brick'd by the Techies- I was kidding!
no. 40 - hero
Tech E. Coyote (c) WB
the girl (c) me
"When I was a young boy, my father took me into the city to see a marching band" is (c) My Chemical Romance
based on the song 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day
but I own this version of the Boulevard. :)