Beach City is a place that could be classified into two different states of being: The first (and most expected to the average passerby or vacationer) being a sleepy little tourist trap seemingly devoid of much, if any, intrigue. This seemed to be much the case at most of the time.
The second state, however, held far more interest to most people. Extraterrestrial technology. Giant monsters. Beings with supernatural powers. Today, many people would likely scoff at or mock you for even thinking of believing in such ridiculous claims, calling you any number of profanity which could most be summarized with "You're a Fool".
Well, consider the young man driving near the outskirts of town said fool.
The man in question was currently in a grey car, rumbling along the slightly roughly paved road. He was a tall, thin man, not having much definition in terms of fat or muscle. He was in the midst of positioning his messy ebon hair to get a better view of the sky. It was slate grey, much like his eyes.
Looks like it's been raining he thought.
He lowered his gaze back to the trail he was on, collecting his thoughts back to his previous mulling. He found it understandable, most people thinking he was mad to find truth in the mystical claims of the city he was heading to. At the same time, however, he couldn't help but feel a bit cheated that he was one of the only people he knew that could find some inkling of right within the claims.
He shook off his momentary frustration and focused his efforts on what his awaited destination held for him: Not just a relaxing shoreline and the possibility of something larger than he is, but both.
Yes, of the coin that was Beach City, he didn't care whether it landed heads or tails. Either of the two states of being would be to his liking.
Regardless, he couldn't help but let doubt crawl into his subconscious.
What if I don't get the job? It's been so long since I've been to this city, they don't know me. They most likely have several other more qualified candidates. Even if I do get it, the moving company isn't going to be here for a couple days, so for the time being I've only got the clothes on my ba-
He put his rapidly speeding train of thought to a halt, pulling over his car to do the same physically.
Deep breaths, Avery…Deep breaths He chanted to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose to prevent the inevitable feelings of an oncoming headache.
Shaking himself off, both mentally and physically, Avery proceeded to start his car. Alright, back along my merry way…if I can call it merry after what just happened.
After about a half an hour or so, he finally made it: Beach City. Pulling over to the side of the main road, Avery stepped out of his vehicle. It seemed that his previous assumption of it raining was true, as the many potholes were filled with water and the air smelt of wet pavement. The corners of Avery's mouth, as well as the entirety of his head, hooked upward in joy. The scent wafting through Avery's nostrils were accompanied by memories from long ago: Him and his father on a porch during a rainy afternoon, his siblings under a fort of blankets, giggling and "hiding" from the storm outside. Such thoughts made him yearn for the past.
Avery's nostalgic throwback was interrupted, however, when he heard a noise.
*grumble*
Looking downward to his stomach, Avery came to a conclusion.
Alright, before I meander into Possible-Mid-Life-Crisis-Thoughts-Even-Though-I'm-Nowhere-Close-To-Fourty, perhaps I should get some food in my system.
Surveying the area for what might be appetizing, Avery's eyes stopped near the end of the main street, and what seemed to be a large circle on top of a building.
The Big Donut, huh? How original Avery thought sarcastically. Despite this, a donut did sound rather nice, so headed in that direction.
Walking through the door, an all too familiar jingle on his heels, the person working the counter (a teenage girl, by the looks of it) snapped to attention. The other worker, this one a boy, didn't seem to care a customer was at the store, his phone holding much more interest over him.
"Hi there, welcome to the Big Donut! What can I get for you?" The girl said
"I'll take a Chocolate, if you have any" Avery responded
"Comin' right up!"
Upon hearing a stranger's voice, the other worker looked up from his phone and took notice of the customer.
"Never seen you around here" He said, with a very traceable amount of indifference.
"Oh, That's because I'm not from here, I just got into town." Avery replied
"I see." The girl picked up the conversation "Are you a tourist or here for the long haul?"
"Long haul. I got an interview over at the hospital."
"For what position? Janitor?" The boy laughed at his own joke
"Lars!" The girl cried
"Oh, lighten up Sadie."
Avery chuckled despite the rudeness of this Lars' comment. "For your information, I'm a therapist. They're needing help in the psychiatric ward."
"Oh, so you help out nutcases?" Lars said
"Essentially." Avery answered with a slight smirk
"Eh, whatever. Though, if you're gonna be living here, take my advice:" upon saying this, Lars pointed to a house in the distance, very close to the shoreline "Stay away from that place." He said with distaste.
"Uh, why? Is it haunted?" Avery said, smiling and wiggling his fingers
"I wish. It's where those freaks live!"
"Excuse me, freaks?"
"Oh, grow up, Lars." Sadie chimed in "You're just jealous because you can't do what they do. Here's your Donut, that'll be one dollar."
Fishing the sufficient currency from his wallet, Avery paid for the pastry. "Thank you, have a good day."
"You as well, Sir! Good luck with the interview."
"Thanks, I'll be needing all the support I can get."
As Avery walked out the door of the establishment, absentmindedly hearing an argument between Lars and Sadie, He looked toward the house the former had mentioned previously.
It was a gorgeously crafted house, nobody could deny that. From the stone walkway to the front porch and the patio overlooking the sea, it gave off a simultaneous feeling of eloquence and hominess.
Those features weren't what caught Avery's eye most, though.
No, that prize would go to the carving surrounding the house. It appeared to be a…woman? Avery wanted to say it looked like a woman, due to its thin build and billowing hair. Most perplexing of the work of art was its multiple arms.
Maybe it's a…religious figure? Or possibly…
Avery thought back to the far-fetched rumors. With the house and the warning from Lars earlier, he felt his heartrate increase and his doubt for entertaining the rumors dissipate slightly. Maybe that house was where those supernatural beings lived.
Avery didn't let himself get too excited, though. In all likelihood, those who lived in that house were just the village oddities that everyone liked to spread strange rumors about. Be that as it may, he found it unfair that Lars kid labeled them as "freaks". Granted, he hadn't met them, but as long as they don't spread hate a person shouldn't be ridiculed just for being eccentric.
Stopping his inner monologue for a brief period, Avery peered down to his watch.
An hour before the interview. What should I do in the meantime?
Looking up and down the main street, He didn't see much that piqued his intrigue. Just some shops that were either closed or didn't really seem his cup of tea. The most interesting spot was what appeared to be an amusement park/arcade far down the road (Avery always had a soft spot for arcades still in business) but that was also closed.
Looking for any other options to pass time with, Avery looked to the ocean. It was very deserted, most likely due to the previous storm. Weighing all of his options in hand, Avery decided to head to the beach and lounge for a while.
Upon reaching his desired spot, Avery eased himself down on a sand dune and took a bite from his chocolate covered pastry.
Mmmm Avery thought Delicious.
Finishing his donut, Avery looked around the beach to find anything of note, after a while deciding the ocean itself proved to be most interesting.
At the moment it was very choppy, with the outermost area he could see creating vast indigo waves that clashed gorgeously with the stone colored sky above.
To believe people would pay hundreds to get a view like this…and I get to see it every day.
This thought made Avery smile, both internally and externally, and helped put his mind slightly at ease for his upcoming meeting at the hospital.
Still, he couldn't help but ruminate over the other troubles he thought of earlier. It was true that there were probably other, more qualified people for the job that were also applying. Avery was still somewhat fresh off the heels of college, so it could indeed be possible his intelligence could merely be brushed off as pride or naiveté in comparison to elder person in his same field.
Be that as it may, you're here to stay, Avery. That's for the best regardless if you get the job or not.
This thought made Avery close his eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Said inhaling caused him to get a nose full of the sea's scent. Coupled with the already prominent scent of the rain, his nasal cavern felt on cloud nine.
You know what? Thought Avery to hell with it. I've a great view, a nice looking new town…
Avery looked over to the Beach house he was surveying earlier, and his already prevalent smile grew larger and maybe even something wonderful on my hands. It's time to stop moping and start getting with it.
Avery gazed out to the sea, the torrential waves in the distance and sea spray overloading his senses, and said aloud:
"Alright, Beach City: Show me what you've got!"
Good morrow, people of Fanfiction! I'm guessing it was pretty obvious to tell but this is my first story. With that being said, any and all criticism/reviews are welcome, I want this to be a learning experience. Oh, and for those yearning for Steven and the Mom Squad, fret no, they're coming soon enough. Thank you so much for those who read this! Stay tuned if you're interested.