Earthbound CH02 - Destiny Knocks v1.1

"You gotta be kidding me!" I said with an exasperated sigh.

I stared at the ceiling in disbelief. I felt like my eyes were barely closing and now someone was pounding on the front door like a maniac. I would never get back to sleep.

With a long yawn, I threw off my blanket and grabbed Tracy's baseball bat with the intention of using it this time. Who had the nerve to wake up a family so late at night? I stomped down the hall hoping they would hear me and leave before I got to the door. If not they were going to be sorry.

I came straight out of my room, running right into Tracy who was pacing the hall. She was looking nervously at the stairwell, but then turned to look at me.

"Oh!" she squeaked in surprise.

She spotted me and stopped her circular trip.

"Can you believe someone's knocking at the door at this time? It's so early. I need my beauty sleep!" Tracy whined.

"That's the last thing you need to worry about at your age," I told her, "But yeah, I know whoever this is about to be sorry they woke us up."

"On top of that, what an annoying knock! It sounds like they are using both hands!" She said, clearly exhausted.

"Where's Mom?" I asked.

"She went downstairs, but I guess she hasn't answered it," Tracy replied.

"If she won't, I will," I told my sister.

She hugged me and said, "I'm scared! It's probably the aliens. They here to take us away!"

"Why must my dear sister be so weird?" I muttered, "There aren't any aliens."

Tracy watched me leave, and nodded, "I'll prove it."

I made my way downstairs, making sure to avoid the step that nearly caused a fall last time. Just like last time the lights were all on downstairs. Mom was standing in the dining room with her arms crossed, staring at the door, looking disheveled.

"My land," she said, "Who could be knocking at the door at this time of night!?"

"Someone who is obviously gonna get their butts kicked," I told her, "They are doing that annoying pattern knock even!"

"Would you answer it?" she asks, "If your father were here..."

I cut her off, "I know."

Crossing the living room, I stomped past King who was still sleeping and dead to the world.

"Whose there?" I called through the door.

I heard a muffled voice. With my bat ready to strike, I pulled the door open and jump back as Pokey stumbled into the house. He was slick with sweat and was breathing as if he'd just run a mile... which for him would be the dozen yards between our houses.

"Pokey, what the heck, man?" I ask, "Get out!"

He locked onto me with as if a cow staring at an oncoming train.

"Hey! L-l-listen to what I've got to say!" He pleaded.

As much dislike I had for him, it actually appeared to be an emergency. I set the bat down against the couch.

"You've got one minute, Pokey," I said.

"Okay!" he said in between breaths, "When I took Picky to the place where the meteorite landed-"

He stopped mid sentence and looked past me, noticing my mom.

"Oh! Good evening ma'am. You're looking lovely as usual," He said with a snicker.

"Pokey, the point?" I reminded him.

"Anyway, as I was saying, the police that were guarding the meteorite landing left suddenly to deal with the Sharks!" He said and clarified, "You know, the Sharks? They're the local ruffians!"

"I know," I said annoyed, "I don't live under a rock."

"Well they were really going wild! Suddenly, I noticed that Picky was gone!"

"Wait-wait-wait! You mean you lost your little brother!?" I asked, utterly incredulous.

"I blame the cops," he whined, "It certainly wasn't my fault."

I think he really believed his last statement.

"So what do you want me to do?" I asked, having a gut feeling I already knew.

"When my dad gets back, I know I'm gonna get it..." He said, dropping yet another hint.

"And?" I asked.

"You're my bestest friend! Won't you help me find Picky?" He pleaded, actually getting down on his knees and groveling at my feet.

I sighed, and once again I cursed myself for being so kind.

"Fine," I said, "But you owe me!"

"Oh good buddy!" he said, "Let's blow this popsicle stand! But before we go why don't you say 'goodbye' to your mom. Don't you agree ma'am?"

I turn around and lean on the baseball bat.

"What do you say, 'ma'am'?" I asked.

"Hmm. Ness, I know that the dog is unreliable, but you should take King along for this one. And Keep that bat handy. The sharks are out there..." She warned.

"Of course," I said, and look at the snoring St. Bernard.

"No matter what anyone says, you're a courageous, strong boy!" she says, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Geez, Mom, I'm not going to be gone long," I tried to remind her.

"You're my very own natural born fighter!" she continued, "You'll go far."

"Mom, you're giving a dramatic speech again," I said, knowing it by far not was not first dramatic speech. When I get a good grade in school she'd do the same. Her first one was probably when I was potty-trained.

"Remember to 'go for it'!" she said, ignoring my pleas not to be embarrassed in front of Pokey.

"Mom!" I said a bit louder.

"But I think you should change out of your jammies before you leave," she finished.

I looked back at Pokey and rolled my eyes. He had a goofy smile on his face.

"Yes, Mother," I groaned.

As I walked away I heard my mom talking to Pokey.

"Can I get you a glass of water dear?" she asked.

"A soda and a cheeseburger would be nice," He quirped.

"Mom, he's on a diet," I called over my shoulder, if she began to feed him he'd eat us out of house and home.

I jogged up the stairs and changed into my clothes, bringing my backpack with me. I came back down and Tracy was sitting at the dining room table with a notebook in front of her.

"Go back to sleep, Trace," I said, tapping her on the shoulder.

"But I'm going to do everything I can to help you! Good luck on your adventure against the aliens!" she said and pecked my cheek.

"How many times must I tell you, there are no aliens!" I whispered, ruffling her hair.

"That's what they want you to think!" she says.

"Okay, we'll see..." I said, humoring her.

"Oh! You might get hungry along the way so here's a cookie!" She smiled wide, crumbs in her teeth revealing she herself had been snacking.

Tracy reached into the pack of cookies on the table and pulled out one.

"Chocolate chip," I smiled, "The best kind!"

I took it, wrapped it in a napkin and dropped it in my backpack's front pouch.

"Oooh! If there's anything you don't want, leave it with me, okay? I can watch your TV right? What about your video games?"

"Don't. Touch. Anything." I said squinting my eyes in a playful way, "Go back to bed and I'll be back before you know it."

With that Tracy wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"Be careful!" she said.

I walked up to Mom to get a hug and said, "Off to save the world, ha ha."

"Yeah, you're cool, whatever..." she smiled and hugged me.

I walked over to King, who was still sleeping like a log. I nudged him with the baseball bat.

"C'mon boy!" I said.

He grunted and wagged his tail.

"I mean it!" I warned, "Or no treats for a month!"

He grunted again, but his eyes were open this time.

"Walky?" I said, "Want to go for a walky, boy?"

Those were the magic words. He flew to his feet and into my face, pawing me. I scratched him behind his ear, then gave him a big hug.

"C'mmmmmoon, Ness! Dad will be back soon!" Pokey's whine screeched in my ear like a siren.

He was testing my patience.

"Alright," I said and lowered King to the floor, gently setting the big lug down.

"You go out front," Pokey said, "and I'll follow at a safe distance."

"Scaredy-cat," I muttered, and walked to the door.

While opening the door a golden delicious-looking apple rolled to my feet. I picked it up and turned around. The fruit bowl on the table next to the couch was now empty. I glared at Pokey.

"Put them back!" I ordered him.

Even though I he knew that I knew, he still tried to feign ignorance and walk past.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

I grabbed the straps of his overalls and all seven apples fell out of his back pockets, scattering all over the floor.

"Put them back, or I won't help you," I threatened.

"But you promised!" he answered.

"And you're a gluttonous thief!" I said, arms crossed.

In great reluctance, he bent down and collected the fruit one by one. By the time he stood straight he was out of breath and sweating again. I watched him to make sure he put every last apple back in the bowl, and to my surprise, he did. The phone suddenly began ringing.

"Huh? Who the heck now?" I asked, shaking my head.

"No one could sleep here if they wanted to." I sighed.

"Ness, can you-" Mom started to yell.

"Yeah, I got it!" I called back.

I picked up the receiver.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey there, kiddo! It's your dad!" The voice sounded of

my father rang in. He sounded far away and staticy.

"Dad?" I asked, shocked. He barely ever called when on a business trip.

"You sound like you can't believe I would call!" He laughed.

"Well it's four something in the morning. But I'm just

surprised is all. You're usually busy 24/7."

"Work till exhaustion when you're young..." He responded, "Ever heard of a weird saying like this?"

"Um, not really," I replied, "You're not young either."

"Hey! But you are!"

"I guess so," I said, "Doesn't feel like it sometimes."

"You know I'm always behind you 100%." He told me.

"Thanks, Dad."

Pokey came up next to me and started jabbing his wrist with a pudgy finger, as if he was pointing at a watch. I nodded.

"Dad, I have to go," I told my father with a sigh.

"Well, don't be afraid," he said, as if he knew

something.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The meteorite," he answered, "You're going to go look at

it, aren't you?"
"How'd you know?" I asked.

"Please son, you insult me!" He said, chuckling, "It's all over the news! I'd be looking at it too if I were there! Anyway, I know you're brave! You can do it!"

"Thanks, but it shouldn't be dangerous," I said, wondering why everyone acted like it was.

"You can never be sure. Oh yes, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Don't forget to call me periodically, I like to be in the know on how you are and your progress in life!"

"That means a lot," I said.

"Oh yeah, I deposited $30 in your bank account. You still have that ATM card, right?"

That surprised me. I didn't have an allowance and often had to beg for money. I was trying to get a job at the arcade before the Sharks took it over.

"Yeah, it's in my wallet," I replied.

"Buy whatever you need, kiddo," he told me.

"Thanks."

My mind started to wander, I could go see a movie now. Although I'd have to take the bus to Twoson. Maybe I could even ask the cute girl out, the one who was always at the library.

"I feel like such a hero!" Dad said, "Or the father of a hero at least, ha ha ha."

I had missed the last bit he was saying and before I could respond the phone clicked and the line cut off. I looked at the receiver, a bit jolted. Dad always had a problem with goodbyes. No matter how brief. Even when he left for his business trips, he would go in the middle of the night while we were all asleep.

"Picccccky!" Pokey whined, literally right in my ear.

"Alright, alright!" I said.

A few moments later the three of us left, two teenage boys and a lazy dog.

But right away, I could see things were different. Not only were police gone, but there was an eerie electricity permeating the air. And a strange smell. Something like metal, mixed with bleach and a hint of rotten eggs.

"Do you smell that?" I asked Pokey.

"Ew!" he said, "It wasn't here ten minutes ago! I think I'm going to lose my appetite."

"A blessing in disguise," I sang under my breath.

We started off and had gone no more than three steps off my property when a long piercing howl came from the nearby trees, the ones at the bottom of the hill. King uttered a low growl and went stiff, focusing directly where the growl came from.

"What is it, boy?" I asked my terrified dog.

"Ness! Look out!" Pokey cried.

I turned back in time to see a brown, short haired dog charge from the trees coming straight for me. King was there in a flash intercepting him. The two dogs growled and snapped at each other. My eyes were wide, I had never seen King so ticked off. This new dog had a collar on, but it was clearly rabid.

"King!" I cried out, and tried to to get between them to break it up.

King hopped back, surprisingly nimble for a dog his size. I only saw the attack coming from the the corner of my eye. I turned right into a mouth full of sharp teeth. I collapsed backwards and shoved my hands forward trying to hold back the vicious dog's snapping jaws.

King was there again, coming to my rescue and slamming into the rabid canine. They tumbled away in a heap of fur, and right into the trees.

I scrambled up, grabbing the cracked bat.

"Pokey we've got to help-" I looked around, and realized I was alone. "Pokey!?"

I couldn't waste any time. Bat readied, I rushed into the foliage where. The brown dog was standing over King, with its fur standing on end, and snarling like a mountain lion. King whimpered and the dog went in for the kill, snapping at my dog's throat.

"No!" I yelled.

I darted and swung the bat. A loud crack echoed off the nearby hill, and the brown dog fell backward and went limp. King scrambled from beneath it and hid behind me.

"Holy crap," Pokey said appearing from nowhere. "You killed it."

"I-I didn't mean to!" I said in shock.

I kneeled beside it and put my ear to its chest. Pokey was right. It's gone.

"Oh my god," I whispered, and crawled backwards on my hands and knees.

"I think that was Mrs. Siegfried's dog," Pokey said.

Whatever else he was saying, I couldn't hear. A loud ringing exploded into my ear drums and the dog began to slightly glow, fading away as if it were never there to begin with. I cried out and clasped my hands over my ears, rolling side to side, unable to stay still. It hurts like nothing I had ever felt-something akin to a migraine, but much worse.

"N-ness!? Should I get your mom!?" Pokey asked, backing away.

I realized I could hear him again. The pain was just-gone. I didn't even know it stopped? Quickly, I sat up and shook my head clear. I took a deep breath.

"What the heck just happened!?" I whispered, "It was attacking us-one of our teacher's dogs!"

I felt ill to my stomach, as if I were going to vomit, I was really going to get it now, sef-defense or not. A wet smack slapped the side of my face. I turned to get one right in the mouth. King was licking me.

I ignored the grossity of it all when I saw his bloody paw. He whimpered as I held his leg still.

"Sit boy!" I ordered him.

King sat and held up his injured paw. I took it in my hand and pressed down to stop the bleeding.

"You'll be okay, King!" I said, guilt filling me. "I shouldn't have made you come along."

He whimpered and then cocked his head at an angle. I was just as confused because his paw was glowing fainlty.

"What's that?" Pokey asked, shoving his face in for a closer look.

"I don't know," I whispered.

I searched under his fur for the source. Stupid thoughts popped in my head trying to rationalze what we were seeing. Did he get colonized by fireflies? Was the other dog filled with radiation? Then the blood stopped flowing and I felt for the wound, but it was gone. I let go and stood up, a wave of dizziness washing over me. My legs gave way and I stumbled into a tree, sweat dripping down my forehead.

"C'mon, Ness! We'll figure this out later," Pokey pleaded, "We need to find Picky."

"Give me a second," I whispered, trying to balance myself.

My hands had been covered in blood a moment ago, and now King's blood was all gone. A faint blue light was under my own skin, lighting up the lines in my palms.

"What's happening?" I asked, really about to vomit or pass out, or both probably.

"Ness, do birds come out at night?" Pokey asked, "That's not normal, right?"

"I-I don't think so?" I said, not really thinking about it. "Why?"

I saw the ominous looking crows before he even gave me an answer. The hill side above us was covered in crows with a blackish-violet energy crackling around their eyes, almost looking like shades.

Shaking my head and lifting my baseball bat, I looked to Pokey, "No-that's not normal at all."