Joe lamb biked downhill towards the inner city of Lillian, Ohio to visit his friends at the camera shop, Above was a cloudless sky and leaves falling from different directions, this was the kind of weather his mother would enjoy.
Colorful, film like flashbacks of him, and his mother, along with his dad at the park began to fill his mind her smiling and laughing and twirling around, she was just so full of life. Sometimes he regretted ever letting that necklace go, but he knew he had to let his mom go.
As he put his bike on the rack Charles came out along with the others. "Jesus freakshow where were you? Not busy on the phone talking to Alice Dainard are you? He laughed teasingly, "c'mon, let's go to the diner, I got some killer scenes for my new movie I want to talk about... it's going to be so mint"! Joe rolled his eyes as he walked along talking to his best friend, Charles wants to be a big film director someday, it's been a big dream of his since kindergarten when he use to watch cheesy zombie movies, and his dad showed him a super 8 camera. Charles started by filming his action figures, some that he borrowed from Joe and never gave back sadly; he let Cary blow them up.
"you better not take all the fries away again" Cary rolled his eyes at Charles, opening the door to the diner for everyone. "I was ordering them for a reason! Jesus, sometimes you act so bogus." Joe turned his attention away to surprisingly see Alice Dainard sitting at a empty table sipping a soda. '' oh shit" Charles silently said as he noticed that Alice Dainard was there.
Joe casually walked over sitting down next to Alice. "Hi" she giggled tucking her long hair behind her ears. "Do you want to come over and sit by me and my friends, we didn't know you were going to be here today. "Joe smiled. "Sure, as long as I'm sitting with you, I like being with you more". She blushed while reaching out for his hand, the two held hands as they walked towards the booth everyone was sitting at.
"Hey Alice" Cary greeted as he teased Martin, or as he called smartin. "What are you going to order? Joe whispered as he held Alices hand. "I think I might want to just order a salad, I don't really like eating meat anymore. Alice glanced at the menu then at Joe.
"So, you guys, I came up with more scenes last night, while the detective is out looking for his wife that went missing, some zombies come in out of nowhere, and the smoke effect that Cary is going to use is going to be so mint, it's going to blow away people's minds at the film festival next year"! Charles explained while looking at film guide and the menu at the same time.
A lady came around ready to take their orders, "I would like a salad". Alice explained. "I'll have a burger with the Swiss cheese, and no onions". Joe added. "Is there anything else you guys back there would like? She smiled at Preston, Cary, and Charles. "Spicy chicken tenders and fries". Cary played with his lighter. "a sundae, just a sundae. Preston smiled politely. "I would like the double cheeseburger, along with the steak fries". Charles added. "Ok, I'm going to go put your orders in" the lady smiled.
"The double cheeseburger?" Cary laughed as he flickered with his lighter. "Oh shut up, besides, Joe aren't you still concerned about what happened to old man Woodward, I would suspect you would be talking about that today, but you've been kind of quiet. "Yeah, but everytime I try to you go on about your movie". Joe took a glance at Alice who was reading a book titled the ghost writer.
"What do you think happened to him?" Alice had a worried tone in her voice. "I don't know, whatever it is, I got a feeling it's not good. Joe held her hand tightly. "But whatever happens I'm here for you. Charles jaw dropped from what he heard and he was so shocked that he didn't even notice the food had arrived. "Looks like cheese weasel here is shocked" Cary threw a French fry at Charles head. "Ouch, shithead! Charles came back to reality grabbing his food and stuffing French fries into his mouth, Alice had a disgusted look on her face as she watched Charles eating. "Oh, he always eats like that." Joe whispered to Alice while chuckling. "Don't you have manners?" Alice disgustedly looked at Charles. "oh, sorry, I forgot there was a chick here. He belched loudly. "Well, you guys, we got to find out what happened to DR Woodward, despite what happened I think there's something still wrong, even where the alien was I think there's something still there, and I can't just wrap my head around it, we should go back to its lair under the water tower". Joe explained. Preston immediately put down his comic and there was fear and shock within his eyes. "Uh, there's a reason why I stayed at the evacuation center thank you." "Joe are you serious? Cary looked at him. He was there with him the night Joe saved Alice, and Cary knew that going through that place you could not escape, it was like a never ending maze. Joe gazed towards Alice; she looked scared and concerned for him. "Please, don't go down there. Ever. Her eyes began to fill up with tears. "I have to find out what's still going on Alice, please don't worry about me. Joe smiled.
As the rest of the boys biked home, Alice stopped and turned around looking at Joe. "Just.. If you do go back, please at least let me know.." she hugged him tightly before walking off. "Don't worry, I'm going to find out what else is going on. He gazed at Alice walking away.