?/?/? – Daytime - Location: Trolberg
Everything has changed so much ever since I was knocked off my orb buddy by that strange bird. For starters, I landed in a city called Trolberg that I don't know much about other than people here like to throw parades for something. The people here, or the adults at least, have been unnecessarily rude to me for no reason. I tried to ask people for help, but they either ignored me or just told me to go away. I did meet one woman who tried to help me find my parents, but I had to get away from her when she started to take me away. Then, I drew in my journal in the outskirts of Trolberg and went to sleep.
However, that isn't the end of the story. When I went to sleep last night, I had a dream, or at least I think I had a dream. I don't know if it was though because I remember everything about it so clearly. I was in a void, with nothing in it at all, and I began floating around. Then there was a strange noise that was being produced from somewhere, I can't really describe it. After the noise stopped, I heard a girl, I tried to call out to her, but the void stopped me. It felt like it was wrapping it's tentacles in my throat to not speak or breathe.
Then I saw her, the girl I mean. She looked about my age, and she was wearing nightclothes, but what stood out to me was her bright blue hair. I don't think I've ever seen someone with dyed hair in this world yet, much less a kid ever dying it. She turned around, and for a second we made eye contact. She looked just as confused as I was, but not as terrified because something wasn't trying to enter her throat. I felt the presence of the void go away, and I tried to speak to her, but instead I just said the word "Falling" and that's when I woke up.
I don't really know what else to put here now. After I woke up, I discovered I had a splitting headache after I had the dream and had to sleep it off for a bit before it went away. Then I decided to write all this down quickly before I forgot about it. It was such a strange experience though that I don't know how to explain all this to myself, or to anyone who is listening. I feel like there's something wrong with me, like ever since I woke up in the sky and started to fall to my death I was important. I feel like I've been missing something.
I know I have to find that girl I saw in my vision. She might hold the answers, or at least some of them.
It was chilly outside.
Cold frosty air appeared in my face, making me want to snuggle deeper into my worn jacket. My hands dug deeper into my pockets to try and warm my fingers. I even pulled up my hoodie to protect some of my face from the sharp wind that ran through the air.
It's been almost ten hours ever since I arrived in Trolberg, and I know just as much about the place as I did coming in. None of the adults helped me so far, and while a few were polite and tried to explain some things, most of them seemed to not want to talk to me at all.
Even though I was probably in another dimension or something, It all still felt so artificial to me. This whole world felt artificial. I mean, it feels real, but what kind of world has creatures like orbs, adults that are rude, and kids who go outside with anyone watching over them? It just doesn't make much sense to me.
I'm sure in my world these kind of things didn't happen.
I'm still wondering how I even got into this place anyway. Even though I know it just adds more questions, I'm still trying to figure that out. I've kind of ruled out the kidnapping theory now because I'm sure missing posters of me would have popped up all over the city by now if someone took me from my home. Besides, I don't know any kidnapper who takes a kid, then takes a plane, and then throws that kid out of the plane to fall from the sky.
I sigh and turn right on the sidewalk, revealing a small empty park surrounded by trees. The trees themselves though are slowly losing all of their leaves, and the playground looks as dead as my optimism of finding anything out about myself or this place. There are swings and monkey bars kids can play on, but I don't feel like I'm in a kiddy mood right now.
When I scan the park once more, I do find a nice-looking bench that I quickly decide to rest on. There's trash around the bench, complete with bags of empty containers, a couple of empty soda cans, and even a broken bird cage nearby. You'd think people here would be taught to clean up, but of course in this universe apparently not I guess.
Anyway, as I sit on the bench, I try to think of another plan or thing to do. In the moment however, all I can think about is that blue haired girl in my dream. Who was she and why was she there? I didn't know her name, but she must live here in this city, because I don't know what I would do if she lived on the other side of the planet. I also wonder if she could see me to in that dream. If she could, then I must've looked crazy in her eyes, spinning around, struggling from an invisible force.
What if we were having the same dream and they intertwined somehow? Was she just a part of my imagination because I've been so lonely? No, she couldn't be, a part of me suggested heavily that she was real. She looked very familiar, but my brain was drawing a blank on who she was. I knew that I knew her from somewhere, but I just don't know her name yet, or where she lives, or anything about her at all.
Whatever the case may be, I know it will take a long time to find her in these conditions. I mean, I know what she looks like, but where am I supposed to find her? Maybe by the school because she's my age? I don't even know if it's the weekend or not in this world. I don't even know if this world has weekends at all. All I know is that she must go to a school, and I have to find that school somehow and talk to her.
I guess that's a plan, but before I sit up and do that, I think on it a bit more. Won't I look like a creepy stalker kid trying to do that? It would be scary to see a kid who keeps coming back to the same school over and over again just staring at kids. I don't want that girls first impression of me to be creepy, but I don't know what else to do except that-
BAM! My heart freezes as I hear the sound of laughter approaching the park. The people who laugh sound like kids, like my age almost. That calms me down somewhat, but I still am a bit cautious as they approach. I watch as a boy in a bright orange jacket holds the gate open to let his two other friends in, and soon they all enter the park.
There are three of them in total, two boys and one girl. The boy holding the gate is wide and kind of smaller then the other two. He seems to wear glasses and looks like he's laughing about something with the girl. There's a girl there to, and she's taller then both of the boys. Her sweater is big enough that they cover up her hands. Then there's the other boy, who seems to upset about something with the others. He wears a knitted cap and an orange sweater as well. He looks about the same size as me, and I think he's the leader of the little group.
I don't have to peer in to listen to their conversation. There talking to each other really loudly.
"I'm telling you! The bird talked! No one ever believes me though!" the kid in front says.
The two other kids snicker behind him about it.
"Well because what you say sounds upsurd that's all." The boy says
"It's not upsurd! It really did talk that day!"
"Trevor," the girl says jokingly, "that happened a year ago. Why are you still hung up on it?"
The boy, I guess Trevor, turns around to look at the girl in confusion.
"Why am I hung up about it? Because you guys keep bringing it up of course!"
"That's only because it's funny Trevor! You shouldn't be so upset about…" the boy says silently.
After that, Trevor just stomps over to a picnic table across from me and sits down.
"Whatever, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"Fine by me," the girl says.
The girl and boy sit down with him and begin chatting about something else I guess. I'm to hung up on that bird talking comment though that I don't hear them that much.
A talking bird? Well with the number of things that have happened to me so far, what the boy says doesn't sound completely crazy. I would definitely believe him if it weren't for the fact that his friends think it's complete bogus, which is confusing to me. Don't they live in a world where orbs and salt lions exist? How far fetched are talking birds then?
They don't notice me or even attempt to talk to me. They seem to be really invested into their conversation which doesn't bother me, I don't feel like talking much either. They laugh, and poke fun at each other, and the girl constantly brings up that bird incident which makes Trevor silent at points.
After a bit, I stop paying attention to them and begin to draw the park. Trying to make it look as real as possible, I begin to start shading the tree to picture shadow in the scene. I add little lines to indicate bark, and little whips of barley visible squiggly lines to represent wind. I make sure to focus as much as I can on the huge tree in the middle of the park, as the bare branches and little amount of remaining leaves make an impressive monument.
"Where do you think Henry is? He's supposed to be meeting here right?" the short boy ask.
I had just started finishing shading the rocks that surround the tree when I turn my attention toward them again. They seemed to be waiting for someone, as they are constantly looking toward the gate and talking about someone named Henry.
"I bet he's sleeping in. It's way to cold out here, and he's probably snuggling in his warm bed by now."
"You mean he decided to skip out? What about all the awesome plans we made for today?"
Trevor shrugs and leans back on the picnic table.
"I guess will just have to do them without him."
The girl gets up and heads to the gate, seeming to want to get on with whatever they have planned immediately.
"Whatever let's just go, it's getting cold out here anyway."
And just like that, the kids all start to head toward the gate.
For a moment, sadness envelops my heart. It's not like I would go up to them or anything, but I somehow feel guilty for not talking to them. I don't know why exactly, but I just do. Maybe I could have talked to them or something instead of sitting on the bench and not paying attention to them like a nerd.
Besides, maybe they know something about the blue haired girl.
Before I know it, I'm standing up and walking toward them. My feet shuffle back and forth toward the kids without even thinking about what I was going to say or what I was going to do when I me them, I can't even come up with words until I was standing in front of them.
Everyone from the group instantly looks at me once I step in front of them, looking very confused. The girl looks like she doesn't want to deal with me, the short boy looks eager to tell me to buzz off already, and Trevor stands there looking completely uncomfortable while eyeing me. I just stand there like an idiot and don't say a single word.
No one says anything…
Ugh! I just made a huge mistake, why did I go up to them? I shouldn't be trying to make friends or talk to kids, I need to find that blue haired girl and figure out what's going on! I'm just wasting these kids time standing here like a moron in front of them. I should just go back-
"Um, can we help you?" the girl ask.
I snap back into reality when she ask that question. She seems like she doesn't even want to talk to me, like most of the adults here do. Trevor and the other boy though just stand there looking at me, waiting for me to introduce myself. We stand silent for a few minutes.
Then, I finally decide to speak, even though I have no clue what I'm even saying.
"Um, no, I don't need help," I start off, "but I just wanted to introduce myself. I-I'm Eric, and I just moved here with my family from-"
The girl doesn't even let me finish the sentence I start.
"Great, okay bye now."
The girls about to leave before Trevor stops her.
"Sorry about that, what my friend meant to say was nice to meet you."
"No I didn-"
Trevor again stops her and walks up to me.
"Anyway, my friends rude comments aside. Hello there Eric. My names Trevor, and these are my two friends Mike and Ba-"
"I thought we agreed that we don't tell people my name Trevor," the girl says harshly.
Trevor laughs before continuing his sentence.
"Anyway, you can just call her B. If you'd like."
"O-okay," I say sheepishly.
We all stood there awkwardly again as the wind blew in our faces. I didn't know what to say to them after that, even though I know the opposite should have been true. I should've been asking millions of questions about Trolberg and the world they were in, but I was way too nervous and scared to say anything that might've made me sound like a crazy person. I didn't want them to instantly think I had no idea where I was and how this placed worked, then maybe they wouldn't want to talk to me…
I should probably say something about that parade, it seems everyone on town is hung up on it, maybe they could tell me something about what it was.
"You say you just move here?" Trevor ask, interrupting my train of thought.
I nod quickly before looking down, regretting starting this entire conversation and wasting their time.
"That's cool," he says, "where did you live?"
It's hard to come up with an answer, especially since I've never been around the city, and it seems like the girl wants to instantly put down everything I say that comes out of my mouth, but I decide to go with the first thing I know which hopefully doesn't sound crazy.
"I-I moved into one of the townhouses on Alication square. It's really nice and stuff-"
"Isn't that the square where their planning the bird parade this year?" B. quickly interrupted, "you live right next to door to the parade?"
I pretend to nod in understanding, when in reality I have no idea what she's talking about.
"Well here's a little word of advice Eric," Trevor says looking annoyed "don't bother going to it, it's an event for little kids and adults with the attention spam little kids."
What is he talking about? This just brings more questions about this kid now.
"What do you mean?" I ask
"He's only acting like that because last year! We met-" Mikestarted to say.
"Shut up Mike" Trevor says angrily, "that stuffs in the past now, it doesn't matter how I feel about that stupid parade anymore."
"Are you serious, that-"
"I don't want to talk about. It's whatever now."
Everyone's quiet after that comment, and the wind around blows silently which makes up her face with her giant sweater.
"Anyway," Trevor says, "it was nice to meeting you Eric."
Then he starts to walk off. The others quickly follow behind.
"See you in school." B. says jokingly.
"Hope we can hang out more," Mikesays genuinely as he follows them.
I stand there, completely silent, shocked at the conversation I just had. Did I really talk to other people without them telling me to buzz off? They seemed like they were interested in what I had to say, but then I ruined it when we started talking about… the bird parade. What even is that? Was that all of the stuff I saw on Alication square before I ran off?
And why was Trevor so steamed about it to? Something about that parade a year ago caused him to hate it and everyone involved with it. I had to find out more, maybe it was related to that girl I saw in my dream. Even if it wasn't I wanted to talk to them more.
They were at the end of the sidewalk when I come running up to them, gasping for air.
"Um, wait," I say quickly, trying to stay calm.
They all turn toward me reluctantly. Very bad sign. I need to somehow fix this.
"Do you guys want to… maybe… I don't really know… hang out at all?"
At first they seemed to not want to deal with me, which I don't blame them. I guess I have been a little annoying just going up to them and saying all this random stuff. But even when I contemplate just going back to the park, eventually Trevor steps up and smiles.
"Sure, why not?" he says, "we need a fourth player for our game anyway."
I'm about to step away and accept defeat until I realize that Trevor wasn't telling me to leave them alone. I'm almost shocked that they let me join them, especially after our previous conversation that got them all upset.
"Awesome!" Mikesays, "we can totally show you around town!"
"Like we did with that girl last year?" B. counters.
Trevor gives her a nasty look before turning toward me.
"Do you want to go anywhere specific?" he ask.
I ponder about the question for a bit, and realize I do. I want to go practically everywhere in this city, but I don't know if Trevor and his friends want to use up their whole day showing a kid all of the best places in a huge place.
"No, I'm okay with where you want to go," I answer
"Okay, what do you guys want to do then?" Mike ask.
Trevor ponders the question before he smiles and turns toward me.
"Have you ever heard of ding dong ditching?"
The sky was crystal blue, and there didn't appear to be a single cloud up there as me and Trevor's group walked down the neighborhood. The lack of clouds in the sky finally allowed the sun to penetrate the Earth and deliver heat to our freezing cold bodies. I wasn't ready to take off my coat yet due to my blood-spattered shirt, but I did enjoy the extra heat we finally got.
Currently, I was walking around with Trevor's friends around a neighborhood I didn't recognize. Most of the houses were one story in height, and kind of had an old cabin aesthetic to them. The houses were mostly made of wood and had yellow tinted windows.
Trevor and his friends were way ahead of me, talking and laughing about something I didn't know about. They seemed to be very close to each other, even if they did pick on one another from time to time. It was cool they let me join them like that without even questioning me that much, at least some people in this city showed hospitality.
I was fixing up my messy black hair (which up to this point looked like a freak show) when B. stopped in front of me, almost causing me to bump into her.
"This one looks good," B. calls out, pointing to a rather lonely cabin house sitting on a hill far away from the street.
Trevor takes one glance at the house before shaking his head.
"You really think we could do that one?" Trevor argued, "you need a house with short distance from their doorway to the hiding spot you're planning to use. That house has neither a hiding spot, or a good running to distance to one."
"Still, that's Lyla Fisher's house! I want to prank her so bad!" B. said.
Trevor shakes his head and continues walking on.
"Fine, whatever," B. said.
Mike and Trevor quickly chatted together after that, but the girl stayed behind at a sluggish pace until she was walking next to me. She seemed bored, and I kind of didn't blame her. Whatever Trevor was planning to do was taking a long time to set-
"THIS one!" Trevor shouted, "this one is perfect to start us off."
I looked up to see the house Trevor decided to choose.
It was a small house, with a short distance to the street. The house had bushes surrounding it, allowing kids like us plenty of opportunities to hide in them. It seemed that no one appeared to live here, but Trevor continued to insist that this house was the one.
"Okay, so here's how this works," he started saying looking toward me, "one person goes up to the door of the house while the rest hide somewhere. The person, or "greeter", goes up to the door, knocks three times, and then runs over to hide before the person can open the door."
Everyone looked eager to play the game, so I guess I better not mess this up.
"Since you're joining are group for the first time and haven't played this, I'll show you how a pro does it."
B. laughed.
"Right, as if you're a real pro."
"Just watch me," Trevor countered.
So we did, or at least I did, until I realized both B. and Mike were hiding behind a bush as Trevor approached the house. Understanding pretty quickly, I ran to the bush with them and hid behind it.
B. and Mike were both snickering and making jokes about who the person who owns the house might be. I just sat silently however and watched from behind as Trevor, rather innocently, climbed the steps to the porch and began to knock.
Trevor, loudly I must say, knocks on the door three times before darting away as fast as he could. As soon as he ran away, a silhouette of a men appears in the window. Sweat drips down my face as the door opens and the man's face appears.
He's going to catch Trevor in the act!
Except I was totally wrong about him doing that, because as soon as the door opens it stopped suddenly midway, and I quickly realize that the man had locked his door and forgot to unchain it. This gives Trevor enough time to practically dive into the bush with the rest of us, having a big dopey grin on his face.
"And he sticks the landing!" Mike says laughing.
While the B. and Mike laugh though, I quickly hurry over to see if Trevor is okay. The ground is pretty hard, and he has dirt covering him from all sides. I wonder if he got any bruises?
"Are you okay Trevor?" I ask.
Trevor actually looks surprised as I say that, eyeing my closely before going back to looking at the house.
"I'm fine, but I'm about to feel even better, look!"
I do look and watch as the man opens the door and looks for his disappearing visitor. He wears short nightclothes that barley conceal his hairy legs and holds a news paper and coffee mug as he looks outside. His eyes scan past our hiding spot, and he seemingly gives up looking for anyone so he can go inside, almost tripping on himself along the way.
As soon as the door closes, the group burst out in laughter. Mike rolls over on the dirty ground, B. chuckles through her humongous sweater, and Trevor just laughs, like a funny kind of laugh that somehow makes me smile for the first time in two days.
"Did you see that guy! Oh man he looked like something out of an horror movie," Mike laughs.
"He definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," B. chuckles.
Everyone laughs at accomplishing a successful prank before turning toward me.
"So what did you think new kid?" Trevor ask, "was it as fun as you imagined?"
The big smile on my face confirms his suspicion before I even nod my head.
"It's great to see someone who finally gets it like us," Trevor says.
"Yeah, you're nothing like that Hilda girl," B, says jokingly.
Hilda? Who in the world is Hilda? Her name sounds familiar to, but I can't remember who it belongs to at all. My brain just scrambles every time I try to think of my past.
"Who's Hilda?" I ask.
B. and Mike turn sour at the mention of the girls name, but Trevor seems to have no problem telling me.
"She was just a girl we met last year that we did some things with, that's all."
I eye him, trying to pierce into his brain to tell if he's lying or not about it, but either Trevor's hard to read because his face looks so normal, or he's telling the truth, so I back down.
"Anyway, lets go to another house," Mike says, "won't be fun if we get caught sitting here now would it?"
"Agreed," Trevor says," come on Eric, let's go find another house to ditch,"
I quickly scamper up and follow them, moving far away from the man's house we just pranked. A part of me cowers in guilt from making that man wake up for no reason to find nothing at his doorstep, but a very different part of me, one that's tired and sick from all the questions and rude adults, enjoys hanging out with Trevor and his gang pranking people.
We continued looking for houses to ditch and quickly found a small white house that was decorated quite nicely.
"Has tons of escape routes, easy running distance from door to bush. I think we found our next house guys!" Trevor announced.
"I'll take this one," B. said, smiling, "I think it's time I show my true skills."
Trevor and Mike quickly went behind a bush, and I followed behind them. The bush we chose to take cover in was quite big and soft. There were so many leaves on it that it was hard to see B. bouncing up to the porch.
As we looked over, I began to get curious about how Trevor and B. played this game so well. B. was super quiet, and barley made a sound as she took up the steps of the old wooden porch. Trevor was pretty quick to avoid the first house and I'm pretty sure Mike has something up his sleeve. I wonder how they do it?
"Hey Trevor," I whisper, "how long have you guys been doing this prank for?"
"What?" Trevor answers.
"I said, how long have you been doing this?"
"Oh, well, for a while I guess. We don't do it all the time, but only occasionally whenever we're bored."
"Does it ever get boring?" I question.
Trevor actually covers his mouth so he doesn't burst out laughing from my comment.
"Whenever it's about to, we find one more person that makes the prank worth playing again."
I nod and me and Trevor go back to watching B. She struts right up to the door, and in the corner of my eyes, I detect a slight smirk on her face. Unlike Trevor, she slams the door with her fist and then comes barreling toward us, laughing all the way. The sound is enough to make whoever lived in the home come rushing to the front door as I see a shadow of someone through the window.
However, whoever the owner might be, their no match for B.'s quick running as she dives safely to our hiding spot.
We all watch as a women slams open the door and peers out into the sun. She's quite young, having bright blonde hair stuck in a pony tail, and wears a sparkling key chain necklace.
"Is anyone there?" the women calls, "someone banged on my door!"
We don't respond, and after awhile of searching, the lady goes back into her own home, probably grumbling about how she got fooled. Once again, the second the door closes, the group of friends laugh together, and I sheepishly join In as well. It wasn't as funny as Trevor's house, but it was still a good play.
"Told you I was one of the best," B. says confidently as we begin to walk away.
"Yeah, well wait to see you me do mine," Mike says happily, "I got a big trick up my sleeve.
As I ponder what Mike might be doing for his trick, we quickly come across the next house Mike plans to target.
The house we come across is a sorry excuse for being called a "home". The wood is rotting, the roof is practically sagging, and the lawn is littered with junk. There's ripped up posters on the porch, and dead decaying flowers in the garden.
"Were pranking the "Crazy Lady's" house Mike?" Trevor asked, turning toward him looking worried.
"Just trust me, her reaction will be perfect," Mike says chuckling, "you guys go find a place to hide, I got this one."
Trevor and B. nod and begin to look for a hiding place. I decide to not to think about who the "Crazy Lady" is and in instead try to help. But when I quickly scan the area, I find a problem, this place doesn't have any rocks or thick bushes to hide behind. The only thing I can spot is the trash can, which might be big enough to hide us from the person opening the door.
"There's no hiding places!" B. calls out.
"What about the trash cans?" I say, "there kind of big,"
Trevor and B. look over to see what I'm talking about until their eyes eventually land on the trash can.
"Good thinking Eric, these should conceal us!" Trevor says as he quickly takes position.
We all follow suit, except Mike who ascends the rotting steps of the porch. It's hard to conceal three people behind two huge trash cans, but we all manage to position ourselves to get to hide our bodies from the porch and peek over it.
Mike stands at the doorway and then… it looks like he's putting something down on the porch. What could it be? As I ponder the possibilities, Mike knocks once very loudly and then just books it over to us.
Only this time he isn't fast enough, and a women burst down the door and starts swinging a broom!
"GET AWAY! GET AWAY YOU VILE CREATURS! YOU ABSOUTLY ARE NOT WELCOME ANYWEHRE NEAR ME!"
My heart pounds and sweat pours down my face as the old lady screams and starts swinging her broom viciously. Mike hasn't even jumped off the porch yet and this women starts swinging the broom like the batters in major league baseball. I'm afraid Mike's about to get hit with it, until the old women stops in her tracks and stares down at her feet in horror.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Her scream echoes and pulses into my ears. My eyes widen as the women beats down on something in on her porch so intensity that her broom starts to break apart.
"DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE YOU AWFUL F-"
That's when me and Trevor cover our ears to avoid the profanity the women now spews out. B. laughs like crazy and Trevor chuckles a bit before the women tears the doll in two with her bear hands and throws it out onto the yard.
Luckily, the women was so distracted with the stuffed toy that Mike made it to us safely behind the trash can, trying to conceal his explosion of laughter. I almost burst out laughing with him until I hear the women start to scream out more profanity at the ripped toy and then SLAM her door shut.
We're all silent for a moment. My heart's still pounding so hard that my ears can detect the sound. My blood had turned ice cold during the whole ordeal, and for a moment, I just completely forgot what I was doing there. Trevor seems just as shocked as I am, maybe he's never heard of profanity before. Mike looked like he was still very traumatized from almost being caught by the "Crazy Lady".
Then… we all explode from laughter. I actually can't stop choking out cries of amusement to the point where my eyes water. Mike needs to support on B. to keep standing, and B. has to support herself on the trashcan so she can't fall either. Trevor can barely contain himself now.
I'm surprised none of the adults came out to hear what the commotion was, but no one did, and we just continued to laugh until coughing took over.
"That was absolutely priceless!" B. manages to get out.
"Oh man, did you see her face? She just erupted over a doll!" Trevor says in between laughter.
I nod in agreement with all of them as I try to calm my laughter down. It's hard, but eventually I'm able to choke out a question.
"What did in the world did you put on her porch?" I say as I wipe the tears away.
Mike almost looks like he's about to pass out, but he is able to control himself long enough to tell me.
"This lady is kind of famous for despising the entire species of birds, like Trevor you see-"
"I don't hate birds!" Trevor cuts off, suddenly no longer laughing.
"You're right, more like scared of them," B. jokes, "that lady just destroyed one, you would run for your life if you saw one."
"I-" Trevor tries to say, but then Mike cuts him off.
"Anyway, so she hates birds right? So I borrowed one of my sisters stuffed animals of a bird to use to distract that women as I ran away. I was just expecting her to freak out and throw it away but didn't know it would work so well though."
We all get out our last-minute chuckles before we decided to move on. My heart no longer pounds but is still pumping loudly over what had just happened. I can't believe I'm even hanging out with other kids, laughing with them, instead of looking for clues. Maybe I'm an idiot for hanging out with them and not finding out more about the world I'm in, but honestly though, I'm having so much fun that I don't think I can leave.
I'm still adjusting my jaw to stop my cheek from hurting from all that laughing, when Trevor starts to talk to me.
"Okay guys, we've all done a house so far but our buddy Eric here. I think it's time he gets a turn.
My blood once again turns ice cold as I turn toward them. All of them are smiling and laughing from the last prank, so I know they must be serious for me doing it. I don't know If could do it though, I'm not like any of them. I mean I laughed when they did the pranks, but I don't think I could be the one to go up there and risk getting caught. There so good at doing it, but what if I'm trash and they don't want to hang out with me?
"I-I don't know if I can," I say sheepishly, declining the offer.
B. groans and comes up to me, clearly looking annoyed.
"Come on, we all did our houses, now you have to yours. It's only fair."
My head feels like it's sinking deeper into my zipped-up jacket. I want to shake my head no and run away, but I've had so much fun with them so far, and I don't want to leave the group over a stupid reason. I finally had some real fun with other people in this place. I don't think I could manage leaving that.
"Hey B.," Trevor said, "let me talk to him okay?"
B. rolls her eyes and goes back to chatting with Mike about their next plan. Then Trevor comes near me, his smile has since gone away, giving me a very serious look. My heart begins to pound again and sweat forms on my forehead. I can't do this! But I'm making myself look like a fool in front of Trevor! If they kick me out, then what would I do? No one's ever going to-
"Hey, Eric."
I look up at him.
Trevor looks forward, with an embarrassed look on him. He seems conflicted on what to as he rubs his hand together.
"Listen, I just want you to know that… it's completely okay to not want to do something. If you don't want to this game anymore, that's okay. We can do other things if you'd like. We can play kick the can, or we can just hang out and chill."
What? Now I'm confused. What I'd like? Why is he asking me for what I want? No body in this place except my orb buddy did what I wanted, why is he…
"What do you mean "what I'd want?" I ask in real life, "isn't today, like you're guys big planning day? Where you were going to do the things you… wrote I guess?"
Trevor stares at his friends before turning to me again.
"You're right, it was… but I don't want to… mess this up you know?"
"What? What do you mean by that?" I say.
Trevor looks away, rubbing the back of his neck in distress. He seems like he's remembering something.
"It's just… I've been in this situation before with a girl, Hilda. That girl we met a long time ago with before you. We never really asked her what she wanted to do when we hung out, and I guess we got carried away doing our own thing, thinking that she would like the stuff we did… I was wrong…"
I stare at Trevor in silence, as he looks down in… I guess shame as he remembers something I can't sense. He must have done something the girl didn't like because now she doesn't hang out them anymore… but how does that apply to me? I'm okay with ding dong ditching unlike Hilda I guess. I mean, it kind of is mean, but it doesn't hurt anyone, right?
Whatever the case is, I must be reminding Trevor of that girl somehow. She must have been new kid like me, except she didn't fall from the sky. Trevor might have done something she hated and now feels guilty for it. Do I remind him of that guilt somehow? Does he think he's making me hate him? I don't want him to feel like he's ruining my enjoyment, that's supposed to be my job tom worry about. Besides, Trevor looks nice and friendly, he doesn't deserve his friends treating him like a joke because of whatever he did a year ago, even if I don't know what he did.
And if it takes knocking on a neighbors door to help Trevor forge a new friendship with another new kid (I guess in this case me), or even help him in anyway, I would do it.
"So, what I'm trying to say is-" Trevor continues before I stop him.
"Oh no, I'm having a lot of fun with what were doing. I'll do one house if it makes you happy."
Trevor looks up in surprise before Mike stomps right over him in excitement.
"REALLY!"
I laugh a bit before answering.
"Uh yeah, I guess,"
"AWESOME!" Mike calls out, "did you hear that B.?!"
"Took you long enough to agree," B. answered.
I didn't pay much attention to them, as I stared at Trevor to see his reaction first. He looked like he was happy, actually smiling at me as well.
"Well, what house are you going to pick sherlock?" Mike asked.
Now, that I was back in this game, I searched the neighborhood for houses to ditch. It didn't take long for me until I found our next target. The house we approached was small and brown. It was one floor, and had bushes surrounding it, including some big artificial rocks the person decided to plant. Perfect hiding locations to run to.
"That house looks good," I said pointing.
I watch as Trevor quickly scans it and nods his head.
"It's perfect to start you off Eric," Trevor said.
"Good luck!" B. called out, chuckling as she and Mike went over behind a bush.
"Try to not get caught, it could get pretty messy," Trevor says, rushing over to hide behind a rock.
I nodded toward his direction and took a deep breath as I approached the house.
The house in front of me was only a few feet away from me, but it seemed to tower over my feeble body. My breathing instantly quickened as I climbed the porch. My heart pounded, and fear raced around my body. It was so much easier just watching the others do it but doing it yourself is something I couldn't even comprehend.
I walked toward the wooden green door. Raised my hand into a fist, and very reluctantly… knocked on the door.
Nobody answered, but I instantly knew someone was coming, so I quickly stepped off the porch and turned to run to toward the rock Trevor was hiding behind.
"Where do you think you're going!"
Roughly, someone tugged on my arm and threw me back toward the porch. I looked up as adrenaline and fear oozed throughout my body. It didn't take very long to find out who it was, since they were big, tall, and balding of course. I instantly recognize the voice, as it was the same voice that shouted at me when I first entered the city.
Unfortunately, he instantly figured out who I was to.
"It's you again!" He yelled in my face, "I thought I told you to never come back to my house again with your stupid signatures!"
Even as his face shoved closer to mine, I somehow had the strength to talk back to him.
"I-I don't know w-what you're talking a-about sir…" I said with fear in my voice, "I don't k-know anything about signatures…"
"Then who the heck you supposed to be? My tax collector?!" he shouted.
"Why would you think that?" I questioned, instantly realizing my mistake for saying that.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME!?"
I was ready to bolt it out of there, but his grip on my hand was way to strong for me to even move my body. Sweat poured down my face, and I feared more for my life more than I've ever had in the last few days.
The man looked at me angrily. He was very upset, and I was ready to apologies immediately for trying to prank him, but that was before his grip on my arm tightened and my feet started to drag behind me. My eyes opened up in shock as I realized he was dragging me toward his house!
"Come inside! Were going to call your parents to see how they buy your silly antics around town!"
"W-what!" I said, starting to struggle now.
I kicked and punched, but he was just way to big for me. My breathing was so quick now I couldn't even focus on it anymore. Adrenaline was rushing everywhere in my body. All I wanted to do was punch this man straight in the face and escape, but my arms were so weak I couldn't even move.
I've never been more terrified in my life. I mean, falling from the sky was horrifying on its own, but this was a whole new level of crazy. I had to-
BAM!
A banging sound could be heard to the right of me. My heart stopped instantly and I quickly turned my head to see what had happened. The mailbox that was attached to the guys home had a big dent in it, and right under it lied a rock bigger then my own hand…
"What!?" the man shouted as soon as he saw his mailbox ruined, "WHAT!?"
"HEY! MR. LODEN!" a voice called out angirlly, "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
I whisked around to find Trevor standing there, his arms crossed and looking quite angry. I was so terrified that I had forgotten that Trevor and his pals were still around watching me, and after figuring that out, it didn't take me long to figure out Trevor was the one who threw the rock. Maybe as a distraction!
The man, or, Mr. Loden I'm guessing, whirled around angrily to see who caused the dent in his mailbox. The moment his eyes landed on Trevor, I knew he was screwed.
"YOU! YOU!" he shouted, and instantly started rushing toward him.
Before he could make it two feet however, I kicked him hard in the crouch in a fit of anger and a last-ditch attempt to escape his grasp. No way in heck I would let the guy lay a finger on anyone else, especially Trevor.
Mr. Loden instantly shouted out in agony as he fell to the ground hard, his hands clutching his area that I don't want to talk about. My kick must've been brutal as he now was crying out of his eyes.
"Come on Eric!" Trevor said, grabbing my now free hands and pulling me away from this jerks house.
I couldn't leave soon enough.
B. and Mike quickly followed us, and together, we all rushed away far away from his home, hopefully never to return their again.
This chapter is the longest chapter I probably ever made. Coming in at a total of 8,000 words! It's been a long time since I updated, so I hope this chapter was worth it.
Now onto questions. What did you think of Trevor and his friends? I worked really hard to try and make them as realistic as possible, but I still don't know if I got them right. I hope you all liked them and enjoyed their pranks with Eric.
Quick fact: In the books and the show, they don't ever mention the name of Trevor's friends, so I just had to make them up. I don't know if I missed them somewhere, but it seems as if no one in this category knows their names either… so yeah. Hope you don't mind that.
Also, sorry if the writing might be a bit janky and cranky. I tried my best to make everything flow naturally, but it turned out way harder then I thought. I hope its an easy read and there aren't many spelling mistakes.
People might not like a entire chapter with Eric messing around instead of figuring out things, but I promise you, the next chapter will focus all on adventure and mystery! (With Trevor and his friends coming along for the ride as well!)
