Always had the idea for a certain part of this chapter but could never find the right spot to include it. I even thought of making a separate one-shot for it but refrained. I assume you're confused but it'll make sense as well.
"No burritos forever or..." he thought for a moment, recalling the last one Toby sent at him that had been unfairly brutal." never see Darcy again."
"You wound me Jimbo but no burritos," he answered truthfully though shuttered at the thought of never consuming his favorite again. To quench the thought, he shoved his hand into the cool ranch Doritos bag and pulled it out clutching a few chips."Ugh this is so boring," he moaned, hitting his head against the dumpster they were hiding behind.
"We've been doing this for weeks, and now you're complaining?" he asked, taking a long much-needed sip of the coffee he'd packed in a thermal to try and keep it warm. One of his least favorite parts of New Jersey was it took forever to warm up. Even in early June, they still experienced the occasional cold day or cold night.
"Yes, I am complaining," Toby stated, slumping back onto the slop they were positioned on, at the perfect angle they could see down on the allies where there had been sightings."For weeks, we've been wasting hours, sitting here, and waiting for what? Blinky says Changeling's or whatever, well it could easily be some trouble making teens just trying to cause an uproar."
He'd brought that into consideration when thinking everything over, but Blinky was certain it was some form of troll, most likely a Changeling. And continuing to read the reports and even getting to hear some first-hand experiences while working, Jim had grown certain."I don't know, some of the reports sound-"
"Don't bring gossip from old people into this," Toby begged, continuing to chomp on chips, dust getting all over his hands."I would rather listen to Eli's attempt at beatboxing."
"Oh come one it's good evidence," Jim said mentally laughing at the scene he'd witnessed a few days prior. A normal day, waiting on tables when a man who appeared as if he needed a shower walked in. He joined a few other middle-aged men at a table where all they had ordered was black coffee. Refilling the coffee pot he overheard the dirty man saying how he was going to hunt the beast that kept eating his chickens. Of course, his friends just laughed asking if he'd forgotten to take his medication. In response, the dirty man was angry saying quite loudly that he would have that beast's head. More laughs followed but Jim had grown suspicious. It was easy to find where the dirty man lived since the town was relatively small. He in fact lived on the outskirts of downtown, his back yard facing the woods.
"You really believe the guy? Jimbo, I think you forgot to take your medication," Toby said slyly, his friend rolling his eyes at the humorous response.
Swallowing his sip of coffee, Jim blinked as a nod." I do, call me crazy but the guy looked as scared as us when we first saw Bular." thinking back it was funny how scary Bular was at the time since he was one of the least dangerous foes they'd fought against in the last two years.
"Ah yes, the days where one-story trolls were scary," Toby said, leaning back against the brick wall acting as if he were being sentimental." Ever wonder what it would be like if we hadn't found the amulet?" he asked, tossing another chip into the air, attempting to catch it in his mouth but failing greatly, the speeding chip landing on his cheek.
"I don't like to," he said, looking at the amulet he held in his right hand. Looking at it, he was barely able to recall that day he and Toby had found it. The day his life changed entirely. Really, it felt like he'd had had it in his possession forever, unable to imagine a world where everyday was boring as heck but so safe. He never appreciated the feeling of being safe when he was 15 and younger. But 16 took him by storm, getting picked up by a troll pterodactyl on his birthday no less. It was the amulet that had made him feel as if he had a place in the world and no matter how much danger he was constantly in, that feeling was something he never wanted to leave.
"Me neither," Toby admitted, staring up at the sky, unable to see any stars on the cloudy June night. The air was thick but not as hot as it would be if they were back in California. A few droplets from the old Adrian pipes, rounding around the building plummeted down, splattering and soaking his face. Toby didn't grow anger with it thought, instead sighed,d this time, truly sentimental."If we hadn't we wouldn't be here right now."
Jim chuckled, lying back against the slop, kicking his legs up onto the dumpster."To teens sitting beside a dumpster in a crappy town at midnight, both broke. Every person's dreams."
Toby turned down to his friend with an unamused gaze."You know what I mean."
"I do," he sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. He quickly reopened them, feeling his exhausted self drifting to sleep almost immediately.
"God, you'd still be swooning over Claire, with that lovesick gaze of yours," he said, wanting to forget how Jim spent years swooning and ranting about how much he liked her.
"Don't you mean Rocker girl?" he laughed,d thinking back to sixth grade.
"Oh shit, I forgot about that." he smiled, both thinking back to the first day of sixth grade, the day Claire Nunez was dubbed as "Rocker Gir" by Toby.
"Jim you're going to be late!"
His blue eyes sot open, realizing he'd slept through his alarm. Stumbling out of bed, he struggled to get his clothes on, just having enough time to run his fingers through his hair, making it appear semi-okay." I'm here," he shouted, rushing down the stairs to find his best friend since kindergarten, Toby Domzalski, eating burnt pancakes his mother made every first day of school.
Barbara frowned, stepping up to her son to fix his hair."Will you ever learn to brush your hair."
"It's fine mom," he assured her, swatting her hands away, patting his jet black hair down."Ready Tobes?" he asked, Toby, standing up with a nod. As usual, the two of them would be the only ones dressed all nice like they were entering kindergarten. Jim expected the rest of the boys in their grade to be dressed in cargo shorts and t-shirts, while he was wearing jeans and a dress shirt.
"Coming Jimbo," he responded, pulling his backpack over his shoulder.
"Wait," Barbara said, grabbing her old camera."Pictures."
Jim groaned."Mom, I'm not five," he said, already annoyed he had to wear what she'd selected for him.
"I'm letting you ride your bike there, the least you can do is take a minute to pose for a photo," she said, waiting for him to stand in front of the stairway as he had done every year since he was in preschool.
"Most kids get to ride their bike to school in fourth grade," he muttered. The elementary school he'd gone to the previous school year was two streets over and all kids in the neighborhoods surrounding it rode their bikes. Except for him and Toby. His mom and Toby's Nana would switch off driving the boys, but Jim finally put his foot down, practically begging to ride his bike. Barbara allowed it though was reluctant to do so. Standing in front of the stairway, Jim smiled, ignoring Toby's snickers, though his Nana made him do the exact same thing.
"Perfect," Barbara said, turning down towards her camera, looking through the photos.
Frown returning, Jim picked up his satchel bag again, slinging it over his shoulder. He walked to a slyly smiling Toby, grabbing the boy's chubby arm."Let's go," he said in a whisper, pulling his friend out the front door.
"Wait," Barbara interrupted, stepping up to her son."You sure you know how to get there and back?"
"Yes, mom," he sighed, slumping his shoulders forward.
"Don't look at me like that Mr. I'm just making sure you know." she reprimanded, something she didn't have to do often to her well-behaved son.
"Don't worry Dr. L," Toby said, using his charisma that was non-existent."I'll make sure Jim gets back," he said, putting his arm around his slightly taller friend.
"Thank you, Toby," Barbara smiled, grateful her son had such a good friend."Be good, do you have your map?"
"Yes mom," he said, though no one actually used the maps. That was one of the things that would get you a one-way ticket to butt whooping by the school jocks. He expected that Toby and himself would receive many of those throughout the years, most of which would come from Steve Pallchuck who he'd sadly been in the same class as since kindergarten."Can we go now, we'll be late."
"Okay, okay have a good day Hunny," Barbara said as Jim raced Toby to their bikes, lying on the curb. Buckling on his helmet, Jim started riding down the street whilst Toby was still struggling to get on.
"Wait up Jimbo!" he shouted, shrieking as he skidded down the hill that led onto the main road on which the Arcadia Oaks Middle School, was located on. The brick building was two stories, unlike their elementary school which stood at one. The elementary school they attended, Arcadia Oaks Elementary was one of two elementary schools in the town. The other was Jameson Brookes Elementary school, after one of the town's first mayors. There was only one Middle school though, so they wouldn't know half of the kids in attendance.
Jim watched as sixth, seventh, and eighth graders all piled off the buses, conversation with friends they hadn't seen since the last school year."Woah, this is crazy town banana pants," Toby stated, both boys intimidated by the large school."Sweet," he said, confusing Jim.
"What?" he asked, hopping off his bike to walk it across the lawn and over to the three rows of bike racks.
"Eight grade girls," Toby said, like the dirty-minded 11-year-old he was.
"Gross Tobes," Jim said, sticking out his tongue at the statement. Toby was the girl crazy one out of the two of them. He was known for having one-day recess girlfriend's back in elementary school but soon lost his trust as some boys grew and the two of them didn't. Lifting his bike and setting it in the rack, he assisted his muscle-less friend with the simple tasks of lifting a bike.
"Greetings, fellow sixth-graders," Eli said, sitting on the bike rack with his braces and oversized glasses. He was the only other boy to be forced to dress up all nice but it seemed like he didn't mind it. In his hands, he clutched his copy of Moby Dick, which he'd been reading over and over again since Fourth grade.
"Hey Eli," Toby sighed, removing his helmet and setting it on the handle of his bike." Anything new?" they weren't friends with Eli Pepperjack, no one was, but they understood that they all were outcasts int he sea of pre-teens.
Pushing his glasses up his nose, he spoke in the squeaky voice he'd most likely never lose." Actually yes. I was walking through the canals earlier when I noticed this weird-"
"New year butt snack."
Jim groaned quietly."Right on time," he said to himself.
Steve Pallchuck grinned demonically as he watched the weak Eli, fall to the ground, hitting his face and dirtying his white button-down shirt. His copy of Moby Dick landed directly in a puddle from the rain they'd received the night before. The whale on the cover had been speared in the heart and began to drown as the paperback copies cover grew most and broke apart, no hope of being fixed.
Jim gritted his teeth, despising how Steve treated people."S-"
"Jim," Toby hissed, holding his shoulder so he didn't step up to the bully."Come on, we don't wanna be bloody and late on the first day,"
Jim watched as Toby pulled him into this school, feeling as if Steve had gotten away with murder. Walking down the hall, the duo entered Ms. Everson's Homeroom, room 13. Listening to the instructions they sat in their seats, luckily not alphabetically so they'd managed to be beside one another. Jim looked around the room, recognizing some faces from Elementary school but some were a mystery. He saw Darcy Scott who had been in his class in first and second grade, though they'd never spoken before. He also recognized Mary Wang who hadn't gone to their school, but her dad was a doctor so he'd seen her at work events, but again, he'd never spoken to her. Exhausted, Jim leaned his face against the palm of his hand, eyes opening and shutting at a quick pace as not to let himself fall asleep.
"Jimbo," Toby screeched in a whisper, rupturing his tired friend's eardrum.
"What?" he asked, turning back, rubbing his right eye so it would stay open.
"Look at the rocker girl," he said, pointing one of his chubby fingers towards the doorway.
Confused, Jim turned, stunned when he saw an 11-year-old girl walking in. She had a round but not chubby face, with wholesome chestnut eyes and long black hair pulled back into a french braid. She wore a dark blue shirt with some band he'd never heard of, paired with grey jeans. Around her shoulder was a backpack, decorated with many pins belonging to different bands, shows, and musicals. She walked in, waving towards Mary Wang and Darcy Scott, sitting in the middle of the two. Hypnotized, he continued to stare at her in a way that could be described as creepy if she were to turn her head back and notice.
"Jimbo." Toby said waving his hand in front of his lovesick face."Earth to Jimbo,"
"Oh sorry," he apologized, eyes still lingering on her."Who is she?"
"Rocker chick? I dunno, but she's got good taste in music," he said, opening his agenda book as the teacher demanded it.
"Ya," he said, continuing to glance at her throughout the day and for the rest of his life.
"Ugh, you were so annoying after that day. Constantly going on and on about Claire Nunez, Claire Nunez, Claire Nunez," he exaggerated, waving his arms in the air to add dramatic effect.
"And you were going on about every other girl," Jim laughed, recalling how Toby would jump from girl to girl, before Darcy obviously.
"That is not true." he snapped defensively.
"Don't fight it Tobes," he said, sitting up as their walkie-talkie went off."Anything to report Blink?"
"Not yet Master Jim. Though Aaarrrggghhh discovered that the trash cans here have quite a substantial amount of deliciously disgusting food," he said, the disturbing sound of Aaarrrggghhh swallowing something squishy coming through from the other end.
"Gross," he said, swallowing a Dorrito slowly, eyes peering down the alley, thinking he'd seen something."We've got nothing..." he paused a struggling sound coming from the darker end of the alley."Hold on a second." he said, quietly setting the walkie talkie down." Tobes," he whispered, slapping his friend who'd drifted to sleep on the stomach. Signaling for him to follow, Jim silently called for his armor, using his sword as a light as they worked their way down the alley. Hearing the sound grow louder, Jim gripped his sword tighter, jumping forward, getting a full view of a tall troll, or Changeling.
It was hanging itself over the dumpster a the opposite end of the alley. In its mouth was a whole chicken, disappearing in a moment. A long dark blue tongue licked its lips and the Cahngleing stepped forward."Itz haz been zo long zince I've tasted humanz," it slurred, lunging towards them both.
Jim fell back summoning his shield so the creature couldn't get to him." Tobes!" he shouted, waiting for his friend to hit the beast in the head.
Toby turned down to his hands, going pale when he realized it had slipped out of his hands as he fell asleep. Taking two slow steps back, Toby darted back towards the other dumpster."Mez like a challenge," it said, slithering off of Jim and beginning towards Toby who was failing to outrun it.
"Toby!" he yelled as a warning, stumbling to his feet, armor, and exhausted body causing him to run slower than usual.
Finally reaching his Warhammer, Toby turned to quick, falling onto his bottom. Shook with fear, he struggled to activate it as the Changeling loomed over him."Come on come on!" he begged the contraption, fearing his demise as the creature's jaw unhinged, long tongue reaching out to infect him with its venom that would paralyze him.
"Huh!" Jim grunted, jumping off the dumpster, bringing his sword up and impaling the creature in the back. As daylight infected dit, the Changeling's eyes grew wide as it rotated towards Jim, long tongue reaching out.
"I might've lozzt, butz the otherz willz get a you," the creature swore, petrifying Jim and Toby with fear as it confirmed what they feared. The fact there were other changelings.
"Who?! Who else is one?!" he asked, as the creature fell back, cackling as if they were drugged.
"Yuv beenz fooled Trollzunter," it laughed, perishing to dust and stone before their eyes.
"Master Jim!" Blinky shouted through the Walkie-Talkie." Master Jim is everything alright."
"No, Blink. Things aren't fine."
Reviews and Critiques are Welcome.
