Author's note: Hello everyone ^-^; I know it has been a long time since the last update. Unfortunately, I really don't have much time, however, those nice reviews made me decide that it's time for the next chapter. Also since I got some text messages, I feel the need to clarify, that the title of this story is "In Development". That doesn't stand there because it isn't finished yet, but because it's the title. With that all being said, see y'all next year for the next update ^^'


A few blocks down the main road next to the Zoo-Phoenix-Academy, a most-certainly astoundingly big annual funfair was standing. People were already talking about some kind of magical roots that have grown in this place because instead of moving from city to city, this traveling circus has found its home in Safe Haven for now already 4 years. The owner, an old cricket, missing one of his legs, has had such a great time in the city so he simply refused to go when his permit expired. Even though Zechariah and Winston were seemingly furious about such behavior, they were about to call the feds, they simply listened to their students and let it slide. So now this whole circus is standing here for around four years with an expired permission, however, the population seems quite to enjoy its presents, since it's having record visits for the last two years. On each evening many people, mostly students who need some liquor to get rid of the pain from a day stuffed with lessons, which wouldn't seem to end, were vistiting this place. At this time of day, when the sun was already gone and made space for millions of stars shining on the red and white striped tents, which itself were emitting light with torches, fireflies, and party lamps. Millions of lights showing the endless infinity of space that there's life existing. And they are living. If you would enter this place, you would first have to go down the stairs of a beautiful, well-kept park, you would see many exotic plants growing in an ordered manner, but still keeping the esthetic chaos which makes nature so beautiful. With just the right amount of lighting, the architect has designed the stairs to end on the golden gate, being the entrance to the funfair. Quite a big crowd was already attracted and celebrating the ending of the day. You could compare the situation to the German Oktoberfest. Many people holding a beer, standing in unity, and singing loud with the music, dancing, and drinking like there's no tomorrow. Next to the long gateway, Jack was standing, checking his phone, and writing his mother that she wouldn't have to worry because he would be staying in the library for now and will most definitely come back this night. While typing he was interrupted, immediately after sending the text message, by a certain yellow dog holding two beer glasses in his paws.

"What are ya doin'?"; Rusty smiled at Jack, giving him a beer and sipping on his own. When he was finished a white beard made out of froth was formed on his lips, making him look like Santa. Seeing that, Jack chuckled. "It's nothing, I just wrote to my mother I'd be staying in the library for some time. Figured she wouldn't want me to drink alcohol." With that, Jack took a big sip of his beer. However, something felt different on this beer, it didn't taste as bitter as it usually does, it tasted quite sweet. "That actually tastes really good", the Jackal took another big sip, "You gotta tell me what's in it?" If you could see Rusty now you would see a wide grin being formed on his face. "It's a banana Weissbier.", Looking at his counterpart the dog took a sip of his beer, "basically beer mixed with banana juice, but you should slow down, there's still a lot of alcohol in it" Hearing his counterparts statement, the Jackal looked on his glass and realized that there was only one sip left. He seemed to like it that much, that he drank it in only 4 big sips. After having waited for Rusty to finish his beer and a pleasant conversation, he went to the booth getting the next round. Now, it was his time to decide the drink, so he simply picked two pilsner beer mixed with Ramazzotti and Cola and went directly back to his friend. "Here you go", with a malicious grin the Jackal gave Rusty his beer. Staring at this black monstrosity, Rusty just stayed silent, tried a few sips, and then looked back at his friend. "You really wanna make me drunk this night, right?", the dog joked, "but ya gotta pull heavier machinery than that." "Guess we just need to train that freshman's liver.", Jack laughed back. Their conversation lasted quite long, they went up and down the boulevard, danced in some of the tents, took some rides, threw up after having done that one ride too many times, and always continued drinking afterward. This beautiful vicious circle of fun, adrenaline, movement, dance, and vomit continued itself quite long in the night until both of the teens were seemingly powered out. If you'd look at your watch now, you'd be surprised how time flew. How could you let it happen that you didn't constantly watch the time, that time became a secondary factor in your life? Most of the booths were already closed and they definitely weren't serving any alcohol at this time. As a result the park steadily became empty. Nevertheless, two teens didn't care that the music was gone.

Holding each other in their arms, the two students were laughing almost the entire night. Laughing tears, going their usual way, but bringing seldom felt joy. "Dude, that night was amazing", Rusty was looking at his counterpart, "oh boy, I know that my head will be a wrack tomorrow!" His statement resulted in Jack laughing even more. "Agh, I loved that night man." After having looked down on the ground again, their eyes suddenly met. "Just sad that it's going to end now", Rusty was scratching his left arm. "It doesn't have to though", his brown counterpart was suddenly pointing at one last ride. "A mirror place?", the yellow dog was having quite a confused expression on his face. "Not just any mirror place. This is a whole labyrinth of mirrors.", Jack smiled, "C'mon, you gotta try this!" Before he could even say that they were obviously already closed, his friend grabbed his arm and started to run and slipped through the narrow doors of this big little labyrinth. Unfortunately, Rusty didn't squeeze as easy through the door as Jack, nevertheless, he still arrived in this maze of a million mirrors, seeing himself in all shapes and sizes a thousand times. Being astounded by seeing all these Rubens, the dog just slowly sneaked at one mirror to look himself in the eyes. Jack was left nowhere to be seen, he's already lost in the maze. Now it would be Rustys job to find him. Still, he considered he would need some time simply enjoying the presence of this other him right in front of him. Staring into those eyes they both shared. Yet, he looked at the mirror next to him which made him look totally different. Another mirror further and another Rusty. This one looked like an egghead, which made Rusty chuckle. Steady steps brought him through another distance and all these Rustys were looking at him like he'd be some kind of alien having infested their homeworld. All these mirror parts on the ground, ceiling, and walls irritated him in so many ways. He was lost. The entrance was gone. This must be the constant state of his mind. All these different parts on the ground, ceiling, and wall of his head are simply a never-ending maze made out of mirrors, representing each part of his inner-psyche. Do you have a problem? Ya wanna beat me? Then my hardcore Rusty will give you some bruises. You want to read? Hoffmann? I'll give you poetry Rusty. Would you like to study for an upcoming exam? Here, I have egghead Rusty. Oh, you need to philosophize about reason and life. Let me see, oh right here he is, philosophy Rusty. Wanna run a marathon next? No worries bud, I have the brand new sport Rusty. In addition, he has the feature of really good stamina. You ain't that big of a fan of sports, heh? Yeah me neither, but how about nerdy Rusty, you see he has little glasses and knows everything about some kind of genres. But be careful, his pride dominates this personality. What do you want? A loving Rusty? Oh boy, let me see if we have that in stock. You're in luck we have one right for you. However, he kinda is in a chest, and we don't know where the key is. Who the key is?
Rusty was staring at himself in the mirror, when suddenly Jack showed up right behind him, tipping him on his shoulder. "Hey", the Jackal laughed, "this place is amazing I look so weird in those mirrors." Rusty was scratching his head, "Yeah man, this place is amazing, … you are amazing!" Being quite surprised by this statement Jack just put his arms around the shoulders of Rusty. "You think so?", the Jackal leaned in looking directly into Rusty's eyes. With that, Rusty knew what permission he just got from his counterpart. This time it was he who leaned in and kissed Jack. Their kiss was reflected on all of the mirrors of this big little house. Every single part of the one was united with every single part of the other. Sporty Rusty kissed musical Jack, chef Jack kissed philosophical Rusty. The Egghead kissed the bully, the physicist kissed psychoanalyst. A dense united hug held them together, a force stronger than the sun and also emitted more energy than it, life, love. When they were done both of them just looked each other in the eyes, ending their joint session with a simple 'Wow'.


Recapitulating the events of the night, Jack was sitting in a bus again, since having promised his mother to be punctually home this time, even though he's already 6 hours late. "That was an amazing time", Jack was grabbing his phone out of his bag, "Seems like I won't be lonely." Risking a small little gaze at the screen, he was quite surprised when he saw that he missed 13 calls. His first thought was that his mother was worried again. However, his heart stopped there for a few seconds when he saw who tried to reach him. Immediately after this realization, he was looking at the texts his friend wrote to him.

"Dude, we need to talk
Please call me back
Kayla dumped me
For real this time"