The Deadliest Catch
By: D. Jaroslav Edington
"Love is like a virus. It can happen to anyone at any time." - Maya Angelou
Now, to the average 19-year-old, living in a mansion might seem like a dream, a work of fiction; but to the Inviktchers of 2022, this is their reality. After their 2021 graduation party in an upstate beach house in San Diego, they decided to continue renting the mansion for the foreseeable future. As long as everyone pitches in, it was possible. It was very expensive, but it was possible. Now the Invictkhers get to live like kings and queens while they study at the University of San Diego. This was the plan and it worked for over a year and a half. That is, until December of 2022. For this December, there was something in the air. Something contagious, powerful, and so very deadly. This was the December where two Invikthers gave into their primal desires, and let the flames of their passion rise into an inferno, setting ablaze everything and everyone around them.
[DECEMBER 1st- SPARKS OF DESIRE]
The sky was grey and without spots, like the fender of a shiny new car. The wind blew from the north bringing with it cold, refreshing air and the usual groups of old folk migrating down to warmer weather. It was these colder months that the city came alive. The usual sluggish attitude of the people has whisked away with the invigorating winds. It also helped that the holidays made everyone just a bit more cheerful. But to Breville BTA720XL 2-Slice Toaster, this cold weather means their car stalls about every other week. Breville knew the car was about eight months past its lifespan when they bought the car, but with the steady rent increase, they had hoped it'd get them through the winter. They were wrong and now Breville was stranded.
"Come on, come on. Please be awake." Breville prays as they pace back and forth in front of their car, smoke rising from the engine.
After three rings a disheveled and irritated voice answers. "You know I work night shifts, this had better be life or death."
"Oh thank god you woke up. Listen, I know you won't like to hear this but I really need a ride. My car stopped running about halfway to the college and I'm currently stranded on the side of the road. Do you think you can find me and take me to the college? Please. I can't afford to be late again."
"Why don't you just call an Uber?" The phone replies, annoyed.
"Well, money is pretty tight right now. That's why I have that old rust bucket, to begin with. I'd just really appreciate it Cuisinart CPT-620 2-Slice Toaster. I can buy you a coffee or something?" After about ten seconds of silence, Cuisinart lets out a loud drawn-out sigh.
"I'll be there in five." Before Breville can thank them, Cuisinart hangs up.
No more than five minutes later, Breville sees the all-black motorcycle pulled up next to the smoke machine formally known as their car. Stepping off of the bike is Cuisinart, dressed in black leather, with heavy work boots that thud with every step and a scratched helmet with a closed visor, also black. The thin black gloves lift the helmet off of their face and two stainless steel eyes stare back at Breville. Cuisinart CPT-620 2-Slice Toaster has the physique of wide toast slots and five toast options (bread, bagel, English muffin, frozen waffle, and pastry). A stark difference from Breville's 2 toast options (bagel and frozen) and concealed cord storage. Cuisinart brushes their seven shade setting hair out of their eyes and extends their hand out to Breville. Breville was in a trance, as they often were when they see Cuisinart's slide-out crumb tray. Breville gingerly grabbed Cuisinart's outstretched hand. Cuisinart pulled back and said, "Do you have the money for the coffee?"
Breville stepped back into reality. "Oh yeah, about that. I don't have cash on me at the moment."
"Well, then I guess I'll see you after your classes. I'm getting that coffee whether you like it or not. Here, take this and get on the bike." Cuisinart tossed over another black helmet.
They strapped on the helmet and hopped onto the bike cushion on the back wheel. Breville looked around for a moment, confused. " Um, where do I hold on?"
Cuisinart laughed for a moment and responded, " Oh, the railings? That broke ages ago. Just hold on to me." Before Breville had any time to object the bike roared down the street.
Instinctively, Breville grabbed tightly around Cuisinart's chest as the bike slowly gained speed. Breville never let go. Even during red lights, even during stops, Breville never let go. And Cuisinart never complained. When they arrived at the College, Breville slowly got off of the bike and took off the helmet.
"I just want to thank you again for this. You really saved my hide, today." Breville says as they return the helmet.
"You can thank me by buying that coffee. We'll go after your classes finish. Maybe get some lunch while we're at it, too."
"As long as you don't mind paying for lunch. I can only afford coffee." Breville admits, embarrassed.
"See you soon then. Oh and one more thing. Did you call your insurance company for your car? You just left it there on the road." Breville had forgotten about that.
They had gotten so sidetracked from Cuisinart's good looks, they completely forgot about the car! "Wait how do I call-" The roar of the engine drowned out their voice as Cuisinart drove away. Breville hates when Cuisinart does that. As the motorcycle got farther and farther away from their sight, Breville swore they saw a trail of sparks behind the bike.
[DECEMBER 24th - FLAMES OF PASSION]
"The only things that hold me to this rhyme,
for without love and time, the world wouldn't be the same
because they are the essence of our name." - Daimon Ferguson
The winter days flew by ever steadily, like the constant rotations of the Earth. And with every passing day, the city of San Diego got brighter and brighter with the lights of the holidays. It was Christmas Eve. and every Inviktcher was away to spend time with their families. Everyone except Breville. These were the saddest days for them. Every year, their family would throw the largest Christmas gatherings and every year was better than the last. But ever since two years ago, Breville's family all moved away. Now, with no one to share with, Breville sits on an empty couch, in an empty room, in an empty mansion.
As they sat there, waiting for time to pass, they thought of Cuisinart. Ever since they gave Breville that ride, they had been thinking of them. It had become an unspoken ritual for them to get lunch every day after Breville finished classes. The highlights of Breville's day is before school and after school. Where they get to ride on Cuisinart's motorcycle and more importantly, an excuse to hold onto them. Breville longed to know whether Cuisinart thought about them as well. Breville wished they had the courage to call Cuisinart right now and tell them how they felt. They pushed this thought out of their mind and tried to fall asleep.
Breville awoke to the sound of loud footsteps and doors closing. They got up and went to the foyer to investigate. They saw a shadowy figure standing in front door. Breville slowly pulled out their phone and turned on the flashlight. "Gah, jesus that's bright." The figure held their hand up to block the light from their eyes.
"Cuisinart? What are you doing here?" Breville turned off the flashlight and flipped the switch on.
"What? I live here." Cuisinart walks into the mansion and closes the door behind them. Cuisinart is drenched in water, it must've rained. Cuisinart and Breville are standing a breaths away from each other.
"Well I mean, shouldn't you be at your parents celebrating? It's Christmas Eve after all." Breville couldn't look away from Cuisinart's hair, now glistening from the rain.
"I just got back actually. With leftovers too. It got a bit wet, though. We probably shouldn't eat that." Theres a silence between them. Both are looking into each other's eyes. Cuisinart leans their head forward and Breville takes a step back.
"Well lets see what food is salvageable. I haven't eaten anything yet." Breville grabs the bag of food from Cuisinart and scurries towards the kitchen, making no eye contact.
As Breville rumages through the containers of food, they can feel Cuisinart's presence directly behind them. " It seems the only thing not soaked is the mac and cheese, but it's very cold. I'll go heat it up."
"Then I'll go find us something to drink." Breville refuses to look away from the microwave.
They're mind was racing. What should they do? Should they confess to Cuisinart? Do they already know? What if they don't feel the same way? These thoughts and a thousand other ones like them were flying around inside Breville's head that they didn't even notice the beeping of the microwave.
"Are you gonna get that?" Cuisinart asks confused. Breville flipped around quickly and saw Cuisinart with two wine glasses.
"What are you doing with those? You know we can't drink yet." Breville pointed at the glasses. Cuisinart lifted up a 2 liter of coke from their other hand.
"Yeah, I know. I just thought that since these came with the mansion, we may as well use them. It stopped raining outside and it isn't too cold. We could eat out there. The view is another thing we never use either." Before Breville could interject, Cuisinart took the plate of mac and cheese and said, "Go put on another layer, find us a nice spot and I'll meet you there with the food."
Breville wanted nothing more than to take off another layer but, they did as Cuisinart asked, grabbed a blanket and went outside to find a spot. Cuisinart was right, The view was something the Invikcthers rarely used. Everyone was too invested in their jobs and school work to actually appreciate where they all lived. The view was amazing. The beach had a pale, angelic glow from the full moon in the sky and the waves gently kissed the edge of the land in a rhythmic passion.
Breville found themself staring into the horizon for quite some time before shaking the feeling and finding a nice spot to eat. It didn't take long until Breville wandered to a little sand hill about 10 yards from the sea. It seemed to be placed directly below the moon. It was the perfect spot. After setting everything up, Breville saw Cuisinart stroll up to the hill with a tray of food. Cuisinart stopped in front of the hill and looked up at Breville.
"Gorgeous."
"Yeah it's a pretty good spot. I like the elevation too. It makes me feel closer to the stars." Cuisinart chuckles softly, sets down the tray and walks up to the hill.
"I'm not talking about the hill, Breville." Breville's cheeks turn flushed.
"The ocean looks really clean. The beach looks really well kept. I wonder if theres a cleaning crew or volunteers or uh… something like that." Breville replies, flustered. Cuisinart, now seated next to them, leans their head over to Breville.
"You talk too much" Cuisinart whispers softly. I'm not writing the rest of this scene you degenerates.
[DECEMBER 31st - LOVE'S FIERY INFERNO]
"You are the moon, dear love. And I, the sea. But when that loving face is turned from me, low falls the tide, and the grim rocks appear. And Earth's dim coast-line seems like a thing to fear. You are the moon, dear one. And I, the sea. - Ella Wheeler Wilcox
New Years Eve. is a special day at the Invikctha Estate. It's the one holiday that every Invikcther gets to be a part of. Everyone back from Christmas and home in the beach house to have a celebration of epic proportions. The New Year's Bash. It is meant to be the happiest time of the year for everyone in that house. Not to Breville.
"I can't believe we are going to tell them like this. And during the party no less. Shouldn't we wait until after we found a place?" Breville is pacing back and forth in their room. Cuisinart is sitting on the bed taping together paper party hats.
"You said you wanted to tell everyone as soon as possible and all together. This is as soon as possible and one of the few times we'll all be here."
"But how many other people will be there? I don't know if I can do it with that many eyes looking at me."
"Come on, like those people matter, they won't even care" Cuisinart says trying to ease Breville.
"How many people, Cuisinart?" Breville stops pacing and looks at Cuisinart.
"Umm… fifty?" Cuisinart admits slowly. Breville's eyes widen and they continue to pace around the room, this time faster.
"I can't do this. We should just leave, go on your motorcycle and go on vacation. I heard New Zealand is nice this time of year. I'll start packing." Breville heads for the closet. Cuisinart grabed Breville's shoulders and flipped them around.
"Listen. These are our friends. We owe them more than to just desert them. I know you can do it, okay. I'll be right next to you to whole time. You got this."
Breville knew Cuisinart was right. As much as it scared them, Breville knew what they had to do. Not long after, the guests started to arrive. Breville and Cuisinart handed out party hats and party blowers to the guests. The rest of the party was a blur. The loud music and people partying started to overwhelm Breville. It was only through the help of Cuisinart that Breville didn't run away screaming. Before they knew it. There was 10 minutes until 12. 5 minutes. 3 minutes. 2 minutes. After 1 minute the music quieted and someone started to speak on a microphone.
"With only one minute to go, I'd just like to thank everyone here to join us in this beautiful home of ours." Caleb was standing on the dining table addressing everyone at the party.
"We are just so thankful we have the opportunity to live in a place like this. Here's to the new year, where hopefully, the party will be even bet-" Breville didn't know what came over them. They jumped onto the table and took the mic from Caleb.
"Actually, there won't be a party next year. Cuisinart and I have decided to leave the mansion and get our own place." All is silent in the mansion. Breville see's Cuisinart giving an awkward thumbs up.
The television cut through the silence with a countdown. 10, 9, 8. Caleb took the mic back.
"Then lets make this a party to remember! 5! 4! 3!" Everyone joined in on the countdown.
Breville was stunned. They had just told them that there won't be any more parties. No beach house. And they still danced and they still partied. Cuisinart jumped onto the table and grabbed onto Breville's chest like they were riding a motorcycle. "So, where to now?" Breville was so overwhelmed with positive emotions, all they could do was laugh.
[DECEMBER 25th - ASHES OF TOMORROW]
Hold me tightly,
for I'm afraid to fall…
Hold my hand to guide the way.
Hold my heart to keep it safe. - Ivy Frost
Now, to the average 20-year-old, living in a small, crappy apartment, might seem like a nightmare, a sad exsistance; but to Jackson and Jacob this is their reality. Even though the view isn't great, there's no fancy dishes, or 10 rooms and 12 baths. It's still a home. And in this home, The Invikcthers celebrate many things. They celebrate the holidays, they celebrate love, they celebrate christmas, but most importantly, they celebrate tomorrow. And there is no better gift than tomorrow.
THE END