6
Chapter 18
David ran. He ran as fast as he could. He ran past students; he ran past teachers; he ran past dorms and classrooms and offices.
He just ran.
He didn't know where he was going.
He just wanted to get away.
He found himself outside; he ran past the garden.
The groundskeeper waved to him; he didn't wave back.
His lungs were burning.
But he kept running.
Just like on Orion 5.
Three years ago.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
But in that moment…David felt like that same punk kid.
When David finally collapsed…he found himself in downtown San Francisco.
He was laying on the cold concrete…the crisp and spartan gray; just like the Academy.
David wheezed for breaths…as he felt the chill underneath the palms of hands.
Laying there…on all fours…he felt like he was going to burst.
He felt a rush of emotions cloud his mind…and pierce his thoughts.
He felt furious with himself; he felt a burst of rage.
He wanted to strike the ground; he wanted to push over carts or strike someone in the face.
He wanted to scream.
Then his rage melted into guilt; self-loathing guilt.
He hated himself for feeling any positive feeling. Towards him.
In that moment…he couldn't remember a single negative memory of him.
For the first time…David saw something that he'd never seen before.
"Hey, kid," he heard from above.
David looked down at himself; he looked ridiculous…like a dog on all fours.
He'd long since stopped gasping for breath. He was laying there on his hands and feet…bawling his eyes out.
He quickly wiped the tears away…and climbed to his feet. He wore a very sheepish look.
"Yeah?"
It was an older man; he face was stern but soft.
"You…"
David looked him in the eyes; his face was crimson…and his eyes were puffy.
The man's expression was one of confusion…and a bit of shock. He nodded his head…and grimaced a bit.
"You wanna come in for a cup of coffee?"
David furrowed his brow in confusion; after a moment of thought…he nodded his head.
David followed him into his dusty little coffee shop; there were no other customers as it was close to nightfall.
It was a dingy little place…full of dark brows and layer of filth on everything.
But it had a certain charm…a warm, comforting feeling.
In a way…it almost reminded him of home.
The old man poured David a cup of steaming brew…and David took a seat in front of the cup. The man took a seat across from him…and watched him as he took a sip.
"Good?"
David nodded.
The man shot a slight look of appreciation.
The old man started stroking his chin…covered in gray stubble. He didn't take his off of David.
The old man pursed his lips…then closed them again. He scratched the side of his head a little.
"I'm about to close up…but you're welcome to finish your cup,"
"Thank you,"
"I'm Chuck by the way,"
"David," David out-stretched his hand. The man gruffly accepted it.
David glanced around the room a bit…taking in the scenery. He took another small sip of his coffee…and searched Chuck's eyes.
"Aren't you…"
Chuck shook his head…chuckling a bit.
"Kid…I've seen a lot of weird stuff. Quite frankly…I don't really give a damn."
"Oh," David's face sunk a bit. "Then why'd you invite me in?"
"You looked like you could use a cup o' joe,"
"Okay…"
Chuck chuckled again.
"Finish your coffee and get out of my shop, Kid."
David took a swig of the bitter brew; he glanced up at Chuck and saw a glint in his eye.
Chuck shot him sly grin…and started cleaning off the tabletops.
Eventually he went back behind the register and started cleaning the coffee makers.
"Alright…time to get the hell out,"
David finished his cup…and slowly made for the door with the same awkwardness he entered with.
"Hey, Kid,"
David slowly turned around.
"Talk is cheap…a man's gotta just act,"
"Thanks,"
David walked along the sidewalks; he passed shopkeepers closing down; young couples going out for a night on the town. He spotted a Vulcan in robes…walking the streets solemnly.
All the while…thinking about what Chuck had said to him.
He eventually stopped by a railing over-looking the harbor; it was a beautiful sight.
The waves were lapping…a small boat could be seen on the horizon.
The skyline was filled majestic reds and purples as the sun had nearly set.
David thought about the words.
He thought about the time he'd stood by the river at Orion 5. He'd known then that he couldn't keep running.
He thought about the shopkeeper he'd met back in Kansas; at that moment he'd known that he didn't belong there anymore.
He thought about Sephora; he'd felt such a magnetic draw to her. He knew that someday…he was going to be with her. The thought of her warm smile made his heart melt.
But he knew he had something to do before then.
He thought of his father…the man who had left him behind all of those years.
But he was more than that.
For so long…he'd been a picture on his wall; a distant memory.
But to the rest of the world…the galaxy.
He was the hero of Rigel four.
David remembered his nightmare from years ago…when his father morphed into himself.
He thought of that night…in his dorm.
"I understand," David whispered.