Chapter 5
"Approaching Troy in five minutes." Announced Athena.
With cold lips, dark eyes, I gazed straight ahead. I was the sole survivor of Troy, and I was running out of time. For years, I had hardened myself against anyone, and anything. These people I was with… They were different. They genuinely cared about everything. Somehow, despite caring, they were carefree. Even in the heat of any moment, they could flash a trademark smile. It seemed nearly psychopathic, but yet again, I knew deep down, they were heroes.
"Approaching Troy in one minute." Announced Athena.
Pressing my face into the glass, I could see the city in the distance. Undisturbed.
"Well… Looks like Troy is still there." Said Winston.
"Uh… ya. I guess you're right." I replied.
Out of the blue, I added "Could we stop at my restaurant? Seems like a logical place to start; if it's the same restaurant, peanut butter cookies are on the menu."
"Oh boy! Er, I mean yes; very logical." Enthusiastically answered Winston.
"You can count me in!" Added Tracer.
"Now entering Troy." Announced Athena.
The ship instantly slowed to a slow glide, quickly descending to the ground. The door came to life, and lowered to the ground. Through the door, there were a lot of trees concealing the location of the ship. Further past the trees, it was clearly evident the city was operating as normal. Highways were bustling with automatics, people were walking in every direction, and the buildings looked maintained as ever.
"Well, I'm officially insane. Please drop me off at the next asylum after that lunch." I announced.
"Woah. We're here to help, Faze. I believe you." Said Tracer.
"And so do I." Declared Winston.
"You guys really are heroes. I don't even believe myself, but you do." I said.
Tracer and Winston simply smiled back.
For the next twenty minutes, we simply walked towards the restaurant. Getting the occasional mystified glance as we walked by, the city seemed normal. I suppose talking gorillas weren't a usual thing; I certainly had never seen one until yesterday.
"I see now. This whole city doesn't know who we are!" Said Winston.
"Well, they do now." I replied.
Tracer laughed.
Approaching the familiar doors, I pulled one open and led the group inside. As I stepped inside, I recognized the server, Emily.
"Hey Faze! You're not scheduled until tomorrow."
'What!?' The whole world could have exploded, and I wouldn't have even noticed. My mind was doing jumping jacks. For a split second, my eyes went bug eyed before I could compose myself.
Keeping it cool, I said "I know, just brought some friends. Table for 3 please." As I pointed behind myself.
"Is… is that a gorilla!?" Exclaimed Emily, dropping her clipboard.
"No. I'm a scientist!" Bellowed Winston.
"Ah, ok. I'm so so sorry! Follow me right this way." Said Emily as she turned pink.
"Hmph." Snorted Winston. As Emily led us to a table in the corner of the restaurant.
"Well, this is turning out to be an interesting day." Cheerfully said Tracer.
Emily began passing menus out to everyone as we were seated.
"I'm so sorry about my mistake, sir. You get a free meal because of my horrible service." Said Emily, looking at Winston.
"And you two will get Faze's employee discount, no questions asked."
"No worries luv." Said Tracer in a comforting voice.
"Winston can be really sensitive, but deep down he really is a cuddly ole gorilla."
Taking a sigh of relief, Emily said "So what can I get for you today?"
"The finest manual peanut butter cookies of your establishment please." Requested Winston.
Giggling, Emily said "No problem! I'll make sure you get twice as much. Are you sure that's all?"
Tracer and Emily both laughed making eye contact.
If I were a scientist, I'd have to analyze my coworker and Tracer were getting along quickly. Still in full panic mode, I began scanning all the booths in the restaurant. Every single customer in the entire joint was a regular with the exception of one. Sitting at the bar, a man sat hunched over, holding a glass of whisky. He wore a red cape, a cowboy hat, and appeared to have a metal hand. He had brown hair, a beard, and a mustache. Everything about him screamed 'I'm a cowboy'. Thing is, cowboys haven't been around for at least two hundred years. This day was never going to end.
"Ok guys! It was nice meeting you Tracer. Nice meeting you too, Winston. It was an honour getting to know ya, but I gotta run. Everything is normal, surprise! Enjoy your meals, hope you like Troy. Maybe next time I see you, things will be more normal. Good luck on your Omnic thing. Bye!" I quickly said before I ran out the door.
This was getting out of hand. I had to go to the last place I wanted to go. My house.
Sprinting the entire way, I only had five kilometres until I would reach my house. Reaching back to past memories, I remembered that Connor would show up at my house most evenings to hang out. Connor was reduced to a pile of ash right in front of me. If he was still alive, I don't know what else in my life I'd have left to hang onto.
Sweat poured across my forehead as I ran as quickly as my legs would take me. My thoughts grew darker the closer I got to home. Being only a couple blocks away, I felt something I hadn't felt in over a year. Fear. My legs felt like spaghetti as I forced myself up the last few streets. Closing my eyes, and clenching my fists, I kept going. I was there.
Opening my eyes, there it stood. The house I witnessed turn into a giant pile of ash, wickedly grinned back at me. Shivering, I walk down the sidewalk towards the front door. Despite it being a warm summer day, the world seemed to get colder. Everything looked mischievous and fake. Taking a deep breath, I reached out and knocked on the door.
A few moments passed, and the door was answered by no one other than my mother. I was ready to pass out, but I had already gone too far.
"Hi Mom, I'm back." I said.