The evening sky was near, and the sun was slowly setting down over the horizon at the edge of the ocean. I closed my eyes briefly, and in just a mere second the noises around me started to slowly die down. The muffling sounds of passerby's, animals, and the roar of the engines all slowly came to a halt; giving me complete silence. Very carefully with my hands raised I was finally able to stop time, and in its place I spotted traces of a bright yellow aura right in front of me as I slowly walked out of the bar. Only this time the aura came from the bar and behind it was a bright traced line, that lead onto the highway near the dense forest of Arcadia Bay. However, I notice the trail going extremely far, and will require a vehicle to travel this long distance.
"Oh good, I can stop time….for now. But, where is Allen, he just walked out of here not too long ago; only for him to disappear instantly." I stood there, as time around me stood still, "If only there was some other way for me to travel and see where this strange bright aura, that looks like a navigation line leads."
Being precautious, I approached slowly this bright glowing aura, and I touched it. A flash of light engulfed me, and I felt an adrenaline rush; a force that I never felt before as it pushed me forward so fast that I began to travel almost like a superhero with rapid speed.
"How do I stop this?" I said, while trying to hold on to god knows whatever this bright light was taking.
In just a matter of seconds, the brightness appeared engulfing me again, leading me to shield my eyes completely in order to avoid going blind completely. Once I felt the adrenaline rush no more, I opened my eyes and saw that the world was no longer on a time freeze, and I was able to hear the sounds of the waves and the small critters that are around me; as they scout for food. Trying figure out where I was, I notice a familiar pathway that led to the old rundown lighthouse.
"Wow, I know this place. This is the old path that Chloe and I used to walk on when the storm was brewing. But, why did this bright Aura led me here?" I carefully inspected the old worn down steps that led upwards to the rundown lighthouse.
Obviously, since some of the old debris was still left behind and forgotten by the new comers of Arcadia Bay, I didn't want to risk anything and decide to proceed careful as I made my way to the lighthouse. The sound of concrete in my booths as I took every step going upwards, I felt as though I was walking on egg shelves. Scouting my surroundings, I managed to reach the old lighthouse, or what was left of it. I also noticed that the area where I stand was clean, and near the edge of the lighthouse; there was a small little tent near.
"Hmm? Looks like somebody is here…." I said to myself quietly, making my way towards the tent, "Hello? Is anybody in here?"
There was no reply as I got near the tent, and I notice the tents zipper was slightly open. Being nosey, I took a peek inside and saw somebody napping in there.
"Oh my, looks like somebody's in there," being quiet, as I slowly walk away…. "It's best not to wake this mysterious stranger."
As I backed away carefully, due to my clumsiness I slipped and fell on my back causing me to make noise; waking the mysterious person.
Hearing the tent zipper being unzipped, I saw who it was, "What? Who's there?"
It was Allen, the handyman, and I swear to God he look like a mess and exhausted. As he saw me, he felt embarrassed and turned around and slowly put on his shoes.
"Max? What are you doing here? And how did you find me?" he replied, while helping me up.
"I'm truly sorry Allen, I wanted to see if you need anything, and maybe offer you something to eat….a token of gratitude…." I said, looking all nervous…. "I didn't mean to be nosey, so I went out of my way to search for you, and lo and behold I stumble upon this place….a place that I am most familiar with."
Allen looking sad and disappointed slowly walked towards the old stump, and sat down on it. "So now you know?"
"Know about what?" sounding curious, as I approached him.
He couldn't look at my gaze and had a hard time to speak, until he was able to form the words that he wanted to say…. "I have nowhere to go, with little money at hand. And usually, I wake up early in the morning to dress modestly and in search of any odd jobs people need help with."
Feeling like a jerk, I started a simple conversation with him, and avoiding any odd questions that would have made him feel uncomfortable to answer.
"So, what led you to not have a home? And don't you have a family to rely on, for help?" I said, as I sat down on the ground next to him looking at the beautiful sunset over the horizon.
"I used to have a family. But, as it turned out I was adopted …."
"You were adopted? And by who?" placing my hand near his leg, trying to give him comfort.
However, what he said next really got him in tears…. "Doctor Zelonsky….A.K.A my old foster parent; who took me in after she found me unconscious with 4 fractured ribs and a blunt force trauma. As it turns out I was in a comma for nearly two months, not having a clue as to who I was, and where I came from. Sadly, no one came to claim me; leading her to care for me and decided to adopt me as her own son….and was her son for nearly 4 years…."
With pity in my heart, I got up and stood by him closer than ever….as we talked, "So what happened to her? If you don't mind, asking?"
Words were forming out of his mouth as he struggled to tell me his story…. "She…. She died…. from Leukemia." he said, looking at the night sky.
"And what about her family, didn't anyone of them take you in?" I asked, as I pushed forward the conversation. "I mean surely, anyone in her family would have taken you in…."
He slowly looked at me with those sad puffy eyes as he spoke…. "They didn't want me, and told me that I wasn't family to them; since I wasn't related to them by blood… and to top it all that….police were called and force me to leave the place I called home permanently." He paused mid-sentence while wiping away his tears.
I didn't want to interrupt him and chose to let him continue on with his story….
"….So, I packed up what I could, and left the town that same day. During my travels from town to town, I stumble upon an old worn down library that stood in the middle of an old abandoned town. Thankfully, there was power that was still running, even though the whole town was completely engulfed in darkness, during the night. But what stood out the most were these old worn out books that were indeed a couple of years old and outdated, however, it gave me a purpose to educate myself and to learn how to survive all on my own… So, I did just that and most of the knowledge I have with me…. is all thanks to those books."
I couldn't stay quiet for long and asked him another meaningful question…. "Didn't you at least try to find work during your travels? You are a smart guy, and you have potential. "
Allen with sincerity told me another downfall of his life, that throughout his lonesome years of wandering the roads, he found out from city officials; that did a back-ground check on him, that he wasn't in the system nor does he have any existing records of his childhood. It was as if he never existed at all. Having no other choice, he had to use up all of his savings to pay for recreating a new identity, and to add him on records. This left him completely broke, and he had to scrape by whatever he can to survive the harsh economy of life.
The one thing that really stood out to me the most was how he was able to at least land himself a job here in Arcadia Bay. It was thanks to an old man name Josh Willows, who was a camera repair man and was one of the new founding supporters who have helped, reconstruct the old town and give it new life for new comers to move into.
"The shops name was Willow's vintage camera's…. the owner Mr. Willow saw me wandering the streets here looking for work, and as I stood there all confused; he approached me and asked if I could help him with some basic stuff that he need help carrying. Throughout those early days of being here in this town, that's when he offered me a position to work for him and offered me a place to stay. During my stay with Mr. Willow, he taught me how to repair cameras and how to upgrade them with good quality materials."
This Mr. Willow man was indeed a nice person who gave him a chance in life, has offered his helping hand to train him, and gave him a job to work for him in his shop. As his story got interesting even more, I heard something else from him as well….related to me.
"However, as new comers came by and the shop wasn't doing so well in keeping up with the economy, Mr. Willows decided to close down the shop and retire completely. But, before he left, he gifted me some of his well crafted camera designs and all of its accessories, including his tool kits. This gave me an opportunity to be handyman for once, and that is what I have been doing all this time. But, when I saw you at the diner, I felt strange…."
I blinked as he paused for a moment and looked at me, as we locked eye to eye with one another…. "….Strange about what?"
Allen blushed and proceeded to tell me what he thought about me when he saw me for the first time…. "When I saw you at the diner, my heart skipped a beat…. Feeling mesmerized by your beautiful green marvel eyes, and beautiful freckles…. But, I notice you are sad and indeed lonely from time to time."
I had no words to say, and the way how he complimented me was one of the sweetest things I heard from him. Even though I've been called all sorts of names throughout my entire life such as: Freak, weirdo, Geek, Nerd you name it, and yet here is someone who sees me as for who I really am. To be honest he wasn't the first to say such nice things about me, there were others who had given me flirtatious words, and those where: Chloe, Amanda, Safi, and a few of my colleagues. However, what he said next, of me feeling lonely was true; so lonely indeed I was, ever since Chloe and I broke up due to our differences.
For what I can imagine, of seeing Allen abandoned and on his own…. I can relate to him in some sort of way, to cope with one's own loneliness it is best to run away from it. Sadly, running away from our troubles isn't the solution, to resolve the issues that one has created….they will require help in the long run. So, hearing Allen's unfortunate story, I made a decision….
"Allen?"
Allen, who was quiet, had met my gaze….waiting for me to tell him something, "How would you like to live with me, as a token of gratitude. We can help each other, for I feel like this is destiny for us to meet and interact with one another. I can even ask around for anyone who can offer you a full time position, and I can ask some of my colleagues to see if they can dig up any existing articles related to your past life. Hopefully, we can give you closure as to who you are. So what do you say?" I said, smiling for once.
"I don't know Max, I don't want to overstay my welcome to someone as nice as you that I have met. And I don't want to be a burden to you. Now don't get me wrong, you are nice lady and I don't want to take advantage of your kind offer." He replied, looking all nervous.
"Nonsense, I know we just met. But it is the least I can do since you took this time of fixing my camera. So, please will you come and live with me? I will try to talk to Yasmin or Victoria to see if there's work that is in need of your service…." I said with a sweet approach, as I comfort him.
He was hesitate at first and caved in for once. Now realizing that he isn't alone in this world, and decided to take up on my offer.
"….Yes, I will be glad to take up on your offer….Max." giving me that strong smile for the first time in his life.
As he got up from that stump, I gave him a warm hug, and he gave me his. From that day forward, he became a new friend in my life, and a new housemate. But, I know for a fact that my troubles ahead will come sooner than I expected. I just know it, because Safi had sent me a text at that exact same time.
Safi: Hello Max! Just want to let you know that I am making my way to your hometown soon…. Can't wait to share with you what I've been doing and you won't believe who I ran into as well.
Safi: Hint- someone you are aware off, and has blue hair….