Name: CruxSerpentes !!B2//qkVM963M531 2008-01-09 4:13
Rendezvous With A Stranger
Kenneth knew what he had done as soon as he closed the door. He drew a deep breath and walked down the steps of his now ex-girlfriend’s to his shoddy car. Hah! Shoddy was an understatement. Everything in his life was shoddy; from his crummy job to his fast food meals, to his shoes, whose soles were almost worn down all the way.
He made sure to take a shower before finally cutting off the failing relationship. He was unfortunate. Not untalented, mind you, just unfortunate. His cell-phone beeped. It’s surprising he even has a cell-phone. He reached into his pocket and fished it out amongst the gum wrappers and McDonalds receipts. “1 New Message” it blinked on the monochrome display. He walked to his car and slammed the door as he flipped his phone open. He didn’t recognize the number. A few more clicks and the tiny screen displayed the text, “come to zanzibar bridge come alone”.
A puzzled look appeared on Ken’s face. His thoughts raced with oh so many questions (Who is this? Why should I go? Is it safe? How did this person get this number? Why me? etc.). He revved up his engine and drove down the street. “What more could I lose?”, he thought. Strange sounds and clinks came up from the hood of his car. A few sputters later, it screeched to a halt. With a sigh of acceptance, he opened the door and started his trek on foot.
It was getting dark out. Second thoughts and doubts crept their way into the back of his brain. He approached the only street lamp that was lit. Dressed in a long overcoat and a hat that hid his face, a figure leaned against the light post. Kenneth stopped. He couldn’t turn around though. Nothing could make him turn around. So he swallowed his fear and pressed forward.
He walked and walked for what seemed like forever. He came up to the trench-coated humanoid until his face was right next to his. A whisper, barely audible, “The fortunate begets fortune. The talented begets talent, 1 year of your life, and you will have a balance.” Kenneth nodded, a year is nothing. The figure produced a crowbar and instantly, he was knocked out.
He awoke, head throbbing. He picks himself up and dusts himself off. But strangely enough, he was lighter in step, content, almost cheery. He walked back towards his car with a smile on his face.
Obituaries
Kenneth Smythe, 24
Found dead under a street light under Zanzibar Bridge. Autopsy shows death caused by excessive blunt trauma to the cranium. Further analysis reveals large malignant tumor in frontal cerebellum. Dr. Schicksal, respected oncologist, predicted that this man did not have a year to live anyway.
Kenneth knew what he had done as soon as he closed the door. He drew a deep breath and walked down the steps of his now ex-girlfriend’s to his shoddy car. Hah! Shoddy was an understatement. Everything in his life was shoddy; from his crummy job to his fast food meals, to his shoes, whose soles were almost worn down all the way.
He made sure to take a shower before finally cutting off the failing relationship. He was unfortunate. Not untalented, mind you, just unfortunate. His cell-phone beeped. It’s surprising he even has a cell-phone. He reached into his pocket and fished it out amongst the gum wrappers and McDonalds receipts. “1 New Message” it blinked on the monochrome display. He walked to his car and slammed the door as he flipped his phone open. He didn’t recognize the number. A few more clicks and the tiny screen displayed the text, “come to zanzibar bridge come alone”.
A puzzled look appeared on Ken’s face. His thoughts raced with oh so many questions (Who is this? Why should I go? Is it safe? How did this person get this number? Why me? etc.). He revved up his engine and drove down the street. “What more could I lose?”, he thought. Strange sounds and clinks came up from the hood of his car. A few sputters later, it screeched to a halt. With a sigh of acceptance, he opened the door and started his trek on foot.
It was getting dark out. Second thoughts and doubts crept their way into the back of his brain. He approached the only street lamp that was lit. Dressed in a long overcoat and a hat that hid his face, a figure leaned against the light post. Kenneth stopped. He couldn’t turn around though. Nothing could make him turn around. So he swallowed his fear and pressed forward.
He walked and walked for what seemed like forever. He came up to the trench-coated humanoid until his face was right next to his. A whisper, barely audible, “The fortunate begets fortune. The talented begets talent, 1 year of your life, and you will have a balance.” Kenneth nodded, a year is nothing. The figure produced a crowbar and instantly, he was knocked out.
He awoke, head throbbing. He picks himself up and dusts himself off. But strangely enough, he was lighter in step, content, almost cheery. He walked back towards his car with a smile on his face.
Obituaries
Kenneth Smythe, 24
Found dead under a street light under Zanzibar Bridge. Autopsy shows death caused by excessive blunt trauma to the cranium. Further analysis reveals large malignant tumor in frontal cerebellum. Dr. Schicksal, respected oncologist, predicted that this man did not have a year to live anyway.