We walked hand in hand towards the Edge, which Mitch had to direct me towards. It really is at the VERY edge. It was about a twenty mile walk there, but it wasn't so bad due to the brunette beauty keeping my company the entire way there. We talked about nearly everything and about one mile out, he started complaining of fatigue, and although I knew that was a lie, (Guardians don't physically tire) I let him jump onto my back and I carried him the rest of the way there, savoring in the tiny kisses he would plant on the top of my head.
When we finally arrived, the Edge looked like a country border, a giant fence and patrols all in place. But the one odd thing was a large map that expanded the whole length of the fence and was set up on a long rail, easily accessible to Guardians. I could see others poking and prodding at different sections, and I assumed that the map was the way to envision the location of the victim before you jumped.
Two guys in white security gear started waving and Mitch waved back with a massive smile stretching across his tan face. As we approached, Mitch introduced me to Avi, a tall man with long brown hair and a matching beard, complete with a startlingly low voice. And then I met Kevin, a shorter man with a cocoa complexion and a good-hearted laugh to match his perfect smile. Both seemed like the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.
They explained the missions a little bit more in depth, and the rules, including no personal cases, and finally, they told us that we had to change. I looked at Mitch confusingly and he just shook his head and smiled, leading me over into a secluded area.
"Scottie, we can change our clothes by simply envisioning what we want to wear. The same goes with our hair and makeup. For missions, we have to wear white leather jackets and thick white jeans. Along with weapons, but we still need to get yours, so I'll handle that aspect for today. Just imagine those clothes and they'll appear."
I did exactly as he instructed and as I looked down, my white tee shirt and pants were transformed into a fitted leather jacket with a tank top underneath and a pair of durable, white skinny jeans. I was in absolute awe. I looked up to see Mitch in a very similar outfit with a knife sheath attached to his bicep and a sleek wooden bow with a sling of arrows slung across his back, complete with his fine hair in a messy top knot.
"Let's hope for no demons, shall we?"
I gulped nervously. "Yeah, let's hope so."
"Scott, I've had years of training and decades of experience since that happened. I can protect us. I promise."
"I believe you." I kissed his nose and we progressed back towards the Edge and Avi and Kevin. "Hey, so how do we get through?"
"There's an invisible gate that only we know how to unlock. Have you guys picked out a location yet?" Kevin asked.
"No, not yet. Scottie, where do you want to go?"
I peered at the giant map and suddenly a vision of a small boy in a park plastered itself in my mind, along with an address. "169 Moor Avenue, Detroit."
Mitch pressed the location on the map and saw the boy as well. "Okay, baby, let's go."
We passed through the gate that Avi opened for us and I envisioned the small, blonde boy and the emerald grass surrounding him. Then I jumped.
*******
I arrived in the park, the wind knocked out of me. Mitch was only a few feet away. As I was walking toward him, I had a vision of the boy following a monarch butterfly onto the road splitting the park and a large tractor trailer coming full speed ahead at him.
I gasped violently as I was brought back to reality and dragged Mitch towards the mop of blonde hair I saw about forty feet away.
"Scott, be careful. Do you know the trigger?"
I nodded my head in a crude reply as I let go of him and focused in, trying to spot the butterfly nearby. I found it on a small shrub, lining the road. I went over to it quietly and cupped my hands around it, confining it to the bush. Two minutes later, the blonde boy's mother hoisted him into a stroller and they went down the street.
"Oh thank God." I released the agitated butterfly and walked back over to Mitch who had a 100 megawatt smile on his face.
"You're a natural."
"And I think you give me too much credit." I wrapped him into my arms and he kissed my cheek. "Mitchie, baby, how do we get back up?"
"Just envision Oblivion and jump up in the air."
And as I entwined our hands, I counted to three and we both jumped up, back to our home.
(Hey y'all :) so this chapter was really fun to dream up and figure out how different things would work. I hope you guys are liking this story :)
Love you guys and stay sassy :*
~ Courtney
