TownCreek

Prolog

It has been almost a year since he was last in TownCreek, he had forgotten so much of it. The people, the parks, the smell even where he grew up in, he hadn't thought of coming back any time soon but after he heard his mother had gotten injured he had to. TownCreek is the kind of place a lot of teens would come to and spend the night in or go out to party, it was just something that everybody got used to. It also meant there would be lots of parties and parties meant money. A train passed nearby bridges and trees fast, it kinda felt like time had stopped but not the world. There weren't a lot of people on this train. It was rather early so maybe that was why. Mike looked out the window trying to focus on something to occupy his mind, but everything was going too fast so he went on his phone. The time was 6:34 in the morning, most people were asleep or on their computer working at what he presumed was business or college work.
He stared at the apps that colored his phone and at the many notifications he had intentionally ignored for the past few weeks—is not like it mattered but he decided to check them anyway. It was mostly messages from friends or emails from job applications. "How did he get my number again?" He thought to himself, he just ignored it and kept scrolling and with nothing else catching his interest he turned off his phone, he looked up and noticed someone staring right at him, he thought it was just a cousin fence that they were looking at the same time but the man kept looking at him, he started to feel uncomfortable but didn't jump to any conclusions yet, he thought that maybe the man was looking at something behind him so he moved his head a little bit just to let him see. He averted his eyesight and looked down pretending to be on his phone.

A few moments later he looked back up and still there he was staring at him. Now he was sure that it wasn't just a coincidence, he looked around trying to see what he was looking at but he couldn't see it and there weren't a lot of people in this train to look at. He thought maybe confronting the guy but what would be the point of that? The ride would be over soon so he would just have to endure it until then.

TownCreek last stop

The voice on the train said, people grabbed their bags and suitcases and proceeded to exit the train, Mike did the same, the station had changed a little, it was bigger and could fit more people so there was no need for lines anymore. It was a little higher too, it had that very organized look and the same colors as when he was a kid and would take the train with his mother. The only thing that changed was that it went from red to blue but all the other colors were the same. He wouldn't need a ride since his house wasn't too far from here and he could just drop off his stuff and then go meet his mother at her house. He had been informed beforehand that he would have a roommate for a bit which he didn't care about; it was just a room. When he finally arrived at the building he was met with the owner of his room, they walked to the elevator that would take him to the place he would stay in for now on. "How was the ride? Not too complicated I hope, you don't really look from around here." The owner said Mike chuckled at him. "I actually did grow up here, I just moved away when I started high school." The owner was shocked to hear him say that, guess looking at him now he did look like someone who was raised in TownCreek. "Wow, I didn't know. But I guess I can see it now. We're here now." The elevator doors opened with a ding, the buttons were bright and the red font at the top center of the elevator showcased the number of the floor Mike was going to live in. "This is your room, room 101. You'll like it here and I'm sure your roommate will show you around as well." The owner handed him the keys to the door they said their goodbyes and he entered.
He didn't expect to see his roommate, it was a woman which was no problem at all he just didn't think she would be an adult. She seemed busy so he didn't bother saying anything and hurried to his room. It was a decent size for him and would work just fine, he put his stuff to the side and took a few things with him like his wallet, phone, keys, and bus card.
He came back outside of the room. "Are you the new kid?" She spoke, Mike nodded without saying a word, she introduced herself, "my name is Cherrie, I won't be here long but if you do need anything let me know." She said her tone of voice was cheery yet relaxed and Mike thought it wouldn't be so bad after all. One thing he didn't understand is why her eyes were closed, it was weird but he wasn't going to ask because he found it rude to do so. "I'll be out for a bit, thanks. It was nice meeting you." He waved to her and she did too, he didn't know how she was able to tell he waved at her but once again he wasn't going to question it.