The Spatial Engine

CHAPTER 2

A tired Kenny groans, stretches and gets ready for the day. He dresses and leaves for his destination. Walking down a street, he comes across the familiar form of his friend.

"Stan!" he shouts and his friend turns to look at him.

"Hey Kenny," he greets.

"What's up? What brings you to this part of town so early this morning?" Kenny asks, walking up to him.

"Thought I'd pick up some bagels," Stan says, lifting to show a small bag grasped in his hand. "Since they are rumored to be the best in town after all."

"That they are," Kenny grins and crosses his arms.

Stan gives a small roll of the eyes before turning away.

Something about this conversation however, seems very familiar to Kenny. Like he'd had it before...

"Walk with me to work?"

"Sure."

The two then make their way through the late winter streets and converse. Kenny was certain that he had done this before, it was all too familiar. And as they reach an old office building, the feeling only grows more.

"Well? Ready for another day of work?" Stan asks.

With a hesitant smile, Kenny and Stan make their way into the building.

Upon entering an office room, Kyle and Cartman sit in wait.

"Hey guys," Kyle greets.

"Hey Kyle," Stan greets back.

"What's that you got there?" Kyle points to the bag in his hand.

"Breakfast," Stan replies walking over to a small table, "want some?"

Kenny watches the scene before him unfold. He was certain that he had done all this before. But that had only been a dream, right? He watches as Cartman shoves Kyle to the side, Kyle complain and Stan offer him a bagel.

"Got to keep your energy up for the long 'workday' ahead, right?"

Kenny wants to say something about this strange occurrence happening to him right now, but the only thing he replies with is a short, "True," and takes it from him.

Why had he taken it? He didn't want to. But for some reason he felt strongly compelled to. He didn't even want to eat it, but found himself unable to put the bagel down. Stan watches Kyle and Cartman squabble with mild amusement, as Kenny tries to sort out just what the hell was happening to him right now.

"Alright, so about today's investigation for the crash site—"

As if on cue, once they finished eating, Stan speaks up, only to be interrupted again.

"Hold on Stan, I'll take over from here,"

Kenny's head starts to whirl. This—this was all like his dream, everything they were saying, played out exactly like the dream he had. Word-for-word. And as if compelled to do it again, Kenny finds himself nodding as the word, "Right," falls from his lips. Despite not wanting to agree.

Then he, Stan and Kyle, follow after Cartman. He yells at them when they reach him outside, and they once again follow him to the woods.

The whole walk there though, everything in Kenny's being tells him to stop and not go. To try and tell his friends of a proper plan and what they should do. He wants to tell them, to warn them, but finds he can't. Despite his best efforts, and strong desire to, his body wouldn't listen to him, nor his words. It was as if he wasn't in control of his actions. And something about that terrified him.