The Chaos Walker

The Road Home

"We gotta get back," he suddenly blurted.

"But the houseboat isn't due back until tomorrow!" Sarah, with the pink stripe, reminded him.

"I don't care, they'll have to take it back early. If there's nobody around, we'll leave it and call them in the morning." He said as he got up and made his way to the helm. "Could you please get our things together while I navigate back to the dock?"

"But why..." she began with a look that almost drew her features into a literal question mark but then closed her eyes for a heartbeat, took a deep breath and patted him on the shoulder. "Sure, babe. If that's what you want."

It wasn't the response he expected but at this point, anything that got them back home as quickly as possible was welcome.

As they drove back home, Regis's unease grew. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Sarah tried to reassure him, but he was too distracted by the eerie harmony around him. Everyone was driving at the same speed, nobody was honking, and the roads were immaculate. No litter, no potholes, no signs of disrepair. Regis's mind raced with questions. How could this be? What kind of place was this? He glanced at Sarah, who seemed oblivious to the surreal surroundings. "Sarah, do you notice anything... strange?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. Sarah looked at him, puzzled. "Strange? Like what?" Regis hesitated, unsure how to articulate his concerns. "I don't know... everything just seems so... perfect." Sarah chuckled. "That's a good thing, isn't it?" Regis's eyes narrowed. "Is it?"

The tension between them ticked up a notch. Regis's eyes darted back and forth, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Sarah tried again to calm him, but her own doubts had begun to creep in. "Regis, I understand you're worried, but I really think you're overreacting. Tom is a kind man, and the kids adore him. It has never bothered you before, why now?" Regis's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "You're not listening, Sarah. I know how the world works. I know what I feel. Something's off." Sarah sighed, trying to find a balance between empathy and reason. "Okay, let's say I believe you. What exactly do you think is going on? What's the worst that could happen?" Regis's voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't know, but I know something's not right. And I'm going to find out."

When they pull up outside their home, there is no sign of life, The lights are all off, even the porch light that he always leaves on for security. "Responsible kids, my ass," the thinks to himself. as he scanned the homes around the cul-de-sac, his eyes looking for clues, things out of place. But, every place around was immaculate and absolutely, unnervingly... normal.

The small bungalow across the street pulls his gaze, all of its lights lit, inside and out. Tom, a middle-aged man with a kind face, smiles and waves. Through the bay windows on the front, Regis can clearly make out the animated forms of Max and Ellie, sitting on the couch in front of a large TV, completely wrapped up in a video game session complete with popcorn and a 2-liter bottle of Dr. Pepper.

Sarah notices Regis's unease and places a reassuring hand on his arm. "Hey, it's okay. Let's just go in and say hi."

Regis's voice is low and even, "I don't know, Sarah. Something feels off."

Sarah's expression turns concerned, but she encourages him to get out of the car. As they approach the house, Tom greets them with a friendly smile. "Hey, guys! Welcome back! How was your trip?"

Regis's eyes dart between Tom and the kids, thoughts and suspicions racing behind his eyes, trying not to jump to conclusions.

Tom ushers them inside, where the warm glow of the TV and the hum of the fan on the aging Xbox create a cozy atmosphere. Max and Ellie barely acknowledge their parents' arrival, too engrossed in their gaming session.