A story of a boy's redemption, a girl's salvation, and a world on the verge of literal collapse.
*All images I use and story is owned by their original creators*
Sitting on the curb by himself outside a store, a man wearing an orange shirt was chipping away and carving into a rock he picked up on the road. Using a mini tool set that could be kept in the pocket, he was making the plain rock into something unique. Having a plastic bag with soda and lunch beside him, he would intermittently lean over and take a quick sip. Chip, chip, chip, the repeated action was calm and peaceful granting the man catharsis after a decent day of work. Usually going for cool animals like wolfs or dinosaurs, today he decided to switch things up and go for a fish! A regular shark or swordfish being too simple, the man was trying to make a Sockeye Fish but was having a lot of trouble with the curved head and mouth.
Around 6:00 PM with the sun up and still working time, today was a special occasion. Behind him with the store lights shutting down and closing up the doors, a lady just a few years older than him stretches and breathes a sigh of relief. Wearing the same orange shirt, the lady known as "Kennedy" taps the man on the shoulder.
Kennedy: Store just closed early for 4th of July, now we're both free! So, what's your plans for the evening, besides not getting any sleep?
Putting the rock in a special container to finish it later, the man known as "Royce" scratches the back of his head unsure.
Royce: Eh, sis is working so I'll be at the house alone, I don't want to use the fireworks just for myself. Probably wait till tomorrow to set them off.
Kennedy: Isn't it illegal to set off fireworks after July 4th?
Royce: Yeeeah, I don't give a damn. They'll probably be busy with putting out fires caused by idiots to worry about me, gonna be some Looney Tune shenanigans with all the fireworks tonight...
Kennedy: Hear that. By the way?
Royce: Yeah?
Kennedy: When did you get so good at carving rocks?
Having seen it just before Royce put it away, even in the half-finished state it was showing promise. Also seeing other mini sculptures Royce made from time to time at residents' houses all over as decorations, he was making and selling them off to the side to make extra money. Not some shameful secret or something, Royce really didn't have a reason to hide it.
Royce: Started out as a hobby after my sister got some activity toy.
Kennedy: Activity toy? Oh! Like some Play-Doh set thing with a molding toy as a bonus!
Royce: Um, not exactly. Give me a sec, I can pull it on my phone.
Taking his phone out trying to show her a picture, as Royce was typing it in, the specific brand name left his head. Too long ago to remember, Royce just searched up something close and showed Kennedy it. Seeing the picture expecting a grand thing that got Royce into his hobby, Kennedy squinted and fell silent for a moment at the object he showed.
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Kennedy:...So 'Fossil Find', is what got you into carving?
Royce: Not exactly the same, but something similar. It was WAAAY too unsafe for little kids. Had to wear a mask, goggles, got a bin to collect the dust, a legit excavation kit, surprised they even put it in the kids section to begin with!
