The Game of Life

Chapter 8

Ariel's eyelids were heavy as she groggily stretched. Her body was sore from sleeping on the couch like she did. She watched Nate on the other side of the couch start to stir. He too stretched and yawned. His hair was messy and his eyes looked worn.

"Good morning." Nate's voice was less smooth. It cracked slightly from deep within his throat. Albeit his voice was also filled with a slow sleepiness, it was his. He stood from the couch and gained his balance to the present day. He stretched once more and a few bones popped. He walked to the kitchen.

"Good morning." Ariel's memory flooded as she remembered yesterday's occurrences. She still had so many questions. She rose from the couch and went to join Nate for breakfast.

Nate hovered over the toaster in anticipation of his cinnamon pop tarts. Ariel prepared herself a nice bowl of cereal and sat down at the table.

The silence grew cold as Nate glanced over at Ariel. The toaster popped dramatically and shook, dispensing the poor pop tarts in two different directions. Nate chuckled. His expression immediately rejected his smile and became plain.

"I wasn't prepared for this." Nate stood silently.

"Nate, it's alright. It's just a pop tart. You can get a new one."

"Hey," Nate's voice had calmed down to his normal verbal tendencies, "Have you ever asked why?"

Ariel felt she was missing something. Of course she had asked why before. It was a common question.

Nate spoke up, "Sometimes I don't like to ask it because the truth is not what I expected. Thus I avoid the why. Some things are best left alone. Don't you think?"

Ariel felt the distance between them elongate. He was so far gone. The Nate she had known no longer stared into her eyes.

Now a figure stood before her. She knew him but at the same time, he stood as a stranger. His body was his but something dark enveloped his mind. His eyes reflected this entrapment and screamed for help. His body said nothing. A silent vessel in which to carry a beast.

"The more I watch you, the more I see the gears move within that mind of yours to figure things out." Nate seemed to struggle under the weight of a different conversation and had difficulty finding the right words.

"Anyway," Ariel had to break the conversation as her heart could not take it, "I have a wonderful day planned for us."

"Alright. What are we doing?" asked Nate.

"You'll see." Ariel smiled a wide smile. Nate returned with a short smile.

They prepared themselves for a nice relaxing day at the beach. They packed a large blanket, towels, and snacks within their comedically large picnic basket and a large umbrella. They walked in swimsuit attire and sandals. The burning sand would not claim their feet today. Instead, Nate and Ariel set up their fortress closer towards the ocean. Ariel had put on sunblock while Nate had gathered his playful spirit once more and ran into the water. Ariel ran after him with joy in her heart. Things were going to be alright. Nate seemed better and life would carry on. It was Friday. Many people were laughing and enjoying the beach. Hope became resonated in everyone's spirits that played along the beach that day. After their intense battle with waves and the tide growing stronger, they decided to head back to their belongings and relax. They had laid out the large blanket and had taken refuge underneath the umbrella. The sound and smell of the waves wafted over into their senses.

"This was fun." Nate said with content.

"Indeed it was." Ariel laughed. She was glad he was back.

They both laid out facing towards the seemingly endless canvas of blue. Propped up by elbows they gazed over the shimmering display of nature. A drop of sunlight began to slowly but surely move out of sight. The sky changing from its golden red rays to blues and violets. Nate's hand moved towards hers and they intertwined fingers as the sun had finally set.

Ariel spoke, "It's beautiful. To think the same nature that creates such chaos and destruction is capable of such lovely art by painting the skies."

"Yeah. It's as if there is a balance to the world that we can't wrap our small minds around." Nate replied.

They let go of each other's hands and stood up. Many people were beginning to clear the beach as the breeze cooled all. They picked up their things and made their way to the house. Nate had the umbrella in one arm and pretended to be a toy soldier as he walked. Ariel busted into laughter. Nate joined her as they made their way inside.

"It's getting late," Nate said, "go ahead and jump in the shower."

"Alright." She smiled and walked away to the bathroom.

Nate sat quietly in the living room for a long while. No television. No noise. The silence was thick. His mind began to become foggy and things swirled. A voice. A small voice at first but it grew in volume.

"Hello, Nate."

Nate's heart began to panic as he realized its source. It was Tony. Suddenly multiple voices began to speak up within his mind. A loud blur soon became of the conversations and it gave him a severe headache. Nate had begun to bang his forehead with his palms as if they could expel the demons within his mind. Ariel stood in the doorway with a towel around her. Her expression was concerned.

"Everything alright Nate?"

The voices fell silent as if nothing had happened. "Yeah I'm fine. It's just a headache."

"Alright," she smiled, "you can get a shower now."

She exited to her room to change while Nate quickly took a shower, not wanting to be alone with his thoughts for long periods of time. He slipped on his night clothes and headed towards her room. He knocked softly and she opened up with her Lilo and Stitch pajamas.

"May I come in?"

Ariel smiled, "Sure. Just don't take up too much room silly." She hopped over the far side of the bed and patted the other end. He slid under the covers and stared at her. The room was dark but the outline of each other's faces could still be seen. He took his hand and caressed her cheek.

"Thank you for today. It was special."

"You're welcome. Goodnight."

Ariel kissed his forehead.

Nate took a deep breath, "Goodnight."