TO: FENRIR

EPISODE TWO: NEON RAIN

BAXTER: You ready to get wasted D Man?
DAMIAN: What do you mean? I thought we're not supposed to go outside tonight.
BAXTER: Well yeah but the owner of The Buzz said that we can just stay the night there and drink our way through the night haha. We're totally safe from the Light in there.
DAMIAN: I don't know dude. With Lily and the kids leaving. I don't know if I feel like doing anything tonight.
BAXTER: Ah c'mon man! Here, let's just get one drink in you, then if you don't want to stay, then that's fine.
DAMIAN: I dunno man.
BAXTER: C'mon it'll be fun!
DAMIAN: Fine.
BAXTER: Awesome brother. You won't regret it.
-
The night rolled in. My family continuously ran through my brain. Every drink in my body, every joke made at the bar. They stood in my mind. A few poker games later, I realized it was time for me to turn in. I don't think there was enough beer in the world to drown my longing to see my kid's faces again. It's already been a day. Who knows where they're at in our solar system. I said my goodbyes and walked towards the door to leave the bar. I put my hand on the cold brass handle, I turned my wrist to be stopped by the lock of the door.
-
DAMIAN: You lock the door early Jim?
JIM: Oh uh, yeah, the sherif said to, I guess they're coming out early tonight. It is fall time now haha.
DAMIAN: Oh uh. My dog is outside at home. I was planning to get back earlier. Do you think you could let me out real quick? I'm not far.
JIM: Uh I dunno Dame. Are you sure you'll be safe?
DAMIAN: It's hardly dark yet. I'll be fine.
BAXTER: Hey what if I went with you? I could just crash at your place and you can give me a ride back home tomorrow?
DAMIAN: No I think I can hold my own thanks.
BAXTER: Damian I'm coming with you, I don't wanna get to Fenrir and walk up to Lily empty handed. I got nothing to lose, my daughter's already up there and she wouldn't give a damn if I got ganked or not haha.
DAMIAN: Alright man. I only live a couple blocks down.
-
Jim opened up the gate to behind the bar. He brought out a gray key ring out from his belt. He found a rusted key and plunged it into the keyhole on the door. He turned it, but keeps pressure on the door.
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JIM: Hey, if I never see you boys again. I'll just say your tab never existed.
BAXTER: Ah maybe this is for our best interest then!
DAMIAN: Oh shut up. We'll see you tomorrow Jim. Night boys.
-
We stepped out into the cold rain washed night. The rain had stopped but the residue lingered. Neon lights shot into the puddles on the ground, dying them bright pink as my boots splashed them back to black as they dispersed.
-
DAMIAN: Okay down this Alley.
BAXTER: You got a flashlight?
DAMIAN: No, do you?
BAXTER: If I had one would I have asked?
DAMIAN: Touché
-
We continued blindly down the dark alley. The light of the signs eventually faded away leaving our eyes drowned by black.
-
BAXTER: I can't see a thing.
DAMIAN: It got dark so quick.
BAXTER: Wait did you hear that?
DAMIAN: The water drops splashing on the ground? It did just rain.
BAXTER: No listen. Past the rain.
DAMIAN: Duck!
-
An instant cracked within me and we both crouched down to the ground as suddenly the alleyway lit up. My hands plunged into a puddle below. The black reflection of the night sky was bleached white reflecting a swarm of Light above us. I recollected myself and grabbed Baxter's arm as we rushed forward. Flashes of the Light flew over head. We quickly ran inside of a decayed abandoned building. The door broke as we slammed it shut. We quickly ducked along the wall next to the door. My hands trembling trying to wring the water out of my coat. Both of us breathing like heavy stone.
-
DAMIAN: They're out early tonight. We gotta get to my house.
BAXTER: I'll follow you.
-
I creeped up from my crouch, stealthily peeking out the boarded up window. Trying to get the upper hand. Nothing to be seen.
-
DAMIAN: I think we're clear.
-
I pushed the door ever so gently, nothing but the creaking sound and the hum of the night could be heard. We stepped out into the pitch black night again. I could hear the slight buzz of the Light swarming where we previously were.
-
DAMIAN (whispering): Alright's let's move.
(Stepping into a puddle) BAXTER: What?
DAMIAN (whispering): Hush! We must be quit or they'll catch or trail again.
BAXTER (whispering): Oh sorry...
-
We moved down an opening in the streets, a plaza stuffed with abandoned hair salons and drug stores. Moving through the various alley ways and crossing a couple roads we made it to Green Smile Whole Foods.
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DAMIAN: My house is just behind Green Smile.
-
We continued along the side of the grocery store. Not a soul to be seen. Running my hands along the wall to keep steady in the deep darkness my hands ran across a metal door. A breath sucked into my lungs as a light engulfed the blurry glass window of the metal door.
-
BAXTOR: Oh crap they're inside the building!
DAMIAN: Run!
-
We bolted towards behind the building. Puddles splashing up onto the sides of the wall as we glided through them.
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MYSTERIOUS VOICE: Wait! Stop right there!
-
A ball of light continued to chase us. Endless running, blind through the night.
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MYSTERIOUS VOICE (shouting): No seriously, I'm not the Light. Watch!
-
As we continued towards the back, a small click sounded behind Baxter and I, and the light vanished. We stopped on our tracks and turned. Squinting to get a look at what just happened.
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MYSTERIOUS VOICE: What are you doing out after hours? A waver went out saying everyone needed to be in by 9:30 tonight!
-
A black large figures came closer. I slowly started to step back, the light turned on again, facing the ground. Reflections revealed a man in a blue uniform. Standing with a hand on the baton in his belt.
-
DAMIAN: Oh sorry officer. We thought you were the Light.
OFFICER: You're lucky I wasn't. Is your living quarters near by?
DAMIAN: Yes, sir. It's just around the corner here. We'll be arriving there shortly.
OFFICER: Alright, well just stay safe gentleman. And remember, there's no stopping the Light, it's their planet now, and we are ready to---
BAXTER (shouting): Holy crap run!
OFFICER: What?
-
Baxter grabbed my shoulder as we began running towards the house. The officer still standing outside the door.
-
OFFICER: What's the problem?
-
As I looked back the glow of the Light surrounded the area behind him. Millions of individual organisms, traveling in a swarm. Reminds me of a school of fish, from my days volunteering at the aquarium. The swarm rose behind the officer. He slowly realized the death behind him as he shifted around to get a look. They pounced. As if one giant creature. Devouring his entire body, drowning him in their deadly glow.
-
BAXTER: Okay this is our chance! Run!
DAMIAN: Wait but what about the officer? Can't we save him.
BAXTER: Dame, once the Light has found their prey. There's no going saving. He's gone.
-
Baxter continued onward as I followed, looking back and mourning the loss of a man I didn't know already, it's weird how we feel.
-
BAXTER: The blue one right?
DAMIAN: Yes, with the RV parked on the driveway!
-
We finally made it to the front door. The glow of the Light pressed into the darkness and around the corner, increasingly closer every second. I pulled out my key ring in the pocket of my coat.
-
BAXTER: Hurry the hell up!
DAMIAN: I'm working on it!
-
I grasped the key at it's head and shoved it into the keyhole. I turned the hand and busted inside, nearly closing it. I peaked through the crack as the swarm grew near. They finally progressed around the corner. Revealing a mosaic of smaller cat sized bug creatures, all flying in unison. Reaching closer and closer.
-
BAXTER: Dude shut the damn door!
DAMIAN: Sorry, it's just this is the first time I've gotten a good look at them from a distance. It's kind of beautiful in a way.
BAXTER: There's nothing beautiful at what those things did to that man.
-
I threw my bag on the counter of our kitchen. Lighting a large red candle to give some light. Baxter plopping down on our couch, ready to have a heavy sleep.
-
DAMIAN: Lucy? Come here girl, Daddy's home.
TEEN MALE VOICE (from in another room): Lucy's in here Mr. Witmore. (Lucy let's out a large squeal bark)
-
I quickly looked at Baxter with a worried look plastered on my face. He gave me one back.
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DAMIAN: What the hell?
-
I stormed right into the bathroom, where I heard the voice, to see a teenage boy standing in my bath tub with a knife up to my dog's neck.
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DAMIAN: Who the hell are you?!
TEEN MALE VOICE: Listen, sir. My name is Chester. I don't want any trouble.
(Stepping forward) DAMIAN: Well you're gonna get some trouble! Put my dog down and get out out of my house.
-
Pulling the knife closer to the dog's neck. Fur surrounding the knife.
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CHESTER: Don't come any closer if you ever want to hear your dog bark again.
-
I took a step back. Not letting my guard down.
-
DAMIAN: What are you here for?
CHESTER: Listen, this can all be over, I just need one thing...
DAMIAN: Okay would you get to the point!
CHESTER: I need your seat on the next flight to, Fenrir.