Dark Alley

Chapter 8

     Calvin lets me ride on his car. It was parked in an underground layer of the building. Unlike any cars that I saw in the 90's his car is metallic. I lost words. I sat next to him as he tells me to put on a seat belt. At first I hesitated to trust him when he offered to put on the seat belt. It's like caging me or ties me on where I sit - but when I realized how I can still comfortably move and how Calvi taught me to get it off, I try to get a hang of it.

     Calvin sits beside me as he starts the engine, he even mentioned about teaching me to drive, but in the way I see him drive it was terrifying - so many switch to turn on - so many parts to push - and he has to stir this round thing where the car moves whenever which direction he stirs it. 

     I noticed Calvin pressing a button in front on the centre part of the car. In my surprise it glowed and suddenly produced a sound. I am really shocked of this device that produces music. I was uncertain of the sound but it's pretty, catchy. "What is this song?" I asked, it's wasn't the usual Foxtrot I hear anymore. I moved my head forward and backward to join with the beat.

     Calvin laughs at me again, maybe it's because of my naivety. "That, is the music of the 21st century lad. My daughter plays these songs all the time in my car I didn't have the chance to change the station - why you want me to change it for you?"

     "No!" I insisted. Still looking at the device as he almost layed a finger on it. "It's okay."

     "Good," he says. "It's good to know that you are already unconsciously adapting all of these."

     We didn't talk for ten minutes. I try to study the song and for the whole duration it was more on upbeat instrumentals than vocals. "Your daughter likes this?" I asked him. It was more of my being sarcastic.

     "Yup," he agrees. "You should meet her. She really is like you - if you know what I mean - aside from being so intelligent, also tends to be a little bit rebellious -sometimes I get jealous and somewhat proud because she really knows a lot better in technology than I do! That is one example of adaptation."

     I don’t know why he uses the word adaptation a lot he even uses it to describe his daughter. But I am straight to the point and I care less to meet his daughter because I knew what I came here for. 

     I try to distract myself by looking at the tall buildings of the world, the last time I saw the world from my perspective there where trees, now it looks like they were only used for decorations. 

     "Are we there yet?" I got impatient, I asked.

     "Where almost there prince charming don't rush a lot." 

     Calvin drove the car in a mountain area, with fine roads. I turned my head on my side from the mountains where I can clearly see the world, or at least a part of it. "It's beautiful," I whispered. The buildings from afar is sparkling, it's like they're having a competition for everything. For the first time I smiled, because I saw something worth watching. I want to see more of it. I like seeing the darkness of the world being lighted by the city.

     "We're here." I hear Calvin say. I turn my head in front and saw a house, it looks like a cabin but ten times bigger.

     "This is your house?" It's very tame, it looks like no one should ever talk. 

     "Yes, welcome to my home," he says. "Now let me get you inside."

     I got out of his car - I found myself looking forward to see what's inside. He's right I should get inside - it's getting cold. Calvin realized I am still barefoot - he even mentioned something that scared me, a bit. He told me to be very careful, because there are a lot of bugs and rodents in the real world. I have lived in the real world once, of course I know what he means. I step on the ground and the softness of the grass tickles my feet. I try not to laugh. I followed Calvin into the door of his house - Calvin twisted the doorknob and pushed the door as it opens. He doesn't know I study him. His actions. I am afraid my curiosity on how things works would also be for his own advantage, he wants me to adapt. I want to adapt in my own way.