Alerted

1

-Chapter 1-

ARI'S POV

      I feel the cool summer breeze hit my face as I carefully jump out of my window. My bedroom is only on the first floor, so I don't have to worry about the impact. The grass feels soft between my fingers; wet from the sprinkler going off with little chinks. I leave my window open just a crack, and sneak over to the neatly trimmed bushes separating my yard from my neighbors. I begin to sprint once my  feet touch the road.

      It's almost sunset, and the sky is a brilliant orange. I check my phone for the time. I have a message from Alex:

A- Are you on your way? She doesn't like to be kept waiting...

A - I am, I am. Don't worry, I'll be fine.

You brought the payment right? You'll need payment.

I HAVE THE PAYMENT. Like I said, I'll be fine. I've done everything you've told me to do.

     She doesn't respond after that. I approach the elementary school in my town, and quickly cut through the playground to a hole in the chain linked fence; separating school ground from endless forest. I climb through the hole, and continue walking. As I travel deeper into the forest, I triple check my payment to make sure that everything is perfect.

I then see it. The bridge. Its covered in graffiti and strange symbols. She must be under the bridge. As I walk closer, I notice a dark figure. She beckons me to come closer; and I do as instructed.

      "Are you the one they call Arcade? Alex sent me." I say, intrigued by her appearance.

     She had dark brown hair, dyed an ombré purple, that was shaved on one side, and on the other, many tiny braids. Her skin was a beautiful umber brown, her arms covered in tattoos. She wore a pair of blue jeans rolled up at the cuffs and a plain sweatshirt a few sizes too large. She carried a duffel bag, filled with secrets I may never know. Her eyes were the most noticeable though, a piercing gold color.

      "Who's asking?"
Her voice was deep and silky, each word flowing off the tip of her tongue.

      "My name is Ari, I know what your trade is, and have payment."
Arcade smirks.

      "What do you have to offer?"
I reach into my bag and pull out a candle, wedding ring, and a conch shell.

      She examines each item,and with a final decision, slips the wedding ring on her finger and puts the candle and conch shell in her duffel bag. I now notice how her arms and hands are covered in jewelry, bracelets and rings.

     "What do you want to know?" She finally says, her gold eyes staring at me intently.

     "Where can I find a place where reality is altered?" I ask.

      "Why, that's simple!" She responds, "The portals are everywhere."

      "Portals?"

      "Portals are what you need to open in order to enter a world where reality is altered." Arcade says. She reaches into her bag and pulls out a notepad. She scribbles some things on it and hands it to me.
    "This will help you. Good luck on your journey."
And then she's gone.

     I look at the note sheet in my hands. How was this supposed to help me? I don't know a thing about this sort of thing!

      "Alex ." I whisper.

She'd know what to do.