A Map For Tomorrow

Chapter 2, Update 3

     Simon put his head down, examining the ground below him. He carefully walked around the room, not wanting to fall through the creaky floor. Jack grumbled a bit, unsatisfied with what they've been finding so far. Thus, he began to walk up the stairs, Colby following behind. "You guys just gonna leave me??" Simon seemed paralyzed.
      "Not leaving you. Just going upstairs to explore more. You need to calm down, so just stay here and sit on the couch or something." Jack said, disappearing up the upstairs.
      "Hmm.." Colby seemed to be in thought as he stepped across the creaky floor. Jack popped an earbud in. Colby could hear some sort of emo band emitting from the small devices, but couldn't seem to make out what band it was. Maybe Simple Plan? Definitely wasn't MCR. He shrugged, and shined his flashlight down on the floor to watch his step. Jack stepped on something, hearing a crunch. He crouched down and grabbed the item. "A bag of chips?" He whispered, setting it down quietly. "Watch your step." He said back to Colby.
      "On it." Colby replied, dodging the bag anime style. He landed, creating a somewhat loud thud.
      "Be quiet, will ya?" Jack angrily whispers. Colby's response was a mouth pop and a "no".
      Colby sighed, "Okay." He looked over, a large puddle on the floor. "Wait." He said.
      "Hm?" Jack responded.
      "There aren't any holes where water could leak in here. This room specifically. This house hasn't been abandoned for THAT long." Colby said, confused. He walked over to the puddle. "Is it even water?" Jack walked over to it soon after.
      "I'll pay you five bucks to taste it and find out." Jack said, seemingly serious?
      "Make it 20 and you got a deal." Colby retorted, instantly regretting his decision.
      "Deal." Jack smirked evilly.
      Colby then reached out his hand to touch the puddle, but it was dry in that area? "Huh?" He gasped.
      "What's holding you back?" Jack questioned, putting a hand on Colby's shoulder. "You scared or something?"
      "It seems to have moved somehow?" Colby said, a little shocked.
      "Probably because it's three feet away from you." Jack laughed. Colby moved a little closer to it and successfully touched it.
      "Bad idea." Colby said, falling back a bit. Jack looked up, a shadow now looming over him. Colby looked up at the figure, terrified. He gulped. "That. T-that..."
      "Is a stranger-" Jack grabbed Colby's wrist and started to run down the stairs. "And what'd we learn in preschool? DON'T TALK WITH STRANGERS!!" They reached the bottom of the staircase.
      "Oh hey what'd you guys fi-" Simon started.
      "No time to explain just follow us and run!" Jack said, starting to head for the door. But then, he realized that something was blocking the door.
      "Hello!" An unfamiliar person said. "Do you by chance know where I may be?" They asked. The three boys stood, paralyzed as the person started walking toward them. "I'm sorry, do I scare you?" He had a concerned look on his face. "I'm sorry, my name's Eskan."
      Colby let go of Jack, "I think he's friendly?" He stated, walking toward him slowly. "My name's Colby." He looked to Eskan's right side, seeing something missing. "Your arm?"
      "Isn't there, I'm aware." He instead put out his left hand to shake. Colby shook it. "You see, I don't know where I am. The last thing I remember is being in a place that is completely different. I seem to have been... taken back in time? You do not seem to have any 'up to date' clothing or technology on you." He analyzes. "I think I'm in another universe now?"
      Simon and Jack looked at Eskan in disbelief. "That can't be real." Jack said as he crossed his arms. "There's no such thing as time travel OR alternate universes."
      "Oh, but where I'm from, it's very common." He seemed to smile under his mask. "If you could help me get back to my reality, that would be much appreciated. I would be forever in your debt." He bowed.
      Colby smiled at him. He then looked back at Simon and Jack with a look that kinda says "can we keep him?" Jack, sighing, nodded yes. "Looks like we're taking him home with us to help him find a way. Whaddaya say, Eskan?" He asks to the new person, smiling.
      "Sure, I don't see why not!" Eskan said a little shyly. With that, they headed home, a very confused Simon and Jack following them.

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