Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 1: The Junky

[Photo by Olivia bee on Flickr]

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As always, the Lostkey bar was full of people that night. It was a Friday, and Kyle had just been awarded Employee of the Month. Kyle was a young man with shaggy hair, who lived in an apartment in a small town. He worked in a carwash.

Despite the celebration being about his achievement, his smile was empty. He didn't think he deserved the title. The hours of work could not give him that sense of accomplishment. He resolved to drink up the shot glasses that his coworkers stacked. At least now, the alcohol made him feel something. The heat his body felt from the drink rose to his ears, soon they turned red, and the dizzying effects of vodka got to his head. Bliss was the word for such a feeling.

"Okay, last shot guys, we need to call it a night before one of you passes out. We've still got work tomorrow, and I'm still your manager. You all better be fit for work in the morning," said a proud man wearing blue.

The collar-clothed group of 5 raised their shot glasses. CLINK. They brought them together to say cheers. Then chugged the clear liquid, slamming the miniature cups on the table when they finished.

They all ended up leaving the bar late at night. Unfortunately for Kyle, his place was quite far from the bar. The streets were dark, and Kyle tried hard not to stumble. His feet dragged along the pavement as his body slumped from one side to the other.

Suddenly he felt someone grab him by the shoulder and shove him against a wall.

Without being able to see, he fought back all he could but ended up falling to the ground.

Nearly unconscious, Kyle tried to get up, but his eyes were drowsy. He felt something come close, then a blinding white light appeared. It went by in a flash as if it moved in front of him.

When he could see right, he stumbled to his feet, shaken and disoriented. He peered around cautiously but could only see darkness again.

Continuing to his apartment, he tripped at his door. He was just able to get in and close it before blacking out.

He woke up the next morning on the floor. He stood up and stumbled. The room started to spin when he turned his head. Slowly walking to his kitchen to get some water, he tried to recalled what happened the night before.

In an instant, he remembered the bright light, the violent shove, and the feeling of a dark presence creeping near him. The sudden imagery sent shivers up his spine. Shaking his head, he suspected that the drinks caused him to hallucinate. He then diverted his thoughts to whether or not he would go to work but assumed that his coworkers would probably be in the same condition as him.

Entering the waiting area of the carwash, he was greeted by an older employee.

"There you are, Kyle. You didn't get another tattoo again, did you?" said the red-haired colleague.