Grant took the pizza out of the oven as light smoke bellowed outwards. For how dirty the inside was, it made him question the authenticity of Kale’s statement. Had he really come in here to clean at some point? He could have cleaned it months ago, and that could explain the dust resting on the surfaces when he arrived. However, …

Grant still hadn’t eaten anything. Which meant it was time to fulfill goal number two. After filling his stomach, perhaps everything would start to make sense, at least he hoped it would. He backed out from his driveway, seeing the full neighborhood for the first time in daylight. He hadn’t even noticed the scratched up homemade speed limit signs that …

Grant’s heartbeat rocketed, bouncing around in his chest. What did Kale want now? A second set of knocks thudded against the hollow door. Grant reached for the doorknob and slowly turned it while taking a deep breath. Kale stood, wearing his facemask and gloves. Under the sunlight, his skin appeared paler than even Grant’s. His light purple hair rustled with …

Birds chirped, creating an unfamiliar melody that broke Grant’s slumber. Rolling over onto his back, an off white ceiling lined his view. A gentle breeze brushed across the trailer walls. He smiled, appreciating the relaxing ambience. No one would control him today. The atmosphere of this perfect morning made everything that happened to him the day before feel like a …

The floor creaked as Grant’s feet stepped on the rug in front of the door. Blackness mixed with sprinkles of brightness from the street light wafted itself through the cracks of a curtain. His hand traced against the wall in search of a light switch. The protruded patterns in the wallpaper grooved through his fingers. He stepped forward, still in …

Amidst the center of the city Grant ventured through the still streets of residential areas. His mind unable to keep focus had him turning every which way, frantically searching for signs to get back to the road where the chaotic drive started. He helped a thief flee the scene, but he had no choice. Was she really a thief if …

“What do you want me to do? You can’t expect me to do much for just a toy,” Grant said as he set his fork down and stared at the plushie. “Hmm, judging by your face earlier, you were really frustrated not winning this. I can tell you really want this, but don’t worry what I am about to ask …

The sun rested on the horizon ready to turn the sky black. Strong winds filled the air through the cracked window as Grant rode undulations of the hilly highway. His restless fingers tapped the steering wheel as he stared straight into the distance. He still hadn’t processed much of what happened earlier, the only thing that resided within him was …

An illuminated sign that read “Eastern Rail” flickered as Grant’s body jumbled about from the potholes in the road. The neglected area’s paths were ripped with crevices, puny plants trying to survive in the deep dirt between the papery pavement gaps. Grant had to be wary pulling further into the lot. Animals were crying out to one another while scrounging …

Grant reversed out of the driveway, the shaking of his parents’ garden in the front lawn waved him goodbye. He looked for an extra second longer; he had no plans of ever returning. The handprints that were locked in the cement driveway from childhood caught his eye and he turned his head, shaking off the emotion. His parents’ house rested …