If you'd told Jasper before the trip that he'd soon find himself on an abandoned dock, bawling his eyes out in front of the whole world, he would've thought you were lying.
And yet, that's exactly what he was doing.
B007, Jasper Bustamante: START
He had woken up sprawled on the ground, staring up at a grey sky. He sat up and found himself looking across a small bay, with a bridge off in the distance. He could see buildings on either side of the bridge, and an endless expanse of blue beyond it. If not for the grey sky and the building's apparent poor condition, this scene would've been somewhat picturesque. It had taken Jasper a moment to remember the presentation he'd sat through: the death of Mr. Graham, the bone-chilling video, and the announcement that he was now on Survival of the Fittest. His eyes welled up at the thought.
Jasper hadn't paid much attention during the presentation, preferring to look down at his lap instead of the carnage in front of him, but he knew what was happening all too well: he and his classmates were stranded on a deserted island, and nobody was going to leave until everyone else was dead.
He buried his head in his arms, squeezing his eyes shut and heaving. His mind was flooded with thoughts of his family back home, distraught over his disappearance. He thought about his friends, of Oskar and Abby and Caedyn, all in the same predicament he was. If he wanted to go home, they'd all have to die. If one of them went home, he'd have to die.
It was all too much. Jasper couldn't think straight. All he could do was curl up and sob, trying his best to shut out the world around him. He couldn't handle it just yet.
Plutonian Wharf
Open
Plutonian Wharf
'Fear cuts deeper than swords.'
---George RR Martin
(Henry Spencer-V6 Start)
Henry was not one for regrets, but he could sure use a fedora.
After all, what was the point of having a cool Indiana Jones bullwhip without a fedora to match? Or like, khakis or something. Did he wear khakis? Henry couldn't remember. He had on a lot of beige, but since Henry hadn't seen the movies in forever and wasn't much for movie factoids it had slipped his mind.
How unfortunate.
The whip itself was hanging from Henry's hand while he walked down what looked like some form of wharf, possibly a harbor. There was some manner of warehouse a distance away, and what looked like a helipad. Henry's deductions were bolstered by the labels on the map, telling him he was at 'the docks'. The map had also indicated that he was on an island built to support some form of (probably) uninhabited psychiatric ward.
That was pretty awesome! It was like a horror...movie...yeah, a bunch of people trapped on a deserted island with an abandoned lunatic asylum. That had all kinds of potential. Coooool. And Henry was the charming, knowledgeable investigator who would save the day!
Henry's grin lost most of its luster for a moment.
Cracking the whip was an interesting task. He was familiar with the technique and physics involved, and had been delighted to discover that, after a few minutes of practice, he could reliably make the cracking sound by performing a standard 'loop' crack, or in a forward lash. That was pretty cool! Now he could...perform with the...the whip if...he wanted. Yeah!
The docks were fairly large, and Henry had been walking down the gangway along the water for several minutes when he heard a noise in the distance. Startled, Henry raised the whip, prepared to fight off any impending...ghosts if necessary. After a second, though, he realized it was someone's voice. They were crying.
Henry jumped into action, running in spite of the heavy bag he carried on one shoulder, until he spotted someone. Hey, he knew them! It was Jasper Busterman! He was nice, he liked fish and stuff. He was also crying on the ground. Maybe he needed help!
Panting slightly, Henry crouched next to Jasper's position on the pier, trying to muster up the respiratory stability to actually speak. "Hey...it's He...Henry. You okay?" Henry smiled at the other boy.
---George RR Martin
(Henry Spencer-V6 Start)
Henry was not one for regrets, but he could sure use a fedora.
After all, what was the point of having a cool Indiana Jones bullwhip without a fedora to match? Or like, khakis or something. Did he wear khakis? Henry couldn't remember. He had on a lot of beige, but since Henry hadn't seen the movies in forever and wasn't much for movie factoids it had slipped his mind.
How unfortunate.
The whip itself was hanging from Henry's hand while he walked down what looked like some form of wharf, possibly a harbor. There was some manner of warehouse a distance away, and what looked like a helipad. Henry's deductions were bolstered by the labels on the map, telling him he was at 'the docks'. The map had also indicated that he was on an island built to support some form of (probably) uninhabited psychiatric ward.
That was pretty awesome! It was like a horror...movie...yeah, a bunch of people trapped on a deserted island with an abandoned lunatic asylum. That had all kinds of potential. Coooool. And Henry was the charming, knowledgeable investigator who would save the day!
Henry's grin lost most of its luster for a moment.
Cracking the whip was an interesting task. He was familiar with the technique and physics involved, and had been delighted to discover that, after a few minutes of practice, he could reliably make the cracking sound by performing a standard 'loop' crack, or in a forward lash. That was pretty cool! Now he could...perform with the...the whip if...he wanted. Yeah!
The docks were fairly large, and Henry had been walking down the gangway along the water for several minutes when he heard a noise in the distance. Startled, Henry raised the whip, prepared to fight off any impending...ghosts if necessary. After a second, though, he realized it was someone's voice. They were crying.
Henry jumped into action, running in spite of the heavy bag he carried on one shoulder, until he spotted someone. Hey, he knew them! It was Jasper Busterman! He was nice, he liked fish and stuff. He was also crying on the ground. Maybe he needed help!
Panting slightly, Henry crouched next to Jasper's position on the pier, trying to muster up the respiratory stability to actually speak. "Hey...it's He...Henry. You okay?" Henry smiled at the other boy.
Jasper had done a good job drowning out the world around him, but that meant that he hadn't heard the other boy approach until he was right next to him. His wailing quelled as he heard someone very winded speak to him. The voice was friendly, at least, and recognizable. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before slowly lifting his head up.
He turned to see a familiar face crouched next to him. Henry. Another junior he'd shared a few classes with, and Jasper was familiar with his social circle. Their interests didn't line up exactly, but they were similar enough to spark conversation. Henry was nice, funny, and very talkative. A true force of optimism.
And exactly the type of person Jasper wanted to be around right now.
Jasper sniffled and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "N-not really..." he replied, flashing a forced smile in return. He slowly relaxed, taking his knees of his chest and letting his legs sprawl out.
"H-how about you?"
He turned to see a familiar face crouched next to him. Henry. Another junior he'd shared a few classes with, and Jasper was familiar with his social circle. Their interests didn't line up exactly, but they were similar enough to spark conversation. Henry was nice, funny, and very talkative. A true force of optimism.
And exactly the type of person Jasper wanted to be around right now.
Jasper sniffled and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "N-not really..." he replied, flashing a forced smile in return. He slowly relaxed, taking his knees of his chest and letting his legs sprawl out.
"H-how about you?"
Henry grinned at Jasper's response. Then he dropped the smile, and looked concerned instead. Having caught his breath, he replied, "I'm okay, really. I've got this-" he held up the whip and attempted to crack it, but it only made a dull thudding noise as it wacked the ground. Without pausing, Henry added, "And you're cool people, so I'm glad I found you and not some jerk."
Now Henry paused. Then he added, "Or a ghost out for revenge, or something." Something...Henry went quiet for a second, looking down at the ground. Who-
"Ooh! I bet we could find some really neat fish here! I go fishing a lot with my dad. This one time, I caught a turtle! It was really cute." Henry's exclamation was met with a wild, almost manic energy as he gestured to the rough size of the turtle (about as big as an American football). "Do you have a fishing rod? We could totally try and catch something really cool! Maybe like, a rare animal nobody's ever seen before!"
Henry was nearly vibrating with energy up to this point, but then he stopped. He froze in place, eyes widened and mouth partly open. He was perfectly still. Then, everything was as before, and Henry was talking again like nothing had happened. "If we don't have a pole we could find a stick and some string. And then we could dig up worms!"
Now Henry paused. Then he added, "Or a ghost out for revenge, or something." Something...Henry went quiet for a second, looking down at the ground. Who-
"Ooh! I bet we could find some really neat fish here! I go fishing a lot with my dad. This one time, I caught a turtle! It was really cute." Henry's exclamation was met with a wild, almost manic energy as he gestured to the rough size of the turtle (about as big as an American football). "Do you have a fishing rod? We could totally try and catch something really cool! Maybe like, a rare animal nobody's ever seen before!"
Henry was nearly vibrating with energy up to this point, but then he stopped. He froze in place, eyes widened and mouth partly open. He was perfectly still. Then, everything was as before, and Henry was talking again like nothing had happened. "If we don't have a pole we could find a stick and some string. And then we could dig up worms!"
Intimidating-looking whip aside, Henry's demeanor had remained unchanged by their situation. He rambled on about ghosts and turtles, and proposed that they go fishing. Jasper chuckled, and felt his shoulders relax. For a moment, he forgot they were stranded on an island and left to die. He was just at the coast with a friend.
"No, sadly, I don't have any sort of fishing pole." He sighed. "But maybe we could find one somewhere?" Jasper turned around to see a large warehouse at the base of the dock, towering over them. He doubted that there were any fishing supplies there. He looked around more, and his eyes fell upon the duffel bag lying next to him. He could've just pretended that it was a bag of his own, brought from home for a fun day fishing. But four symbols shattered the illusion: one letter, three numbers. B007.
The gravity of the situation returned. Jasper sighed, pulling the bag towards him. If he was stuck here, he may as well see what they'd given him. He unzipped it and reached in, feeling around. He felt the edges of a box, some sort of bottle, and-
"Ack!" Jasper winced as something sharp grazed his hand. He yanked his arm out, finding a small cut on his palm. He looked into the bag to find...broken glass? He groaned, figuring that it was the weapon he'd been 'assigned'. With his free hand, he started to rummage around for a first aid kit, being a lot more careful this time.
"No, sadly, I don't have any sort of fishing pole." He sighed. "But maybe we could find one somewhere?" Jasper turned around to see a large warehouse at the base of the dock, towering over them. He doubted that there were any fishing supplies there. He looked around more, and his eyes fell upon the duffel bag lying next to him. He could've just pretended that it was a bag of his own, brought from home for a fun day fishing. But four symbols shattered the illusion: one letter, three numbers. B007.
The gravity of the situation returned. Jasper sighed, pulling the bag towards him. If he was stuck here, he may as well see what they'd given him. He unzipped it and reached in, feeling around. He felt the edges of a box, some sort of bottle, and-
"Ack!" Jasper winced as something sharp grazed his hand. He yanked his arm out, finding a small cut on his palm. He looked into the bag to find...broken glass? He groaned, figuring that it was the weapon he'd been 'assigned'. With his free hand, he started to rummage around for a first aid kit, being a lot more careful this time.
Henry jumped back and nearly fell off the dock when Jasper cried out as his bag apparently bit him. Wait, something in the bag did it. Maybe there was a biting thing in his bag, like a puppy! Why-
Henry froze again, face blank once more.
"Y-you okay Jasper? Wait, I asked that already." Henry tilted his head, looking concerned at his friend. He was bleeding from his palm, which looked unpleasant. The human hand was a sensitive area with a disproportionate number of nerves and blood vessels due to its importance. Hopefully Jasper wouldn't get a scar there, that'd be inconvenient if-
"Oh!" Henry exclaimed suddenly. He set his bag on the ground and started going through it again. "Hang on, I might have a bandaid or something if you want. Fishing buddies don't let each other go around getting hurt, right? Plus it's unsanitary to touch fish with cuts on your hands, you could contract fish-handler's disease which can result in sepsis."
Glancing back, Henry peeked into his friend's bag. Seemed like Jasper had a piece of glass in there. That was awfully unfortunate. Hopefully if it was like a bottle or something whatever was in it didn't spill out. Although it would definitely spill if it was in a bottle. Maybe it had contained a refreshing beverage and Jasper had drunk it? And then forgotten it was in there and it broke and now he'd cut himself.
How rude. It was probably a soda. Pop culture has been very violent lately, after all. There were far too many soda jerks around these days.
Henry froze again, face blank once more.
"Y-you okay Jasper? Wait, I asked that already." Henry tilted his head, looking concerned at his friend. He was bleeding from his palm, which looked unpleasant. The human hand was a sensitive area with a disproportionate number of nerves and blood vessels due to its importance. Hopefully Jasper wouldn't get a scar there, that'd be inconvenient if-
"Oh!" Henry exclaimed suddenly. He set his bag on the ground and started going through it again. "Hang on, I might have a bandaid or something if you want. Fishing buddies don't let each other go around getting hurt, right? Plus it's unsanitary to touch fish with cuts on your hands, you could contract fish-handler's disease which can result in sepsis."
Glancing back, Henry peeked into his friend's bag. Seemed like Jasper had a piece of glass in there. That was awfully unfortunate. Hopefully if it was like a bottle or something whatever was in it didn't spill out. Although it would definitely spill if it was in a bottle. Maybe it had contained a refreshing beverage and Jasper had drunk it? And then forgotten it was in there and it broke and now he'd cut himself.
How rude. It was probably a soda. Pop culture has been very violent lately, after all. There were far too many soda jerks around these days.
As Jasper looked closer, he realized that he'd cut himself on a broken bottle. At least there weren't any glass shards in his bag. As he searched for a first aid kit, Henry offered to find a bandage for him.
"Oh, no, it's fine, I can do it myse-" Jasper started, turning to find him already digging through his bag. Well, Jasper didn't want to stop him now.
Without much else to do, he fished the broken bottle out of his bag and turned it over in his hands. There was nothing special about it: it was just a broken bottle. But it was given to him for a specific purpose: to hurt his classmates. That thought sent a chill down his spine. Part of him wanted to get rid of it, but another part of didn't. A smaller voice in his head wanted him to keep it for self-defense.
The fact that he had to take that into account scared him.
"Oh, no, it's fine, I can do it myse-" Jasper started, turning to find him already digging through his bag. Well, Jasper didn't want to stop him now.
Without much else to do, he fished the broken bottle out of his bag and turned it over in his hands. There was nothing special about it: it was just a broken bottle. But it was given to him for a specific purpose: to hurt his classmates. That thought sent a chill down his spine. Part of him wanted to get rid of it, but another part of didn't. A smaller voice in his head wanted him to keep it for self-defense.
The fact that he had to take that into account scared him.
Hah, it was a bottle! Henry was right, as usual.
To add even further to his triumph, Henry successfully located his medical kit, from which he obtained a small latex butterfly bandage. "Here!" He said. He briefly considered tossing the bandage packet over to Jasper, but the wind would probably carry it into the water or something which would be awkward.
So he handed it to Jasper instead.
"You probably need to disinfect it too." Henry pointed out. He moved back to his bag to double check for a Neosporin or something. It sure was convenient they had these first aid kits here. Otherwise someone might get hurt.
"Got some disinfectant!" Henry turned around and held out an alcohol pad. "Wipe this on it so you don't get an infection." Geez, going through the bag with one hand was challenging. He didn't want to put down the bullwhip, though. His fingers were still tightly wrapped around the handle of it, the body of the whip laying across the pier like a dead snake.
To add even further to his triumph, Henry successfully located his medical kit, from which he obtained a small latex butterfly bandage. "Here!" He said. He briefly considered tossing the bandage packet over to Jasper, but the wind would probably carry it into the water or something which would be awkward.
So he handed it to Jasper instead.
"You probably need to disinfect it too." Henry pointed out. He moved back to his bag to double check for a Neosporin or something. It sure was convenient they had these first aid kits here. Otherwise someone might get hurt.
"Got some disinfectant!" Henry turned around and held out an alcohol pad. "Wipe this on it so you don't get an infection." Geez, going through the bag with one hand was challenging. He didn't want to put down the bullwhip, though. His fingers were still tightly wrapped around the handle of it, the body of the whip laying across the pier like a dead snake.
Jasper's musing was interrupted by Henry handing him the bandage and alcohol pad. "Oh, thanks," he said, putting the bottle down to take care of his wound. He took a moment to look at his bandaged palm and sighed. He'd just woken up and he'd already injured himself.
Then he remembered that it wasn't supposed to be a big deal. People got cut like this all the time at home, and it didn't matter. But here, every little thing impacted your chance of survival. Everything he did here on out would decide whether he lived or died.
Jasper knew, deep down, that this was wrong. They were high schoolers, for crying out loud! They were supposed to be at school, studying, socializing, preparing for college. Their days weren't supposed to be numbered, spent watching their backs around their closest friends. Survival of the Fittest was cruel, wrong, and unnatural. And Jasper wanted no part of it.
His thoughts drifted back to the bottle. It had been given to him as a weapon, but he knew that he couldn't bring himself to hurt anyone. He wouldn't hurt anyone.
Jasper picked up the bottle and rose to his feet, walking to the edge of the dock. Taking a deep breath, he raised the bottle above his head and threw it out into the bay with all his might. He watched it sail across the sky, getting smaller as it went farther and farther. It hit the water with a barely visible splash, and then it was gone. Out of sight, out of mind.
Jasper exhaled, and felt a weight in his chest lift. He walked back over to Henry, picking up his bag. "So what do we do now?"
Then he remembered that it wasn't supposed to be a big deal. People got cut like this all the time at home, and it didn't matter. But here, every little thing impacted your chance of survival. Everything he did here on out would decide whether he lived or died.
Jasper knew, deep down, that this was wrong. They were high schoolers, for crying out loud! They were supposed to be at school, studying, socializing, preparing for college. Their days weren't supposed to be numbered, spent watching their backs around their closest friends. Survival of the Fittest was cruel, wrong, and unnatural. And Jasper wanted no part of it.
His thoughts drifted back to the bottle. It had been given to him as a weapon, but he knew that he couldn't bring himself to hurt anyone. He wouldn't hurt anyone.
Jasper picked up the bottle and rose to his feet, walking to the edge of the dock. Taking a deep breath, he raised the bottle above his head and threw it out into the bay with all his might. He watched it sail across the sky, getting smaller as it went farther and farther. It hit the water with a barely visible splash, and then it was gone. Out of sight, out of mind.
Jasper exhaled, and felt a weight in his chest lift. He walked back over to Henry, picking up his bag. "So what do we do now?"
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MethodicalSlacker
- Posts: 1231
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He had never seen the ocean before, and now he was likely going to spend the rest of his life surrounded by it, Arthur realized.
[B043 - Bernstein, Arthur: Game Start]
What surprised him most when he woke up was just how calm he was. Of course, he spent a few minutes curled up in a ball in the grass next to the docks, trying to convince himself that he was dreaming and desperately attempting to wake up, but after he accepted the fact that, yes, he was indeed on Survival of the Fittest, he found himself strangely at peace. He sorted through his duffel bag routinely, as if it was his own backpack that he took to school every day (the same backpack that he found, empty except for the book he was reading, just a few feet away from him). He read the enclosed survival guide quickly, ate one of his food bars, and studied the map all while sitting in the prickly grass. He was oblivious to his surroundings for the better part of his time awake.
Survival of the Fittest was something that he was scared that his sister, Marie, would be selected for, never himself. Several times he had considered the possibility, but he decided that the chances of it happening to her were slim. If there was one positive of being on the island that Arthur could think of, it was that he was there instead of his sister. That fact alone helped him calm down in those first few fateful minutes. The surrounding blue waves, gently bouncing up and down, was another sight that helped Arthur stay calm. It was oddly hypnotic.
He made the decision for himself to not get mad at his assigned weapon, a flimsy paintball gun. After he had finished reading the survival guide, he spent a few minutes toying with the thing, careful to learn just how it worked in case he needed to use it. Sure, it wouldn't do any real damage, but the paint would be annoying, right? Arthur had never fired a gun before, let alone a paintball gun, so getting the toy-like weapon was something he appreciated. If Marie was watching, she'd probably find the paintball gun funny, he reckoned. Some humor to help her digest the situation.
He was going to get back to her. He had to. Arthur knew he wouldn't play the game, but he swore to himself that, in some way, he'd make it back to his sister.
A commotion on the dock not too far away from him interrupted his study. It looked to him like someone - no, two someones - had woken up on the cold concrete floor, and had begun to talk to each other. He recognized the first of the boys, Jasper, from his time on the soccer team, and the other, Henry, from passing in the hallways, but he had no lasting connection with either of the boys. He watched, silently, as Henry consoled Jasper with a wide grin, staying put when Jasper jumped back in pain from his duffel bag. He watched Henry try to patch Jasper up and smiled. That kind of caring attitude Arthur respected, but it also let him know that the two were likely not a threat.
Allies would be valuable on the island, especially allies as caring as Henry appeared to be. Arthur folded his map up and put it into his pocket, slung his pack over his shoulder, and walked towards the two sitting on the dock at a relaxed pace, holding his paintball gun. He didn't so much as flinch as Jasper stood up and threw his bottle off of the concrete platform. Sure, he didn't agree with the decision, but he knew he didn't have any right to argue the decision. At the very least, the bottle wasn't being thrown in his direction.
"Hey," Arthur half-shouted, as he got within earshot, "You guys still need a hand?"
[B043 - Bernstein, Arthur: Game Start]
What surprised him most when he woke up was just how calm he was. Of course, he spent a few minutes curled up in a ball in the grass next to the docks, trying to convince himself that he was dreaming and desperately attempting to wake up, but after he accepted the fact that, yes, he was indeed on Survival of the Fittest, he found himself strangely at peace. He sorted through his duffel bag routinely, as if it was his own backpack that he took to school every day (the same backpack that he found, empty except for the book he was reading, just a few feet away from him). He read the enclosed survival guide quickly, ate one of his food bars, and studied the map all while sitting in the prickly grass. He was oblivious to his surroundings for the better part of his time awake.
Survival of the Fittest was something that he was scared that his sister, Marie, would be selected for, never himself. Several times he had considered the possibility, but he decided that the chances of it happening to her were slim. If there was one positive of being on the island that Arthur could think of, it was that he was there instead of his sister. That fact alone helped him calm down in those first few fateful minutes. The surrounding blue waves, gently bouncing up and down, was another sight that helped Arthur stay calm. It was oddly hypnotic.
He made the decision for himself to not get mad at his assigned weapon, a flimsy paintball gun. After he had finished reading the survival guide, he spent a few minutes toying with the thing, careful to learn just how it worked in case he needed to use it. Sure, it wouldn't do any real damage, but the paint would be annoying, right? Arthur had never fired a gun before, let alone a paintball gun, so getting the toy-like weapon was something he appreciated. If Marie was watching, she'd probably find the paintball gun funny, he reckoned. Some humor to help her digest the situation.
He was going to get back to her. He had to. Arthur knew he wouldn't play the game, but he swore to himself that, in some way, he'd make it back to his sister.
A commotion on the dock not too far away from him interrupted his study. It looked to him like someone - no, two someones - had woken up on the cold concrete floor, and had begun to talk to each other. He recognized the first of the boys, Jasper, from his time on the soccer team, and the other, Henry, from passing in the hallways, but he had no lasting connection with either of the boys. He watched, silently, as Henry consoled Jasper with a wide grin, staying put when Jasper jumped back in pain from his duffel bag. He watched Henry try to patch Jasper up and smiled. That kind of caring attitude Arthur respected, but it also let him know that the two were likely not a threat.
Allies would be valuable on the island, especially allies as caring as Henry appeared to be. Arthur folded his map up and put it into his pocket, slung his pack over his shoulder, and walked towards the two sitting on the dock at a relaxed pace, holding his paintball gun. He didn't so much as flinch as Jasper stood up and threw his bottle off of the concrete platform. Sure, he didn't agree with the decision, but he knew he didn't have any right to argue the decision. At the very least, the bottle wasn't being thrown in his direction.
"Hey," Arthur half-shouted, as he got within earshot, "You guys still need a hand?"
/ 
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- Jasper flung the bottle into the water. Henry was going to chastise him for littering, but then he was distracted by a fish he thought he saw in the water by the pier. Oh man, it looked like some kind of grouper. Or...was it? Henry couldn't tell. He really wished he had a fishing pole now, though.
Suddenly, a voice came through the area. "Hello!" Henry called back to the person. He recognized Arthur; he was a pretty swell guy. Didn't he have a sister? "We're okay right now, Jazz-man just scraped his hand on a glass bottle." He grinned.
"Luckily we have vanquished the offending object!" Henry raised his hand in triumph, nearly tripping as the length of bullwhip tangled around his leg and yanked him off-balance. He sat back down. "I'm okay. All good."
Then he blinked, and said, "I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay." His breathing started to speed up, and his face went pale. Then, he was back to his usual smiley self. "Do you want to go fishing with us?" He called to Arthur.
Suddenly, a voice came through the area. "Hello!" Henry called back to the person. He recognized Arthur; he was a pretty swell guy. Didn't he have a sister? "We're okay right now, Jazz-man just scraped his hand on a glass bottle." He grinned.
"Luckily we have vanquished the offending object!" Henry raised his hand in triumph, nearly tripping as the length of bullwhip tangled around his leg and yanked him off-balance. He sat back down. "I'm okay. All good."
Then he blinked, and said, "I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay." His breathing started to speed up, and his face went pale. Then, he was back to his usual smiley self. "Do you want to go fishing with us?" He called to Arthur.
Henry didn't answer him. Maybe it was because he was too busy looking into the water, but maybe it was because of someone calling out to them right afterwards. Jasper turned towards the voice to see yet another familiar face. Arthur was a senior on the soccer team: They weren't exactly friends, but they were on good terms. Jasper felt lucky, having run into two friends so far.
He was momentarily worried when Henry tripped over his whip, but he recovered quickly, inviting Arthur to come fishing with them. Jasper chuckled as Henry called him a silly nickname. He didn't even like jazz.
"Yeah!" Jasper added, waving. "It'd be better if you had, like, an actual a fishing pole we could use," He paused, eyeing the gun Arthur held at his side. "But by the looks of it, you don't."
It had made Jasper jump at first, but as the other boy drew closer, he noticed the tank and a cord connecting the handle and the barrel. Arthur had either gotten a really freaky modified gun, or just some sort of paintball gun. Either way, he didn't seem to mean any harm. Jasper didn't think he was the kind of person to start 'playing' anyway.
He was momentarily worried when Henry tripped over his whip, but he recovered quickly, inviting Arthur to come fishing with them. Jasper chuckled as Henry called him a silly nickname. He didn't even like jazz.
"Yeah!" Jasper added, waving. "It'd be better if you had, like, an actual a fishing pole we could use," He paused, eyeing the gun Arthur held at his side. "But by the looks of it, you don't."
It had made Jasper jump at first, but as the other boy drew closer, he noticed the tank and a cord connecting the handle and the barrel. Arthur had either gotten a really freaky modified gun, or just some sort of paintball gun. Either way, he didn't seem to mean any harm. Jasper didn't think he was the kind of person to start 'playing' anyway.
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MethodicalSlacker
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"No fishing gear here," Arthur said, smiling as he got closer to the two boys. He stopped walking just a few feet away from the pair and set his bag down on the concrete ground. Henry had momentarily appeared startled as he almost took a tumble over his own weapon, but Arthur saw no fault in such a reaction. He was just happy the two had welcomed him with open arms into their little gathering. It was nice to be in good company.
"I'm guessing that whip's what you got, Henry," Arthur said, looking at the whip hanging at the boy's side. The whip looked dangerous for sure, far more dangerous than anything Arthur had on him, but judging from Henry's display just moments ago, he still didn't have quite a good grasp on how it worked yet. "You should try and be a little more careful with it," Arthur added. He didn't want to see Henry get hurt, or anybody for that matter.
He noticed Jasper taking a look at his paintball gun. "You wanna hold it?" Arthur offered, holding the gun in front of him, muzzle pointed straight down, "It's just a paintball gun. No harm to be done." Arthur's tone was as welcoming as he could muster, but humorless, the oddness of the situation lost on him. Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur could see a fish or two swimming in the water below, just a few inches below the surface of the water. They looked peaceful and content with themselves, happy to swim in the same circles every day as long as it meant safety. To them, today was just another day, living the same life. Arthur didn't feel like disturbing that peace, not today.
"Anyway," Arthur said, posing a more open question to the group, "What do you two plan on doing? Anything in mind, or were you just planning on staying here a bit longer?"
The fish swam in the water all the while, circling each other in the morning light.
"I'm guessing that whip's what you got, Henry," Arthur said, looking at the whip hanging at the boy's side. The whip looked dangerous for sure, far more dangerous than anything Arthur had on him, but judging from Henry's display just moments ago, he still didn't have quite a good grasp on how it worked yet. "You should try and be a little more careful with it," Arthur added. He didn't want to see Henry get hurt, or anybody for that matter.
He noticed Jasper taking a look at his paintball gun. "You wanna hold it?" Arthur offered, holding the gun in front of him, muzzle pointed straight down, "It's just a paintball gun. No harm to be done." Arthur's tone was as welcoming as he could muster, but humorless, the oddness of the situation lost on him. Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur could see a fish or two swimming in the water below, just a few inches below the surface of the water. They looked peaceful and content with themselves, happy to swim in the same circles every day as long as it meant safety. To them, today was just another day, living the same life. Arthur didn't feel like disturbing that peace, not today.
"Anyway," Arthur said, posing a more open question to the group, "What do you two plan on doing? Anything in mind, or were you just planning on staying here a bit longer?"
The fish swam in the water all the while, circling each other in the morning light.
Arthur had a gun.
Henry sharply inhaled as he identified the object in the guy's hands. Then he relaxed, because as Arthur said, it was just a paintball gun. He smiled at his new companion.
"Do you have actual paint, like, in ball form? Or just the applicator?" Henry tilted his head, examining the device. He knew some of his classmates had a paintball interest, but he'd never tried it himself. How unfortunate; perhaps Arthur could demonstrate?
Not on him, of course.
An anxious look crossed Henry's face like a cloud, but he recovered quickly. "We were just planning on hanging out, you know? It's a nice day out." In truth it was a bit brisk, but Henry was dressed relatively warmly as usual. Arizona's heat never really bothered him, truth be told.
"What about you? You wanna join us? We were thinking of finding some sticks and twine. You know. For the fishing." Henry smiled again.
Henry sharply inhaled as he identified the object in the guy's hands. Then he relaxed, because as Arthur said, it was just a paintball gun. He smiled at his new companion.
"Do you have actual paint, like, in ball form? Or just the applicator?" Henry tilted his head, examining the device. He knew some of his classmates had a paintball interest, but he'd never tried it himself. How unfortunate; perhaps Arthur could demonstrate?
Not on him, of course.
An anxious look crossed Henry's face like a cloud, but he recovered quickly. "We were just planning on hanging out, you know? It's a nice day out." In truth it was a bit brisk, but Henry was dressed relatively warmly as usual. Arizona's heat never really bothered him, truth be told.
"What about you? You wanna join us? We were thinking of finding some sticks and twine. You know. For the fishing." Henry smiled again.
"Oh, uh, sure," Jasper replied, taking the paintball gun and turning it over in his hands. Now he could tell for certain that it wasn't a real gun; not that he'd ever held a real one before. Arthur's gun just felt lighter than he expected.
Despite that, Jasper still felt a sense of danger while holding it. He'd always been like that, always nervous around things like knives - anything that could be used to hurt others. But knives were also used for benign acts like cooking, and Jasper could handle one while helping his mother around the kitchen. A paintball gun, however, was made with the sole purpose of shooting others. Sure, it wasn't lethal, but Jasper heard that getting shot with one still packed a punch.
If he felt this way about a paintball gun, Jasper was glad he hadn't been assigned a real one.
He handed the gun back to Arthur as Henry babbled on about finding sticks and twine. Yeah, that seemed like their second order of business. Even though they were currently on the beach, wood wouldn't be hard to come by if they just trekked inland. But the twine, however, would be harder to find.
Jasper looked back at the warehouse again. It was the only building in their immediate vicinity, and thus the only place they could really go. He pointed it out to the other two. "Maybe we could check in there?"
Despite that, Jasper still felt a sense of danger while holding it. He'd always been like that, always nervous around things like knives - anything that could be used to hurt others. But knives were also used for benign acts like cooking, and Jasper could handle one while helping his mother around the kitchen. A paintball gun, however, was made with the sole purpose of shooting others. Sure, it wasn't lethal, but Jasper heard that getting shot with one still packed a punch.
If he felt this way about a paintball gun, Jasper was glad he hadn't been assigned a real one.
He handed the gun back to Arthur as Henry babbled on about finding sticks and twine. Yeah, that seemed like their second order of business. Even though they were currently on the beach, wood wouldn't be hard to come by if they just trekked inland. But the twine, however, would be harder to find.
Jasper looked back at the warehouse again. It was the only building in their immediate vicinity, and thus the only place they could really go. He pointed it out to the other two. "Maybe we could check in there?"