Welks' Library

After what felt like hours of the Scout’s TARDIS spinning and hurtling through space and time, the whole control room suddenly stopped, throwing the nauseated Scout against the console. The TARDIS control room was completely dark and unnervingly silent.

“Computer? Jerry?” The Scout called out to his mechanical assistants.

There was no response from either of the robots as the computer monitor hung limply from the mechanical leg that attached to the ceiling. The Scout wondered why the emergency lights hadn't kicked in yet as he felt his way through the room attempting to find the door. This task was made exponentially harder by the fact that The Time Scout was still dizzy after his uncontrollable ride.  Upon finding the ornate double doors, the agent of Gallifrey pushed against them with as much force as he could muster. The doors swung open throwing the Scout onto a cobblestone street.

Before he could get back to his feet, the doors slammed shunt locking the Scout out of his own TARDIS. Pounding his fist against the door, the Scout screamed in frustration at no one imparticular. Calming down a bit, the defeated scout laid his head on the cold wood of the doors trying to think of how he was going to get to The Doctor and get home.

“Now that you’re finished with your little tantrum, can we talk?” Said a light yet authoritative voice from behind the scout.

The Scout spun around to see a veiled woman in a black dress accompanied by a young woman who kept her hand clutch on the handle of a katana.

“Who are you?” The Scout said, ready to defend himself against the unknown couple.

“A friend of the Doctor.” The veiled woman said calmly.

“Then you can tell me where I am, and why I’m here!” The Scout commanded still on the defense.

The young woman stepped ahead of her companion and began drawing her sword, but was stopped by the veiled woman. “Calm now my love, he means us no harm yet” The woman lifted her veil to reveal the green lizard-like face of a Silurian.

The Scout had only read about the Silurains but never had the chances to speak with one in person. His curiosity at speaking with a Silurian overshadowed his weariness.

“I am Vastra this is my wife, Jenny.” Jenny sheathed her sword but was still ready to draw it again at the slightest hint of ill will from the Time Scout. “You are in London 1888.” Vastra continued. “Have you been here before?”

The scout took in his soundings. The smells of fish and sewage filled his nose while the light raindrops descended from the gray sky.

“I’ve been to this time once,” said The Scout. “But I don’t remember it being this depressing.”

Vastra and Jenny both looked at each other easily convening their displeasure with the Scouts comments but decided to let it go.

“I need you to come with me, I’ll explain everything on the way.” Vastra said firmly.

The Scout looked back at the locked door to his TARDIS; even though the door physically looked the same something about it felt dead and hollow, like it was once alive, but its soul had been sucked out. The young Time Scout never believed in the idea that a TARDIS is a living thing like some other Time Lords do, but he had to admit that he felt some sort of connection to the ship like it was his pet or even his friend. There were plenty of reasons for The Scout to be angry at the Doctor, but whatever he had done to the TARDIS propelled The Scout’s anger even higher. He wanted to meet the Doctor face to face, to yell at him for everything he had done, and after that, he would bring the Doctor home in any way he had too, even if it was in chains. The Silurian was his best lead in his mission, and like it or not he would have to go with her.

“Alright I’ll go with you, But I wanna know everything. Why I’m here, Why you’re here, and where the Doctor is.” The Scout said attempting to intimidate Vastra.

           Today we put to rest Geoffrey, The giraffe that brought us so much joy when we were kids. Geoffrey was born to a small family of giraffes in the Central Park Zoo where from a young age he knew he was different, mainly because he could walk on two legs and talk like a human. The Zoo attempted to profit off the bipedal giraffe by making him the star of the giraffe exhibit. Children liked Geoffrey but parents were horrified to the point that they would avoid the exhibit altogether. In an attempt to gain their lost customers back the young giraffe was quickly kicked out of the zoo and all mention of him was erased. Out on his own Geoffrey had to work harder than most to not only find work, but also keep his identity as a humanlike giraffe a secret. Inspired by some turtles he met while sleeping in a sewer one night, Geffory began wearing a trenchcoat and a hat to hide in plain sight, and surprisingly this worked.

           Geffory spent his days wandering around New York in a lonely and lost state. The only thing that brought happiness to Geoffrey was the memories of the smiling laughing faces of the children that would visit the zoo. It was those children who made him realize what he wanted to do with his life. So he began pursuing his dream of becoming a child physiologist. Geffory began working multiple jobs to pay his way through school, including a pizza delivery job where he was able to repay the turtles kindness with free pizza.

After over eight long years of constant work, Geoffrey was finally successful in receiving his doctorate under the name Dr. G. Raff. Right out of school Geffory was headhunted by a man named Torri Russ who wanted Dr. Raff to work with him and his team at his new company Toys R Us. Geffory’s job at the company was to talk to kids and determine what kind of toys children are most interested in. The Giraffe loved his job, and the people he worked with; everything seemed to be going well for Geffory. Until one day when a large gust of wind came through an open window blowing the hat off Geoffrey's head during a meeting with Mr. Russ.

With his disguise failing at the worse possible time, Geoffrey thought the life he built for himself would fall apart in an instant. Instead, Mr. Russ was intrigued by the discovery and found it as a great opportunity. The company was in desperate need of a mascot to attract new business and meet with kids at some of the stores. Russ offered Geffory another job as the company mascot, where he could forgo the disguise and be the giraffe he was born as. Geffory jumped at the opportunity and began leading a double life, with half being the child psychologist Dr. G. Raff, and the other as the mascot for the Toys R Us chain Geffory the Giraffe.

Geffory couldn't have been happier that he was able to be himself in front of the world, even if most of them just thought he was a man in a giraffe suit. Decades went by with Geoffrey entertainment kids around the globe, learning every day how kids interest in toys changed. Russ would go on later to refer to Geoffrey as “The greats asset to the company.” While the company enjoyed its success, the looming threat of online shopping overtaking them grew. Geffory and Mr. Russ fought hard to keep the stores open even when it became clear that their time had passed, with the wants of children now being unknown to even the esteemed Dr. G. Raff.

With a heavy heart, Russ closed the doors and left to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Geoffrey decided to travel the world, hoping to find someplace where he was still needed. After taking one final photo for the Toys R Us Twitter page, the accomplished giraffe hoped into his custom-made airplane and took off into the sky. Geoffrey the Giraffe, was never heard from again. While it is unknown if he is truly dead or just missing, most have accepted the fact that either way, we will never see him again, but we will always remember the years he spent making our childhoods fun and magical.  

I sit down on my seat of wood and metal

Nothing on my person

I don’t need anything today

No one notices

 I watch them all go by

Busy with their lives.

I wave to each that go by

No one notices

 I yell at them and wave my arms

Like a child desperate for affection

Stil,l they all walk by

No one notices

 My last painful plea

I cry out like a wounded animal

They speak louder to drown out my agony

No one notices

 I resign myself to this fate

The ground rumbles beneath my feet

I lay back and look at the darkening sky

No one notices me

I don’t like hospitals. I’m no different from most people in that regard. The smell of chemicals and cleaning solution, the bright florescent lights, among a myriad of other things, make hospitals uncomfortable places to be. It’s bad enough when you just happen to find yourself in a hospital. It’s even worse when you have an actual reason to be there. The worse possible situation you can find yourself in is staying in the hospital for days at a time.

   This final and worst of the scenarios was the one I found myself in last year. I wasn’t a patient; I was the worried son looking over my unconscious father in the last days of his life. The silence of that room gave me too much time to think, and one of the thoughts that would repeatedly pass through my mind was admittedly a selfish one. I would wonder to myself which one of us had it worse. The peaceful sleep my Dad was in protected him from the pain he had been feeling the past few years, so it was almost merciful that he had some peace.

   I, on the other hand, was completely awake and aware of the situation and the sacrifices I had to make to stay with him. I hadn’t been home for more than a few minutes in weeks. I had exhausted all of my vacation days from work, relying now on the good graces of my boss to hopefully understand and not fire me. I was even neglecting basic hygiene to the point where my thin black hair became matted to my head. I was happy to stand by my Dad though. It wasn’t until years later that I really comprehend the consequences of staying in that hospital. Several nurses and family members offered to watch Dad for me while I took a shower; many of them flat out begged me to go. I refused all of their offers because I wanted, I needed to be there for him when he passed.

    The hospital room my Dad slept in was the fourth one he had been moved to over the past few months. The first room he had was big enough for family and friends to visit him at all hours of the day. As his stay in the hospital extended and with no positive changes in his condition fewer and fewer people visited till eventually, I was the only one to see him most days. With the decrease in visitors and the realization that my Dad might remain in the hospital for a while, the doctors moved him to increasingly smaller rooms until they decided to stick him in a room that was not much bigger than a broom closet, despite my protests. Through all these changes I sat right beside him, something I can’t say about everyone in my family.

   Around a quarter to twelve on a Saturday, when most of the activity at the hospital had slowed down, a light knock came from the door.

   “ How are you doing Ricky? “ My mom asked poking her head through the door. Her once golden blond hair now completely gray with only a few streaks of its original color.

   “ I’m fine, you should be asking about him. “ I said looking down at my old leather boots.

   My mother sighed and removed her large gray coat draping it over the chair next to me. “ I’m sorry, I know you want me to be here as often as you but… I just can’t. It’s too hard for me.”

   “ It’s not hard for me.” I said flatly, still avoiding eye contact with the woman who raised me.

   “ We’re two very different people. I’ll admit, you take after your Dad more than me, he was always stubborn.” She put her arms around me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel comforted. “ I am so proud of you devotion, but at the same time it’s not healthy.”

   “ I told you before I’m not leaving.” I said, gently pushing my Mom’s arm’s away from me.

   “ Carol and the kids are worried about you.”

   “ They’ll understand.”

   Mother rubbed her eyes growing frustrated at me now. “ You have a responsibility to your family Richard. Who knows if you’ll even get to keep your job after you took so much time off.”

   “ Then I’ll find a new job!” I said my voice attempting to match the authority in her’s.

   “ How long do you think that will take? You need to support your family.”

   “Carol works. It’s not like we’ll be in financial trouble if I’m not working.”

   “ You can’t just expect your wife to take care of everything while you sit here and sulk!”

   “My Dad is dying!” I shout in her face.”

   “My best friend is dying! But the world doesn’t stop for us.” There was a heavy silence that hung in the room, the only sound coming from air moving through plastic tubes and the drip of the IV.

   “I know you want to be here for him, but there are people outside who need you just as much as you need them.” My Mom said in the soft, practical voice she used when trying to explain to one of her first-grade students why they were in trouble.

   “He’s been with me through so much, both of you have been with me through so much. I have to see it through to the end.”

   “This is’ent what he would have wanted for you.”

   “You don’t know that.”

   My Mother looked at me with pure shock. I was a little shocked myself. I wanted to apologize, but the need to stick to my guns overpowered my want to apologize.

   “Fine.” She said with the calm voice a parent has when they’re angry beyond the point of yelling. “If you’re dead set on staying, then at least use this.” She pulled out a stick of deodorant from her purse.  

   “The nurses are complaining about your BO. It’s gotten to the point where their drawing straws on who has to come in here.” I begrudgingly took the stick and started to roll it on under my shirt.

   My Mom looked over at her husband, and I could see a soft smile appear across her face. She started to laugh.

   “What’s so funny.”

   “On nothing.” She said continuing to laugh. “You seem in too bad a mood to appreciate it anyway.”

   “Just tell me.”

   “No.”

   “Come on.”

   “Not until you fix your attitude.”

   I sunk down into my chair, feeling six again. “I’m sorry I was rude, Mom.”

   My Mom smiled at her victory. “I was just remembering when you told us what you wanted to be when you grew up.”

   “A radio technician?” I asked. “I mean I was in college when I told you guys I was majoring in communication, but I don’t see how that’s so funny.”

   “ No, not that, I mean when you were five.” I shrugged my shoulders in confusion. “ You were running around the yard in your cowboy boots. Those were the only type of shoes you would wear as a kid. Do you know how hard it is to find cowboy boots for a growing boy in Boston? I hope you appreciate that.”

   “Thanks, Mom.” Going off on tangents was normal when my mom would tell a story. Eventually, you just get used to and hope that she gets to the point eventually.

   “Anyway, so you run up on the porch with a deadly serious look on your face and say know what you want to be when you grow up. Henry got so excited and started talking about how great it is to know exactly what you want to be when your young, and how we will do everything to help you become what you want to be. Finally, you shout, I wanna be a superhero and struck a dramatic pose.” Mom started laughing louder now. “ You father scooped you up and said, As long as your happy buddy.

   I let out a chuckle. “Dad said that a lot, didn’t he.”

   “Only when it needed to be said.” My Mother replied. “When you started dating Carol, I’ll admit, I was a little wary of her.”

   “I remember you saying anyone with that many tattoos must be a criminal.” I reminded her.

   My Mom looked away embarrassed. “Yes, well sorry I’m not caught up on all the latest fashion trends. When I was a kid a lot of tattoos meant someone was in a gang.” She said defensively.

   “Times certainly have changed.” I said.

   “They really have, and if your Dad didn’t help me see reason I might have ruined your chance at a great relationship, and I would have missed out on a great daughter in law.”

   “What did Dad do?”

   “All he said was, As long as she makes him happy we should at least give her a chance.”

   I looked over at my Dad sleeping on the hospital bed and couldn’t help but smile.

   “Well, I better get going.” Mom said pulling her coat on. “ Think about what I said and for God’s sake will you please take a shower.”

   “Ok, ok I will Mom.” I said hugging her tightly not wanting to let go.

   The door gently closed behind my Mom, and I was left with my other, silent parent again. I thought of Carol working so hard just so I can take the time I need. I thought of Stacy and Elliot, those beautiful twins I had had the joy of watching grow over the eight years they’ve been alive. I thought of myself. Every stupid mistake I’ve made, every selfish decision, everyone in my life who helped me when I couldn’t help myself.     Maybe that’s why I felt the need to stay there. To give something back to one of the people who had given me so much. I had always tried to do the right thing in life, but doing the right thing is never as clear-cut as it appears. In attempting to be a good son and stay with my Dad on his deathbed, I had, in turn, neglected my family, friends, responsibilities, and my own health. Those words my Dad would say flooded back through my mind, and I had to ask myself, was I happy. A sudden cough came from the bed, and I leaped from the chair to kneel beside my Father.

   “Dad?” I whispered, hoping to get a response.

   “Rick… how long… have I been asleep.” Dad said choking on each word in a voice barely above a whisper.

   “It’s been a few months, but I’ve been right her the entire time Dad.” I said like an excited child trying to make his dad proud.

   He looked straight at me. He looked at me the way only a parent can look at their child. “Water…”

   “Oh, yeah of course.” I said quickly grabbing the empty cup on the table and rushing to the bathroom.

(The following document is a compilation of entries from the journal of Jason Beck, written from September twelfth, 2016 to September eighteenth, 2016. This document has been made public by the S.C, “Society of Cryptozoologist,” with permission from the victims family in hopes for a better understanding of the undead phenomenon.)

September Twelfth, 2016:

   Well setting up camp was a bitch, but I think everything is in place and working. The tent is stuck firmly in the ground, fire is burning bright, and all my food is locked up tight so no animals will eat it. So far not a bad start to my week of roughing it in the woods, God knows I needed this. I’d write more, but I’m beat after setting up camp, I’m going to turn in for the night.

September Thirteenth, 2016:

I didn’t realize how hot it gets sleeping in a tent. It took a while for me to actually get some rest, and the rocks poking me through the vinal floor didn’t help either. Although, getting out of town to be alone with nature is worth a few sleepless nights. People kept telling me that I should take someone whos been camping before with me, but I think I’m doing pretty good on my own. If someone else came with me, they would just be telling me what to do all the time, and that’s what I’ve been trying to get away from.  

Since I’m alone, I can do whatever I want. For example, I’m going for a relaxing hike first thing this morning and leaving the camp chores for later.

September Fourteenth, 2016:

   My hike yesterday didn’t end well. It was nice starting out, the forest was calm and relaxing. After a half an hour of wondering, I saw a person pinned under a tree trunk. I wanted to help, so I tried to lift the massive tree trunk off of him, but as soon as got down to lift the tree, the free half of the person sprung to life and grabbed onto my arm. He, it had turned into one of those zombies. I thought most of them were wiped out with all the vaccinations that keep people turning into zombies, but I guess there are still some around. I immediately dropped the tree trunk, crushing the zombie’s legs, and ran back to camp. I’m no doctor, but I think I did a pretty good job of bandaging up the large cut on my arm, grandpa would be proud. I got all of my shots before I went on this trip, so I’m not too worried about getting sick or turning into one of them. I’ll keep an eye on my wound, but I don’t think it’s so bad that I’ll need to go back to town or anything.

September Fifteenth, 2016:

   I was skeptical when Kevin told me how helpful keeping a journal is. I gotta say he was right, there’s something therapeutic about getting your thoughts down on paper. I like being up here, but honestly, finding that zombie was the most interesting thing to happen this whole trip. Then again I guess that’s the point of a relaxing vacation. Speaking of the zombie, I haven’t felt that different since the attack, other than some lightheadedness. However, I am kinda worried that my arm isn’t really healing.

September Sixteenth, 2016:

   Now I’m getting nervous, the skin around my arm is turning green and blistering out. I feel too sick to do anything today… I have to lie down.

September Seventeenth, 2016:

   I’m so hungry… I eat and eat, but I still feel like I’m slowly fading away. I’m just laying here right now, thinking about my family. I may have wanted to be on my own for awhile, but this… infection has me worried I’ll never see them again. No, I have to stop thinking like that. I will get over this, I’ve been sick before why should this time be any different. It cant be zombiism I already got my shot for that… But what if the shot didn’t work. I just need to stop thinking and just rest… Or at least try to sleep.

September Eighteenth, 2016:

   Everything hurts. I can barely move now, and I’m starving, but I throw up any food I eat. As much as it hurts to even write this down, I have too… I have to say goodbye. I love you mom and Dad, and even you Kevin, for as much of a dick you were at times you were a pretty good brother. I’m gonna try and make it to someone who can help me, even if I die I have to push through the pain and at least try. I just hope that whoever finds me doesn’t think I’m… Well, one of those things. My skin may be a  pale green and blistered all over, but I’m still alive, I know I’m alive. Look, if anyone finds this and I’m… You know, just tell my family I’m sorry… And I miss them.

 (Jason Beck was found on October First in a fully zombified state wondering around his campsite. After the discovery and euthanasia of Jason Beck, at the request of his family, an investigation was started into why Jason’s zombie vaccination didn’t work. The investigation discovered that the clinic where Jason got his vaccination was using an expired version of the chemical bought by the administration of the clinic. Legal action is currently being taken against those responsible.

In the largest tower, the pierced the Gallifrey sky two women sat at a large table. The chairs at the table would normally be occupied by the council that governed the people of Gallifrey, but after an angry man in a blue box usurped the standing government and then left the planet. The room now had a lonely almost eerie feel.

“ What makes you think your man can convince the Doctor to return?” Ohila said staring with irritation at the alliance she had been forced into with the Time Lord’s due to the Doctors actions.

“ I don’t think he can convince the Doctor to return, but we need to at least attempt to get the Doctor back by any means necessary.” Said the General pacing around the room, her armor making noise with each step.

“ If you even hope to have a chance of the Doctor returning then this man better be your best time… what do you call them again?” Ohila asked dismissively

“ Time Scout.” The General shot back.

Since Gallifrey’s return and subsequent relocation to hide at the end of the universe, the Time Lords became strict about who could go off planet and who could operate a TARDIS. To not attracted attention in the other worlds use of a TARDIS had been relegated down to a smaller section of the Time Lord military, the Time Scouts. Before the time war the Time Scouts where a lower branch of the military as their primary job was to go on single man missions to other times and places to find whatever person, object, or fact the Time lord’s needed at that point. They weren’t viewed as much more as errand boys to the higher-ranking officers. After the time war, the Scouts found themselves being called upon for tasks more often as the Time Lords now needed more secrecy. Unfortunately for them, while the Scouts received more responsibility they did not receive more respect.

“I will admit he’s not our best scout, but he values discretion, and that’s what we need right now.”

“ Why are you still even here? The Doctor is not your concern, and neither are the issues of Gallifrey.” Asked the General

“ While I have not love for the Time Lords and are correct in your assertion that Gallifrey is not my concern, you are one wrong in one important aspect. The Doctor is most certainly our concern. The Sisterhood of Karn still has need of the Doctor.”

“And what need would that be?”

“Now that, General, is none of your concern?”

“I look forward to when this is over.”

“As do I General.”

The doors to the council chamber creaked open and through them walked a short but lanky man who removed his hat out of respect to relieving his short black hair.

“You asked for me General?” Asked the scout standing at attention.

“Yes, I did, at ease scout. Now, what you’re about to hear is classified information, no one is to know about this except for the people in this room. You understand?”

“Yes ma'am, but if this matter is of this much importance shouldn’t the Doctor be here too.”

The General gave a heavy sigh while ohila couldn’t hide her enjoyment at the General’s shame. “The Doctor is gone.”

“Gone… but he was supposed to take over and lead us. When is he coming back?”

“The Doctor isn’t coming back boy. Once the Doctor runs he’ll just keep running.” Ohila piped up.

“When did he leave?” Asked the Scout as if he was interrogating the pair.

“Shortly after he sent the old council off planet. He used us to revive an old companion.”

The Scout was saddened by this, but the feeling the was most visible on his person was rage. “Everyone was talking about how he would change our world for the better, how we could come out of the shadows.” Said the Scout softly, almost to himself.

“We need you to bring him back.”

“Consider it done. I’ll bring the Doctor back and he’ll answer for what he did to us.”

“No, we need him back to lead us.”

“But… but he isn’t fit to lead us after what he’s done.”

“The doctor runs, that’s what he does. But like it or not we are in a position right now where we need him. We need you to bring him back, by force if you have too, and we will make him stop running for once.”

“Shouldn’t the people know about this?” Asked the Scout?

“Consider your reaction to the news. Now think about that on a planet wide scale, if your people know the doctor ran there would be rioting in the streets.” Answered Ohila.

“ Only you, and a few other soldiers know, and they’ve promised to not breathe a word about this. So, can we count on you to bring the Doctor home?” Asked the General.

“I will do whatever it takes to make sure Gallifrey has the hero it deserves.” Said the scout proudly.

“Excellent, you should begin your search on Earth. Specifically London in 2016, that’s where the Doctor is known to spend most of his time. You’ll find some clothes in your TARDIS that will help you blend into the crowd.” The General explained.

“And one more thing.” Added Ohila “The Doctor can be a dangerous man when angered, and if you try to bring him back he will consider you an enemy. All the enemies of the Doctor fear him, even the Daleks. So, if you go down this road, tread lightly.”

The Scout was a bit shaken by the words of Ohila and her unflinching stare at him while she talked. The Scout saluted the General, which she returned, and made his way down to the TARDIS bay.

The TARDIS by went on for miles with rows of identical gray cylinders. Amists all of the gray TARDIS’s the Scout was still able to easily find his own from the faint hum it whispered into his, and only his, ear. Inside the Scout’s TARDIS among the white walls and bright fluorescent circular lights that made up the default setting on a TARDIS interior, the Scout found a large wooden box laying under the console. The Scout immediately went for the console wanting to take off as soon as possible and threw the bright red switch causing the TARDIS to begin flying through the skies of Gallifrey. Turning a few more dials and levers, the TARDIS was quickly away from Gallifrey and hurdling through a time tunnel. Setting the console into autopilot, the Scout decided to reactivate his usual chameleon circuit settings.

The outside of the TARDIS slowly changed from a gray cylinder to set of ornate double doors connected by a large brown door frame. The interior of the TARDIS began to spin and warp around the Scout until the familiar forties jazz club setting surrounded him. The Scout made the interior of his TARDIS a jazz club after a visit to Earth. The Scout loved the atmosphere, and the music that played in the smoke filled bar but couldn’t stay for too long. So, the Scout decided he would build his own club inside his TARDIS, complete with robot bartenders and singers that played all the hits.

Now that the settings for his TARDIS were complete the Scout decided to look in the wooden box. Inside the box where the clothes the General told him about and, happy with the selection of clothes the scout quickly changed out of his red uniform and into his new outfit. The Scout put on the long beige trench coat and tightened the red tie around his neck and was happy with what he saw in the mirror.

    The acrobats flip and fly over the heads of the crowd, the lion tamers defend themselves and the audience from the vicious animals, and then there's a clown wondering the front of the stands with a pocket full of deflated balloons. While the excitement of the circus moves on behind the clown, he inflates the balloons and with a few swift motions makes a dog. Even with the children laughing in appreciation the clown never truly smiled in return. Behind all the face paint and comically big shoes, the clown, was just a man with dreams, like any other man. Those particular dreams included being one of the main acts of the circus. 

   The pick went into the wall of ice with great force. Daniel pulled himself a little higher with the pick, moving slowly but with a fierce determination. Daniel and his companion Christopher had been on this climb for two days now, and the peak of the mountain was still nowhere in site.

   “ There’s a cliff up ahead. We can rest the for the night.” Christopher yelled down to Daniel through the roaring winds.

   Even when the two made it up to the cliff, there was no time to rest, as the two had to quickly set up their tent before the winds picked up even more. Luck shined upon them as they found a natural cave in the side of the mountain, Staying a cave was a luxury for the two as every night before now they’ve had to sleep in a small tent with the wind viciously beating against the fabric walls. Quick work was made of unpacking the supplies needed for the night; their hunger drove them to work faster so they could eat. When the camp was set up, the two sat between a large flashlight pointed up and the cave ceiling and began to eat their cold rations.

   “How much farther to the top?” asked Daniel breaking the silence.

   “At the pace, we’re going we have about a five-day climb ahead of us.” Replied Christopher placing a handful of snow into a tin cup waiting for it to melt.

   “That long huh?”

   “You didn't think this was going to be a simple hike, did you?” asked Christopher. “You said you wanted to challenge yourself.”

   “I know, I know.” Said Daniel avoiding eye contact with his companion. “I just wish we were there already.”

   “No one likes the work Dan, they just like the reward.”

   Daniel looked down at his frozen crackers. “How long would it take to get to base camp from here?”

   Christopher's fingers tightened into a fist. “Two days. If you wanna give up then go already, but I’ll tell you now, you’ll never forgive yourself!”

   “It’s easy for you! You're always so far ahead of me all the time that I’ll just fall too far behind anyway!”

   “Don’t focus on me, focus on yourself and your progress!”

   “And how am I supposed to do that?”

   Christopher stood, his shadow cast on the wall behind them towering over. “You just keep going up. You don’t stop and think about how tired you are, or how far ahead others are going, you just keep going up. Before you know it you’ll be standing at the top.”

   "Action!" Cries the director as the cameras stare at the lead actors. The Handsome lead of the film begins reciting his lines by memory while I pretend to have a conversation with someone I just met. The bar set that we are all standing on is convincing enough, but no matter how accurate the set looks the cameras staring at us is a reminder that none this is real. The lead actor's sidekick recites a joke, I immediately pretend to laugh in the background to punctuate a joke that I didn't hear. A third character passes by my table carrying a few beers, which in reality is just tea put in beer bottles. The main three actors sit center stage drinking away and going through the flow of the scene reciting their lines with perfect diction and timing.

" I do miss my dad sometimes." Says the lead actor. The scene has now taken a sad turn, the audience will feel sympathy with the lead actor when they remember their own losses. I see another extra walking by me, so I stand up and hug him, miming that we are old friends seeing each other for the first time in awhile. The extra has a moment of confusion but quickly catches on and plays along. The fellow extra sits down at the table with the third extra and me so we now mirror the three actors with actual lines in this scene.

While the main three actors have a melancholy air as the scene dictates, the three of us are miming a conversation to contrast the emotions of the main cast.

" Well, that's just the way life is sometimes." Says the sidekick, taking a swig of tea. I lean back in my wooden chair and take a drink myself.

"Cut!" Cries the director stepping down from his chair. The two Extras I was just having a nice fake conversation with instantly go to their phones, treating me like the stranger that I am. The director showers the three principal actors with praise and jokes with them while giving them tips on how to make the scene better as well as tips to just being better actors. I wait for my turn to come when the director tells me how great my artistic choices were and even though I have a nonspeaking role I contribute so much to the project. Of course, that praise never comes. To them, a mannequin could play me, and they wouldn't know the difference, but the truth is this production wouldn't be the same without me, Even if I'm the only one who thinks so. The director sits back in his chair, the actors return to their first marks, and I'm ready to make this scene great even if no one notices.

     On the night of my eighteenth birthday, I left home. Didn't even say goodbye, I knew mom wouldn't mind. I think she knew I would disappear one day. I left our little house in the woods with nothing but the clothes on my back, some food in my bag, and my walking shoes on my feet. It was especially dark that night, no stars out and the moon black in the sky. I didn't know where I was stepping or what my destination might be, and I didn't care.

           Walking was all I ever did. As soon as I was able to walk, I would walk from place to place, school, work, home. I took the same every day the same trees and bushes littered my path. The repetitious scenery wore on me until the images of those paths burned into my skull. All I wanted more than anything was to pull the trees out from the roots so that something would be different, that something would change.

           Nothing ever did change, though, even my shoes were the same. The shoes with the silver lighting bolt on the side, that was one constant I didn't mind. The shoes always fit ever since I was given them when I was a boy. I always placed them next to the front door every day, at the exact angle as always. It just felt right to do it that way. I felt that it was what the shoes wanted. I treated them well and in return, they stayed on my feet these long years.

           Even now as we walked this long dark unknown path, they held tight to my feet. But even my old traveling companions can't keep my feet from hurting after walking for so long. I sat on a large rock and stared deep within to that void of vines and trees so different to what I was used to. The trees and brush back home would line my path but would never dare touch the path itself. These trees, however, moved wherever they wished and seemed to hate me for being there as much as I hated the old trees for never changing. Deep down I knew I didn't belong, that I missed my bland but familiar path, and I missed my dull but stable routine, but I knew I couldn't return.