Above Average 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2003 The Gospel of Mackenzie, Book I For the Highest Ideal August 17th, 1997 The corner house on Gospel Drive is immersed in brilliance. An illuminating flash, as intense as a supernova. The light, it’s too bright for words to describe. The street beyond the now curtain-less window is surprisingly quite, but without the normal hustle and bustle of the city, it seems, to him at least… odd. Philadelphia, this is not. Although, technically it is… “Wake up. You’ve gotta’ take out the trash, before we go.” A deep voice, filled with a hint of annoyance breaks through the haze of sleepy, muddled thoughts. He just rolls back the other way, pulling the light blue covers closer to his chin. A mumbled phrase is inaudibly parroted raising the ire of this other person. “Come on, I let you sleep the latest I possibly could. If we’re late for work again…” Another incoherent comment comes forth. “Look I have to drive us, and I swear, if you don’t learn some… yea, that’s fine, just wait.” Any normal day he’d be up by now, but damnit, being tired is no fun. Some people just aren’t morning people—a cold rush, a new sensation, a lack of sheets… AND bed, perhaps? *Thump!* “Aaaaaah! Shit!” He declares from the floor, half-tangled in linen sheets. “What’d you do that for?!” He exclaims before saying, in a noticeably lower tone of voice, “…bitch…” “We’re gonna’ be late… again.” “It’s not even like this is a real summer job! We’re camp counselors…” “Just get ready.” Time passes oddly when thoughts are muddled, but as the water cascades over his back, he shakes awake, shivering from the drastic change. COLD. A cold shower, never has there been a better cure for a case of the mid week blues, or a sleepy kid. From the corner of Gospel Drive, a window on the second floor gives a great view of the streets intersection. The city skyline on the horizon, a wooded area in the forefront, with a few people walking dogs, while some children play. A distinct change of pace from the steel and cement structures of the metropolis. Cumulus and stratus pass overhead… it looks like rain, he muses, now dressed and ready to go. “We’re late… damnit, you’ve really been a pain in the ass today. Maybe you’ll understand the concept of time once you grow up.” The question is rhetorical, but it gets answered anyway. “Since you understand ‘time’, are you grown up?” He mumbles. “You sure act like you know everything…” “That’s because I do.” His mouth curls up in a smirk at the comment. “Nah, seriously though, I don’t know it all and doubt I ever will, but I can say for sure I’m not grown. See, everybody associates being eighteen with coming of age—not me though. It’s odd, you’re officially old enough to buy cigarettes and porn—don’t look at me that way, yeah, porn, at eighteen, so you should be ‘grown up’ at that age, but I never saw it that way.” Some Light-hearted laughter escapes… “So what way do you see it?” “You have any thoughts, on that?” “If you’re not counting eighteen…” A light drizzle starts outside, wetting the road, but ending just as quickly. “Everyone I know can’t wait to be twenty-one. Yo, legal drinking, going out as late as you like… no curfews. Who wouldn’t want that…?” Though it’s morning the lights slowly fading… “See, I don’t agree with that either. Sure at twenty-one you get a hell of a lot of freedom, but—” He takes a deliberate pause. “Now twenty, that’s an interesting age, if you really think about it—give it a try.” He looks at the younger boy, who turns to the window and brings his hand to his chin. He’s really thinking about this one. “I’ve met people who were convinced that being twenty is absolutely useless in the grand scheme of things. They say nothing changes… but, in reality, one of the most important issues in your life gets resolved at twenty Mackenzie… “It’s Mak,” He, of all people should know he hates being called that, he came up with— *Beeeeeeeeep—CRAAAAAAAASH!* A sharp sound jars him, and he can’t help but cringe, still staring out the window. ‘I better go check and make sure everyone’s alright’ he hears, and a few people outside look at the accident, but all he can do is stare out the window. ‘Lucky it’s just a minor fender-bender’ is stated by someone, who, he doesn’t know. He’s perturbed, because everyone knows that corner is an accident waiting to happen and no-one has done anything to fix it. Heavy clouds cover the sun. Rain begins to fall, once again. There’s no light through the window. Suddenly, Gospel Drive is dark. *** …They can’t call you a teenager anymore.” “Hey Mak? Mak?” A voice rings out in the bowels of the Rupp Arena. “Why are you zoning out, mumbling stuff? You just broke Flesher’s reign with the ICTV title! That calls for celebration!” CIA looks at his tag partners’ blank expression. “Does King still have you down on yourself? Are you still worried about Sacred?” He looks at him again. “…Is there something else?” “Nah, nothing else.” He sighs, watching the rain sprinkle the pavement outside. “Just Sacred.” “Everything’s so confusing.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crowe 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Ooooooooooer. This is going to lead to something very cool. I can just feel it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Secret Agent 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 ... and the plot thickens!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
