I was divided. I closed my eyes to reach for some kind of inner strength. Come on, Tetsuo. All I had to do was go up to the door and knock. Jaynee would do the rest. A sigh escaped me instead. This was what I got for offering to help when I didn't mean it. I’d rather be home reading through my ever growing pile of to-be-read books. Let me be lost in the pages of a romantic fantasy! Or be on an action adventure to lands I could never dream of. Instead, my obligations laid with one of my best friends and moving her boyfriend into her place.

How could you do this to me, past Tetsuo?

I looked down to my clammy hands. Great. The couch will surely slip from my grip and onto Georgie's toes. He'll end up hating my guts, and I'll be uninvited from their lives. There went my chance of being the godfather to their possible future children. The impression of Vito Corleone I've worked so tirelessly on was wasted. I folded my arms. I’d look bad with a mustache anyway.

No. Jaynee wouldn’t date someone like that. At least I hoped not. She never introduced me to her boyfriends until bigger happenings like, well, moving in. Technically, Jaynee did try to introduce us a few weeks ago. But with the Pumpkin Fest coming up, I had to work overtime at the café. I felt so guilty saying no, I ended up saying yes to helping with the move.

"Tetsuo!"

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I turned around to Jaynee with a breathless, “What?”

"Let's go."

She then started down the sidewalk. Her goth attire was light today, most likely in anticipation for the move. However, her eyeliner was perfect, as per usual, and a dark reddish shadow was dusted on her eyes. A similar shade was painted on her lips.

A frown weighed heavy on my face as I noticed she was relying on her cane more than usual. Surely the move could be put on hold until her bad leg wasn't bothering her.

Wait.

I looked back to the townhouse then again to Jaynee. Where was she going? 

"Where are you going?"

"We," she emphasized, "are going to get lunch."

I flung my arms dramatically to the location in which we needed to be in order to move things from one place to another. However, I knew whatever I was going to say would be in vain. When Jaynee had her mind set on something, that was all she was going to do, leg or not. I wish it was that simple for me.

Did I take my ADHD meds today?

"We should hurry on—"

I interrupted the unfamiliar voice with an, “AHHH!” My arms went up in defense, though I was quick to notice I wasn’t in any actual danger. Nonetheless, a small, silver shield deployed from one of my hands. It couldn’t actually protect me from anything being the size of a jumbo fly swatter, but this was the first my magical instincts ever kicked in. Magic was never easy for me. It always took me forever to accumulate the energy before I could cast any spell. Even when I was in danger, like the car accident that ended with Jaynee’s bad leg, I couldn’t do anything…

"Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare ya."

I finally looked over to whom I assumed was the strikingly bleached blonde Georgie. Luckily for me, Jaynee said he was a vampire like her. He wouldn’t be able to see how lacking the shield was. As quickly as I could, I waved it away, acting like I was being dismissive. 

I tried to salvage the situation with an apology, but all that came out was, "It’s you... No, I mean... I…" I grimaced at my struggle to simply speak.

"Same," Georgie replied. He offered a smile. It was difficult to return one after having embarrassed myself.

He's not her usual type, besides his big framed glasses. Georgie here was on the bigger side. Not that there’s anything is wrong with that. It was just a bit shocking considering she liked the tall, skinny type that wore all black. Georgie looked like he walked out of a 90s sitcom with his block-colored sweatshirt, cargo pants and… Are those crocs?

"We should hurry on over before Jaynee leaves us behind."

My shoulders dropped. A glance over revealed she nearly had despite her limp. I didn't want my words to fail me again, so I simply nodded.

Georgie hurried to Jaynee's side and offered his arm. She gave a pout, as she always did when anyone attempted to help. Still, she took her boyfriend's arm with a soft, "Thank you."

We continued forward, carefully navigating the crowded sidewalk. There were more people out as everyone prepared for the annual autumn celebration next week. Calabaza was best known for the Pumpkin Fest. Although, our town had more to offer. Take the Villa Family Restaurant, for instance. They mixed squash into local cuisine this time of year. It was a big hit for everyone. The butternut squash biscuits and mushroom gravy was my favorite.

There's also Fernando's orchard. His sales on apple butter and cider did well in the Tri-state area. However, the apple picking did the best. It was the only orchid around, unless you wanted to drive a few hours into Ohio.

The last big business here was Vaughan Glass. They had their fall-themed ornaments out in the gift shop, which people from out of town took home as souvenirs. I've heard their tours and classes were very entertaining too.

All of these companies were owned or previously owned by retired witches of the Archive, the most powerful organization of magic users in all known dimensions. (Say that ten times fast.) I always joked with Papa that they put some sort of spell on the town to attract customers. He laughed and said there's no such thing.

I didn't believe him until recently. I turned to look down Main Street. There stood Twin Star Café and Salon. Mama and I opened them together, going through with the plan despite Papa's passing. It helped us focus on anything but the grief. To my surprise, we've been well received. I never would have believed the amount of people that needed an iced coffee while getting their hair done. Of course, the businesses are separated. Wouldn't want any hair products getting into anything. Uhg! Coffee sounds so good right now.

"Tetsuo!"

Hearing that tone of voice coming from Jaynee was never a good omen. How long have I been dazed out?

I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts as my waist was grabbed. I stumbled back into whoever had me. 

Where I previously stood was a ghostly figure left behind. It was severely slouched over, but I guessed that its height would be about equal to the pedestrian crosswalk light at full height. Its movements were like a robot whose batteries were dying. Even the body of the creature didn't seem to know where to stay in place, as what I believed was its skeleton would fade in and out.

"Finally," it said.

It quickly turned its gaze at me with its hollowed out eyes. A grin dripping with something like ink. The drool hit the concrete with a sizzle, burning a hole into the newly paved sidewalk. I regret wanting to go on an adventure today. Take it back, Universe. Take it back!

The shadow lunged at me. I let out a scream and started flinging around in panic. My arms went in any which way to protect myself.

"Together," it whispered. A gust of wind rushed loudly past my ears.

Then, there was silence.

I looked around frantically. Everything had returned to normal. It was gone. 

I glared at my hands with disgust. Of course, in my time of need, I once again fell short. Where were you, tiny shield? You could have gotten participation points for showing up.

I finally took in my surroundings. We were on the corner of 60 and Main. I turned to where the shadow appeared. The sounds of the walking sign rapidly clicking made me jump, but in spite of this, there was no creature. I glanced down to the acid burnt holes. Surely they would be there. But no. There was no trace of the shade anywhere.

"Remington! Are you okay?" Jaynee called out.

Is Remington okay? What about the guy that got attacked by some weird shadow thing?

Wait…

Remiwhomst?

"I'm alright," the mistaken Georgie replied.

They sat behind me on the ground. I must have accidentally pushed them back. I attempted to give an apologetic smile, but I started thinking too hard about it. I don't know what my face twisted into.

"You're not Georgie but Remington?"

They stood with a grunt. "That's me. I’m the roommate. Or well, not here soon."

"Ah, I see. Now that that's cleared up…" I gestured toward the corner. "What in the tom foolery was that?!"

Their expression dropped so suddenly, I took a step back to prepare for whatever was coming next. What I didn’t expect was Jaynee appearing to smack my arm. "Ow!"

"What in the hell is wrong with you? Remington saves you from going head first into traffic, and you yell at them?"

"Did you not see the creepy..." I stopped for a moment, grunting while searching for the correct word for the weird, mystic looking shadow ghost. Yet, words had failed me once again. "...THING!"

Now both Jaynee and Remington shared the same, unimpressed look.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're goin' on about," Remington said in a monotone voice.

Jaynee shook her head. "Don't take offense to him. This happens more than you think."

"What do you mean?! No it doesn't!" I exclaimed.

“Let’s go before the food gets cold.” Jaynee ignored me and once again started walking away. She reminded me of a cup of London fog with a lipstick stain on the rim. Sure, it was an artistic aesthetic, but the drink took forever to make perfectly. By then, the customer became impatient while I'm already anxious from trying to make the drink have just enough vanilla... It was a real pain in the ass.

"You good?" Remington asked.

I crossed my arms and asked, "You really didn't see anything?"

They shook their head in response. “I only saw ya flingin’ around like you had a spider on ya or somethin'.”

Great, so I was losing it. I knew my imagination was big, but there was wind as the shadow passed. I couldn’t have made that up, right? Then again, the acid holes were gone.

I gestured  in Jaynee's direction in defeat. This was a future Tetsuo problem. "Let's catch up to her again, shall we?"

Remington nodded. They hurried to Jaynee’s side once more. However, I couldn’t help but hesitate. I took one last glance around for monsters. Once I knew the coast was clear, I followed behind.