The first thing Falreath noticed was the cacophony of sounds. The birds chirped, the frogs croaked, and the bugs, well they made their calls. He opened his eyes to the green of the forest canopy and the scattered white and blue of the sky beyond. As he sat up, he scanned the area around him. There was little if anything at all that told of the fight that took place.

His gaze rested on his friend, who it seemed, was unharmed. “Did someone spike my drink?” He asked as he looked at his legs, at the lack of wounds.

“That’s a nice coat,” Eldridge said as he sat up. “When’d you get it?”

Falreath squinted his eyes for a second before he looked at the glossy brown trench coat that surrounded his body. It was unlike anything he’s seen, which was saying a lot. “I don’t know, won it in darts?” He questioned as he ran his fingers across it. It felt like a silky fur coat, yet it lacked any seams.

“Where’s the rats?” Eldridge asked as he stood, his hands also moved over his body. “Did I imagine the whole thing?”

“I told you,” Falreath said as he too stood. “You can’t hold your liquor. I had to come out here and help you. If you didn’t trip and knock us down, we wouldn’t have spent a night out here.” As it stood, Falreath was also questioning his night. He didn’t think he was that drunk, but from the way things looked he was clearly drugged.

“Oh,” Eldridge said as he continued to look around. “I will try to stay away from whisky then. Though I could’ve sworn we were attacked.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a rat or two during the night.” Falreath answered in an attempt to convince himself as much as Eldridge.

“You must be right,” Eldridge answered. “I’m not injured like I thought I was. I’m not even hungover.”

“Lucky you,” Falreath said sarcastically as he realized he was also only slightly sore. Putting that thought aside he tried to figure out where the bar might be from their current location. The forest canopy was too thick to get any real bearing on the sun or sky and every bit of foliage around him looked the same.

“I am getting hungry though,” Eldridge answered as he looked at the trees. “Well we best be getting back; I am sure that Hinklebottom is worried.” With that Eldridge took off up the small slope of the bowl.

“Wait,” Falreath started as his friend took off. “Do you even know where you’re going?”

“Of course, to the bar,” Eldridge answered as he disappeared behind a shrub.

Falreath had to bolt up the slope to catch his friend. If he was going to get himself lost, at least they could get lost together. A minute or so later and Falreath was able to see the bar beyond the forest. Clearly Eldridge had a better grip on their bearings then he did.

“Cee, Eldridge!” A voice yelled towards them.

Falreath turned to find Brock Evgenia, a regular at the nipple coming towards them.

“We seriously thought you two got yourself killed. Nick was closing when Hinklebottom mentioned you two hadn’t come to get him. Then Edgar said he saw Cee leave out the back door. Well we’ve been looking for you all night.”

“Sorry,” Eldridge answered. “We passed out in the forest.”

“We were afraid and hoped it was only something like that,” Brock answered. “Just glad to see you two alive.”

They can’t have tried that hard, we were like a hundred yards in, Falreath thought as he looked back towards where they came. Then again, he wasn’t sure where he had fallen for the night. “Well, we’re glad to be alive.”

“I will go let everyone know you're well,” Brock said as he turned and ran for the front.

“So, what’s your plan?” Eldridge questioned as they stepped out from under the forest canopy.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“I’m going to find out about this coat and see if I can’t get an ensemble to match.” Falreath laughed as he put his hands into the pockets. “Will probably have to have Daireann come in person for this.”

Falreath wasn’t sure his brain could do much else at this time. It still felt wary from the night prior.

“Oh, the life of the rich and famous.” Eldridge said with a shake of his head. “We can’t all summon a tailor on a whim.”

“Yeah, at least I’m enjoying my day off,” Falreath retorted. “What’s your plan? Sit in your house and mope over some papers?”

“No,” Eldridge replied quickly and with little confidence. “I guess I will probably have myself some breakfast and see what the day might bring.”

“So, more papers it is,” Falreath laughed. “You’re welcome to come and get a new wardrobe with me.”

“No, I think I will get back to carving that desk,.” Eldridge said a bit firmer. “I haven’t finished that project I started with my grandfather. Then again It will be harvest season soon.”

“It’s only mid-august, harvest is a good few months away.” Falreath corrected. “Come on, your wardrobe could use a once over.”

“It does sound fun,” Eldridge said. “But, I just want some time to think at the moment. Woodworking or gardening would give me some of that.”

“Take care of yourself all the same,” Falreath replied before he flung his hand into the air. “Hinklebottom!” The yell came out almost on reflex as he headed towards his driver.

***

Eldridge watched his friend go as he headed towards his slightly battered jeep. His thoughts in an endless loop of what little he remembered from last night. Rats surrounding, voices everywhere, and the headache that led him there in the first place.

He had to take Falreath at his word and account it to his drinking, yet something in him scoffed at that. It felt too real to be a false memory, but something like that couldn’t happen. There was no way.

His mind looped so much he didn’t even realize he had driven to his favorite coffee joint, Drips R Us. Though corny in name, it was one of the more famous local joints. He looked over his shoulder at the red and white building and let out a sigh. It would probably be good to get something inside him at the very least. His night though oddly restful did take a toll on him.

The first thing Eldridge noticed when he entered was the soft cacophony of noise. A few couples here and there were conversing over a nice cup of their favorite drink and form of breakfast. It felt off to him, as most of the time the crowd was in and out in a matter of moments. His eyes glanced over the crowd, mind still somewhat in the loop of last night. Though he noticed a few new faces, he wasn’t in the mood to retain any of the information. He wanted his cup and to leave.

It wasn’t until he was walking out and took his first sip of the warm beverage that he realized it was the weekend. And that was probably the reason for the odd feeling. He rarely stopped by the joint other than on his way towards or returning from work.

Soon, the loop of thoughts came back like an insistent itch that the caffeine did little to scratch. In his memory, he saw clearly the image of the rats glowing. “It had to be due to the full moon reflecting off their fur.” He mumbled to himself in explanation as he subconsciously turned a corner. “further intensified by my alcohol-addled mind.” Still the images persisted and came back through any crack they could. His explanations did little to quell their calling.

“I’m never touching whisky again,” He resolved as the voices, the conversation he heard came back to him. This one took a bit for him to rationalize away. He finally settled on it being due to his brain hearing so many conversations that they replayed constantly in his drunken state.

As he pulled into his driveway, his body went on edge as it sensed something was off. Soon his eyes fell upon his front door and saw someone standing on his porch. An instant later it relaxed as he realized it was his mailman. “Brandon!” Eldridge exclaimed as he stepped out of his vehicle. “What do we have today?”

“Just a package that requires a signature,” Brandon replied as he pointed to the large box set next to him upon his porch. Eldridge nodded and quickly made his way to the man. “You’ve got good timing as I was about to leave. Odd to see you out so early on a weekend though.”

“There was the charity golf event last night,” Eldridge replied as he tilted his head to look towards the package. “Ahh, my miter saw. Been wondering when that would get in.”

“So that was what it was,” Brandon said as Eldridge signed on the electronic pad. “We had some bets going at the post. I lost, thought it would be some fertilizer.”

“Nope,” Eldridge replied. “Have plenty of that to last me a few years, better luck next time.” He smiled as he handed the pad back to his not quite friend.

“So how did you do,” Brandon asked as he grabbed the pad. “Well I hope.”

Eldridge’s mind fumbled a bit before he finally realized what he was talking about. “Oh, umm, we took first, though that was mostly C’s fault.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen a sport that man can’t excel at.” Brandon replied. “Well, I’ve got to get to the rest of these.” He said as he turned and pointed to his bag.

“See ya, don’t work too hard. It is the weekend after all.” Eldridge said as he opened his front door. His mind wanted to go and lay down on his bed. He knew, however, that he wouldn’t be able to sleep. Instead he looked at the new saw and decided that he should try his hand at finishing that guest bed frame he’d been working on.