Chapter Five
Nova and Rey stepped out of her car. The sleek black Genesis sedan reflected the lights of the Wal-Mart parking lot. They both wore leisurewear.
In a pony tail, Nova's long brunette hair ended near the middle of her back.
The store was busy for a Monday. People pushed their half empty carts around.
“You remember when we would could buy a whole buggy full of groceries for two hundred dollars.” Rey said.
“Yeah that’d be nice wouldn’t it.”
“We need to plant a garden.” He said
“It would have to be small. The only place we have to put one is in the back yard.”
“I know it. What’s the first thing on the list?”
Nova found the shopping list on her notes app.
“We can start in the back. We have to get Darbie food.” She said.
Rey had a weird feeling as he walked down the center isle. It was getting more pronounced the closer to the back they got.
“You da best. You know that?” Rey said.
“No you’re the best.”
After turning on main isle in the back of the store, Rey noticed the weird thing he was feeling started getting fainter.
What ever he was feeling was coming from something. Something in the back corner they had just walked past.
“Hang on babe. I’m gonna go look at the cookies real quick.” Rey said.
“Ok I’ll go get the dog food. Will you grab some chewy cookies and not the biggest ultra party size.”
“Yeah I’ll try.”
The big packs were the best. If it wasn’t super ultra family party size, Rey assumed it was personal size and ate the whole thing in one sitting.
Whatever that feeling was, was getting stronger again. Closing in on the cookie isle, Rey could almost guess the location of whatever it was.
Kind of like trying to locate where a smell was coming from, except without any smell, or like finding a faint noise without any sound.
He could feel it, whatever it was coming from the opposite end of the cookie isle.
Standing there at the other end of the isle was a young woman of about twenty five if Rey had to guess. With a younger boy. She wore sweats and had her long hair in braids.
Wearing a polo and khakis the boy looked like he’d just got done with his shift at the local bank.
The boy was staring directly at Rey when he turned onto the isle. The feeling was coming from that boy.
Rey wanted to investigate further, maybe talk to the boy just to make sure it was coming from him but a grown man walking up to a nine year old boy and saying “I feel something coming from you” could never be a good thing.
It would be best not to disturb the young duo. Rey’s curiosity would have to be unsatiated.
Just as Rey was leaving the isle, with a very large pack of cookies, that feeling spiked in intensity and he felt a gentle tap on his upper arm.
The boy stood very close as Rey turned to see who it was.
Rey didn’t expect this to happen, so he said the first thing that popped up.
“What’s up bud.” Rey said
“You’re a chosen too?” The boy asked.
“Chosen for what?” Rey asked confusion evident in his voice.
“You’re a deity’s champion.” The boy said, then pointed to the snake wrapped around Rey’s middle finger. “Just like me! See?”
Three parallel lines looked to be tattooed on the out stretched hand.
“What is that?” Rey asked looking at the mark.
“I’m sorry sir. Ever since we left the house it’s been gods this, deities that.” The young woman said. Rey didn’t notice her walk up to them.
“That’s ok. I’m pretty interested in gods myself.”
“We just bought him a new video game. I think that’s where it’s coming from.” She said.
“I imagine Rey has it to.” Nova said finally arriving on the cookie isle.
“Our name’s rhyme! My name is Bay!” The boy said excited.
“Nice to meet you Bay! I’m Rey!” He said holding his hand out for a shake.
Bay just looked at Rey’s hand not moving the slightest to shake it.
“He doesn’t like physical contact. It’s a trigger. I’m Sheera nice to meet you.” The young woman said shaking Rey’s hand.
“Hey nice to meet you I’m Nova” Nova said shaking Sheera’s hand after Rey.
“Bay is a nick name we gave him when he was around four. Beethoven’s music really helped center him, so we started calling him little Bay.” Sheera said.
“How long has he been interested in gods?” Rey asked bringing the topic back.
“Not even an hour, but”
Cutting Sheera off Bay said “Since the god of light chose me. He said I would be able to make illusions and light.”
Sheera looked at Bay with concern.
“This is the first time I’m hearing about this.” Sheera said
Stunned, Rey didn’t know what to say. He was lucky he had Nova there to save him from awkwardly staring at the boy.
“Sometimes it would be nice to have the imaginations we had back when we was kids.” Nova said.
“He met one too.” Bay said.
Rey was back in the hot seat. What does he say to that.
If this boy had the same experience as him, maybe he wasn’t going crazy. That also meant they were both champions preparing to fight in a war. What asshole god picked a child to be involved in this mess.
Rey needed to stay in contact with them. He couldn’t leave this boy alone in a world that had been transformed into war zone.
How could he contact him without seeming like some creeper.
Ask for a phone number? No, thats creepy. Address? That’s worse.
“What’s this game your sister” Rey looked at Sheera to see if she affirmed his suspicion and she nodded. “Sister. Is talking about you playing?”
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“The Land: Online” Bay said.
“Awesome! I got it as soon as it came out.” Rey said excited.
If all this war stuff was real he would help Bay. If it wasn’t he would assist him on raids.
“I’m an elf fighter…” Bay said and they started talking about the pros and cons of the RPG game.
Bay knew alot about the game, way more than Rey, he knew the best character builds, the lore, and even knew details about the developers.
Nova and Sheera just listened to the two boys talk passionately about there video games.
“He’s very smart for his age.” Nova said.
“He’s has an eidetic memory. Many things come natural to him, but reading social queues is hard. That makes it awkward for him to find friends.”
Rey and Bay exchanged gamer tags.
“I’ll send you a request when I get back home.” Rey said.
“It was nice meeting y’all.” Nova said to Sheera.
“Yeah. Y’all too.” Sheera said smiling as Rey and Nova walked away.
Rey and Nova finished their shopping trip.
“Paul just text and said he’s having a crawfish boil this weekend.” Nova said while Rey was loading the groceries into the back of her car.
“Hell yeah. It’s a good time too. I think crawfish is just starting to come down.” He said
Rey was excited about the crawfish boil. All the friends would get together, eat, and drink.
“It says the weather is going to be nice to, mostly sunny and eighty.” Nova said looking at the weather app.
A plan had started to form in Rey’s mind. If he got another visit from Leeb tomorrow then he would start preparing.
Arriving at home Nova and Rey unloaded their haw from the store.
“You wanna cook or you want me to cook?” Rey asked.
“It don’t matter it’s kinda late want to do something easy?” Nova said
“Yeah how bout the Salisbury steaks?”
“Yeah that sounds good. You want fries or chips?” Nova asked
“Fries for sure.”
“Sounds good to me then.”
Rey put the frozen pack of mystery meat in the microwave.
“Hey babe will you get the fries started please?” Rey said
“Yeah I reckon.” Nova said with mock reluctance
Nova covered the cooking sheet in fries and put them into the oven.
“I stopped the microwave.” Nova said.
“Why?” Rey asked.
“Because they would be cold by the time the fries got done cooking.”
“Oh. Yeah you’re right.”
“You ok Rey?”
“Yeah I’m ok. Just a little tired.” Rey tried to convince her.
“You have been acting a little funny. Is it because you hit your head? You need to go to the doctor?”
She was worried about Rey, but if he said he was ok, then she would believe him.
“And you actually talked to strangers for more than a sentence or two.” She continued.
“Bay came and tapped on my arm. Was I supposed to ignore him?”
“No. You know that’s not what I meant. Normally you would try to escape situations like that as fast as possible.”
“Yeah I know it. Maybe you and Connor are rubbing off on me.”
Connor was an old friend with the gift of gab. He could talk a fence post into submission.
“I doubt after more than a decade you finally like talking.”
He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a pack on the lips.
“I’m fine babe. I promise” He said trying to reassure her.
“Ok if you say so.” She said
The oven timer sounded and he reached to pull the fries out.
“Ow! Shit! Idiot!” Rey forgot to get an oven mitt.
“Hey the oven’s hot” She said smiling.
“Yeah gonna be dumb gotta be tough.” He said pulling the fries out with a mitt this time.
He started the microwave and noticed Nova heading to the back of the house for something, so he decided to try and mark the plates he had sat out for their supper.
It worked. With just a thought, he felt something flow from him. A little snake, like the one on his finger, appeared on the plate.
He loaded the plates with food, took them to the dining table, and sat.
Nova walked through the kitchen to get to the laundry room.
"Hey you forgot to cut the oven off." She said.
Rey just sat at the dining table, fork in hand, and pushed his food around.
She couldn’t see the snake ring, so Rey assumed she couldn’t see the mark either. He was covering and uncovering the mark on the plate with food.
"You wasn't going to tell me the food was done?" She said
Rey didn't seem to notice her.
"Rey! What’s got you thinking so hard"
Sometimes when Rey was thinking about something it was like he went into a hole in his own mind. His entire thought process captured by one thing. Over the many years together Nova was used to him ignoring her. He wasn’t doing it on purpose. She just had to reach in a drag him out of his hole to get a response.
"Sorry babe I was thinking about Clyde’s bush hog." He lied.
"You forgot to turn off the oven." She said.
"Sorry"
"Is your hand ok?”
"Yeah I'm fine. I think it just scared me more than anything."
"Want mama to kiss the sweet baby’s bobo?” She said joking.
“I’m a real man!” Rey said with the same energy.
As soon as Rey took the first bite of his food he had a weird feeling. Standing from his chair trying not to overreact he walked to the TV and turned it on.
"What you want to watch?" He asked.
"It don't matter."
He scrolled and landed on a survival show. The show seemed appropriate. Maybe Rey could get some tips.
Rey headed toward the bathroom.
"Where are you going now?" She asked.
"I gotta pee." Rey said in a hurry to the bathroom, but he didn't need to pee.
He stood in front of the mirror with his mouth open wide looking at his teeth. They had never been great. He never had braces, but his teeth were straight.
His back teeth wasn't in the best of shape though. He tried so hard with the brushing and flossing but nothing ever did the trick. He couldn't keep the cavities away. There were a couple empty spaces in the back of his mouth, a few crowns, and a bunch of fillings.
His mouth was now full of perfect white teeth.
Rey had a way of proving to himself he wasn't crazy. If Nova looked into his mouth and saw the same thing that would mean he wasn't crazy.
He sat back down at the dining table and started eating again.
"Hey babe. What would you do if you thought I was going crazy?" He asked
"I think you're already crazy, so I wouldn't change a thing." Nova said with a smile and a little gravy on the corner of her mouth.
He wiped the gravy off. "You know what I mean. Like legit crazy."
"Depends I guess. Are you seeing shit, putting ten foil on the windows and claiming the mole people are coming for you?"
"Uhh let’s say seeing shit with heavy serving of the apocalypse is coming, but still acting rationally." He said. They had conversations like this many times.
"I guess we would just talk about it and depending on whether we think you’re dangerous to yourself or others. Might put you in the crazy house or see a psychiatrist."
"Yeah that’s fair."
Rey got up from the table, took his plate to the sink, and decided he had to look one more time before he said anything.
"You peeing again? I don't know anybody that pees as much as you." Nova said
"That's cuz you don't know any other hydrated people!"
Rey actually had to pee this time though.
After finishing his business, he stood in front of the mirror looking at his teeth again. They still looked the same as earlier, perfect. Brushing his teeth was a good idea. He didn't want to blow gravy breath all over Nova.
"Hey babe. Come here real quick!" Rey yelled to get Nova's attention.
Nova was just outside the bathroom now.
"Look at this for me please." Rey opened wide and gestured for Nova to look into his mouth.
"What am I looking for?" Nova asked.
"Hang out one sec I'll be right back."
Rey ran down the hallway into the kitchen to get his handy dandy flashlight. Streamlight had the best idea for a flashlight when they came out with the stylus pro flashlight. He never went any where without it.
Arriving back in the room he handed the flashlight to Nova.
"Look." Rey said handing her the flashlight.
Nova shined the flashlight into Rey's mouth. "What am I looking for?"
Rey closed his mouth and looked at her.
"How does my teeth look?"
"Uhh they look good." Nova drug out the last word. "Open back up. Let me see again".
She started looking through his mouth again. "Did you go to the dentist and not tell me?"
"No nothing like that. Come here I want to see something." Rey said as he motioned her to follow.
As they walked into the kitchen Rey pointed at the mark on the plate.
"Can you see that?" He asked.
"Yes I can see the plate." She said clearly confused.
"You remember when I asked what you would do if I thought I may be going crazy?"
"That was like 5 seconds ago."
"Ok.. Umm I think I'm going crazy." He paused. “I hope I’m going crazy.”
"Why do you hope you're going crazy?"
"Well.. You see."
He told her the whole story. Including the real reason he talked to Bay and Sheera.
"Hmm.. ok. What do you want to do about it?" She asked.
"I kinda figured I'd wait and see if there are any other signs that I'm not crazy." Rey said.
He was tired now that he had to tell such a long story.
"Rey if you start having irrational paranoia you’re going to see the doctor immediately."
“I agree baby.”
They sat down on the couch and looked at the TV. Neither of them really interested in the survival show.
Now worried about her husband and their life together Nova sat on the couch beside Rey. They watched TV together till it was time to go to bed. Forcing Rey to do anything never crossed her mind. She wouldn't do that to him unless it was for his own well being. It always aggravated the two when they would watch a movie or TV show and the husband or wife wouldn't give the other the benefit of the doubt.
Rey tossed and turned as he started to wake up the next morning. It was the best night of sleep he could remember.
They didn't go to bed early and Rey would always get up after Nova had left for work. He enjoyed sleeping as late as possible. It was normal for him to sleep nine hours a night.
Rey’s brain didn’t operate at full capacity until he had his coffee, so he didn’t notice it was still dark outside until he had already started the brew. It felt like he had slept the normal amount.
The clock read three AM. That was five hours earlier than his normal nights sleep. Clacking coming from the hallway told Rey that Darbie had woke up.
“Awe did I wake the baby up?” Rey said to Darbie as she slowly walked up to him.
“Damn Rey you know what time it is?” Nova asked from the opposite side of the room.
She was wearing a small white tank top and pink satin sleeping shorts. Her hair was in a messed up bun.
Appreciating the sight, Rey walked up to her.
“You so pretty.” Rey said smiling down at her.
“You coming back to bed?”
“No I slept great!”
“Its three AM Rey”
“I know its weird”
“I love you. I’m going back to bed.”
“Love you too”
Rey had a busy day ahead of him. He would find out if he was crazy or start preparing for the end of the world, but first he would have to go fix Clyde’s shit.