Emmett’s POV

“Prepare yourself Mega man, “ Tuesday screamed as he started firing. I ducked behind cover and tripped the alarm, which was a small radio that we had brought with us.

“I’ll never give up, you villain!” I screamed as I shot two of my darts at him, both of which missed, I looked down and noticed that I had two left and decided that now was the best time to escape. “Fall back men,” I said to my imaginary comrades and crawled to the back of my fort and through the chair legs that served as my secrete exist.

I quickly stood up and accidentally knocked over a box, its contents scattered to the floor giving away my position. I briefly glance down to see if I had broken anything and noticed a long rifle in the pile, it looked like something out of the revolutionary war.

“Give up now Mega man,” I heard from the side of me and quickly pointed my dart gun at Tuesday, I noticed that he was fully loaded and had better cover than me. “You have nowhere to run, just give up now and I’ll let you off easy,” I scrunched up my face at Death Bringer’s deal and remembered that last time he said he would let me off easy; I had to do his chores for a week.

“I’m not dead yet Death Bringer and while there is still life in my body I’ll never give up!” as I said this I fired last two shots and ran for cover behind the box I had knocked over. I looked at my empty dart gun and set it aside, it wouldn’t do any good now.

I bitterly wished that I had thought to bring the bombs with me. I heard Tuesday slowly approach and in the background I heard the sound of the radio playing. I grabbed the old rifle that I had knocked over earlier and pulled it close to me, it was really heavy.

I stood up once again and pointed it at Tuesday, “haha, I tricked you,” I bluffed, “I had a secret weapon all along and not even your indestructible armor is thick enough to stop the mega blasts that my gun shoots.” I recited with a proud and what I hoped to be a heroic voice.

“That’s not fair,” Tuesday whined, “I couldn’t find anything like that on my side.”

“I didn’t complain when you got a laser beam that could blow up the world,” I returned and I saw him pout a bit. “Give up now, or I’ll open fire,” I said, continuing the game.

“I don’t think your mega gun even works,” Tuesday countered resuming his villain character, “how do you know that I haven’t sabotaged your base and all of the weapons inside.” My evil nemesis took a step closer and raised his gun once more.

“I’m warning you, if you don’t give up now, when I win you’ll have to do my chores for a month,” I threatened; when Tuesday took another step I closed my eyes and pulled the trigger.

A loud bang stung my ears as I was knocked backwards by the force of the shot; screams erupted in the attic and in the background the distant sound of the radio could be heard.

-

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to rid my mind of my nightmare… my memories but I only manage to squeeze out tears.

I walk out into the rain and I run. I don’t stop until I legs are numb and my lungs are on fire. I double over and I want to scream but nothing comes out.

Once I catch my breath, finally take notice of my surroundings only to realize that I have no idea where I am. I almost laugh because this is just so fucking pathetic, but instead I just turn around and start the long journey back.

It takes me an more than two hours to get back; by the time I crawl into my bed I can barely keep my eyes open. I don’t even remember taking off my clothes.

I jolt awake to the sound of my alarm clock, the noise sets my nerves on edge and I immediately scan the room before laying my head back down on my pillow listening to the insistent alarm in the background. I don’t turn it off because that would require me to leave the warmth of my bed.

I hear a crash that stops my alarm and I glance up at a glaring Sam. He looks positively delightful. If my eyes weren’t heavy with the weight of sleep I would have smirked, or at least taken some satisfaction in Sam’s annoyance. As it is though, I simply let my eyes close once again and contemplate the process of getting up and how much I didn’t want to.

I’m almost asleep when I hear a yelp from the bathroom; I smile, apparently Sam had discovered the how quickly the water heats up.

I slowly drag myself out of my bed and get dressed for the day, I pull on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and over my t-shit I slip on a dark blue hoodie. If I looked in a mirror I'm sure I would see a very unremarkable person.

I am sitting at my desk, setting up my computer when Sam comes out of the shower. I don’t bother to look at him; I’ll try to be nice again later today… because no, that won’t make me look like a psychopath right?

I hear Sam quickly dressing behind me and I briefly wonder if he is going anywhere. I push this thought out of my head, where Sam goes is none of my business.

My computer is finally finished loading. I pull up TextPad and open my most recent project. I am currently designing a website for a small company. Its mindless work, but the bills need to be paid.

MIT gave me a full scholarship; more for my SAT score and GPA than anything else. I didn’t do extra curricular activities in high school and the amount of community service I did was limited to cleaning up after my dog Kujo when he took a dump in the park.

Although my scholarship pays for tuition, it does not cover housing or a meal plan. Which is why I started selling my soul…. I mean designing websites.

I look over my code briefly before picking up where I left off. I should be able to finish a draft today so I can submit it Monday morning. And with some luck I will finish the revisions by the end of the week.

I’ve made a significant dent in my work by the time I hear Sam reenter the room. From the sound of it, he brought company. I briefly glance at the pair as they enter the room; Sam is leading a tall girl with bright blue hair into the room, she has a small straight nose, light blue eyes, and a wide mouth that seems to smile easily. From the looks of it, Sam and his mystery girl are quite close.

I turn back to my computer and try to filter out their voices, which is more difficult than you can imagine. I’m about to pull out my Ipod when I hear my name; I look at Sam who gives a strained smile.

“This is Molly, Molly this is Emmett,” Sam mumbles as he walks over to his side of the room to look for something. Molly shakes my hand with a pleasant smile.

“Emmett… Kedfeller?” Molly questions and I instantly freeze.

“… do I know you,” I question in a quiet voice.

“You might not remember but I went to the same middle school as you and Tuesday…” Molly starts; I withdraw my hand and look down so Molly can’t see the panic in my eyes. “I had brown hair back then… I was in Mr. Morris’ class so we didn’t really get to see each other a lot.”

I’m sure if you look at my face now it is colorless. So much for a new chance, I offer Molly a weak pained smile.

“I knew I put it over here somewhere,” Sam calls from the other side of the room as he holds up his wallet victoriously. I could kiss him for interrupting this conversation. His timing is amazing. “Do you want to hit the road my dear,” Sam asks Molly in a sweet voice. I guess their dating.

“Why yes sweetie pie,” Molly sings, I cringe at the nickname and from the looks of it, so does Sam.

“Did you want to come Emmy, we’re going to grab some grub,” Sam asks me and I quickly decline, I need time to recover from the shock of having all of my hopes crushed.

“It was nice seeing you again Emmett, I’ll come by later so we can catch up on old times.” I feel like dying.

As soon as the door closes, I slump forward. I feel exhausted and it isn’t even noon yet. Maybe it was a mistake to come to MIT after all.

I look back at my computer screen but I merely sigh. I have lost all motivation to do …well anything.

I slide off my chair and grab my shower necessities: shampoo, soap, shaving cream, a razor and a towel. The rest I can grab later. I dump my razor and shaving cream unceremoniously on the counter before walking into the small bathroom and shutting the door behind me.

Sam forgot his boxers in the bathroom. They are sitting in the corner in all their dark green and blue glory. I really hope Sam isn’t that messy, even if it is stereotypically correct for guys.

Bending down, I set my toiletries on the edge of the bathtub and turn the shower on to let the water cool off before I take my clothes off. I test the water before adding a bit more cold water until I’m satisfied. With this done, I take a quick leak and hop in the shower.

I briefly wonder if Molly is going to tell Sam about Tuesday before shoving that topic out of my mind. What did it matter anyways; it isn’t as if Sam and I are friends.

Instead I try to think back to see if I can remember Molly. No matter how much I rake my memories, I can’t seem to place her. Maybe if I had a picture of her as a kid it would jog my memory. Whatever…

After my shower, I dry off and wrap my towel around my waist. I pick up my clothes from off the bathroom floor and throw them on my bed… there’s no sense in getting another outfit for the day. Moving back to the sink, which is just outside the bathroom, I begin to shave.

I hate shaving, mainly because I’m so God awful at it. Luckily I don’t have much facial hair…. actually I don’t have much body hair at all. Personally I prefer it this way; I’ve always been just a little disgusted by fuzzy man beasts who look like they have a carpet glued to their skin.

I manage to survive the experience with minimal damage, probably because there was only a patch or two of hair to begin with.... does that ever happen to you? I get patches of hair, which makes it difficult to grow … well anything, not that I ever tried of course…

I move towards my bed and pick up my discarded clothes and slip them over my frame. With a sigh, I decide that I’ve been avoiding my work long enough. I plop down in front of my computer for the second time this morning and reluctantly continue my work.

I sit for a minute or two and simply look at the computer screen that glares back dauntingly… I’m hungry fuck this…

Pushing my chair back I get up, put on my shoes and grab my wallet. Without further ado I walk out of my room and lock the door behind me.