Fantasy Welcome to the Big Apple

[MrBrown]

The icy grey sky restlessly grumbled. The thick blackened clouds were dragged down by the heavy rain which it held in its delicate frame. The clouds which struggled to withstand the burden of the weight which the rain held, soon gave in. The rain poured down over the city with a roar. The sound of emptiness was disrupted by the loud gregarious boom of thunder.

The cold icy rain pierced their wet skin as two figures walked the emptying streets, their path precise as they took turn after turn, sure of the direction they were heading. In the distance, they could see the great buildings that made up the campus. Somehow, this sight only made the two hasten their steps...


The break room, unlike what was usual, was all but empty. Only a couple of students remained this late, for one reason or another. Finals season was still a few weeks away but studying wasn't everything students did in these rooms. There were two vending machines to the corner, one always seemed to eat the money inserted and that explained the dents to its side. More to the center were the large circular tables, each with eight chairs around them. The room itself wasn't that big and those tables almost took the entire space.

However, somehow, the student's association had managed to squeeze a foosball machine in, placing it opposite to the two vending machines. There was only one door, often left opened and the wall opposite to it was made entirely of glass, clearly a large window to give the students or people in the room a view of the outside. The view wasn't that bad, on a good day, as it had direct sight to the campus park with lots of trees, benches and even a fountain. On a clear day one could see all the way to the campus' entrance. Today wasn't the case.

The heavy rain fell and hit the window making a calming and soothing environment. One of the students inside was Rachel Sutton and she was the school's leading cheerleader. "Oh come on!" She shouted, banging her fists on the vending machine. "This stupid thing never works!" Another fist followed against the machine. Rachel was a tall woman, great figure as it was expected of a cheerleader, but she wasn't the smartest. She was 25 and had entered college when she was 18 like most people do. However, what was supposed to be a three-year major had now been extended to seven years and, if her recent grades were anything to go by, Rachel wouldn't be leaving college so soon.

Regardless of that, and regardless of one's opinion over Rachel there was no denying she was an attractive woman. Long brown hair fell past her shoulder, curling slightly. Perfect cheekbones and nose framed her face, accompanied by a pair of clear green eyes. Her figure was stereotypical for a cheerleader. Everyone knew who she was, she had led the cheerleading team to victory five years in a row, after all, but most didn't like her. Rachel wasn't just the typical cheerleader in appearance but behavior as well. Born to rich parents she was as arrogant and unpleasant as it was possible, often making dramas where none were needed.

Besides Rachel, Ivy, Elowen and Rael were also in the break room, each for their own reason.

Yum3ko
ItsKenAgain
laark

 

[laark]

The resonating bellow of thunder rumbled lowly, fueling the young man's despondent inertia as he absentmindedly played with the pen between his rangy fingers, dark gaze focused blankly on the obviously hastily scribbled notes on the surface in front of him. The ceaseless, violent beat of the rain seemed to produce a melancholic, almost drowsy sentiment for the man. Through his fog, the sound of another pissed off, unfortunate victim of the break room's infamous vending machine rung out through the quiet, almost forlorn room. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence, and provided nothing but a grim amusement for the young man. He had been accepted into college two years prior to now when he had been 19, and having been unaccustomed to everything still, had found out about the machine the hard way. If he were to look closely, he could probably pick out the dent he had caused in his habitual expeditious temper. Striving towards his MPhil, Rael still had another year to spend in his college before he was free of his course-- which he had taken in the first place in hope of finding something right for him. Even in these past two years, the man felt like a ship without an anchor-- drifting really without a decipherable purpose.

The man's narrowed gaze subconsciously slid towards the scene at the machine, spark of recognition igniting vaguely behind his eyes. Even for an aloof, uncharitable man such as himself, it was impossible to not recognize more of the popular individuals on campus-- though it wasn't a fond recognition. Unmasked distaste flickered across his features as he directed his attention back to his notes. Rael's sociability was absent, he knew hat much; but for him, it wasn't an unfortunate thing. He had no desire to communicate with people— peers and so-called acquaintances far from excluded. His naturally decisive attitude readily excluded more people than not from his unconscious list of intolerable people. Whenever he was obligated to speak with people for one reason or another, his blunt tendencies and sharp tongue got in the way of ever being on the same page with anyone other than himself.

Rael finally set his pen down, leaning back in his seat as his gaze was idly lead to the dark, desolate campus exhibited through the incredibly large window on the other side of the room, dark eyebrows lowering as another crack of thunder pulsated through the sky. His fingers leisurely tapped on the table's surface with the rhythm of the rushing notes of the rain as it relentlessly came down. The young man was oblivious as to why, but his chest seemed to weigh down on him, the storm almost putting him in a trance as an unjustifiable surge of unease spread throughout his body and down to his very core.

 

[Yum3ko]

Only muttering was heard as she constantly fell in and out of a day dream like state, reminding herself that others were around. Her paen moved effortlessly across the page, filing line after line. The soothing sound of the rain tapping against the window seemed to comfort her but yet again she was drawn from her almost day dream like state by the sound of another victim to the vending machine that always stole your money. It always seemed to be a repetitive occurrence every time she found herself in the small, cramped room. Her eyes drifted towards the vending machine itself, she herself hasn't fallen victim to such object. One of the reasons being not only the fact that she knew it always stole her money but also that she had a particular disliking to junk food and much preferred fresher, more healthier foods. An amused look swirled around in her eyes as the woman slammed her fist into the side not once, but twice with rage. No matter how many times she watched people stupidly waste their money she always found it amusing on how they'd go back most likely with hope in their head, that maybe, just maybe, it was going to work today but it was always crushed.

Her eyes moved to the popular cheerleader letting out her frustration, "you shouldn't have volunteered to give your money away to vending machine then." She commented wrapping her pale hand around the plastic coffee mug with no lid in front of her as she took a sip of the tea from in it.

"Only an idiot would be foolish enough to give their money to a vending machine that clearly doesn't work." She added, placing the mug back down and continuing to fill her page with notes. She rolled her eyes, irritated at his dumb she was. She may not be very popular but it would make her an idiot to not know the cheerleader who never seemed to graduate.

 

[MrBrown]

ItsKenAgain

 

[ItsKenAgain]

Typically, a stormy night like this would be of no major inconvenience to Elowen. However, the rain which came down tonight became a little too comfortable invading her living space by way of a leaking window. Being evicted for the time being as campus maintenance fixed the problem, she looked for somewhere to continue her reading. Usually the student union would be her first option, but being this late into the evening, it wouldn't be open. The student break room near her dorm wasn't the most appealing place, being kind of stuffy in her opinion, but it was reliable enough to settle in for the time being.

Elowen slipped in quietly, and found a seat at one of the round tables, leaving space between her and any others in the room already. For such a small room, this late at night, she didn't expect any people to be there, however the rain seemed to draw more people out of their rooms than usual. She let her long, light hair fall over her face as she propped her head on her elbow, cracking open the book of poetry she was reading for English Comp 2. Many people groaned about this assignment, but Elowen was glad to have something to do other than write an essay.

As she was getting into her reading again she noticed a familiar face, Rachel Sutton, a notoriously bad student but a great cheerleader, getting cheated by the worst vending machine on the entire campus. Having been at this school as long as she had, it seemed she would've known not to trust this one with her money, but sometimes our hopes get the better of us. A girl with dark hair that Elowen didn't recognize started to chastise Rachel for letting the machine rob her. Her words were blunt and unashamed, but she carried on calmly like it wasn't out of the ordinary for her to speak that way. Perhaps they were friends and this was just how they spoke to each other?

Elowen pursed her lips, her face growing warm. She knew Rachel had a reputation following her, and there were many who didn't like her, but she'd never even met her before and could never help but give everyone the benefit of the doubt. She dug around in the pocket of her long cardigan and then looked up, tucking her hair behind her ear as she did. Unable to keep from her caring tendencies, she fought her shyness and spoke up, albeit a little unsure of herself.

"I, uh, brought some almonds from my dorm room if you want some..." She offered to Rachel, holding the small package up.

 

[MrBrown]

Although none could see it Rachel's eyebrows twitched at the words directed at her. She had taken a look around the room on her way in and neither of it occupants rang a bell inside her mind which probably meant they weren't known around campus. At least not like she was at least. A diva-like smirk found its way to her lips as she thought about her status. Even someone as dumb, or not so bright, as Rachel knew how popular she was. And boy did she knew it which only made her general attitude more annoying.

The cheerleader turned to face the first speaker, her smirk gone, replaced by an irritated expression. If the reason behind it was the machine or the girl's words no one could tell. However, just by looking at Rachel's features and body language one would be able to tell drama, or some sort of remark was coming, the cheerleader never missed an opportunity for that after all. "Did I ask you anything? Why don't you mind your own business?" If either one of the other three occupants still hadn't noticed how bratty and spoiled Rachel's voice now there would be no doubts about it. "Leave the important people to their business and focus on your sad, nerd one will you?" Only someone of Rachel's status would connect reading or study with being a nerd...

In the midsts of her small drama, she almost didn't notice the offered snacks from the other girl in the room. Her face cringed, almost like she had been shown some disgusting picture. "Almonds? What kind of food do you think I eat? Just stay out of this." Rachel's force was starting to get louder and, somehow, more arrogant and annoying.


Mr. Lewis hated the night shift... He had been working as campus security for ten years now, forced out of the police force due to a bad injury on his knee and had been lucky enough to find this job. Over those years he had seen a lot: from raging parties to peaceful protests, from early shifts to night shifts, and there really wasn't anything he hated more than the night shift. The campus was all but empty, only the occasional night owl, and more often than not those same night owls were just drunk students moving from this party to that party.

As if the night shift itself wasn't enough today the rain had decided to come down hard, making his rounds, without doubt, more enjoyable... The officer was just returning to the campus' entrance from his first round of the night when two figures appeared. The two made their way to the entrance each wearing a dark long coat with a hood covering their head and features. "Goodnight...." Mr. Lewis would often add gentleman or ma'am to his greeting but it was night and their figures were hidden under the large cloaks. "I'm going to need to see some identification, please."

One of the two stopped in front of him and began to reach for his pocket. The second one, however, just kept on walking, passing by him. Lewis turned, his voice louder. "Hey! Didn't you hear me? I sai.." Pain shot through his entire body as a bullet pierced through his chest right where the heart was. Mr. Lewis Fell to his knees, as he tried to reach for his walkie-talkie. A second bullet was fired, this time finishing the job and piercing his skull.

"No one stands in the way." The two figures spoke in unison. No gunshots were heard in the middle of the heavy rain. Whoever this two were they had come prepared.


On the opposite side of campus, a woman's head moved from her book and towards the closed window as she stood in her office. Releasing a loud sigh she stood up and exited the room. She really hoped she was mistaken. She really hoped no one died.

Yum3ko
laark
ItsKenAgain

 

[Yum3ko]

Remaining silent as the arrogant cheerleader spoke back to her like some idiot her eyes were still glued to her page of notes. This had been the first time she had spoke to such a woman yet she couldn't help but already seem to have a distaste for this woman and she had never been one to judge someone so suddenly but she guessed her reputation had helped with that. Moving her eyes to the corners to spot the way this woman stood while her annoying bratty voice spoke out as she insulted her. She let out a sigh, she couldn't be bothered fighting with this woman right now, nor did she want too. "Important people? Is that really how you describe yourself?" She questioned in the same calm tone, now turning her full head and attention to the angry and pissed off cheerleader.

"No wonder you're still stuck in college, you can't even describe yourself correctly." Her voice remaining the same while the look in her eyes becoming slightly more irritated, letting out a breath of frustration when she snapped at the girl trying to help her. "The girl is simply being generous, you should give that a try, maybe then you won't turn out to be the most basic, cliché, boring cheerleader in every movie." She muttered under her breathe as she turned back to her page, continuing with her notes as she sipped more of her beverage from her open mug. Her hearing hadn't seemed to pick up on the gunshots in the distance, the sound being lost in the rain yet that strange hunger for meet seemed to return once again. She ignored the feeling as well as the cheerleader in front of her, more focused on her notes.

 

[ItsKenAgain]

Elowen was a bit taken aback and it showed in her eyes but she gave an awkward smile and lowered the snack with a mumbled apology. The dark haired girl started arguing back to Rachel, and making some good points. Though Elowen was insulted she tried not to take it to heart, but the dark haired girl spoke up for her, defending her. Thankful, but embarrassed, she tried to brush it off as her cheeks burned.

"Oh, really it's okay, it's just the only thing I brought with me. I just figured maybe you were having a bad day or something, no offense taken..." She said in an attempt to explain herself away. She tucked the package back into her cardigan and pulled her knees up into the chair with her. Letting out a small sigh, she propped the poetry book up on one knee and buried herself in it. The rain was coming down more than hard enough to fill any awkward silence that usually comes with studying in the break room, and for that Elowen was thankful. She would try to escape into her reading, and was oblivious to any commotion that had broken out in the distant corridors.