Chapter Text
I had always been into the paranormal.
The weird, the unexplained, the oddities our world had to offer.
I had a theory, and I intended to prove it.
My theory was odd, often met with weird glances and rude or dismissive comments. You see, I had seen the Transformers movies time and time again, and something was off. They all seemed more like war documentaries, at least at first.
The farther they got into the series the less they seemed truthful, that is.
But, the cybertronians didnt look like CGI, but I had a hunch they weren't the actual warriors either. They moved to life-like, they even breathed and blinked at odd intervals. Usually CGI breathing and blinking are timed to appear random but are calculated.
I had some.. odd theories around both my interests. I believe Mothman was a lost mini bot or seeker. I believe bigfoot was a wandering mech. I believe Nessie was a cybertronian submarine of sorts.
And that's what prompted me to move back home.
I had been born and raised in Jasper, Nevada. I'd moved away for college, gaining a degree in robotics and engineering, only to move back 5 years later.
There was no need for robotics here, but I had a hunch something was happening.
See, there were some odd sightings and events, alongside theirbawful cover-ups. I'd seen plenty of videos online, giant robots similar to the fabled Transformers, wrecking the city. It was always blamed on freak storms or earthquakes, or kept quiet all together, but the internet was teeming with the information I needed to move back on a whim. It had been a year since I graduated with a simple 4 year degree. I'd spent that time wandering the US, and even taking a trip to loch ness.
Id saved every penny I could while at college, working a overnight job at a local supermarket. I did okay-ish, I stayed at the dorms and took advantage of the schools free breakfast and my jobs employee discounts, but once I was out I was out.
I'd worked odd jobs as I traveled, gas station clerk, lawn mower, mechanic, babysitter, tutor, nanny, anything I was able to be to keep me afloat.
I had only managed to get to loch ness in general because somebody had bought a ticket, but got sick and couldnt go. It was only 300 on Craigslist, so I took it.
I was camping for the whole trip, but it was SO worth it.
But now I was back in butt-fuck nowhere. Home sweet home.
I drove my little Subaru up the road of a familiar neighborhood. I knew my way around, my best friends had lived here before they moved away in high school.
I pulled into an unfamiliar driveway, a small trailer house infront of my car.
It was a dingy yellow, almost grey-ish.
"Welp," I said, slamming my car door so it would actually close this time, "let's get rollin'!"
I wasnt talking to anybody but myself, but pep talks tended to motivate me. I assume they would anybody, really, but it helped especially right now.
I popped the trunk and grabbed the lightest box I had. It was full of small trinkets and sentimental items. It wasnt much, but it was enough for me.
I marched up the front steps, and fumbled to put in the code to the lockbox that held my house keys. I had to balance awkwardly, one knee braced on the door, the box precariously perched on the knee as my arm gripped it. My other leg was trying to single-handedly support my entire body as my good arm typed in the code.
Finally, the lock box opened on the third try, many close calls later. I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
It was a modest place, one large room really. The kitchen was tucked in a corner off to my left, against the far wall. A small sectioned off area was the laundry room. I glanced to my right, a large window took up most of the wall that faced the front yard. There was space enough for a couch and a coffee table, if I had either. Beyond it lie a single bedroom, a closet was tucked into the wall that connected to the rest of the house. A bathroom was off to the right, it contained a standing shower, a toilet and the smallest sink ever.
"Home sweet home." I muttered under my breath, setting the box on the floor in a corner of the bedroom, just across from the door.
I made maybe 9 trips out to my car. 5 trips for boxes, one for the mattress that I struggled to get through the bedroom door, another one for the card table that would function as my dinner table, and two more for the two mis-matched folding chairs and the TV I took from my ex-roommate.
Hey, I got the TV fair and square, theyd cheated on their partner with me, and we got into a screaming match. Really it was a 2 v 1, me and his boyfriend versus the douche that was Kyle. Kyle and I had worked together to get the TV, and since he was a sleazeball I got to keep it. Jerry, sweet Jerry, helped me move it out even.
Actually, speaking of Jerry, I should probably let him know I'm here safe. See, after the predicament with Kyle, me and Jerry didnt blame eachother at all. He was sour for a bit, sure, but that was deserved. We weren't friends, but we weren't strangers. Well, we still checked in on eachother, but that was because we bonded over Kyle's bitchyness (and bitchless-ness if you catch what I'm sayin)
'Here safe, ttyl!' I stood and waited for a response before indeed to unpack. Cause if I unpacked then I'd get carried away and never respond if he texted me back.
'Jerry: 👍' was all I got.
I nodded to nobody before I set off setting up home.
I started with my bedroom, pushing the mattress into the corner opposite the door, the foot of the mattress under a small window. I unpacked one of three boxes in the room and pulled out pillows and blankets. Some I had bought myself, others I snagged from the odd hotel.
Once my bed was set up, I moved on to the second box. I pulled it open to reveal a mess of clothes. Why hadn't I bothered to fold them again? Oh well. I simply pushed the now-open box into the closet, leaving the door open. I'd buy one of those little plastic dressers when I got groceries or something.
I skipped over the trinket box, I didnt have anywhere to set my trinkets.
I moved into the livingroom from there, pulling the box away from the TV. Inside were a couple small chair cushions and throw pillows, I left that box there too.
Finally, the kitchen. I opened the box, struggling against the tape. Why hadn't I just folded it like the others?
I eventually got it open. After many dents, a peeling nail and a hurt canine I finally managed to get it open. I had to take my belt off and stab the pointy part of the buckle into it, but it was worth it!
The bitten, crumpled box would get thrown out either way, so the damage didnt matter much. I pulled out a dozen stupid cups, a few plastic plates and some random silverware. I put the pots and pans in one of the cabinets below the counter and the cups in the one directly above.
I was almost done organizing. I pulled loose the coffeemaker my parents had gifted me last Christmas and the Mothman mug I got in Point Pleasant. I set the coffee machine up at the edge if the counter before setting the mug under the dispenser for in the morning.
By the time I finished it was 9:12 at night. The sun had been long gone, and I still needed a few more supplies and groceries. And to check out where I would start work, but that's besides the point.
I quickly ran out of the house double checking the door was locked, and hopped in my car. I turned the key once or twice but the engine roared to life. I drove through the quiet city to one of the only stores we'd ever had, a Walmart.
Lame, I know. I had always hoped for some little local stores, but the corporation wanted to get its grubby hands on out little community.
Could I call it out community? It had been 5 years, I was 25 now. Would I still be as welcome as I was when I left?
I cranked up my radio, the cracked display showing that The Moon Will Sing by the Crane Wives was on my spotify right then. Oh I loved this song, the anguish always drove me to tears and I adored it for that. It wasnt often I could get in a good cry, but screaming this song full blast down a highway always helped.
Or, y'know, lipsyncing while driving slowly through a sleepy town to the local Walmart, that works too.
I ended up in the parking lot not long after. I took a moment to pause the looped song and wipe the tears that had formed but not spilt.
After a minute of calming myself and letting go of the memories of past failed relationships, I stepped out of the car.
The parking lot was desolate for so early at night. Although, for such a family oriented town, I suppose it was late for the many kiddos that walked the streets.
Since it was so late I'd gotten a spot near the front, a minute of walking brought me inside the building and out of the wind-chilled desert night.
The inside of the store was nice, the linoleum floors were clean and the lights cast a warm glow over the small-for-a-Walmart but sizable nonetheless building.
I grabbed a cart, giving a friendly nod and "thank you!" To the worker that stood nearby. What were workers stationed there for again? Stop people from stealing carts?
No, stop people from stealing period. Was I that tired?
I made sure to grab a aussie lemonade monster on my way past the registers.
I picked up some sandwich stuff, a box of cocoa puffs and some soup before headed towards the electronics. I snagged a cheap DvD player and a couple movies from the 8 dollar bin. Rock Dog, Scream and Halloween (specifically Rob Zombie's version) from the piles. I hadn't realized, but a figure was rummaging through the other side of the bins.
I lightly tossed a DvD onto their side, not seeing the title. They leaned around the price sign that previously blocked my view of them. I leaned aswell, flashing them a closed-eye smile.
The person, who had brown hair with blue tips and white curtain bangs, gave a curt nod. Acknowledging my presence before gently tossing a DvD into my bin. It seemed to be a recommendation, judging how theyd scrutinized it before tossing it over. I picked it up, Thor: Ragnarok was written across the casing.
I looked back towards the stranger, but they were walking away with no movies in hand. Maybe they hadn't had what the stranger wanted?
"Thank you!" I yelled after them, leaning past the side and waving. The stranger simply raised their hand for a moment, and turned the corner into the car parts isles.
I added the movie to my cart, it seemed good and I appreciated the strangers recommendation.
I snagged a plastic dresser, the small kind that's wider then it is tall and had three drawers, and headed to the checkout lanes. I didnt see the stranger from before, so I simply checked out in the self checkout, played and left.
I still had plenty of money, I couldve gotten more stuff for the house I was going to make a home, but the house market was shit and I wanted to be better safe then sorry. I wasnt that bad off, really, but I wasnt rich either.
I decided to pick up dinner at a drive thru. I pulled up at the nearest place, I didnt bother to read the name really. It was empty besides a motorcycle parked put front, but that was all. I pulled up to the speaker and rolled down my window.
"Hello, what can I get you?"
The employee sounded tired, I didnt want to ask the places name so that they could go home sooner.
"Can I get a number two, please?"
"Alright, would you like fries and a drink or just the burger?"
I glanced at the menu, adding fries and a drink was only a dollar fifty more.
"Yes please, do you have Dr.Pepper?"
"Yep, is that all?"
"Yes, thank you!"
"Alright, that'll be $6.50 at the window, thank you."
I pulled forward slowly, fishing for my wallet in the center console.
Just as I reached the window I grabbed hold of my wallet. I had a 10, and virtually nowhere took cash, so I handed the bill to the teen working the window. They passed me my paper bag and went to get the change to break the 10, but it was probably just about closing for them and I'd worked in fast food before. Counting change sucked, and tips were always nice.
"Keep the change, have a good night!"
"Really? Thanks! You aswell!"
I pulled off, happy and hoping if helped make that teens day a bit better. I mean, 3.50 wasnt much, but it was good, right?
I arrived home not long later, grabbing the bag of food, the drink and my phone. I unlocked the door quickly and went to set the food on the card table.
I went back out to the car and unpacked the groceries. Setting the bag with the movies and dvd player on the floor, I went to the kitchen and unpacked the bags of food. Once that was settled I returned to the dvd player.
It took a good couple minutes, but I got everything set up. I debated for a moment before popping in the Thor:Ragnarok dvd the stranger had recommended. While the opening credits played I took the plastic dresser and set it next to the box of clothes, I'd do that in the morning.
As I walked back into the living room I passed the table. Snagging the bag and drink before taking a seat on the floor infront of the little TV, arranging myself comfortably amongst the cushions.
-☆-
Eventually the movie finished, and holy SHIT was it good!! If I ever saw that person again I'd have to thank them!
I was brushing my teeth, thinking over the day when I realized I forgot to check out my new place of employment. Well shit, I start tomorrow though, I have all day to look for it.
I'd picked up night shift at a gas station. Id seen a ad and sent in my resume as soon as I had good wifi. They emailed asking for a interview, and since I wasnt in town yet we did it over zoom. I was supposed to work 8pm to 6am night shifts, which was great due to my tendency to stay up all night.
I decided to just sleep earlier then usual. I popped a melatonin, snapped in my retainer, plugged in my phone and crawled into bed.
Tomorrow was a new beginning, and nothing could go wrong.