Chaos (Ryker)

Soundtrack

The check engine light had been on for almost 2 weeks. I knew I needed to get it looked at, should have brought it into the car-shop that I drove by every, single, day - but I didn’t. If I had of, then it might have suggested that I was in someway ‘responsible’ and that just wouldn’t do.
I wasn’t, and seriously, who was I trying to impress.

I almost regretted my decision though; stalled on the side of the road just wasn’t a good look for me. Thank god for Ville Valo, I thought in a silent prayer as I danced around in the front seat.

After working up a sweat I glanced at the dashboard clock… 12AM?! What the crap batman?! How did that happen… I sighed and pulled out my cell phone.
1 bar of battery left… of course… I dialed Lola’s number, before I realized that was foolish… she was probably just getting into the busy time at work. I hung up and began to dial in Zak’s number. The phone died before I hit send. Ah well, what can you do. Looks like no room-mates were coming to save me tonight.

I tossed the phone over into the passenger seat and got out of the car; heading… somewhere. With no phone and no car I really had no direction. I was suppose to be heading back to my apartment in Chicago; after spending the weekend in the woods with some weird guys I met at a Starbucks.
I wasn’t one for camping, but it had been a riot - plus they were all nice… especially Mike… or Matt… I don’t know… one of the two.
Memory loss… something I needed to work on.

I couldn’t see my car anymore as I walked slowly down the dark highway; always wanted to learn how to whistle. I thought as I put my lips together and blew. That’s what people always said; lips together and just blow! Apparently it’s harder than that - that or I suck at blowing... I giggled as the innuendo filled my mind.
I continued to try and make a noise as I flailed my tongue around my mouth; God damn! They teach this on Sesame Street I’m pretty sure… I hate you ADHD! If it wasn’t for you I could probably whistle now…

I felt a rock a little too clearly and I looked down, realizing for the first time I had forgotten to put my sandals back on. “Oh wow…” I sighed, turning around to look for my car. I was fairly far away now, but I could still see it; apparently I left my lights on.
“I should not be allowed to operate a motor vehicle…” I continued walking on, figuring I might as well keep going now, besides, I had lots more sandals at home.

“Umm… excuse me, are you ok?” I jumped a bit as a car pulled up beside me. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Is that your car back there?”

The guy pointed back behind him; in the general direction of ‘Bubba’ my run-down Spirit. “Yah… something’s wrong with the engine I guess…”

“Oh, do you want a drive… somewhere?”

“Where are you heading?”

“Chicago.”

“Sounds like a blast.” I said as he leaned over and pushed the door open for me. “You’re not an axe murderer are you?” I asked as I slid in next to him.

“Umm… no. But shouldn’t you have asked that before you got in?” I shrugged my shoulders as he looked at me for a long time. I gave him my best vogue pose, causing him to laugh as he took off towards the bright lights of the city.



“So what’s your name?” He asked, shyly, once we were in the city limits.

“Ryker Willowfox.” He started to laugh and I turned to appraise him, “what?”

“Seriously? That doesn’t even sound like a real name… Willowfox?”

“It’s a Wiccan last name.” I said, not following him… it didn’t sound that weird to me.

“Oh… sorry.” His smiled cleared instantly and that made me laugh.

“You’re like a robot… how do you control your emotions that easily?”

He stared at me as we pulled up to a red light. “I don’t know… practice I guess.”

I nodded, he seemed surprised by the fact that I had noticed that; I decided not to push him anymore. “So what’s your normal name?” I asked as I watched the lights start to pass by my window.

“Jonathan Toews.” Now it was my turn to laugh.

“What?” He asked, this time sounding afraid.

I laughed for a while before I could even form a coherent sentence. “You think my name is weird? Jonathan Toews? Johnny Toews? It sounds like the alias for a superhero… Johnny Toews, saving Chicago… one criminal at a time…” I busted out into laughter again, this time he joined me.

“So… where do you live?”

“Here’s fine.” He looked at me, then out my window, then back at me.

“We’re in the ghetto.” I nodded, as he stared incredulity.

I shrugged my shoulders, “I walk lots…” He laughed and shook his head.

“I’m not letting you out here. If you get shot, I’ll feel bad.”

“Thank you, that‘s a nice thing to say.” I said, sincerity in my voice. He raised his eyebrows and appraised me again.

“You’re welcome…” He shook his head slightly as we drove on. Every now and then I threw out a direction, until we arrived outside my apartment building.

“Umm… are you sure you’re ok here?” He asked, sceptically, as he glanced out the windows.

“Yep. That’s me up there.” I pointed up at the broken balcony that had almost killed me on several occasion. Should probably get that fixed…

“Ok… well… have a good night.” He seemed awkward, uncomfortable, as I grasped the door handle.

“I‘m glad you weren‘t an axe-murderer.” I said as I turned back around.

He nodded at me, smiling slightly. He’s actually kind of cute…I thought as I stared at him, cocking my head to the side - just to make sure he was still cute from this angle. I’m gonna kiss him.
I smiled to myself as I grabbed his face in my hands and kissed him firmly on his cheek. He smelt like musky cologne and sweat… I liked it.

I climbed out of his car and giggled slightly at the look of pure shock on his face. I continued up the walkway towards Pete and Grey… the two homeless men that spent a lot of time on my street. “Hey guys!” I called as I walked up to them.

“Heya Ryker…” Pete slurred at me as Grey nodded, grinning his big toothless grin.

“It looks like it’s gonna rain soon.” I said as all three of us looked up at the dark clouds that were blocking out the stars. “You guys wanna sleep at my place again?”

The both nodded as they followed me inside and up the stairs to the apartment I shared with Lola and Zak. Lola was an exotic dancer so - she usually didn’t get home till the morning anyway; and Zak liked Pete and Grey too so, I knew they wouldn’t care.
I reached out and grabbed Pete as I felt him stumble behind me; pulling him back up onto his feet. I opened up the apartment and motioned for them to enter. Hmm… I wonder if we have any ice-cream left!