Scrap

The rain would not stop.

Since before I woke the clouds loomed of the city as if waiting for something.

I opened my eyes to the steady patter of rain on the windows. The water droplets slid down the windows tracing through the dust creating clean spots for the light to intrude. Turning to check the clock . . . WOMP . . . I fell off my bed. 

Rising I rubbed my side and strode over to the kitchen to find food that was not there. I really needed to go to the store and buy some food. The last of my ramen ran out last night. So I looked into the cabinet to find a grand prize of crumbs at the bottom of a cereal box. I poured it into a bowl anyway. I turned to get into the fridge that a awkward island/breakfast bar. 

As I was reaching in the fridge I found about half a cup a milk. Dang, it will have to do. I really needed to go to the store.

I backed out of the fridge and into something squishy. A large network of lightning struck dangerously close to my apartment and the power went down. 

BOOM!

Thunder shook the building like an earthquake. I started to question the stability of the building. I turned to find a large furry animal face first in my breakfast crumbs. 

I stared in shock as it stopped and slowly rose its head and turned to me. I turned and dove over the breakfast island and into the main space of my apartment. I landed and rolled and crouched in a stance I saw in a kung fu movie once. 

I sat in the stance until I had the confidence to creep over to the opening of my little kitchen. The bowl was in the ground and I saw a long rat like tail disappear into the large hole in the wall next to the kitchen. 

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Time to go to work. I grabbed some jeans and my trusty leather jacket and my backpack. I almost ran out of my apartment. and down the hall. I stopped in the stairwell and caught my breath. 

What in the world was that? Why did it have to eat my pathetic breakfast? 

I felt my stomach cramp up from hunger.

I looked at my watch.

7:13

I had to be at work at 8.

I stumbled down the endless flights of stairs into the lobby to find two tropical birds squawking at each other like a married couple. Boxes littered the whole room in a strange arrangement. The boxes seemed to be in a modern chess battle with the birds as angry players on each side of the room. I skipped and dodged through the battle and the birds flapped in anger. I hate birds, they are only rats with wings to me.

I stood at the end of the lobby and stared at the sheet of water that poured from the sky. It was raining so hard the awnings down the street had water cascading through holes like waterfalls. 

I walked out into the rain to instantly become soaked. Wondering down the street I saw multicolored lights and found an empty diner. I walked under its awning to read the menu. 

Nothing special, but food is food so I opened the door and stepped in. It smelled wonderful and I quickly sat down at the themed 1960's breakfast bar.

I looked around and saw one person sitting by themselves at the edge of the restaurant. Head deep in a newspaper that seemed to almost cover the the entire table in which he sat.

I turned to find a tired looking waitress looking at me expectantly.

"Thats Thomas Roberts if you were wondering. He don't talk to anyone."

"Hmm"

"What will you be having on this fine sunny day?"

The waitress said sarcastically.

"Um, what is there to have?"

"We got eggs . . . and probably some bacon."

"I take that I guess"

She disappeared through a swinging door with out another word.

I stepped out from the awning of the diner to the sheet of rain that imposed on me. My footsteps were heavy with the new weight of loads of eggs and bacon. I skipped from awning to awning trying my best to not get wet.

Finally I reached "city lights" soaked despite my efforts to stay dry. I reached into my wet jeans and pulled out my keys. Out of the wet reflection I saw a red lights of a black limo pull up. A man in a black suit rushed around the car to the passenger door with an umbrella. He opened the door under the umbrella for "C" my boss. He stood outside of the car and scanned the street and found me. He nodded to me. Then him and the his escort walked down the alley.

I stopped my feet on the mat and was greeted with an old book smell. I had come to like it over the last week of working here.

All I did was clean. Dust seemed to accumulate from the books themselves. I found that the store is surprisingly big due to a large store house in the basement. It seemed to be twice the size of the topside store. I guess i would never have to order books for the shop.

I was worried to find several large holes in the walls around the shop, just like the one in my apartment. Could be they some how be connected?

Later that day I stood outside my apartment holding several bags of junk food and a head of broccoli.

Urging myself to unlock the door. What if that thing . . . was still there?

Finally I found the courage and unlocked the door.

the only light on was an old florescent in my kitchen casting a strange spotlight. I walked quickly and quietly over to the island and placed my bags down carefully.

All seemed safe.

Something brushed my leg. I turned and slipped.

I found myself on the floor with the head of broccoli in my hand. I looked up right into the face of the beast.

I held the broccoli between us, as if it was a sword.

It sniffed my weapon and took a bite.

I was so surprised I dropped my great green sword.

I found myself looking at a giant fluffy rat about the size of a small dog. I thought back to the note the previous apartment dweller left me.

Could this be scrap?

Finishing the head of broccoli it turned to me and leaped on my chest forcing me to the ground. It tongue smothered me with kisses.

I forced my way up and the rat rested in my lap looking up at me expectantly. Slowly I started petting it like a dog. I responded in kind and seemed to almost purr like a cat. Around its neck was a collar with a name plate that said, "Scrap."

Looks like I have a new pet.