T is for Time

by Paul Vayro

  Chapter Fifteen

  “This is definitely odd.” Spiritwind summed up the duo’s investigation in to the frozen world. It had involved walking down the street and poking things.

  “And enjoyable, don’t forget enjoyable.” Brick sat atop a cat that had been suspended mid leap from a car to a wall. He pretended to be the main attraction at a rodeo.

  “Enjoyable, of course, until the eighty foot ants begin roaming the streets and carry us away to feed their young.” Spiritwind spoke as he turned in circles wondering what to explore next.

  “When do they turn up then?”

  “Whenever they want, who’s going to stop an eighty foot ant doing anything?” Spiritwind settled on studying the cat Brick was riding. “What’s wrong with its face?”

  “Whose face?”

  “The cat you’re riding. It looks like it’s won the lottery but just realised its ticket may be in the wash.” Spiritwind walked away, popping fizzy cola bottles into his mouth. The sour tang created the same expression of pain with each first bite. Unfortunately his hand was quicker than his memory and he continued to feed.

  “Really?” Brick bent forward to see the expression himself. He couldn’t help agreeing with Spiritwind’s description. What he could have helped was leaning too far and crossing his centre of gravity, although he had no control over the ensuing full flip that left him flat on his back. Looking up at the sky he shook his head and struggled to his feet, holding his ribs to snare any spare sympathy. Cantering after his friend he began adding extra scenes to the retelling of his dramatic fall. Spiritwind heard his peer approaching and attempted to warn him of further danger.

  “Mind the bi…” It came too late as Brick ran straight in to a bird paused at head height. He impacted the floor in a clothesline fashion. Spiritwind leant over his prone friend. “You tall people, your limbs are too much for your tiny brains.”

  Spiritwind continued strolling, leaving Brick to take a moment’s consideration before standing up. There was clearly a reason he needed to be on the floor otherwise he wouldn’t keep ending up there. He used the time to think about the situation they found themselves in. When he did eventually stand he found Spiritwind lay on a privet bush.

  “I’ve been thinking, and I may just have the answer to what’s going on.” Brick had used his time well.

  Spiritwind remained still, his eyes closed. “Go on then.” The words weren’t filled with confidence.

  Brick cleared his throat. His theories were often akin to novellas. “Somewhere in the world there’s a party, and at this party there’s a young man named Derek Pantry who’s misunderstood by his peers. He’s so advanced they mock him through fear, but he remains humble in his approach to their ways, never fighting back even though he has a gift, a power, an ability that could wipe them out if he so chose.” Spiritwind opened his eyes and turned to watch the actions Brick accompanied his tale with.

  “For years now he has worked in the same office alongside those that only see his meek exterior, but deep in his heart there is a special beat reserved for Meredith Cascade. Silently he has watched on, cherishing the fleeting moments when their eyes have met, too shy to speak but bold enough to dream that one day Meredith would whisper his name when thinking of the man she loved. Unfortunately for our hero, Meredith had been spotted by the systems finance dept three floors above, and she would be leaving floor two. They would be separated, unable to casually meet over the request for a spare paper clip or stapler. Well Derek Pantry wouldn’t stand by and let the destined mother of his children be lost to a dept with a three percent lower efficiency rating than his own. It wouldn’t be the justice romantic comedies thrive upon. Slamming down the plastic cup of cheap champagne he’d been given to toast her leaving he decided this was it, this was going to be the moment his life changed. Meredith would not only be told of his yearnings for her tightly permed hair but also the truth about the power he holds so dear.” Brick took a breath and bit his fist, overcome with fake emotion. Pretending to compose himself, he continued.

  “Stumbling through the crowds he spotted her, his eyes locked on with determination and a slight blur. She returned Derek’s gaze with a welcoming shyness, inviting him towards her. Striding across the room, she was taken aback by his forceful manner of approach, and duly twiddled with her hair in repressed excitement. As they came together, close enough to touch should mutual permission be given, Derek leant in to his sweetheart and whispered: ‘I have something to show you, but you must touch me for it to work.’ Meredith knew she could trust him, she had always known, and sneaking away to meeting room 4D she demonstrated her belief by joining hands. A flash of emotion struck each of them as Derek Pantry’s power was revealed to the two hearts beating as one: he could pause time at will. Stopping the bustle of life to allow the most perfect of love to flourish was his gift to them both, for their desire transcended such constraints as here, now and then, and simply was.” Brick bent on to one knee and held his arms outstretched awaiting applause. Spiritwind only sought clarification.

  “And that’s why everything’s frozen in time?”

  “Something along those lines. Obviously I added a few details; used a little poetic licence, but you get the idea.”

  “I think I do. You’re saying that if you have a secret power and fancy a woman from afar, but never had the courage to tell her either of these things, it’s a good idea to get drunk and ask her to touch you.” Spiritwind hopped down from the bush.

  “You see, that’s why I used my poetic licence. When you say it your way it loses all sense of realism and romance.”

  “Would you like to hear my plan?” Spiritwind grimaced as another fizzy bottle attacked his gums.

  “Oh. You have an actual plan?” Brick was ready to hear other options.

  “I thought it would be best. I have a theory as well but I thought the plan would be more suited to our needs.” The exchange of expressions suggested he should continue with the plan. “We should head to the top of Noel Hill for further investigation.” Spiritwind pointed towards Noel Hill in noble fashion. It sat a mere fifteen minutes stroll from their house and dominated the landscape.

  “Any reason why?” Brick felt it an obvious question.

  “So we can see how far this thing has spread. Plus hills are always good settings for pondering. We may as well be up there as sat on the street. And it’s a nice day, and there’s clearly nothing else to do.”

  “All good reasons, I concur.” The duo began the walk to Noel Hill in full agreement. “Would you like some tips on how to deliver an idea along the way. Your plan is a fine one but to be honest there was very little in the way of plot or suspense. You barely moved your hands.” Brick suggested a master class to accompany the journey.

  “I’m more of a substance man when it comes to plans.”

  “You my friend will never make a good hero thinking like that.”

  “I don’t want to be a good hero, I want to be effective. Like Batman. He wasn’t interested in style. He was too focused on getting the job done.” Spiritwind defended his technique.

  “Batman wasn’t concerned with style? Are you actually mad? Have you seen his car, and his outfit, and his house, not to mention his boat, and his….”

  “They were all peripheral to his efficient heart.”

  “Anyway you can’t be Batman because then I’d be Robin.” Brick was visibly offended at the idea.

  “What’s wrong with Robin?”

  “Do you want to be Robin?”

  “I’m already Batman.” Spiritwind flexed his new persona.

  “I refuse to be associated with anyone that thinks a night mask is an effective disguise.” Brick raised his moral shield.

  “What about Zorro? He had a night mask as a disguise.” Spiritwind countered.

  “He did, but he knew how to accessorise. A black hat and cape is very cool.” Brick swished an imaginary cape and doffed an equally imaginary hat.

  “So we’re Batman a
nd Zorro?”

  “Not in the slightest. I want more than a sword and fancy footwork as my power.”

  “Superman? He had all the powers.” Spiritwind persisted.

  “Too goody, goody. And I’d grow weary of having to act incompetent all the time to hide me identity.” Spiritwind’s mocking look was ignored by Brick. “No my friend, we are Brick and Spiritwind!”

  “Not Spiritwind and Brick.” Spiritwind thought it was worth a try.

  “No it’s definitely Brick and Spiritwind, doesn’t sound right the other way.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “I know I’m right….”

  Brick and Spiritwind continued on the path Fate had engineered for them to follow. Having left their home behind them, and various missiles frozen mid flight in next door's garden, they continued on with a vague plan and not a clue to be seen. Fortunately all the clues they would need were sat at the top of Noel Hill awaiting their arrival. Unfortunately most of them were bickering.

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