-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
When the group of children finally stopped in front of me, Len beamed, " we're playing spaceman today!". His voice sounded like it was a matter of fact. Like I was definitely going to play their game. I had a brief wave of frustration wash over me, but the second I saw the glint in his eye, I couldn't say no. With a sigh, " alright, what do you want me to do?".
His smile stretched, " we're playing a daring game of heroism and villainy, our hero is contemplating whether or not he should give up on his hope of achieving peace because all he sees is the darkness in the world, despite the fact that he's the source of light-". Before he could finish, benny put his hand over his mouth, " ...you know how he can get". I nod my head, " okay, Benny, tell me what to do".
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
"You're a mercenary who's paid to steal me from Len". I tilt my head, " where does the spaceman thing come into play?". Benny's eyes started to shine, "I'm glad you asked!". Before he could start, Len put his hand over his mouth, " we're going to be riding our bikes, and in the back of it we're gonna drag a wagon that can hold us".
I raised an eyebrow, "that sounds super dangerous". Benny removed Len's hand, and puffed out his chest, " I modified it to be super safe!". I looked at Len and he offered me a sympathetic nod, confirming this is how his best friend typically acts.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
I've known the kid for a few years now, but he doesn't talk much. I know he's a good kid, but only because Len tells me so much about him. Whenever I'm around, he clams up and bites his lips. He reminds me of myself when I was younger.
The kids dragged me down the hill to Benny's garage. It revealed two bikes clumsily tapped to each other and a wagon hitched to the back, all while Benny held out his chest in pride. As the oldest kid around, I had a responsibility to make sure no one got on that death trap. Before two kids got on the bikes, I laughed awkwardly, " we can't ride that thing".
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Benny pouted, " why not!". I look at the small group of friends, " because it wouldn't be fair to the people driving us around...". I hope that was enough to convince them. The group of friends whispered amongst themselves, finally, Len stepped up, and disappointedly sighed, " you're right...". Benny kept his head to the ground but didn't argue.
Since the spaceman thing was scrapped, Len sat down and closed his eyes. Before I asked if he was okay, Benny whispered, " it's just the thing he does when he makes a game". I guess that explained it.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Len stood up, in a single breath he explained, "okay, our new game is going to be like this, Benny you're a rabbit and we're hunters!". It was kind of disappointing if I'm honest, but he's just a kid. Suddenly, his eyes widened, " No! Our new game isn't a game of tag, it's a game of dueling ideals! Okay, let me explain. Benny, you're the king of Xyla. Simon and Red are barbarians invading from the East. James, you're the knight trying to protect him, and I'm the bard telling the tale!".
I looked at his group of friends, " wait, are we doing a play or something?". All his friends nodded like it was a common sense. They acted like this was the usual way they played. Benny answered my confusion, "typically after you leave, we do an elaborate story, it's fun". The other kids, Red and Simon nod their heads.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
Suddenly, a herd of children came crawling towards Benny's garage. Red yelled, " tickets start at five dollars apiece!". Benny saw my bewildered frown and explained, " your brother is famous for putting on amazing stories, lots of kids like to watch. You didn't know that?". I laughed awkwardly, he literally just came up with the story". Benny laughed, " well he's a genius". I looked at all the people lining up, there were kids of all ages, a lot of them were my age. Actually, I recognized one of the girls walking up to us.
" Lilith, what are you doing here?". She waved at Benny, then laughed, " oh yeah, this is the first time you've been up this late". I looked at her like she was crazy, " this makes no sense at all". She raised an eyebrow, " are you serious?". My jaw dropped, " you mean to tell me these kids are able to do an entire play by themselves?".
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
ns 15.158.61.5da2
