hello, goodbye, hello.

Chapter 10: Sleeping Through the Storm

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Ricky opened his eyes to an unfamiliar sight. His head was pounding and his vision was a bit blurred but he could still tell he was no where he had ever been before. Above him was a ceiling, but not his bedroom, nor Big Red's basement. He was in a remarkably comfortable bed, but not one that he knew. The pillows were big and fluffy, the sheets were pale green with a striped design. Ricky could tell they were recently washed because of the smell of laundry detergent on them. Definitely not his. Sitting up Ricky took in the room around him. It was fairly plain, a large desk and an office chair was on one side of the room, above it, a large television mounted on the wall. To his right, there was a nightstand with a small, ornate looking lamp on it. Ricky reached over and turned the lamp on. The room was filled with a dull glow, just enough for Ricky to make out now that on one wall there was a large window. It was still dark outside. Shelves were mounted on the wall above the night stand where a row of golden trophies stood proudly. On the wall opposite the window Ricky could see what he was looking for, a door. Ricky carefully peeled the comforter off of himself and realized that he was also wrapped in...bath towels? He unfurled himself from the towels and to his relief he was still wearing his own clothes which were a little damp. Something familiar at least. Feeling the cold, hardwood floor on his feet, Ricky realized his shoes and socks were missing. He checked his pockets. His phone and wallet were gone too. Perhaps this was all just a dream?

Dream or not, Ricky decided to continue his investigation. He tip toed towards the bedroom door, then, thinking about a potential kidnapper on the other side, scurried back to the bed and, climbing up, grabbed a large trophy from one the shelves. It wasn't a weapon exactly, but Ricky imagined if he swung hard enough, it could do some damage. Carefully sneaking back to the door, Ricky placed a hand on the knob, his other arm ready with the trophy in the air. Just as he was about to turn the knob, it turned on its own in his hand and the door swung open.

Without really looking, Ricky flung the trophy in the direction of the door and heard a thud followed by and "OW! What the hell Bowen!?!"

The main lights of the room flickered on and standing in the doorway, clutching his side was EJ Caswell.

"EJ!" Ricky yelled. "Where the hell am I? What's going on?"

"Calm down Ricky! It's okay. It's okay. You're in my room, I brought you home you were-"

"Your room??? How did I- Where was I-"

"Calm down Ricky, Jesus. I'll explain, just...put down the trophy."

Ricky looked at the trophy in his hand. 'First Place-Men's Water Polo Championship 2019'. Figures. He put the trophy down on the night stand and took a seat on the bed. EJ sat on the chair at the desk, turning to face Ricky.

"Look I was driving down 35th and I almost hit you. You were out cold and I didn't know what to do, but obviously I couldn't just leave you in the middle of the road in a storm, so I brought you here. It's only been like thirty, forty minutes."

"Wait you almost hit me...WITH YOUR CAR?!?"

"Calm down, I swerved. I wouldn't have if you weren't sleeping in the middle of the fucking road! What the hell were you doing out there?"

Ricky stared for a moment, thinking back on the night.

"I...I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"I-I was at Red's and we had some drinks and-"

"Wait, you and Big Red...drinking??" EJ said, trying to hide the smile on his face. "I didn't know you guys were such bad boys"