String Theory

1. Red Threads

   The room was quiet except for the woosh of the vent directly below Aster's desk. At said desk is where he sat, staring at a small packet of paper titled, "Future Career Goals". He had been staring at it for the past 30 minutes and had yet to even Try to write down a single thing. His mind raced with countless ideas of what he might want to do, but none seemed to stick out to him. Nothing piqued his interest. No career seemed viable or like it was the right fit for him. Ultimately he picked up the empty packet, and put it back in the desk drawer, where it had sat since his senior year of highschool.
   "It's been 4 years, and I Still can't think of even a single thing to do with my life." He thought to himself. Many are blessed with the knowledge of their Purpose, but Aster isn't one of them. Immediately after highschool he went straight into the work force as a fast food worker, and has since become the general manager of the location he works at.
   "What an accomplishment." He thought to himself with as little enthusiasm as one would expect. Aster is lost, and what does one do when they're lost. That's right, they reach out and call for help. Though Aster in the moment took this a bit more literally than most, and Physically reached out over his desk. His hand met nothing but the air. After a moments pause, he closed his hand into a fist and sighed. Leaning his head back he put his hand down onto his desk, and that's when a strange light caught his eye.

   Zoe sat in the living room, half opened and unopened boxes littered the floor. The kitchen was just as cluttered, used silverware and cups lay scattered around the various countertops. On the other end of the couch sat the source of all this mess, her father Isaac. The news was saying something about growing tensions with some foreign nation, and this was when Isaac decided to chip in.
   "You know I think things would be alot simpler if everyone just got together and talked it over." This ticked Zoe off.
   "Yeah, maybe they'd realize how much One of them screwed up." She said angrily. Isaac looked down and whispered,
   "Just trying to make conversation."
   "Well maybe I don't Want to make conversation with you Isaac!" Zoe spat. He looked despondent, which just made her even angrier. Scoffing as she got up, she quickly made her way out of the living room, up the stairs, and to her room at the end of the hallway. Though small, Zoe's room had become her refuge when things got tough and now it once again served that purpose as a way to get away from the man who was trying to waltz his way back into her life.
   "11 years he's been gone, I don't need him now!" She thought out loud.
   "Why would mom even allow him to come back, how did he butter her up, was she coerced?" She thought aloud again.
   "Ugh!" She groaned loudly, before dropping face first onto her bed. She sat that way for a minute or two before a buzz from her phone made her get up. Her phone was on her desk in the corner of the room. Sitting down and checking her phone, she saw a text from one of her friends.
   "Heard a guy moved into your house, mom got a new boyfriend or something?" The text read. Zoe huffed and responded,
   "No, it's my dad, he decided to come back for some reason."
   "Yikes, wanna talk about it?"
   "No, I'd rather not."
   "Ok, well you know I'm here for you Z." She didn't respond, just closed the phone and set it back down. Sighing she leaned back in her chair, and that's when the glow caught her eye.