108.3

Chapter One

"Welcome back to 108.3!"

Calvin said the words in the most enthusiastic voice he could muster, but found them coming out exasperated and tired. He cupped his face in his hands for a moment, as if to draw strength, then snapped back towards the microphone suspended in front of him.

"The time is currently 11:38" he said, glancing at his watch. "Next up, we've got a smooth jazz medley to keep you sedated on your long winding drive. Try not to fall asleep!"

Calvin switched off his microphone as the music began to play a quiet rhythmic tune. He looked to his right towards the blonde woman staring into her drink. Her hair was curly, and she was draped in a long fuzzy purple jacket. The glasses on her nose were barely supported as her head lolled forward. The headset resting on her shoulders began to slide as the woman drifted off into her hands. Calvin snapped in front of her face, jolting her awake into an upright position. She looked perplexed for a moment, then groaned at the sight of Calvin.

"This is why you have to be drinking coffee, Alaina. This cleanse isn't going to get you anywhere" he said, as Alaina lightly slapped the sides of her face in an attempt to wake herself up.

"I can't" she whined. "I've been making so much progress! If I stop now, then I'll have to start all over again" She took a sip from the mug in front of her, then grimaced. Calvin leaned over and saw that it was filled with a murky green substance, and gave off a repulsive odor.

"Anyway, it can't be too much longer till we can get out of here" said Alaina, her voice clearer now that she had woken herself up.

"I wish" said Calvin. Alaina glanced at the clock to her right.

"Fuuuuuuckkkkkk" she moaned, and collapsed against the desk, her head buried in her arms. Calvin removed his headset from his shoulders and stood up, groaning as he stretched his arms towards the ceiling. He was tall, and the comfy red flannel he wore only made that more clear. His dark brown hair was almost hidden by the gray beanie that slouched off of his head.

Calvin didn't intend to be working in a radio station, but found himself in need of a job one summer. The backwoods of Maine didn't offer too many options for a career, so opting out of a job as a plumber (he hated being dirty) he took a job as a temp around 108.3's late night studio. The DJs had liked him and when Aaron, the host, left for a new career in television, the chance to host was offered to him. Calvin had jumped at the idea at the time. It payed okay, and the chance to put his voice in the world might afford him new opportunities in the future. He soon realized, though, that it would be hours of sitting alone in a booth, while he's friends partied their lives away.

Calvin looked out the window towards the winding road that twisted up to the station. The trees blocked out his sight of the moon, but he could almost see the headlights of a car coming around the bend, probably headed to the airport a few miles from the station.

This was the first time something odd happened.

The first second, the headlights of the car shone brightly against the dark background of the woods. Then, as if it had never been there, the car disappeared and the woods were thrust back into darkness.

Calvin rubbed his eyes.

"I gotta get more sleep"