The Incident
Chapter 1: I Like it Here
Matt stared out the window of the bus. He was going home after a long day at the office. “Not that I should be complaining. Here I am a twenty four year old with a good software design job and great hours. I did not even work ten hours today.”
Matt sometimes got so caught up on a project he would be at the office hours after his shift ended. He was paid salary so Matt was not paid extra for his dedication to a project. The software firm was small and did not pay that much but Matt loved it. He absolutely loved what he did and would throw himself at every project with gusto. His friend and coworker Hunter always said that if the office did not close for the night that Matt would still be there in the morning. Matt loved to be challenged by a project. He would always try to get the hard assignment just to test his skill. The firm’s clients also noticed Matt’s dedication. Some would even ask that Matt do their project.
Matt watched as the raindrops marched down the window to the bottom. “We are all like these raindrops,” He thought, “all of us going to the same destination, but some raindrops do no travel straight down. Some go all over the window, covering as much space and joining with as many other raindrops as possible. I want to be one of those, someone who sees the world and meets new people.”
Matt had considered traveling before but he always thought the same thing whenever he did. “I have my job and my family here in Georgia. I cannot just pack up and leave them. I have good friends here like Hunter and Rex. They may joke around but they are always looking out for me. I would not last a day without them.”
Matt’s friends had helped him many times before. They usually helped keep his temper in check. Both of them had Matt’s back when he needed it. He could remember one time when they really saved him.
It was a cold winter evening and Matt, Rex, and Hunter were walking home from work. Matt and Hunter worked at the same firm and Rex was on the floor above with another company. The trio almost always walked back to their apartment building. The only time they did not was when it was raining. Suddenly when they rounded a bend a man with a knife jumped out.
“Give me your wallets all of you.” The mugger yelled. Matt being the hothead he tried to fight him off. The mugger stabbed Matt in the gut and sliced him on the arm. He let Matt fall to the ground dead to the world. It was thanks to his friends that he lived. They had given the robber their wallets and convinced him to go. They rushed Matt to the E.R. where he made a full recovery.
“Man do I owe those guys. I wish I could repay them but they insist that there is no need. Screw that! Tomorrow drinks on me. That is the absolute least I could for them. I should really take their advice and stop trying to be a hero all the time.” Matt decided.
Matt sat up straighter in his seat. There was only one more stop until the bus reached his apartment complex. Matt lived in a small apartment. It was all he could afford on his small salary. Even though he could not afford many luxuries Matt made sure that his television plan got the Hub. The reason for this was that Matt was a brony, a man who watched the show “My Little Pony”. Matt did not trumpet this fact like others. To him it was not necessarily a secret but there was no need to tell anyone. It never came up in any of is conversations.
Matt stepped out into the driving rain. He held up a hand to try to keep the rain out of face as he hurried to the apartment complex door.
“Hey Matt, how is it going down at the office?” The bellhop asked.
“It is going great Jim. Just got a new assignment. I cannot wait to start on it tomorrow.” Matt replied.
“That is good to here. Oh, before I forget here is your mail.” Jim said as he handed Matt a single envelope.
“Thanks man.” Matt said and walked over to the elevator. Matt opened the envelope on the way up. It was an advertisement. “Dang, more junk mail that is the fifth time this week.” Matt thought
The ad read, “Are you tired of your boring life? Do you want to travel the world. Do you want to see the sights and experience the cultures of the world? Do you want to immerse your self and become a part of each? If so then call the White Mountain Travel Agency. You will regret it if you do not take this wonderful opportunity. This is a once in a lifetime chance. You do not want to pass it up. This offer is only available through White Mountain Travel. Trust us you will like where we send you better than where you are now.”
Matt thought about the ad. “I do want travel the world but not right now. I am going to have to remember that travel agency, White Mountain. I will have to look them up later. That offer sounded interesting maybe if I did it in a few months and traveled for a few weeks. That could be fun.”
“No I do not think I will. I like it here.” The second Matt thought that the entire car of the elevator started to plummet at an incredible speed. Matt was knocked out on impact.
“Am I dead? No, I can feel the floor. Wait that is not the floor. Is it grass? Why is there grass in an elevator shaft?” Matt thought and then he passed out again.