"I remember a nice nurse when I woke up, just not before."

When they arrive back at the house containing his apartment, Tyler spends a few minutes trying to find where the lightning struck when he swung at the ghost that appeared behind him. "It was so close I couldn't hear for a few minutes!"

---

Tyler smiles as he sees the arm, "So cool! Um, I don't know those pops, but Mr. Pibb sounds like Dr. Pepper, so I'll try that."

He opens up the kit he brought with him, pulling out his multimeter and a few tools. "I think it's just some excess resistance in the circuit. Maybe a corroded wire, or a resistor of the wrong strength. Those colour codes can be hard to read sometimes. Should be easy to fix if we rewire it."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 147):

You can't seem to locate the spot of the lighting strike.  But you are pretty sure you remember it correctly:  there was a big flash and boom.  Like one did strike nearby.

---

Reggie grins at your compliment.  Then the two of you get to work.

Mr. Pibb tastes like Dr. Pepper.  Maybe a little milder.  But it does seem to be a knock off.

Your theory on the wiring turns out to be both wrong and right.  Some of the wires are bad.  But he's got a problem with the flow.  There is just not enough juice flowing to where it needs to go.

The two of you discuss it, getting wrapped up in the conversation.

Reggie finally slaps you on the shoulder. "C'mon.  You probably need ta head home soon.  Lemme at least treat you to an enchilada."

You blink at the window.  It's starting to get dark.  The two of you just got engrossed and ended up talking and working on the arm for hours.  You realize you are starving.

Reggie grabs a jacket.  "You mind if I ask you somethin'?  Did you get picked on a lot in middle school?"

Tyler packs up his stuff and then pulls on his own jacket.

"Yeah, sometimes. Well, a lot I guess, but I always had Levi. He's been my best friend since we were, like, six. He always had my back."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:22, Sat 17 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 149):

"Good."  Reggie nods, apparently glad you had someone in your corner.

There's a little taco stand down the road.  Reggie is right about the enchiladas.  They are awesome on a stick.

He piles away five of them and belches.  The two of you chat a while, then you head out.  Reggie walks along to the station, glowering at some of the locals.  You head up to the platform alone.

As you are waiting for the train, your cell vibrates.  It's Tom.  You're sure it is because your cell phone doesn't say 'Tim'.

"Hey.  It's Tim."  Stupid cell phone.

"It's kinda late notice.  But can you come over tonight?  We were able to score a copy of Rocky Horror. One with like the audience participation stuff.  We were gonna watch through it.  You can just stay here tonight if you want."

Mom is going to be studying all night for an exam.  She shouldn't mind.

"Yeah, sure, I'll be there as soon as I can."

After hanging up, he texts his mom:

My group from drama class is meeting tonight at the twin's house, may go late. Can I stay the night?

He's quite talkative with his mom, when they get the chance to talk, so she's heard all about those from his class by now.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Tue 20 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 151):

OK but text me the address when you get there.  Do you have clean underware?  And is your phone charged?  Text me the phone number there too just in case.

Back at home tomorrow by 10 AM.  No excuses.

Tim and Tom are about four stops west and two stops north.  It's the exact opposite kind of neighborhood from Reggie's.  Everyone lives in their own house.  There's a little yard around each one and every house is made of neat bricks.  There are nice cars and trucks parked in front and even the dogs look like they wear designer collars.

Tom, or Tim answers the door, waving you inside while sucking on a popsicle.  He points to a large front room.

Tanya is seated on a couch, legs crossed, looking at the back of a DVD.  Sasha is standing in one corner, her cell phone plunked on her ear.  She waves at you, then rolls her eyes at whoever is one the phone.

Tanya pats the sofa next to her, then points at Sasha.  "Her Dad's giving her the third degree.  Happens a lot.  How you?"

Tim/Tom walk in, carrying sodas, bowls of chips and popsicles.  They lay them out.

"Okay.  That's everything," one of them says.

"I'm not sure my parents were alive then this was made," Tanya says, still reading the back of the DVD.  "I still can't believe we're doing this as a play."

"I heard Baskins is tryin' to suck up."  Sasha is off the phone now.  She walks over, picking up an Oreo from one of the bowls before sitting down.  "There's a coupla trans kids in one of the upper grades. Lotta the teachers are getting on the 'let's be supportive' bandwagon.  I'm sure we'll have a 'we're all the same' assembly any day now."

Tom/Tim groans.  "Didn't we do that last year?  The one with the puppets?"

Sasha laughs, picking up another Oreo.  "Hey kids!  Remember all us puppets are the same!  Cos we got someone's hand shoved up our asshole!"

Tim/Tom rolls his eyes.  "I swear.  I think you're like a frat boy trapped in the body of fat eighth grader."

"I'm not fat.  I'm differently thin."

"Anyway,"  Tanya tosses the DVD aside.  "We gonna watch this or not?"

Sorry for the long post.  This story has some set up to do. Before we go on, quick question:  have you ever seen Rocky Horror?  I'm assuming Tyler hasn't.  But didn't want to assume you had knowledge of the movie/audience stuff

Nope, I haven't. I've heard some of the songs, though, in Glee and the Hillywood Doctor Who spoof. But as for the rest, no clue.

Tyler asks Tim/Tom on the way by, "What's the house phone number? My mom wants to know just in case my phone runs out of charge."

Once that's dealt with, he heads into the living room, waving back to Sasha as he moves to sit by Tanya.

Not having any clue about the movie, he asks, "So this is about being Trans, then?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 153):

"Kinda.  I asked my aunt about it.  She was surprised we were gonna do it for a show." Sasha shrugs.  "The basic gist is this couple's car breaks down so they go to a nearby castle to use a phone.  There's a bunch of weirdoss in the castle, like a transvestite mad scientist who's trying to create a blond muscle man to get down with and...Meat Loaf.  Which is apparently a guy and not like...dinner."

She points at the box.  "My aunt said the movie is awful and its the stuff the audience does during the movie that anyone goes for.  So we tracked down a copy of the movie being shown at a theater so we could see what the audience does."

So you all watch the movie.

'Stuff the audience does' is putting it mildly.

During the first scene, everyone in the audience throws rice during a wedding scene.

When Tim Curry comes on, they throw hot dogs.

But none of that is as bad as the lines.  The audience all yell the same line at times.

Tim and Tom's Dad pokes his head in and frowns when Susan Sarandon sings

...burning bright...

And the audience yells out

What's Up You Ass?

And Susan Sarandon sings

...there's a guiding star...

And the audience shouts back

Ouch!  That Must Hurt!

Tom and Tim's Mom comes in after the audience screams

FUCK! THAT! BIRD!

during the Time Warp musical number.

Tom, or Tim, goes out in to the hallway with her, explaining why they're watching this.  She doesn't seem too happy.

Tanya pauses the movie and leans over to you.  "You're not gonna get in trouble for watching this, are ya? I mean...your Mom won't mind, will she?"

Tyler can't help but giggle throughout the movie, at both the corniness of the movie and the antics of the audience.

At Tanya's question during the pause, he answers, "Probably, if she finds out what they're saying. Don't think she'd care much about the movie part of it."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:08, Thu 29 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 155):

Tanya groans.  "Yeah.  My Mom would not be happy.  My Dad'll blow his gasket.  I haven't told 'em we're doing this yet."

Sasha shakes her head. "Ya know.  There's a lot worse these days.  Hell. Game of Thrones had a lot more dick jokes than this does."

Tanya shakes her head. "Yeah. But I wasn't allowed to watch it either."

Tim, or Tom, comes back into the room.  "Okay.  I explained it to Mom.  She wants us to stop watching it.  She's also gonna call the school."

The others groan.  Tom, or Tim, mumbles, "This is just like Equus all over again."

Sasha looks at you.  "She wanted us to do Equus last year.  With the nude scene.  How the hell she's still employed by the school I dunno.

"Well.  Looks like we ain't doin' Rocky.  Can't say I give a crap.  Who's up for burritos?"

Tanya frowns.  "Don't be so glib.  I was kinda lookin' forward to it."

The five of you end up watching another movie and talking about not much at all.  Tanya checks her phone.  "My Dad's outside.  C'mon Sosh.  I'll give ya a ride."

Tim and Tom show you upstairs.  The top floor of their house is a big open game room.  The three of you will sleep up there.  They have a nice gaming set up.

While his brother gets the games set up, the one you feel is probably Tom hands you a controller and asks, "Hey.  Sorry if this is rude but...is it weird bein' so much younger than everyone else?  You seem to come off okay. But that whole grade skip thing an' comin' to a new school's gotta be tough."

"I wasn't allowed to watch that either. But I've read Ender's Game and it had a bunch too," Tyler adds, to the mention of dick jokes in Game of Thrones.

Later, to Tom's question, he nods emphatically, "It's the weirdest thing, ever! Feel like I'm surrounded by giants at school. And I didn't know anybody. First time I've ever gone to a different school than my best friend."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:41, Mon 02 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 157):

The Probably-Tim clicks his tongue.  "That's kinda rough."  He jerks his head in Most-Likely-Tom's direction as he starts a game up.

"I've always been in the same school as dumbass here.  It would be kinda weird not having him around."

"It'd be awesome not having someone who farts so damn much around..." quips Almost-Certainly-Tom.  "Seriously though.  Don't let anybody pick on ya.  And drink some milk.  You could use some centimeters."  He says it in a joking manner.

"Are we gonna all touchy feely?  Or are we gonna play?"

The three of you end up staying up until about three or so.  Their Dad comes up once to tell you to go to bed.  But he doesn't seem to put too much emphasis in it.  Tim and Tom don't pay him much heed.

"Unless his face gets red, we're okay."

You stumble to the train around 10 AM the next morning, having eaten pancakes and eggs to your heart's content at the twin's house.

Mom is seated on the couch when you get home.  She looks at you.  "If you were sixteen, I'd worry that you were drunk. You didn't get any sleep didja?"

She sighs.  "Didja have a good time?  Who were these kids you went out with yesterday?"

Tyler answers the first, "I got a little... Um, four hours?"

Then he gives an emphatic nod, "Yeah, it was great. Before I asked about staying over, I was helping Reggie - he's from my physics class - with his science fair project, and then it was the kids from drama class. Tom and Tim, Tanya, and Sasha. I think they're all a grade ahead of me, but they're cool."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 159):

Mom studies your face.  You can tell what she's doing.  It's her 'Bully Scan'.  She always gives you that look whenever you come home from school and she's actually there.  It's a once over for visible bruises or cuts.  Checks to determine if you're lying about everything being okay.

She nods, but you aren't sure she completely believes you.  But she doesn't press the point.

"Okay.  Well.  I was thinkin' about ordering Thai for lunch.  You want some?  If not, go to bed.  I'll wake you up in a couple a' hours."

It's Sunday afternoon.  You may do what you like.

Tyler heads straight to bed, but once he wakes up again, he has plans of his own.

Turning on his computer, he loads up a passworded document and starts to make notes. He's already got a number listed.



Now, he starts to add some more.



Once that is typed out, he goes to dig through his electronic supplies for a 9-volt battery. When he finds one, he checks it with his multimeter to test the power level to ensure its charged.

Once he's sure it is full charge, he touches the connectors to his tongue.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Fri 06 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 161):

Okie doke

You feel the metal ends touch your tongue.

There's a sharp loud crack outside.  It sounds like something big just collided with something big.  The building shakes a little.

Standing at the foot of your bed, staring at you, is an old man with blue skin.  His eyes are kinda buggy looking.  Like someone in a cartoon just whacked his feet with an anvil.

He stares at you a moment and then turns, walking to the door of your bedroom.  He stops, looks back at you, turns back around, and walks out of the room.

Had you been waiting for me to do that? :) I'd meant to earlier, before the scene with Reggie, but I couldn't type or dictate enough that day and I wanted to channel some Young Sheldon into it with the scientific-esque approach. :)

There is a split second where Tyler is excited, as there is no sharp jolt to his tongue. Then the Crack makes him jump, dropping the battery.

And there's a blue man staring at him.

Shock and extreme curiosity - this may, after all, be the person from his missing memories - overwhelm any fear he might have normally felt at some strange man appearing in his room. "Um... Hi? Are you the one I saw..."

He doesn't finish the words before the man starts to apparently lead him somewhere. Far too curious to do anything else, he follows after the blue man.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Sun 08 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 163):

I was hoping you would do something similar sooner or later.  But I never try to anticipate a player's moves.  Have found out the hard ways that players never, ever do what you expect them to.

The blue man walks through your living room, stopping every so often to see if you are still following.  Mom is in the kitchen, making Velveta Mac an' Cheese.  The brand with the fake bacon in it.  Mmmmmm.  Fake bacon.

The blue man opens your front door and steps out into the hall.  He walks down the stairs towards the lobby.

With it being Sunday, there's not a large amount of traffic outside, cars or pedestrians.  But there are a large number of people standing in an alley across the street.

Even from a distance, you can tell they are also dead.  Most of them have pale or blue skin.  A few have signs of obvious trauma.  One woman with black bruises from the hands that wrapped around her neck and strangled her.  A man with half his rib cage crushed in.

They are all staring your way.  The blue man walks out into the middle of the street, obviously heading in the alley's direction.  He stops and looks back, seeing if you will keep following.

Overhead, the sky is getting very dark.  Another big storm is rolling in.

Tyler's step falters as he sees that crowd of ghosts waiting for him, his eyes widening just a tiny bit. But, taking a deep breath to try to calm himself, he continues walking forward, though he does make sure to double check for traffic before crossing the road.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 165):

The blue man reaches the others first.  They all watch you cross the road.

There's a rumbling in the sky above.

They all look up.

The sound dies away.

They all look back at you.

As you reach the curb, the blue man holds up a hand, palm facing you.  Stop.

He points up at the clouds that are gathering overhead.

Then he points at you.

Then back at the cloud.

The cloud rumbles, this time loud enough that the glass in the windows of the buildings around shakes.

The crowd in the alley looks up at the cloud.

The sound dies away.

They look back at you.

I need to know Tyler's reaction, even if it's just standing there looking dumbfounded.  Thanks

Tyler looks up at the clouds, and then back to the blue man in confusion. "Do..." His voice cracks a little from his nervousness, and he tries again, "Do you want me to do something?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 167):

It starts to rain. Just a sprinkle.  The breeze picks up, on it's way to becoming a wind.

They are all still staring at you.

What feels like forever but is probably only thirty seconds or so passes.  The rain turns into a drizzle.  The wind is now a wind.

Behind you, a car horn suddenly blares. A Hyundai is honking at a woman who suddenly ran across the street in front of it.

Maybe you start.  Maybe you don't.  But it is a sudden start.

Then everything is bright light.  There's a sudden warmth that surrounds you, brushes over your skin, runs its fingers through your hair.

Someone is shaking you.  There's a man standing over you, grabbing you by the shoulders.  His mouth is moving but its like you are both underwater.  All you can hear from his mouth is Charlie Brown's parents or teacher.

The fact that the blue man and his friends are gone registers.  Where did they scamper off too?  You aren't sure.  The guy who was shaking you has picked you up.  You don't seem to be able to move.  All you can see is the sky and how angry it looks.

You close your eyes, because that sounds like a good idea.

You open them up and you are staring at a tile ceiling.  Mom is sitting beside the table you are laid out on, resting her head in her hands.  A man in surgical scrubs is standing on the other side of the bed.  He stares back at you.

"Hey there.  Don't try to move, okay?"

Mom raises her head and almost leaps at you.  She starts to babble, but the Doctor kind of shushes her.

"Hold on.  He's going to be disoriented probably.  Let's let him get up to speed."  The doctor smiles at you. "You got struck by lightning champ.  Sounds like it's kinda habit with you.  Do you feel funny?  Anything hurt?"

You feel a little sore all over.  But that's about it.

Tyler is definitely confused for those first few moments, but when the doctor says what happens he groans, "Again?!"

Still, he seems alright. Did I absorb most of it?

"I feel like I just got out of gym class, but that's it. I don't even have the headache I did last time, so I guess I landed softer?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:32, Thu 12 Nov 2020.

In reply to Tyler Thompson (msg # 169):

"They said you weren't as close."  Mom leans over and kisses your forehead, wiping your cheek with one hand.  "The man that saw it said it hit like real close to you.  You got knocked off your feet."

"I think you're gonna be okay.  But..."

He scratches his chin.  "I do think we need to run a MORT on you."

Mom blinks.  "A what?"

"A Meta Onset Reliabilty Test.  It will help determine if your son is a meta."

Mom shakes her head.  "Oh hell no!  Tyler's not going through that kind of mess! Not-"

She pushes her lips together and shakes her head, wiping her eyes with the back of the hand not holding yours.

"No."

The Doctor shrugs.  "I'm sorry Ms. Thompson.  But the decision isn't yours."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"Under Healthcode Act 1405, any indication of potential meta activity coming into an emergency room has to be documented.  If there is reason to suspect a new-"

"My! Son! Is! Not! A! Meta!"

The Doctor sighs.  Then continues.  "The right to test for meta onset rests with the patient.  As long as they are capable of making that decision."

"He's a child!"

"In my opinion, he is capable of making that call himself."  He looks away from Mom and at you.

Tyler hesitates for a moment, looking at his mom. Her reaction has him confused and a little scared.

Does she hate metas? Will she hate me?

Still, the thought of trying to figure this out by himself - and probably being struck by lightning again - is just as scary a prospect. In an incredibly timid voice, he says, "I want to do it."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:27, Fri 13 Nov 2020.