Chapter Two

"Success"

"Oh yea!" Michael thought. "That was easy."

Glancing at the time piece it read 6:00 a.m. "Plenty of time."

Knowing there was time, it didn't stop him from pacing through his house rapidly looking for the next things he would need for his next encounter with the girl. Unsure of her role just yet he knew she was important, with his encouragement, she would pry herself for answers.

Finding the demonstration box he took it, and the vacuum that it once housed out of the closet. Placing them by the door, he scoured through his house making sure to remember everything that would be needed.

Sometimes in being led by his ability he would grab random items off the counters and place them in his pockets, this time though, he didn't feel the need for any extra trinkets. He went straight for his keys and opened the door. Knowing he wouldn't need the items until later this afternoon, he grabbed both the box and its accessories and placed them outside the front door.

Michael was smart, yet by today's standards he considered himself to be more of a lazy genius. He didn't want to have to make unnecessary trips. Taking one last glance inside he scanned the moderate surroundings making sure eveything was in order. The plush cushions neatly pressed on the sofa, the child locks fastened into the plug-ins that were unused, and no knives left down, with one lamp burning for illumination. Although taking such precautions was unnecessary.

"Life's a game, play it." He thought.

Following his motto in life was never easy, so he had to remind himself periodically throughout the day, as though, in those words it helped him keep his grip on reality.

Taking first the vacuum he released the alarm on his SUV and placed it in the back. The most he could hope for today was when approaching the girl she would be moderately cooperative and willing to play the game. Running back up to the steps he took the box and placed it neatly next to the vacuum. His mind raced with today's events.

Michael was good looking, standing at 6'2 curly brown hair and blue eyes, he always was paid a compliment that he should be a model. His physique was stunning as well with the occasional remarks of how he must've played high-school sports though nothing in that nature ever interested him. He may have had the build but he lacked the motivation.

Now he felt more like a high-school nerd than a jock thinking about having to introduce himself to the girl. According to the girls mother she was not easy to win over.

"Life's a game, play it." He thought.

He headed back into the house, made his way to the kitchen, and grabbed a box of crunchies from the cupboard. He placed the open box on the table within reach in case his nonexistent friend got famished. He didn't get hungry often.

Since he has been here, Michael has seen him only grab for food a couple times and it was mere table scraps not enough for a full meal or to keep his small body going. But somehow the child was still alive.

Just as he went to check on him the door to his bedroom opened softly as though, besides being the world's lightest eater, he was also a mind reader. With ghostlike movements the boy headed past him and went to the love seat where he sat emotionless and empty eyed staring off into some realm that eluded Michael. He couldn't help but to feel bad for the youngster, but at this moment in time, there was nothing he could do.

With his golden brown hair falling to the side of his face, the boy could pass for any normal kid until you look into his eyes. His eyes were almost an ashen grey as if at one point in time they were blue yet all the colors faded. He felt the child himself was in danger of being erased from existence. He wasn't sure why but he had this pressing feeling he was running out of time.

"Hey." He said, looking into the childs deep grey eyes, even at that moment it looked like they were fading into a deeper, darker color. He looked away and continued.

"I'll be back, ok?" Watching the child he awaited for a response though he knew none would come. The boy stared blankly through him. No emotion or sign of comprehension elicited his face.

"So there's some cereal left down for you in case you get hungry, I wont be gone for more than a couple hours. Ok?"

This wasn't the first time he has had to leave the child alone. Each time he has had to run out, the boy remained unharmed and in the same position, with the occasional wandering blankly around the house or sitting against the wall in his bedroom. Michael would've been considered a bad parent. Though he was not the boys parent he only knew of him.

Thanks to his gifts he knows of a lot of things including the girl. He was led to the boy about a few weeks ago and since then he has felt the peril of time running out to help the child. The child, the girl, and the connection... all just some small puzzle he had to piece together.

"Lifes a game, play it."

He didn't ask for this job, but from the first time he accepted, and started utilizing his talents, he knew this was his destiny, his purpose, his mission.

"Lifes a game, play it."

Standing up he made his way to the door with one final glance back. The boy continued to stare off into some distant realm. Closing the door he headed into the car and turned over the engine.

Checking the time, by his calculations, he would be right where he needed to be at exactly the right time. Although he wasn't sure yet where that might be or why he had to be there.

Listening to the engines soft purr he grew increasingly excited and nervous about the day ahead.

"Lifes a game, play it."

"Lets do this!!" He spoke aloud, his empty words of encouragement. With his stomach still in knots he pulled out of the driveway and headed off.