He raised his right hand to cover his eyes. The bright sunlight reflecting off the water was becoming to much. Leon was standing haphazardly on the edge of the high cliff-face of Cedar Point. He was staring down at Shire Lake his head pounding, thoughts racing. This was it. He'd finally hit his all-time low. For the first time in months he was completely sober as he lowered his hand once again watching the light play on the surface of the water. He couldn't take it anymore. Everything had lead to this point and he was determined to just end it all. He moved a step closer causing some dirt and rocks to fall downward towards the lake.

Just days before he was laying in the entrance to one of the back street-alleys to wasted to even move. As he lay there sprawled in the street , his face partially submerged in some liquid that was oozing from the dumpster, all he could do was think. What has my life come to? He thought about this single thought for the hours it took for him to eventually pass out. This had become his everyday normal. Eventually he would rise from whatever place he had passed out at and then he'd walk to where his house used to be. He would kneel down onto the dying grass and weeds before staring at the charred and overgrown rubble. Eventually he would stop crying to stand up and wander the streets of the town looking for the next way to bury his pain in intoxication.

He'd had enough of himself and figured the town had as well. He stepped back from the edge of the cliff and looked around one last time. He was at Cedar Ridge which was a large forest that wrapped around the eastern side of the town and Shire Lake. Effectively cutting the town off from the rest of the world on that side. There are roads but it does it's job as a natural barrier. The sun was out high over head and peeked through the tree tops giving the area a serene feeling. For a moment he contemplated not going through with it but his resolve came once again. Turning he closed his eyes and ran towards the edge of the cliff.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hi, twenty on five, these and I'll take, uh, three sixteens." The man said as he put a large soda, two of the Slurp ' Burp's Chili Dog Surprises and pointed to the lottery tickets. What he didn't know was the surprise was that the chili was expired and that's why the dogs were so cheap. She guessed he was in a hurry because he kept looking outside. As she rang the items up she looked through the rest of the store. It was rather busy for a Thursday, there were four people in the store right now.

"That'll be thirty-two ninety-four." Angela said as she waited for him to pull the money from his wallet. Next to her Miguel, her fellow co-worker, had begun to ring up one of the others. As she finished the sale and he turned to leave she quickly moved her "This Register Closed" sign into place with a smile as the guy who was next in her line moved up.

"Really?" He looked at her angrily.

"Have a nice day!" She replied as she turned around and headed through the employee only door. But not before snagging a pack of newports off the wall first.

"What a bit-" She heard him mumble as the door closed behind her. She began packing the cigarettes as she moved to sit at the small white plastic circle table they used for a break-table. The little employee break room was pathetic in the first place. The ceiling panels were sagging and bound to fall in eventually. The walls were a dingy white and the once clean counter space they had has been replaced by boxes of junk they were supposed to have gone through ages ago. She sighed as she ripped open the top and procured a cigarette. Fishing in he pocket in the pair of bluejeans she was wearing she found the lighter. Standing she moved to the back door. It had "Emergency Exit" worn on the door and a sign under it saying "Only open for emergencies! NO SMOKING!" written by Ralph the manager. She lit her cigarette and propped the door open with one of the pathetic folding chairs as she stepped out.

The sun was high over head and the area reeked from the garbage it was heating. The little fenced in Garbage area wasn't big but it did keep you hidden. She sat in her chair back behind the dumpsters on the other side taking a long drag and staring up at the sky. "When will something exciting ever happen?"

She loved the feeling of wind blowing through her hair. During her morning rides was usually the only time she didn't wear a hat and even left her hair down; she could feel it whipping behind her as she sped up along the highway. Cobie didn't have much with her, a few toiletries and a couple books - nothing extravagant. After a few hours of riding, Cobie's stomach began growling something fierce, so she reached into her messenger bag strapped behind her and looked for a granola bar. Oh fuck, I ate the last one for breakfast, she thought to herself. Her eyes darted up to the sign ahead that read "Vertwald 3 miles" and smiled to herself before revving the engine of her Hayabusa. Just as she reached as alarming speed, even for herself, she crossed the town line. Unhappily, Cobie dropped it to the speed limit of "35 MPH" and looked around the town. Little shops here and there, a couple of restaurants - not what she'd call a busy city, and sure has hell nothing like Manhattan.

She pulled up to the gas station and starting filling up her tank. As the numbers ticked up, she went into the building and bought a couple protein bars and a bottle of water; she picked up one of their deli sandwiches and shook her head slightly, this is shit. Where the hell am I anyways? She went over to the register and dropped her items on the counter, not even bothering to look at the person at the till. As soon as she purchased them, she tore open the bar and took a bite out. "Thanks," she muttered, heading back out to her bike. Her tank was full now, so she paid for the gas and straddled her bike once more; but just as she was about to start her engine, a sign caught her eye: "Slurp n Burp". Cobie shook her head. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet again, then looked back up at the sign and squinted her eyes as if trying to remember something. She reached into one of the pockets in her wallet and pulled out a picture of a young couple holding a baby. Behind them, was a building, and a sign that read "Slurp n Burp". Cobie held the picture up and positioned it in front of the building; her jaw dropped slightly. The building had been updated, but it was definitely the same building and sign as in the picture. "What the fuck?" She looked at the pump beside her and saw a couple with two small children, all four staring at her. Cobie smiled.

She rode her bike over to the parking lot and turned it off. Still sitting on her Hayabusa, she looked around; a couple of cars were parked outside, but no one seemed to be around. What do I do now? She swung her leg over and stood next to the motorcycle and ran a hand through her hair before pulling out her hair tie and putting her hair in a ponytail. From afar, the building looked updated, but up close, it looked like it hadn't been renovated in years; a new paint job won't cover up the cracks in the walls. Cobie opened the door and stepped inside, pulling off her sunglasses. She looked around and saw a couple irritated customers, no one behind the counter, and a "This Register Closed" sign behind the only available looking register. Well this is odd...

"Thanks Lucy, you make the best coffee in town." He flashed her his dazzling smile.
"Breakfast's on me this morning, Mr. Ruszo," the woman replied without hesitation.
August winked at her, "Seriously Lucy, call me August."
The woman blushed and nodded. "Have a great day, Mr. August."
He laughed and thanked her again for the coffee before heading out the door for his morning walk. When the coffee hit his tongue, August smiled. "Good morning, Catharine," he waved at a woman gardening, "Lucy's coffee this morning is incredible!"
"You say that every morning, Mr. Ruszo!"
"Because every morning it's true!" He and the woman laughed, "Your garden is looking wonderful as always, Catharine." He flashed another one of his dazzling smiles and continued on his way to Town Hall. August passed by and said good morning to a few more towns people before he got to the steps of Town Hall. Looking up at the building, August smiled. "God, I love my job."

August went into the building and headed for the front desk, "Good morning, Sarah."
"Good morning, Mr. Councilman. How was your coffee this morning?"
"Incredible, Sarah. Truly incredible. Make sure you tell your sister when you go home tonight."
"I will, sir. Lucy always loves to hear that you love her coffee." Another dazzling smile. August opened the doors to his office and breathed in the rich smell of leather bound books and mahogany furniture. "Fabulous day," he said to no one in particular as he closed the doors behind him and headed straight for the window looking out over the town. His eyes scanned the town, not quite sure what he was looking for, but looking nonetheless. He saw movement on one of the highways coming towards the city and raised an eyebrow, "We don't usually have early morning guests..." He couldn't make out any details of the movement, just that whoever - or whatever - it was, was moving pretty fast. Then he heard the faint roar of a motorcycle engine and shook his head. "Crazy drifters. He better not cause any trouble." August turned around and sat at his desk.

There was a knock on the door and his receptionist entered,
"Good morning, Mr. Ruszo. How was your morning walk?" She gave him a rather mischievous smile.
"It was good. Relaxing, even. Close the door, please, Rebecca." The woman nodded, placed a few files on his desk, and closed the door; upon hearing the soft 'tick', she locked it. August picked up a file and began reading it; at the sound of the lock clicking into place, he raised his eyes over the top of the file and grinned. The receptionist walked towards the councilman and took the file from his hand,
"You can read that later." She hiked up her skirt a few inches and straddled him in his chair, "Right now, I need all your attention." She took his hand and placed it on her breast. August smiled, picked her up, placing her on his desk, and unzipped his pants. He leaned in to her and kissed her neck before whispering in her ear,
"How does your husband feel about you coming to work an hour early every day?"
"He doesn't even notice." Rebecca gripped the back of August's head and pulled him in for a kiss.
He bit her lip and felt her reach between them to un tuck his shirt; her hand snaked into his pants and he grinned again. Fabulous day, indeed.

As he leaped from the edge of the cliff he suddenly felt as though he was finally free. His mind which usually raced with thoughts of his family and what had become of him. The pain and loss he constantly tried to drown away. He felt none of this. Leon had only one clear thought in his head. It will be over soon. The air whipped against his face and his eyes began to water but a smile had crept across his face. Soon it would all be over and he could be with them again. He had contemplated this for years now and it had finally come to this point. The clear surface of the water was getting closer and closer. He could see someone in a boat fishing. Before he could even think about what would happen if the person realized what was going on, it happened.

He watched as the water began to part in a long line through the lake. The little canoe had been angled on the line and had begun to split apart. Leon tried to blink, his sight was rather blurry and he wasn't sure if he was already dead. At the same time the water parted the waves roared up just as he broke through the surface. It felt like smashing through a wooden table and then he lost consciousness. The waves carried his unconscious body back towards the beach depositing him sprawled in the rocky sand. Part of the little canoe washed up not far from him. The man who had been inside struggled to pull himself out onto the ground. From his left hip to his right knee at an angle had been seamlessly cut from him. He was still gripping onto what was left of the oar in his left hand.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


She heard the sound of a motorcycle roaring to life towards the fuel pumps and then die out just a few feet from her. That was a little excitement but not really what she meant. No one who lived here drove a bike. So she knew it was some sort of outsider. She finished her last drag of the cigarette as he heard the sound of Miguel's voice. "Damnit Angela! You need to get back in here. I'm tired of covering for you all the time. You are the one who is supposed to be-" She stepped from outside to inside of the break room to glare at him.

"What? It was dead and I figured you could handle a few people." She said sarcastically as she brushed by him heading to her register. She picked up the sign and moved it out of the way smiling at the next customer in line. They on the other hand looked like they were about to scream at her. They didn't have a chance though as the entire store started to shake. It was subtle at first and then it kicked up to a violent degree quickly. The shelves shook and things began to fall. One of the customers screamed out, "Earthquake!" And then panic broke out as they started trampling one another trying to get out of the building. Miguel screamed like a girl from the back making Angela turn. He was on the floor with a couple of boxes atop him. When she tried to move to help him she fell letting out a quick gasp before hitting the floor. It was all over before she could blink and try to get up. Everything came to a halt and it wasn't long before she was on her feet. She scanned the store quickly checking for serious injuries as she picked up the phone by her register and dialed 911. One of the shelves had fallen and there was an older lady under it desperately trying to free herself.

"Holy shit." She said as she set the phone down. The line was busy anyway.