There it was. After a few minutes of running, it was right in front of me; The town of Arcadia. How did I know this? Well, the town welcome sign and countless streets of arcade shops was a big hint! More disturbing than that however, was the city population sign; It was zero until I walked near it. “I hope this thing doesn’t talk.” I sighed to myself. “Oh it doesn’t. Next you’ll be asking if trees talk too I suppose.” Said that all too familiar voice. “Come on out D,” I looked at the population sign; it had a two on it now.

The self-proclaimed middle man for death slowly faded into view…he was laying on top of the welcome sign.  ”I’m surprised you even found this place. It goes where it wants and only lets whom it wants to inside. ” D explained to me. “That just silly! I mean, come on, a town that does all that?! It’s just plain crazy!” I burst out my opinion.

D just started chuckling and then broke out into full on laughter. “I’m sorry, I should’ve realized a frail girl like you would like to keep a grip on what little reality you have. Here, let me take you somewhere familiar.” He offered through his laughing fit.

I found myself being dragged towards the nearest arcade. I knew it wasn’t the time or place to think about this but I wondered why D’s hand felt as welcoming as it did. After all, shouldn’t this person’s hand be as cold as ice? No, it didn’t feel cold…it didn’t feel hot either. “What’s wrong?” He asked me mid-drag. “Nothing,” I sighed as he continued to pull me towards the arcade.

——–

D practically threw me through the front doors. Several different game machines littered the room and, as I expected, it was devoid of people. “No offense, but this place doesn’t look familiar at all.” I explained to D. “Oh, put these quarters into the air hockey machine,” he commanded. “Sure, like that will help.” I muttered under my breath. Helpful or not, to humor him, I still placed the coins in the slot.

The room went black…

Suddenly, there was a small boy dressed in leather; he was crying. “Oh sorry, this one’s mine.” With that said, he sheepishly switched out the pucks and I watched the sad boy morph into what looked like my room.

The room was something that looked straight from the hospital. As a matter of fact it was. “Why are we here?” I asked in the most annoyed tone I could manage. “Frail humans like you seem more comfortable around familiar places…although you don’t look to happy to see it.” Explained and commented D. “It was my home and my cage.” I sighed; there was no way I was going to explain myself to this annoying middle-man-for-death nutcase!