The Watch – Part 227:

(Tom’s perspective)

It is a little unusual to be the only two people walking down the street, but at the same time it’s relaxing. It was quiet, peaceful, and private. We were able to walk down the street and talk without fear of being overheard. I know I don’t worry about anyway, but now that we’re all alone, I don’t have to worry about it. Our hands were locked together and our steps were in sync.

‘So, where’re we going?’ I asked again, curious still.

‘You’ll see,’ Alex teased once more.

‘Is it a big surprise, or a small surprise,’ I said, trying to pry any pieces of information I could.

She wasn’t backing down. ‘You’ll have to wait and see. It would ruin it. Besides…’ she said before she stopped herself.

‘Besides what?’ I asked. I wasn’t going to let her get away with that.

‘Nothing,’ she said.

‘You do realise that you are inside my head, don’t you?’ I said, waiting for the penny to drop.

But she just laughed, ‘that’s not going to work. You aren’t in control of your actions. You’re unconscious remember. All you can do is imagine and let your imagination do its work.

‘Now, that’s not fair,’ I said not in the slightest bit mad. Why would I want to be mad when I’m here with Alex? ‘So, you’re going to tell me or what?’ I tried one more time, but Alex wasn’t going to give up any bit of what she had in store for me whilst I’m here. I could try and figure it out, but I know that I would only get to the wrong answer. I guess I just have to wait, then.

I let my mind drift whilst we walked. I don’t want to think about what happened in the real world. I want to use this time wisely. It would be a complete waste to attempt to figure out what to do next. I’m unconscious, and therefore I cannot do anything. When I wake up, I won’t know where I am, what’s going on or what is about to happen, therefore I would have to do the next best thing. Just get on with it. Until then, I’m going to enjoy Alex’s company and whatever she has in store for me.

There was a sudden spring in my step. Snapping out of my wandering mind, I noticed that we were standing at the entrance of the park where the fair was at the beginning of summer. I’ve never seen this place so empty. Usually, there are at least a few people running around playing football or catch, walking with someone or their dog. It’s completely empty.

‘Come on,’ Alex said, stepping in front, pulling my arm forward which ultimately made me walk forward. I was about to ask where we’re going once more, but I knew that she wouldn’t tell me. We walked to the centre of the field.

‘Here we are,’ she said.

‘We’re here?’ I asked, curiously. ‘What are we doing in the middle of the field?’

‘We’re having a picnic,’ she said, and there, right in front of me, was an entire picnic set, complete with a massive hamper filled to the brim with sandwiches, cakes, fruits, drinks and all of this was sitting on a classic red and white checked blanket.

‘Where did that come from?’ I asked. I swear that wasn’t there a few moments ago. ‘Ah, right, of course. We’re inside my head. I’m imagining it,’ I said.

‘Got it in one,’ Alex said. ‘Now, go on, sit down.’ And I did. ‘But don’t eat too many of the sandwiches, Sebastian and Amy will be along in a few moments.’

‘They will,’ I said, slightly surprised. I didn’t want to sound rude, but I thought that it was going to be just us two for the day.

‘Don’t you want to spend time with your two best friends,’ Alex asked, curiously.

‘No, I mean, I do, but you know, I thought that it was going to be just us two, that’s all.’ I knew that she had read my mind, but I wondered if by saying it aloud that it would sound as if I was being rude. Unfortunately, it did. ‘Sorry,’ I said.

‘It’s understandable,’ she said. ‘But don’t worry. It’ll be fun.’

‘Do I get full?’ I asked.

‘No,’ Alex answered, simply.

‘And I don’t get hungry or thirsty, either, and if I imagined this picnic up, then I don’t have to worry about eating the lot because I can simply imagine up more if we do run out,’ I said, looking at it logically.

‘You are not in control, remember,’ Alex said again. ‘You are unconscious. You are imagining this place, me and soon Sebastian and Amy, but you cannot control what happens.’

‘Sorry,’ I said. I think I’ve gotten on the wrong side of Alex.

‘Don’t be sorry,’ she said, ‘and you haven’t gotten me mad. It’s understandable that you have to get used to being here at first. Maybe Sebastian and Amy will help you adjust,’ she said, standing up. Sebastian and Amy were indeed walking towards us, hand in hand, smiling joyfully.

‘Morning,’ Sebastian said, hugging me.

‘Good morning,’ Amy said, hugging me after Sebastian had let me go.

‘Morning you two,’ I said after Amy had let me go. I looked at Sebastian’s wrist and saw that he doesn’t have the watch. He’s just plain Sebastian. Good.

‘Shall we,’ Alex said, clapping her hands together.

‘It looks good,’ Amy said, sitting down on the blanket, eyeing up the food.

‘You’ve saved some for us, didn’t you,’ Sebastian said.

‘Are you kidding,’ I said, ‘I hadn’t barely had a sandwich before you showed up,’ sitting down once more. We had formed an irregular square, but it wasn’t quite a circle.

‘That’s good,’ Sebastian said, ‘I was afraid that we would find every bit of food gone by the time we showed up.’

‘I seriously underestimated my own power,’ I said. We reached out and took what we wanted from the hamper. Each of us took two sandwiches each, Sebastian went for carton of Apple juice, Amy a carton of orange juice, Alex and carton of pear juice and I went for a carton of blackcurrent. Sebastian had an apple, Amy had a banana, Alex had a pear, and I had a grapefruit. I don’t usually go for a grapefruit, but it tasted delicious all the same, anyway, so I didn’t bother worrying.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)