Something even the gods can’t understand. Personality has its own magic that can never be replicated. Each individual is different in every aspect. So intriguing that even the self proclaimed saints are fascinated. “Come get your theater tickets now!” “The unexpected events will leave you grasping at straws!” The theater was a massive humbling building. Just as every building was. The only thing to separate it was it’s two white coated pillars. Gods pleasured in beauty, but likable appearances were a rarity. Every thing looked the same. All bland. No flavor. This very lack is what made the theater so popular. As routine, the mistress of the sun god rose to escort the actor on stage. The audience would gasp at the distorted, spoiled face. They would revolt with disgust. Many would laugh. The actor would shrink with wide eyes, but the mistress would sneer and kick them forward. Unwilling to touch the ugliness the stood before her, she would step on the pad of their foot with her heel. The actor would scream in pain while trying to crawl away. The goddess of night would show up to take the actor, but not before they screamed for help. She preyed upon the false sense of security when she would save them from the golden mistress. The actor would cling to her. That’s when the show would start. The moment the actor would drift. The sensation of tiredness and safety. The audience would whisper audibly in anticipation. The room will fill with the power of the illusionists son. The darkness faded and the image spread in a formation that looks like sand. The actor stepped away from the goddess, thinking it was a bad dream. They would look relieved and awake. Some would visit their parents or spouses. Others found security and happiness in seeing their kids. Our particular actors rose to find his girlfriend next to him. “Jamie, let’s go on a picnic.” “ Right now? I don’t really feel like flashing everyone.” Jamie jokingly smiled. Mary swat at him while giggling. “You have to promise me okay. This is important to me.” “Of course we’ll go. Just wait for me to get dressed.” The illusionist grumbled and dragged his hand across the air. Suddenly Jamie’s life was fast forward in a blink of an eye. The show returned at the scene of the picnic. Mary lay on her stomach with her head right next to Jamie’s. There was a field of flowers along with milkweed. The audience awed, in the back the nymphs yawned. Butterflies covered them in a blanket. Mary pressed her lips on Jamie’s forehead. It was peaceful. Another grumble and Jamie was on his knee in the very same field. Mary had her hands over her mouth. “Yes. Yes! Of course I will!” She threw her arms over him and cried happy tears. Saint Lizzy looked to her right and whispered to Mother death, “Were you that enthusiastic when the old water geezer asked you to marry him?” “Who do you take me for? Obviously not.” The goddess of night looked as if she was about to blow a fuse every time someone spoke. The mistress would laugh or roll her eyes. At this point Jamie and Mary had two kids with another on the way. Two daughters and a to be son. “Daddy, do you like my drawing!” “It’s beautiful, but I think you should make one for Mom.” “I already made one for Mom.” “ Well Mom has been very grumpy lately because of the baby”. Jamie glanced at Mary and smirked. She stared at him for a moment before softening her expression and sighing. The last show was Jamie playing catch with his son. They were laughing and sharing stories while Mary was hugging her daughter before she went back to college. With a flash of bright light the illusion ended and Jamie came back to his reality. No past 20 years, no kids, and no wife. Jamie made a rustling sound as he reached to his arm and pinched it in silence. The once charming and smiling Jamie was broke. Heart broken was an understatement for how he was feeling. He mourned his Mary. He mourned his beloved kids. The Sun god appeared and announced, “ That’s the end of the show folks, come back next time for a little more dramatic life.” With that he jabbed Jamie and laughed. Jamie’s collar was then pulled behind the scenes and his life ceased. All it was was a day dream for the entertainment of others.

Lottie always excelled in track. She loved how all the anxiety she had before the gun would disappear in a matter of milliseconds. The bang like a trigger. Time slows and the only thing left is her and the track. The others would fall behind but Lottie only looked up and kept running.

The best runners would always be taken to another school team. Best friends would be ripped apart and ghosted. Most friends would try to stay together. Lottie had no time for such friendships. She had to keep practicing to make the best team. She had to see her best friend again.

First call, second call, and finally third call. Lottie was in the first heat out of many. She set up and studied the ground. This was the day she would meet her best friend again. Ready, set, Bang! Lottie took off. Her spikes grabbing at the ground as if she would float away. The competition looked like they were standing still compared to her. She crossed the finish line in first. Even out of the other heats.

The coach never doubted her. He walked up behind her and told her that she would be going soon. Lottie beamed. This was her dream. The coach gave her instructions to come back to the track at night. The time was sketchy and tiresome, but it was like this for everyone.

Lottie was so excited that she tripped over the curb outside the track. That was embarrassing. She made her way inside to find coach with a boy. He looked about four years older than Lottie. “Lottie! Your right on time.” Lottie just nodded and smiled as she set her stuff on the ground. “Today I want you to race my best prodigy. If you win you will be on the team.” The boy only frowned. That made Lottie get a bad feeling. “Don’t slow down, don’t look back, don’t lose your edge, and lastly run like your life DEPENDS on it.” The coaches eyes were cold. “ Let’s start outside of the track.” He said with a grin. Lottie made a mistake. There was a feeling deep inside telling her to run. Outside of the track the coach gave her a head start.

“Five, four, three, two, one… go.” Lottie was off. As she ran she kept getting a bad feeling and looked for somewhere to go if anything happened. No houses, no people, not even a building in sight. She disobeyed the coach and looked back only to see the boy chasing her with a knife. Her heart sank and she ran as fast as she could. The adrenaline pumping through her and making her head thump.

No matter how fast she ran the boy was right behind her. At times he would lunge and try to grasp at her. Lottie just focused on running. The wind she once loved now hurt her eyes and made her tear up. Not to mention the fact that if this happened to her best friend. No, Lottie would not think of that. It had to have been hours in Lottie’s mind. Her adrenaline was fighting to stay but she could bearly stay in a wobbly line if not complete zigzags. The boy lunged again but Lottie dodged as she tripped on a curb. Lottie just laid there. The boy walked up gasping and stood over her. Lottie coughed and smiled, “How embarrassing.” She frowned. The boy kneeled and stabbed her. Lottie grabbed the strangers ankle and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” The boy stated.

Lottie was fast, but not fast enough this time.