A celestial view of the light poppers

Chip has his own way. He has his own way for everything. This isn’t to say that he’s unable to change. In fact, he’s very flexible. Actually, he isn’t really all that flexible. Maybe that is a reflection on his mindset. Really, he can’t be sure. Furthermore, this morning, he is trying like hell not to look.

(There is a first chapter in this story, and can be found in the Ribbits category. The link for the story is also here and the story name is – The simple part of the in-between.)

It’s seven in the early morning, and Chip is at the diner for breakfast. He is sitting at the end of the counter. Alone. Consequently, he is able to see them without looking. Indeed, it is difficult sometimes, because they know that he can see them. Not only is this unsettling, but also dangerous. Especially considering what happened to Larry.

A celestial view of the light poppers

Chip finishes his plate of eggs, and carefully avoids looking at them. They are trying to get him to make a mistake. To what end? He wonders. Would it happen here? He tried to imagine how that might go down. Then he shivers, as chills race up his spine. He is still upset about Larry. What on earth was he thinking? After all they had learned. After all Larry had taught Chip. And it still hadn’t been enough to save him.

With this in mind, Chip sees them moving around, and working on another way to get him to look. It appears they are holding up signs again. Simple, but effective. Written on the signs are just three words. However, those three words are what got Larry in so much trouble. Now, there was no Larry, and Chip was the only one who could see them. Furthermore, they are still trying to get him to look. Now they are also making obscene gestures. Chip continues to not look.

Three weeks ago, he was still okay. In fact, he lived alone in a small one bedroom apartment. Additionally, he worked at the stock yard, and went to school at night. Chip stayed busy doing his thing. Yet, he always had the ability to see them. At first it was just a glimpse from the corner of his eye. A quick, furtive movement and then nothing. Chip dismissed it easily when he was younger. As he had grown, they became more visible. In fact, there was an entire world there. And only Chip could see it. Therefore, he knew from early on, that he was crazy.

The light poppers

Until he met Larry. In fact, Larry warned him about their world the minute he realized Chip could see it. Furthermore, he questioned Chip vigorously about whether they knew, Chip could see them.

“That was the sticking point”, Larry had said. “The point of no return“.

Of course Chip was astounded, and rattled. Not only had he found out he wasn’t alone in his crazy, but also that he was in some kind of peril. Furthermore, he was now worried about Larry. Indeed, Larry could see them, and they knew it. This changed everything, because they became aggressive, and appeared determined to get Larry to look at them. While they were looking at him.

Chip could see this, because he could see them. However, they didn’t know he could see them. He had been safe, until they realized he could see them. Then they went after Chip, the same way they got Larry. Now Chip is trying like hell not to look.

Another chance

He leaves the diner with them dancing all around, and holding up the signs.They are determined. Furthermore, their cacophony was only evident in their reality. No one in Chip’s world could see them. Maybe. Maybe they were acting…for obvious reasons.

Light poppers. That is the name Larry had for them. Chip thinks it’s a good fit. The creatures appear to be illuminated from within. They are mostly featureless, except for their expressive faces. Furthermore, they dart around. In other words they flit and flicker, and move fast. From his peripheral vision he can tell they are still holding up signs. They will continue, and the signs will get more difficult to ignore. They will also become more vulgar. The light poppers are very clever. They are compelling. In fact, Chip is struggling.

He is trying so hard not to look, he is missing details in his own world. Consequently, he almost steps into the path of oncoming traffic. Yet, he must avoid direct eye contact with the creatures. This is how they took Larry. In one flash of light, and a strange popping sound. Chip witnessed it. He was damn sure not going to experience it.

A celestial view of the light poppers

Therefore he focuses all his attention on the sidewalk in front of him. One foot in front of the other. No distractions, just a quick glance at a vulgar sign. Chip nearly trips. He tries to avoid falling, but it’s too late. He’s already staring into those eyes. Indeed, he hears a popping sound, and everything around him dims and fades. Except the light popper, who now takes Chip by the hand. Maybe he screams. It’s hard to say, as the portal of light closes, and Chip disappears.