Generate

///note
there might be small gaps in transitions or extra description missing in certain areas as of this edition. (character) descriptions subject to change.///

“We’re here!” Sally exclaimed, five paces in front of Momo.

“ah!” Momo replied, exhausted from keeping up with her “I hope it was worth it, can I lie down now?”

Sally pointed to a row of Gatcha machines at the side of a lonesome gas station. “You can lie down in like twenty steps.” She encouraged.

A clearing had been made in the side of the steep and lush mountain, which appeared to reclaim the gas station by covering it with vines and shrubbery. The gas station fought back in vain with rusty chain linked fences and used tires, but none could conquer the mighty mountain. Similarly, the sea would barrage the cliffside below the road day and night to no avail.

Over the roadside barrier, you could clearly see the town they came from, at about a thirty minute walk. Further still, you could see the freight ships leaving and entering the inland harbor Sally’s dad worked at; when she was young, Sally once tried to walk there because her dad forgot his lunch. Momo and her mother, on their way to relatives, saw the toddler on her slippers with little bow ties, hours from town. While the adult was on the phone with the police Momo questioned the dedicated yet non-verbal Sally, who soon burst into tears, holding up the lunchbox while pointing to the distant harbor-destination. Toddler Momo, now with fire in her eyes, pleaded and demanded with her mother and police to finish her quest together. Though everyone protested, the lunch prevailed, and the two would never be separate again.

“Couldn’t we take your mom’s car?” Momo asked, leaning over one of the weathered Gatcha machines.

Sally shook her head “I thought walking would be nice, like old times.” She replied. She pointed to the picture on the machine. Amplified with a thick eyeliner, her dark eyes looked expectantly at Momo, “Look look look”

She rolled off to gaze at the hyped up treasure, it was a key-chain of a little potato guy in a Viking hat. She looked at Sally and back at the figure. “Is it rare?”

“Can’t you see?” Sally asked "This is you, he is your spirit… vegetable. He's so magnificent!" Sally confidently awaited a response.

Momo looked back at her, deadpan, "I am hurt.”

"You're just not seeing what I see, can't you see his pure intention? His bravado! I hope I'm using that word correctly…"

"I sure hope you're not! I think…"

Neither of them knew the meaning of the word bravado.

Sally shook her head "We're getting off topic, I will only put in one coin, If we get him first try will you promise to keep and cherish him for ever and ever?"

Momo rolled her eyes "Fine… it's one in five odds so I'll humor your childish whim, but I am not putting it on my purse!" she pointed to the many key-chains hanging from Sally's shoulder bag.

"We'll see about that." She put in a coin and twisted the machine which hardly operated, klank She grabbed the plastic ball and, with eyes shut and both hands, offered it to Momo.

Momo opened the ball. She took out the figure and gasped loudly "woaahh" "He's beautiful!" she said.

Sally shot up "Did we get him?" she shouted.

She opened her hands to reveal a little potato guy with pink poop on his head "I'll cherish him for ever and ever!" Momo laughed, “let’s try again.”

Clouds formed over the glow of the setting sun as the two walked back. A slight breeze tugged at Sally’s long black hair, with short bangs precisely so this wind wouldn’t get it in her eyes.

Momo sighed, “Can’t you just do nursing school together with me? I don’t know how to make friends in the big city.”

“Ick, taking care injured and sick people, I couldn’t even call for help when I saw someone drown…”

“It was an adult who fell in the creek, he was not in danger he was just startled.”

“You helped him though…” Sally said under her breath. “If you’re ever lonely, I will just come pick you up and we’ll… fish people out of rivers together.”

“And where are you in this fantasy?” Momo looked over “Still having trouble deciding what to do after graduation?”

Sally went quiet. Though her key-chains jingled with every step. The shark key-chain appeared devour

“Well, if you can’t find anything, you’ll just have to come live in my closet.”

Sally smiled… “I always imagined we would become pirates on one of those big freight ships. It just made sense. But like, Peter Pan like, not the swashbuckling kind.”

Momo burst out laughing “I think you mean Robin hood, but Peter Pan would suit you too.”

…

After splitting ways, Sally read a notice sign that read that the road would be closed from tomorrow until the middle of September, meaning Momo would have left for college before it opened again.

Something snapped inside her, the vision of the little potato viking sitting there all summer was too much. It must reach Momo at any cost.

The windowsills in Sally’s street were filled with colorful ornaments of homelands and family heirlooms. She opened the door next to a windowsill that was clean with a bouquet of wildflowers in a black vase. “I’m taking the car for a bit!” she announced to her mother, who was about to bring her baby brother to bed. Her father wasn’t home yet.

Her mother, overwhelmed but supportive, “Will you be careful? It might rain.”

Sally nodded, she kissed her little brother good night, and got in the small black Toyota in front and went on her quest.

It was an uphill battle, Sally wasn’t a confident driver yet. The dark sea of dusk together with a slight drizzle made sure the speedometer wouldn’t exceed 10, though the sign said 30. She parked the car at the gas station, and immediately realized she forgot to bring extra coins with her. After sulking in the car for a bit, she considered putting the machine in the back of her car, would that fit? She noticed a coin in the car door. It was unlikely, but there was a chance theft would remain fantasy.

She squatted in front of the machine and put the coin in the slot. She twisted the handle which squeaked as it turned until klank. She held her breath as she opened the little door to reach the ball with treasure. She opened it without looking and felt a the poke of two spikes on a viking hat. She held the item between her thumb and finger, stretched her arm to gaze at the idol.

It was a magnificent potato guy with a viking hat, the dark sea and horizon behind it.

She released her breath and relaxed her shoulders.

The drizzle stopped.

Behind Sally’s point of focus, suddenly and without a sound, a large mass shrouded in darkness shot up from behind the roadside barrier.

A gust of wind rushed across her into the thicket behind.

Sally clutched the idol close and froze as she stared at the rapidly emerging serpent, every moment amazed that it kept going higher beside seeming like it could swallow her car.

Now appearing longer than a tanker ship, the beast came to a standstill before its tail ever leaving the water. Scales as big as a person could now be seen, its dragon like head was too dark and high up to identify its features.

To her right, a raspy male voice spoke directly to her: “Cool isn’t she?”

Sally twitched away.

The man, wearing an ancient purple robe embezzled with charms and amulets. “Can i ask you something?” the man grinned.