Just An Abstract Mannequin

It looked just like a dandelion the way the sun stained the sky. The orange and reds prickled his synthetic skin in waves of warmth. Bread wanted to just pluck it out of the clouds. Let it rest on his hands and watch it slowly burn away to ash.

“Not even Val knows about this place.” Coach motioned towards the skyline. “You can be taller than everyone when you’re up here.”

They sat comfortably on plastic beach chairs with a single parasol shading them from the glaring sun. It was breathtaking the way the city sparkled from above this abandoned skyscraper. And as the sun fell, more lights started to dot the urban landscape below.

“I ain’t one to tell you how to live your life”—he pulled out a bag of turkey jerky— “but I don’t want you going down the wrong path. You’re both good kids. But give her a break, lad.” He chomped down on his snack. “She’s been through a lot.”

“Does she… hate me?”

Coach laughed. “Far from it. She’s doing this because she thinks you’re family, lad. She’s not trying to be some greedy corpo. She’s better than you think. Give her a chance.”

“But I thought—did I do something wrong?” He didn’t understand. “I thought it was bad to hurt others.” That was what Dad had said a long time ago…

“You’re—well, it’s complicated, ain’t it? I don’t want you losing your kindness, Bread. That’s what makes you different from everyone else out here. The world is harsh. But don’t let the world define who you want to be. Plus!” he went on. “We’re all family now. Whether you like it or not. Now, this is just a suggestion from a foolish, old man—don’t let your problems fester. I aint fixing your relationship for you, but you gotta do what’s right.”

“How do I know what’s right?”

“You got guts, lad. I saw it in ya. So just follow your instincts. I don’t want what we got going to fall apart because of a little argument. And this is little. Compared to all the things in life waiting for you out there. If we can’t get through this, how do ya think we’ll get through everything else?”

This is little… The sun started to sink under the horizon as even more lights spread across the city. Bread took a moment to enjoy the quiet. Right after the loud, afternoon cars passed through the streets, and right before the world in front of his eyes was eventually engulfed in a million miniature suns…

Instinct. He had to follow his gut instinct.

…

Bread took a stroll out back behind the gym the following day. It was the only place nearby with trees and dirt. The only place that looked natural and calmed his mind.

There were strips of grass and wildflowers spread across the earthy field like weeds. Sun-kissed dandelions sprouted between the clumps of plant life, boldly coloring the terrain in patches of bright, incendiary yellow.

He crouched over the dandelion he had accidentally pulled a while back. It looked dry and crisp, preciously preserved by the heat of the summer sun. He held it up to his eyes…

“Don’t hurt people, Bread.”

That was what his dad had once said. Back when he wasn’t real… But was he any more real now? Was he really human? Or was he just as undeserving of that title as before? His gut instinct told him nothing. His records told him nothing. He still didn’t know if any of this really mattered. He still didn’t know anything…

He sighed loudly.

What did it matter? Coach was right. And Val was too. He had done something wrong. That was why he needed to make things right.

It didn’t matter if Val was hurting others if he was just hurting her too. It should’ve been common sense to worry more about their own lives than some stupid thing his dad had said. Dad probably didn’t even care about him. He probably didn’t even know he was out here in the real world.

Val didn’t do anything wrong. It was him. He was the problem. He only thought of preserving that image he had of her back when she was still boxing… Maybe he really was just holding her back. That’s what his instincts were telling him. If it wasn’t for him, maybe she would’ve already made enough money for her eye.

The dandelion crumbled in his hands just like the image he had of Val. But it didn’t feel so bad. He wasn’t important. That’s what he realized. If he was just a waste of money, all he had to do was be her other eye. Make her money, do what she wanted him to do… Then he’d finally be useful.

He didn’t have to be real.

…

One thing Bread had noticed after their little argument had taken place was that Val always left the gym around midday with her gym bag full of mysterious gadgets and equipment. She tiptoed out trying to make the least noise possible. Almost as if she was hiding something. And it didn’t take long for him to figure out what she was up to. It was obvious by now that she’d been leaving to steal. Her bag was always more plumped up when she returned in the afternoon.

Today was probably no different.

He didn’t want to be a burden. Not anymore. So before she was even awake, he decided to wait in front of the door. He’d surprise her by telling her he’d help in her thieving endeavors. He wouldn’t hold her back any longer! But as he made his way towards the door—

A loud explosion shook the gym. There was a crash of resounding thunder, and a bright light outside that temporarily blinded his eyes. And in a flash…

It was over.