Journey's End

Returning back to the shop, Jonathan and Lewis take this opportunity to finally eat a proper meal as its almost been a full day of surviving on the supplies they've packed for the road. After Lewis had taken a quick cigarette break, they decide to try out some of Ter's cooking at his restaurant. Despite previously seeming like a lifeless part of Myrtle's Coast’s edge settlement, the place was surprisingly crowded with customers this afternoon.

“Sure is a people pleaser.” Lewis says to Jonathan as they ate their perch filets; the catch of the day.

Turning around to see Ter casually chatting it up with some patrons, Jonathan returns back to his filet.

“He’s a good cook too. I can’t believe he manages to do this all by himself.” Jonathan says as he stuffs his mouth full.

“It sure is.” Lewis says as he leans back in his chair and sips at some tomato juice.

“Ahh, I sure miss this,” Lewis says, looking at his cup with admiration, his face softens.

“All this fish and boats, it really reminds me too much of home. I can’t believe that in a few hours I'll be back after all these years.”

“I can’t believe it either, and I still can’t believe you enjoy that stuff.” Jonathan says as he cleans his mouth of some tartar sauce with a napkin.

“What! Tomato juice is amazing!” Lewis says as he finishes the rest in one go before leaning forward in his chair.

“I hope everyone is doing fine.” Lewis says, putting the cup down.

“Me too.” Jonathan adds.

“Sorry to interrupt, but are you finished with your meals?” Ter says as he approaches their table.

“Yes, and it was really delicious. Compliments to the chef.” Jonathan says.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” Ter says, taking the complement with humility.

“Well, since you’re done, you guys are welcome to rest upstairs until the evening,” Ter says as he takes their plates.

“Oh and your meals are on the house. You’ve helped out tremendously.”

“Thank you a lot Ter.” Lewis says.

“Yeah, thanks, you don't know just how much you've helped us out.” Jonathan adds.

"Well its how the saying goes, you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." Ter says, laughing as he leaves their table with their dishes stacked on his hand.

Seeing Ter leave, Jonathan and Lewis decide to stand up from their tables.

“I sure am tired, aren’t you?” Lewis says, yawning.

"It's been a whole day since we've last slept, I can't wait to get some shut eye too." Jonathan says.

Making their way out of the bustling restaurant towards the back where Ter is cooking away in the kitchen, they find the stairs leading to the second floor. Climbing their way up, they become acquainted with Ter's home. It's a small apartment where two large chairs are conveniently set besides a large window looking out into the sea. Impressed Lewis makes his way to a chair and plops himself down to enjoy the view.

“Finally I can get some sleep. And with a nice view too.” Lewis says as he makes himself comfortable in the seat.

“Heh, don’t get too comfortable, you wouldn’t want to oversleep.” Jonathan says as he notices a photo hanging.

Taking a closer look, he sees that it's a photo of Ter standing besides Dan and his sister at some sort of event. Whatever it was Jonathan thought it might have been important since all three of them are wearing lab coats, smiling as Dan held onto a trophy. Despite his interest, his primordial need for sleep took more precedence so Jonathan made his way towards the chair next to an already snoring Lewis and sat down, closing his eyes.

Being whisked away in his sleep, Jonathan opens his eyes to see that he is laying down on a bed staring at a ceiling. Laying up he realizes that he’s in his apartment in the city. Scattered papers and dirty plates of half-eaten food from late nights of finishing assignments was a common sight anywhere you looked. Unphased by the mess, Jonathan pulls open the curtains to the window next to his bed to reveal the morning skyline of the city. He smiles as the sun gently warms his skin.

“Hurry Jonathan. Things are only going to get worse.” He hears a voice say.

Suddenly, the gentle sun fades away as a thick cloud pears over the horizon. Confused by its rapid approach, Jonathan is frozen in fear once he realizes the path of destruction in its wake as it consumes the city’s skyline. Jonathan screams as the cloud consumes the nearby towers and buildings before bursting his window and entering his room, completely filling it like sand.

Opening his eyes in cold sweat, Jonathan is grateful to find himself still in Ter’s place. Swiping his brow of the accrued sweat, he sees that night has already fallen over the shore through the window. Standing up, Jonathan reaches out to Lewis and gives him a few shakes.

“What is it…” Lewis says half-asleep.

“It's time.”

Awake, they quickly prepare the last of their remaining supplies, a half bottle of Dream and the few remaining morsels of food, before making their way downstairs to find Ter. Leaving the apartment, they make their way towards the kitchen of the the now closed restaurant. Jonathan found the store to be particularly eerie as the only sound that could be heard was the  occasional drips of water leaking from a faucet in the kitchen.

“Where’s Ter?” Lewis whispers, cautious to break the overbearing silence.

"Over here.” Ter says loudly from the main store front. 

Following his voice into the main serving area, they find him sitting down alone at a table, reading a newspaper under the light of a lamp.

“Are you both ready to go now?” he says as he turns the page.

“Yes.” Jonathan says.

“That's what I like to hear. Let's get going to the boat then.” Ter says as he finishes reading the paper, setting it down on the table.

Following him outside to the dock, Jonathan is mesmerized by the water as it reflects the city’s night skyline off in the distance. Thanks to the night's darkness, he was able to forget that they were currently in the only clear spot in middle of a massive Dream cloud for a moment.

“So be ready, even though there are less patrols around this time of night, that doesn’t mean that the officers are going to be any less attentive.” Ter says, guiding the way.

“Okay. What do you want us to do in case we get stopped?” Lewis asks as he clasps on his cloak's button.

“We'll just tell them that we’re out doing some late night fishing. After all, fishes can’t resist a midnight snack.” Ter says chuckling.

"But wouldn't we need to show some type of proof? Like I don't know a fishing license?" Jonathan says.

Having some difficulty getting onto the ship, Ter turns on a later for Jonathan and Lewis, giving them the much needed light to help them get aboard.

"Don't worry about it too much. Lots of fishers nowadays don't have licenses with how much Mira's been struggling to keep order in the city. If anything, just act natural and if all goes well we should be there in half an hour." Ter says as he undoes the rope anchoring the boat to the dock.

Now free floating in the water, Ter makes his way towards the wheelroom of the boat.

“Can’t wait.” Jonathan says as he and Lewis follow Ter inside.

Settling themselves down on a bench inside, Jonathan and Lewis watch as Ter makes some final inspections before putting in the key in. Turning the engine on, its roar slowly crescendos as life is injected into the propellors via the newly installed pistons firing away.

"And we're off." Ter says, spinning the wheel.

Maneuvering the boat out of the dock, Ter aptly leaves the shore under the cover of the night. Nervous about the path ahead, Jonathan knew for certain that bright lights of Myrtle's Coast held more than just trouble for him and Lewis.