Shortcut

Dave raised his collar against the night wind, wishing he’d worn a scarf. The leftover kitchen humidity mingled with his own stale sweat as he made his way home, creating a chilly layer of moisture under his clothes. Restaurant work sucked, but it was easy to find and keep. Plus, Viva Roma was close to home, and that was important to Dave. Only four city blocks between home and work, two down, then two over. Those blocks contained everything he needed. Grocery store, coffee shop, produce market, liquor store, and a handful of used book stores. It might not be the prettiest part of town, but it was home.

The October wind reddened Dave’s cheeks and quickened his step. Even four blocks was feeling too far in this weather. He decided to risk cutting through the alley. It was dark, but it wasn’t late. He’d used the short cut all summer and nothing bad happened. Dark and cold don’t increase danger, he told himself. Ahh, rationalization – one of the joys of being human.

Two yards into the alley, the sodium glow of the street lamps disappeared behind a dark zipper of shadows cast by aging brownstones and overflowing dumpsters. Under foot, the pavement felt cracked, uneven, and a little slick. Dave walked cautiously, putting his attention not on the darkness ahead, but the beckoning glow of light at the other end of the alley. A hand, broad and heavy draped over his shoulder. His heart stopped mid-beat and his knees were as supportive as pudding. It was all he could do not to piss himself.

A bowling ball voice spoke from well above Dave’s head.
“Toby, just relax. Everything will be fine.”
“B-b-b-but my name’s not Toby,” Dave said.
“I know that,” the voice said. “A little relaxation wouldn’t hurt you either, though. Toby is the rat that levitated you.”

Dave looked down, and saw he was a good three inches off the ground. His instinct was to run. However, he realized that between the feet in the air and the hand on his shoulder, he would go nowhere. Sure enough, there was a small pair of glistening black eyes amidst the candy wrappers and pizza boxes to his left. His fear turned to anger, then curious definace.

“Magic rats?” said Dave. “What makes me so damn special I get to meet magic rats and a friggin’ giant tonight?”

“Nothing special about it. Toby here just turned three, and it’s time he learned to use his powers.”

“Powers? Rats have special powers? Come on,” Dave said.
“Not all rats,” said the voice from above and behind, “just some of the newer models.”

“Newer models?” Dave echoed. He felt his feet touch down on firm ground, and the hand lifted from his shoulder. He felt safer, somehow protected.

“Yes, newer models. Toby here is one of our latest, and a very quick learner. A model recruit, if I say so myself. What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t, but it’s Dave.” He felt warmer, more comfortable. His eyes had adjusted to the dark, and he turned to look at the man with the large hands. He was enormous. In the alley, he was dark against dark. Dave could make out a gaunt, bearded face under long, thin hair, and the silhouette of a tattered trench coat atop faded jeans and scuffed, worn at the heel cowboy boots.

“I must go now, and tend to the others. Toby will show you to your new home,” Said the man.

Dave flicked his tail, and squeezed under a pile of wet boxes right benind Toby, off to start a new life.