challenge #1 - Prompt #5: Night Vision
Title: Sadness or Euphoria
Prompt: Night Vision
Word Count: 573
Rating: PG
Original/Fandom: Glee
Pairings (if any): none
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/Underage): none
Summary: When Artie is having a hard time in the city, Rachel takes him to see Coney Island. spoiler fic #50 million.
We walked down the abandoned boardwalk, trying not to freeze. It was way too deep into winter to be out here on the water this late, but Rachel had insisted. She looked up at a tall red tower that was trimmed in lights. She pointed at the top. “Did you know that tower used to be a carnival ride? I think people actually parachuted down from the top.”
“That’s nice,” I really wasn’t interested. I had no idea what we were doing here.
“Artie, bad things can happen anywhere. I thought you wanted to be in New York.”
I wasn’t so sure anymore. “Why not? This is where dreams are made of, right?”
“It’s true. Do you know how many people would love to be where you are?”
I snorted. “I doubt it. I mean, look at me. All you see on TV are the bright lights, tall buildings and everyone’s fantasy playground, but it’s not true. I haven’t even been able to see any of that because I keep having the worst luck. Not to mention it takes me forever to get anywhere.”
She actually started smiling, probably not even really paying attention to me. “Don’t worry about it. We’re here now. Coney Island is legendary. I guess that’s why I wanted us to come here. I mean look, there’s the Cyclone and Luna Park and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs…” she chuckled. “Is the amount of time spent on the journey really the end of the world?”
“Maybe not, but it’s everything about the city, I think. It’s crowded, it’s dirty, people are awful, our apartment is subpar… and I miss Ohio.”
“Wow, I never expected to hear you say that.”
“Well, in Ohio, I was on the top. I was the best in every class, I was the director of every play, I had an amazing girlfriend. Here I have literally nothing.”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Maybe I should be more clear. I know I have the chance of a lifetime here, but every step is a battle. Lima was safe.” I had to smirk a little. “Well, maybe not safe exactly, but at least I knew what to expect. Go to school, get through the adventure of the day, rinse and repeat. This city is crazy. Everything is so fast. Life comes at you from all directions and it seems like everyone is out to get you. I’m honestly not used to fighting.”
She kind of just stared at me for a long moment. “You do fight though… every day.”
I shook my head. “I do what I have to, I make do. It’s not really a choice. I guess that’s the difference. People here choose to live their lives to the max, from the best to the very worst.”
She sighed, “Can I give you some advice?”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I stopped myself. “Sure, go ahead.”
“You don’t have to live full out. Look out there,” she turned towards the ocean. “It’s dark now, but you know somewhere out there is New Jersey or Portugal or whatever’s on the other side of the ocean.”
I followed her gaze. It was far from dark with all the light reflecting off the water, but I just nodded.
She sighed, “I guess what I’m saying is you just have to be able to see past the dark.”
Prompt: Night Vision
Word Count: 573
Rating: PG
Original/Fandom: Glee
Pairings (if any): none
Warnings (Non-Con/Dub-Con/Underage): none
Summary: When Artie is having a hard time in the city, Rachel takes him to see Coney Island. spoiler fic #50 million.
We walked down the abandoned boardwalk, trying not to freeze. It was way too deep into winter to be out here on the water this late, but Rachel had insisted. She looked up at a tall red tower that was trimmed in lights. She pointed at the top. “Did you know that tower used to be a carnival ride? I think people actually parachuted down from the top.”
“That’s nice,” I really wasn’t interested. I had no idea what we were doing here.
“Artie, bad things can happen anywhere. I thought you wanted to be in New York.”
I wasn’t so sure anymore. “Why not? This is where dreams are made of, right?”
“It’s true. Do you know how many people would love to be where you are?”
I snorted. “I doubt it. I mean, look at me. All you see on TV are the bright lights, tall buildings and everyone’s fantasy playground, but it’s not true. I haven’t even been able to see any of that because I keep having the worst luck. Not to mention it takes me forever to get anywhere.”
She actually started smiling, probably not even really paying attention to me. “Don’t worry about it. We’re here now. Coney Island is legendary. I guess that’s why I wanted us to come here. I mean look, there’s the Cyclone and Luna Park and Nathan’s Famous hot dogs…” she chuckled. “Is the amount of time spent on the journey really the end of the world?”
“Maybe not, but it’s everything about the city, I think. It’s crowded, it’s dirty, people are awful, our apartment is subpar… and I miss Ohio.”
“Wow, I never expected to hear you say that.”
“Well, in Ohio, I was on the top. I was the best in every class, I was the director of every play, I had an amazing girlfriend. Here I have literally nothing.”
“That’s not true and you know it.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Maybe I should be more clear. I know I have the chance of a lifetime here, but every step is a battle. Lima was safe.” I had to smirk a little. “Well, maybe not safe exactly, but at least I knew what to expect. Go to school, get through the adventure of the day, rinse and repeat. This city is crazy. Everything is so fast. Life comes at you from all directions and it seems like everyone is out to get you. I’m honestly not used to fighting.”
She kind of just stared at me for a long moment. “You do fight though… every day.”
I shook my head. “I do what I have to, I make do. It’s not really a choice. I guess that’s the difference. People here choose to live their lives to the max, from the best to the very worst.”
She sighed, “Can I give you some advice?”
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I stopped myself. “Sure, go ahead.”
“You don’t have to live full out. Look out there,” she turned towards the ocean. “It’s dark now, but you know somewhere out there is New Jersey or Portugal or whatever’s on the other side of the ocean.”
I followed her gaze. It was far from dark with all the light reflecting off the water, but I just nodded.
She sighed, “I guess what I’m saying is you just have to be able to see past the dark.”