A sharp blade of sunlight pierces through my eyelids, pulling me from the dregs of sleep much sooner than I appreciate. I knew I should've closed the blinds before I even left. Rolling over, I stuff my face into my pillow in a futile attempt to drift into sleep. Giving up, I slide out of bed and onto my feet, closing the blinds as I do so.

Now that I'm awake and up, there's only one thing to do. Flopping onto the couch I grab the remote and switch to the news channel. The police report should be complete by now, and I need that information.

"-this is Officer River, who has agreed to tell us about what happened earlier this morning. So, what did happen?" Good, I didn't miss it.

"Not much to say, there was a fire over at the Lifemaster factory, just outside town. Pretty ironic name, if you ask me. Whole place blew up, and thanks to all that rubber it'll be burning a long time. Still don't know what started it, though. I'm thinking it was that kid, but he can't exactly talk right now." I doubt it was the boy.

The newslady looks confused at this information. "So you're saying there was a child present at the time of the fire?" You go, lady. Asking the real questions.

Officer River grimaces. "Yeah, there was a kid all right. Came out of the place unconscious. Still is."

The newslady looks hopeful, for some reason. "And the Phoenix? Were they there?"

Officer River sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. "Yeah, they were there. They're the one who dragged the kid out of there, from what I've heard."

The newslady continues the interrogation. "So what you're saying is that you didn't see the Phoenix there?"

Officer River is beginning to look annoyed. "No, I didn't see them. My partner did, and the Phoenix took off before I could ever look out the window. I hope they're gone for good this time."

The newslady hooks onto this bit of information like a lifeline. "What are your thoughts on the Phoenix?"

For the first time since the questions began, Officer River looks happy to answer. "What are my thoughts? My thoughts are that this Phoenix is no one important, and should let us do our job without adding extra work."

The newslady is quick to defend. How sweet. "But do you deny that the Phoenix has gotten there the fastest, multiple times, and has saved many citizens' lives in the few years they've been here? Do you know how many would have died without the Phoenix's help?"

Officer River pinches the bridge of his nose. "I know, and I'm not proud to say it, but the fact remains that the Phoenix is creating unnecessary work for us while doing so. If the Phoenix was part of the police force, then it wouldn't be a problem, but obviously, that isn't the case."

The newslady turns back toward the camera. "And there you have it! This has been an interview with Officer River. Back to you Tom, with the weather." That's enough news for one day, though I am a bit disappointed by the lack of useful information present throughout the entire interview. Can't be helped, I suppose. I turn the television off.

My eyes flicker to the clock hanging on the wall. 7:48 am. Why am I awake? It's too early.

As I contemplate turning around and going back to sleep, a series of loud knocks on my door break me out of my reverie. Now who could possibly be knocking this early in the morning? Who could even function enough to be walking this early in the morning?

"Hey, are you in there? Wake up and let me in! It's Hayley!" Oh, I am so not ready for this. I could pretend I'm not here, go back to sleep, climb out the window-

"I can hear you in there! Open up!" There is no way she heard me, I haven't moved. I hear the door jangle a bit as Hayley tries to break in herself, before I hear the familiar "click" of the lock. Did she just lockpick her way in?

The door swings open to reveal the ever-smiling face of Hayley.

"Hey there!" is her only greeting. I can do nothing but stare. The silence drags on. Hayley seems to take this as her cue to keep talking.

"Anybody ever tell you that you're a fashion disaster?" Is she trying to pick a fight here? I'll show her why nobody's ever won a fight against me. She must have figured out what I was thinking, because she suddenly doubles over laughing.

"You should see your face! I had no idea you were so defensive over your clothes!" She points at me, laughter gaining in volume.

I cross my arms and fix her with a glare. "Well, in case you haven't noticed, I just woke up-" Hayley interjects with, "Oh, I can tell!" I pretend not to hear her. "-and I wasn't planning on going out either. Not for awhile." A thought suddenly strikes me. "How'd you know which apartment was mine?" And Hayley smirks, actually smirks, not that cheerful smile she's had plastered to her face from the moment I met her.

"I have connections," she says simply. Fine, two can play this game. I can give vague answers too, just you wait.

"Care to elaborate on these 'connections'?" I huff out. And there's that smirk again.

"Nope," is all she has to say. Why is she so infuriating?

"Well, if you're not going to say anything then you can go." She's not going to leave and I know it, but apparently when you tell someone you know what they're going to do they stop talking to you. I guess that's life.

"Why would I leave now? You haven't even offered your guest a chair! Some hospitality you have." Without even waiting for my consent, she pushes past me into the chair behind me. Tad bit rude, but I'll let it slide.

"Hayley."

"Yes?"

"What do you want?" I finally manage to voice the question I've had since she walked in.

"Want? I want to hang out with my friend! Or..." She trails off, letting the sentence hang before picking it back up. "...Are we not friends?" Honestly, you're asking the wrong person here. I cave under her silent stare.

"We're friends." I sigh at the look of excitement spreading back onto her face. What have I signed up for?

"Excellent, because now you can come visit me at work! Which starts in-" She does a double take at the clock. "-ten minutes? I'm going to be so late! I'm getting fired for sure this time!" A desperate look at me. "Do you have a car? Bike? Scooter? Anything?" I shake my head and her face falls. I might as well help her out.

"I know a shortcut." Hayley's attention is on me instantly.

"You do? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Her voice picks up in volume as she speaks.

"There's no need to shout. Just follow me." I lead her just outside my bedroom. "Hold on a second," I say as I close the door and get dressed. I guess this counts as today's speed drill.

"Okay, but hurry up! We're wasting time!" Pushy, aren't we?

"I thought I told you to stop shouting," I reprimand her as I open the door to let her in. The sight of Hayley's confused face makes this moment perfect.

"Hey uh, I don't mean to cast doubt on you, but there's no way there's any 'shortcut' here." Oh, that's what she thinks. Now it's my time to smirk as I open the window.

"Who needs roads when you know parkour?"

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Author's Note

I know it's been awhile since my last update, so I tried to include a bit more character development here. Not sure how well that worked. As always, comments, suggestions, and questions are welcomed and encouraged. Until next time, whenever that may be.

Published December 11, 2017.