The drive home from school proved to be quite interesting. Rain ricocheted off my windshield as the dark clouds above released their massive quantities of water. The drenched two lane road reflected the light from my headlights as I made the gradual 35 MPH turn around the first curve. No problem.

This was to be an epic battle: Endless Rain VS. a '92 Ford Ranger and its sophomore occupant.

*Roughly 3 hours earlier*

The school clock chimed three pings before class began. Yeah, we don't even have a classic bell anymore. For every classroom, a white P.A. Speaker was accompanied by a red digital clock, surrounded by white plastic. It was from here that the tones came from.

I took my seat, and pulled out from my backpack that same annoying weight from earlier: my geometry textbook. Shortly after, a girl I knew donned in a camouflage shirt took her seat in front of me. Spinning around, she gave me a hug, almost crushing me.

"Love my Connor!" She said with enthusiasm. I jokingly rolled my eyes and smiled, hugging her back. "How you been, Kenz?"

Mackenzie grinned, running a hand through her long brown hair. "Great, now that you're back!"

I had been away on a golf tourney yesterday, out of town with the team. Yes, I golf! Now don't judge!

Lately she had really gotten into hugging me. I mean jeez, I see her every school day, 7th period. She still has a boyfriend, so that is a problem. Hell, if she does that now, she would probably do the same if I was the one she was dating; but I digress, it's still a free hug!

"Hi, Connor. How are you?" My teacher casually asked over the chit-chat of the class.

"Very fine, but it's still Monday." I replied, my tone dulling as I mentioned the day. She nodded, and returned her focus to the rest of the students.

"Today we will go over chapter 6-3, and go over anything problematic from 6-2."

The majority of the class, including me, groaned in response. These damn Mondays, do they ever get worse?

"Also Class, we will correct 6-2 at the end of class."

Shouldn't have said that.

Writing the percent correct on the top of my assignment, I handed the page to my teacher before returning to my seat.

"Do you think you did alright?" Mackenzie asked.

"I'll pass." I replied, not really worried about it.

Gazing up back at the clock, the sight of 2:44 raised my spirits. 60...59...58...

The sound of that bell pinging was the equivalent to the Pearly Gates of Heaven squeaking. (No rhyming intended.) Flying out of the room, I was already in the drivers seat of my truck before anybody could get out a "See ya tomorrow" or "See you at practice." Trying to get out of the High School's parking lot with everybody else was frighteningly similar to bumper cars for adults. Rolling out of there, tires screaming, I made for golf practice.

G-Dale's C.C. was pretty good for a 9 hole course. Well trimmed greens, broad fairways, and the occasional deer passing by made the scene complete. Pulling out my clubs from the back, I got to work.

Returning exhausted from all the walking, I lazily loaded my clubs back into place before taking the helm of my vessel. Today's practice was indeed another awful one. Shooting a 64 (Par 35) had put me into quite the irritated mood. Revving the engine a little before departing, I waved my best friend Danny goodbye before leaving. Plugging in my phone to the stereo, This Will be the Day erupted from the back speakers. At least something good had met me today. As I rolled out on the road off the course, a slightly nerve-racking storm began brewing in the west. Great, more crappy things to bug me.

*Present time*

I clicked up the wipers to the fastest setting. Water was flung off the glass, only to be replaced by more. Gritting my teeth, I moved my head about trying to keep the view of the road intact. Another curve was quickly approaching. Giving the brakes a little encouragement, my speed seemed unchanged. Widening my eyes, a gave the pedal a good push, but to no avail. Thinking quickly, I threw the transmission into first gear and pulled the E-Brake. My tires screamed at me for the second time, and I could hear the engine whining as well, combining the two to form a terrifying chorus. Thrown forward, I felt my seat belt roughly hold me back as I shot straight off the curve, catching some air before slamming and sliding to a stop on a dirt road parallel to the highway.

Still tense, I slowly let a hand drop from the steering wheel. All was silent, except for the now soft pattering of rain on the roof of the cab. The sky had grown so dark with the clouds, one would think it was night. Relaxing, I grabbed the key. With a twist, the sound of metal scraping metal met my ears. Shuddering, I pounded the wheel. "AGH!" I screamed. Grabbing a flashlight from my console, I popped the hood, and opened my door.

Stepping out, the rain greeted me with a freezing welcome. Throwing on my sweatshirt hood, I opened the one to my vehicle. Immediately after setting the metal prop for the hood into place, the radiator cap burst, steam erupting from the cavity. Shielding my face, I waited for the pressure to subside. Taking a look at the metal beast's innards was not promising. No radiator, starter is toast, Belts are torn to shreds. Slamming my hand down in frustration, the impact put a nice gash into my finger, along with chipping a jewel from my class ring. Wincing as the blood ran, I watched it drip into a puddle at my feet, the liquid slowly diffusing into the strangely clear body of water. The portion of the gem also took up property in that puddle.

Out of nowhere, thunder erupted from the sky. Looking up at the sound, a flash of light erupted from the mass of black clouds, striking the precious stone, throwing me back in the process. Picking myself up off the muddy ground, I grabbed my flashlight, shut down from the blast.

But something was still glowing.

Looking down, the puddle now stood completely still. The rain had ceased, but the dark clouds remained. Gazing into the anomaly revealed a crimson forest, fading in and out of focus. I grabbed a stick, and gently touched the surface. surprisingly, acted more like rubber that water, the reflection distorted with the brief touch. The twig disintegrated, forming a few white particles that passed through the barrier, into the unknown.

A portal?

I backed away, and took a look around me. The rain had suddenly ceased, but the dark clouds remained. Was I really going to do this? I don't think this lonely town is going to miss one guy.

Going back over to my truck, I prepared for an inter-dimensional voyage.

I emptied the school contents of my backpack onto the floor of the cab. Not going to need those. Grabbing my coat from the behind the seat, I stuffed it into the main compartment of the bag, along with the flashlight. Next was the pocket knife I kept in the glove-box;I stuffed that into my pocket. I also grabbed my phone, but I knew it would only last about a day before dying. Lets see... Knife, Backpack, Wrist-Watch, Phone, Coat, Flashlight... Shades? Hell, if I was going to kill myself doing this, it's going to be in style. I put those on my forehead.

Standing over the portal once again, I let out a sigh. This is it. Putting my hands down to my sides, I hopped onto the "Puddle".

My legs went numb. Looking down, they had already dissolved, the process slowly moving up my body. Again, little white orbs re-condensed before moving on through. As the sensation reached my neck, I closed my eyes.

Everything went to black.

So, the first chapter is out! If all goes well, I may even do a crossover to my other story, If the Dust doesn't Kill Me. Comments/Reviews are always welcome. Thanks! *C707 HAS LEFT THE BUILDING*