It was two in the morning. He had been sleeping a wonderful dream, but was awoken by a phone call by his best runner. So the couch quickly got out the house and into his SUV to help out his runner. He wasn't sure what was wrong but he heard the distress in the young man's voice as he asked to be picked up.
As he reached the corner, he saw his young runner, Alex, sitting on a curb, his eyes fixed to the ground. He slowed the car to a halt abd opened the passenger door, to let Alex in. Alex just sat at the curve though. Staring down at his shoes.
Alex!
Alex slowly lifted his eyes and stared at his couches tired old face. He looked at him for a second, than slowy got off the curb, and walked into the car. Couch could see Alex was in a rotten mood.
What is wrong?
Alex gave no response. He just sat on the leather seat staring down at his shoes. His couch waited for a response but after a couple of seconds understood that Alex wasn't in the mood for conversation, so he drove off. The streets were all empty, only rarely would a car emerge from the darkness to move past them. The couch wasn't even aware where he was driving. He had knowledge of where Alex's home was, or if Alex even wanted to go home.
Well, you did good at that race on Friday. I mean a new personal best. A 'four o five', you should be very pleased.
Alex was the fastest runner. Fastest runner his couch ever trained. His mile time was the best his high school had ever seen. Alex had run with the best and always came first. He had gone to state and gotten the first place medal, and a record time for the state competition. His running skill would take him far.
You lapped the other runners. You lapped them, like you always do.
Alex began to cry. Couch was shocked.
What's wrong?
Alex just cried, and leaned his head further into his own lap. His sobs were low but easily heard by the couch, in the silence of this night.
I want to run the four hundred
Couch just stared at his young runner, than gave little chuckle.
Of course you can run the four hundred. With your skill you'll win like nothing.
Alex began to cry a little more. Low cries and soft sobs.
Next week you'll run that four hundred against our rivals at Cortez, and you'll leave their runners in your dust.
Alex paid no attention to his couches words. He contnued his sobbing, and began looking at the moon. Tears trailed his cheeck, and in the soft glow of the moon light, Alex's green eyes, filled with those tears, began to close. To shut him out of the world.
Do you ever feel lonely?
The couch was startled by alex's voice, and by his words.
Well...
I don't feel like I belong. It just seems to me, that my life isnt suppose to be.
Couch slowed down at bit and began looking at Alex.
That it's not important if I exist or not. If I were to cease to exist would anybody care? Would anyone notice?
Of course they would.
But do I want them to.
Couch sat there silently, he fixed his eyes back to the road. There was an awkward silence in the car, and a darkness in the heart of Alex. He wasn't himself.
Where were you? If I can ask?
I was at a party.
What happened?
Nothing much.
Alex began to remember the event at that party. His heart began to pump harder and he began to breathe hard. He nervously played with his hands. Than as the couch stopped at a red light, Alex opend the passenger door and began to run.
ALEX!
