The following story takes place after Part Time Gods: Puck Ex Machina.

12 years, thousands of miles, and Phil had never picked up a hitchhiker. It wasn’t just because of DOT regulations for truckers either, although those fines could be pretty hefty. No, as a general rule, Phil wasn’t very talkative and always felt awkward with someone in the passenger seat. Forcing him to talk when he usually had nothing to say.

Which is the situation he found himself in with the hitchhiker next to him. He still wasn’t sure what happened actually. He was sure he picked up the guy, although he can barely remember it. Considering how the passenger was dressed though, that might have something to do with it.

“So,” Phil spit out awkwardly, “I’m assuming you had one of those trucks or something?”

The stranger turned his head, and despite his appearance, Phil felt a chill ride up his spine.

“Trucks?” the stranger repeated, his voice soft but still extremely clear.

“You know.” Phil was having trouble finding the exact wording, “The kind you guys have for your job. I mean, your clothes aren’t even dirty, so assume maybe it ran out of gas or something right?”

“Yes… truck.” The stranger turned his head back toward the front screen, not offering another word.

Several minutes passed before Phil broke the silence again.

“Sorry, I was uh, being rude. I’m Phil.”

The stranger said nothing for a few seconds before stating “Arlecchino.”

“Oh, is that Spanish or something?”

“Italian.”

“Ah…so… Arlecchino, have you been to Louisville before? Looking to do some business?”

“No and yes.”

Phil wasn’t expecting a debate with the guy but simple answers like this was starting to get to him.

“So… uh… gonna get a job there, set something up?”

“Yes, set something up.”

“Ah. Just you then?”

“No, there will be others, they are coming.”

“Oh, it’s a convention for you guys huh? Didn’t hear anything about that on the news.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Ah… so, any particular reason its in Louisville? Kinda out of the way.”

“It is, but that is where it will start, no matter what anyone wishes.”

“You kinda make it sound like no one has a choice.”

“No one does, it will be revealed to us when it is time.”

“Oh…uh….so, ya….”

Phil decided to shut up at that point, this guy was really starting to creep him out.

40 minutes later, Arlecchino voice seemed to come out of nowhere.

“Tell me of your son?”

“What?”

“Your son. Tell me of him.”

“Ah, how did you know?” Then Phil remembered the family photo to his left, the stranger must have seen it, although how he saw it he didn’t know. It must have been when he picked the guy up.

“Ah… well… he is a good kid. Bit stubborn at times, but he is a good kid”

“And yet you punish him?”

Phil head snapped to face Arlecchino, “The hell?”

“You punish him for being a child?” Arlecchino’s voice taking on a dark tone. It wasn’t anger, exactly, but rather some other emotion Phil couldn’t place.

Weird as this guy was, Phil was getting pissed. He was going to give him a piece of his mind before kicking him out of the truck, at least that’s what he wanted to do, before he realized he couldn’t move.

Arlecchino continued, not caring about Phil’s apparent paralysis, “You make him finish his homework instead of going out and playing. To enjoy his youth. No one should take that away. No one should be an adult with petty thoughts and petty concerns. No, your son will be better off without someone trampling that freedom.”

Phil was immobile, unable to move an inch, and the stranger leaned in closer. “Phil, let me show you what I do to adults who don’t let children be children.”

And with that, Phil began to scream, even though no sounds escaped his lips.

One hour later, Arlecchino stepped off the truck and looked down, seeing blood on his shoes. Hard to see compared to the bright red surrounding it, but still there, his uniform must be always be perfect after all.

He checked himself over. His 14 foot large red shoes were bright and shining, his baggy shirt and pants covered beautifully in multiple stripes of various colors and geometric shapes. His mirror showed his face was just as fine. His skin beautifully pale, not pure white but the color of a man who seemed to be suffering from bloodloss. His head was almost completely bald, except for a line of red hair across the back of his head that reached from ear to ear and extended horizontally at least 12 inches back.

His body ready for his duty, he began to walk, to begin his quest for followers. There are always children angry at teachers, at parents, and authority figures. At people who won’t let them be children. Once he found them, he could begin to establish his domain. He wasn’t one of the first gods here, and he wouldn’t be the last, but whatever was calling the other gods here, he would have it. There woull be a war here soon, and he had to make sure he is in a position of power. The children depended on him, after all.

***********************

Phil’s truck was found a mile from the road by patrolman 10 hours since his company lost his signal. His GPS apparently ripped out with what could have only been a hammer or mallet. In the back of the truck was a small multi-colored box about 3 x 3 feet. Once opened, the box was found to contain the body of Phil Donahue, father of three. His body broken and contorted to fit inside the small box.

The patrolman swear they heard screams once they opened they lid, which was impossible and assumed to simply be the release of air. No human could survive the damage done to a body like that. Although, the medical examiner still has yet to explain the apparent lack of rigor mortis at the time of the discovery.

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