Board Thread:What Would You Do?/@comment-35836714-20200226162420/@comment-35738644-20200303024219

Living the same day over and over again was mind numbingly torturous. Even worse was the fact that it was my birthday. Being reminded over and over again that I was all alone was beginning to wear me down even more so than before this all happened. Killing myself became a pass time as I simply lacked the motivation to get through the day.

The day itself was simple enough. After finishing work I take the bus home, a snowstorm starts, I enter my apartment to find a single sad lonely cupcake I had left for myself on the previous day before this whole thing started, a cruel reminder of my loneliness. Finally, I go to bed after turning on the TV to hear news about a fatal car crash, and then go to sleep, only to start the whole cycle over again.

If there was one thing that made the day bearable, it was definitely the bus ride from work. Even before I got stuck in the loop, the bus was the best part of my day and that was because of Tika. After every sad and frustrating day of work in the past, I would hop on the bus and sit beside a yeti named Tika. She was always so sweet, too good for this world if you ask me. I always got off the bus with a smile on my face after a nice talk with my fluffy friend and the promise of seeing her the next day kept me going.

When the loop started I avoided telling her about my birthday. I thought it was best to avoid bothering her with such things. I probably mentioned it sometime in the past but it was something so minuscule she most certainly didn’t remember. Even during this freak time loop, she always seemed to have something nice to say, no matter where I tried to steer the conversation. Being stuck in an infinite time loop didn’t seem so bad if it meant I got to sit and talk with Tika everyday, it would probably take more than infinity to ever get me to admit my feelings for her though.

I sat on the bus with her again, At least the time loop meant this moment stayed mostly the same. The loop must have been taking more of a toll on me than I realized because on this run, something changed. “Are you feeling well? You don’t look so good.” Tika put her fluffy white paw on my shoulder. Something on my face must’ve given away my situation.

“Not really, it’s just… do you ever feel like your stuck doing the same thing over and over again and nothing will ever change?” I said without thinking. She looked at me for a moment and then her eyes lit up, almost as if she was expecting me to say that. “I wouldn’t worry about that. If you feel like you’re stuck, then you just need to spice things up! But who knows? Maybe someone else will spice it up for you. All it takes is one special day. You just have to make sure you have the spirit to live that day!”

That didn’t mean much considering the nature of my situation, but something about her words still stuck with me. We said our goodbyes as we reached my stop and I got off the bus just as the snow began to fall down, signaling the start of the storm.. Talking with Tika did make me feel a little better but after entering my apartment and seeing that damn cupcake again it was hard to keep my spirits up.

It seemed insane but I decided to go out and walk through the storm. Anything to change up the cycle even a little bit. The wind was very strong and I could just barely see through the snow, but at this point I was hardly bothered, I didn’t even care if I dropped dead from cold. I wade through the snow for about 40 minutes until I reached downtown but then paused when saw something strange. On the opposite end of the street I was walking down, there was someone standing at the bus stop holding a box and carrying something under their arm. It took me a moment to recognize her through the snow but it was Tika.

It was snowing way too much for the buses to be running. What was so important that she wanted to wait in the storm? After a few minutes a car pulled up. Tika seemed shocked and approached the passenger side door. I guess Tika knew the driver and whoever they were, pulled over after seeing Tika waiting for the cancelled bus.

I tired my best to listen to what Tika was saying but it was difficult with the icy wind blowing over my ears.

“I was supposed to bring these to the friend on the bus I told you about. Today was supposed to be his birthday, can you give me a ride?.”

Hearing those words come from her mouth was euphoric. She really did remember, and she wanted to see me! But.. this was still the time loop, and I don’t remember ever seeing Tika at my house. Why didn’t she come? While I was busy puzzling to myself, I failed to notice Tika entering the car before it made its way down the street. Just as it disappeared out of my sight and into the snow, the sound of wind was replaced with the sound of screeching tires and shattering glass. I was startled at first but then the reality began to sink in. I felt sick to my stomach and my knees grew weak as I recalled what I had repeatedly heard every night on the news after the loop started. “Fatal Car Crash…No Survivors".

I must’ve blacked out after realizing it because I woke up right back in my same old room on that same old morning, only now everything made sense. This wasn’t some cruel joke from God, it was a mission, and now I knew what I had to do.

I made sure just to get through the day just as I had before, trying my best to not give the impression that I was trapped in a month long time loop to save my crush and her friend from certain doom. After work I got on the bus and much to my joy she was still there. Tika waiting for me like she always had, flashing her wonderful smile as she pat the seat beside her. I of course accepted her invitation. After what I had seen the previous day, it was difficult to look her in the eyes, knowing what she had planned for me, and what it will eventually lead to.

“huh? Oh no! What’s the matter? Please Don’t cry!” I couldn’t hold it together and my tears began to flow, Tika reached out and wrapped me in a hug as she ran her furry digits through my hair, all without even knowing why I was upset. “Shhhh, it’s ok. Everything will be ok. Just be patient and I’m sure one special day will come where everything will change for the better. I promise.”

One special day…

I thanked Tika and promised I would return the favor for all the kindness she had shown me since we had met. She seemed taken aback by my sudden declaration but just told me there was no need for repayment. If only she knew.

I got off at my apartment and immediately turned towards town. I knew If I just got off with Tika, that wouldn’t stop whoever drove the car from crashing alone. I was gonna save them both, no matter what. The wind blew harder and the snow began to limit my vision. I was running out of time, but not really since I would just get another chance again, But I’ll be damned if I let that disaster happen again. I broke out into a mad dash towards the bus stop. I eventually saw the small shelter in the distance and sure enough Tika was there, waiting for the bus that would never come. She turned to see me practically running towards her and panicked as she fumbled to hide the box and package she carried behind her back.

“Haahh?! What are you doing all the way out here?! You should be at home!” “I was just…going for a stroll?”

She was obviously not satisfied with my answer but simply smiled at me, that same wonderful smile. “ You know what! I really shouldn’t be out here either. Wanna go to my place?” I planned to tell her to wait a bit but I fortunately didn’t need to as the familiar car came driving down the street. The car pulled over and the window rolled down. I didn’t realize it at first but it was actually a dhampir in the driver’s seat, judging from her eyes and fangs. now this is hardly the time or place for a romantic exchange Tika.” She joked with a smug grin.

“Oh hello Hilda! Where are you going?”

“I was just driving back home but this storm is slowing me down. You two do know that buses aren’t running right?”

I knew this might be my best chance to stop the dhampir who I now knew as Hilda from going any further. Trying my best to restrain my eagerness, I moved next to Tika on the passenger’s side window. “Miss Hilda, the storm is really bad right now. I don’t think you should be driving right now.” Hilda looked away for a moment before turning back to me and Tika. “Well I don’t really have a choice, a girl’s gotta get home somehow.”

I felt like I might start panicking until Tika suddenly interrupted. “He’s right, It’s really dangerous right now. You can spend the night over at my house if you’d like.”

“You know what I think I’ll take you up on that, thanks!” Hearing Hilda say that felt like having the weight of the world taken off my shoulders. My moment of victory was interrupted by Tika who gently nudged my leg with her foot, as her arms were still held behind her back. “You’re coming too of course! I’m not letting you go home in this weather and There is something I wanted to show you anyway.”

Fortunately for us, Tika’s house was not far from the bus stop and we arrived fairly quickly. I had all but forgotten the fact that I had been (and possibly still are) trapped in a time loop. It didn’t feel like this is how things should’ve been, it felt so much better. I took to acquaint myself with Hilda who turned out to be a very cool person whom I shared many interests with. After looking for something to put on TV with her, Tika called us into the kitchen where she had opened the box she was carrying earlier to reveal a birthday cake she had baked for me herself. After an embarrassing minute of being sung happy birthday to by the two monsters, I opened the gift that Tika had gotten me, which turned out to be a Queen album.

I struggled to find a way to find a way to show just how much I appreciated Tika, but eventually settled on a tight hug which to a yeti, was the ultimate form of gratitude one could ever hope to receive. She played it off well but I could tell she was enraptured, judging from how she would wrap her arms around herself as though she was trying to emulate the sensation over and over again. The rest of the night was a blur, but the very next morning I awoke not on my bed but on a crowded sofa with my two friends. Hilda, snoring obnoxiously on one end while Tika, who was already awake, lay on my chest with her arms wrapped around me. She gazed at me as I recovered from drowsiness, her eyes twinkling with happiness and compassion. “I hope I gave you the special day you deserved.”