Sunlight filtered through his eyelids, irritating him before he opened his eyes. For a moment, he forgot where he was, and was surprised to see that he was sleeping on a bed in a unfamiliar room. Then like a strike of lightening, the memories of last night came flooding in, an unsettling nausea formed in his stomach.

Will slowly sat up, and stretched out his spine, wincing as he heard something pop. After that, he looked around at the room. It was mostly empty, except for the pair of beds, that the twins decided to sleep on. He turned to Bill, who was snoring loudly on the bed across from him. They were lucky to have found an unused bedroom upstairs, or they would've had an argument regarding who would sleep on the sofa. Will would've probably lost that battle, and ended up sleeping on the lumpy beanbag.

He yanked the moldy blanket off him, and swung his legs off the mattress. Will then stood up, and fixed his hair with his fingers. His eyes darted to the window, revealing a pleasant blue sky, before turning to the door at the end of the room. Beside the doorway, sat their backpacks. Quietly, he crept towards Bill's backpack, knelt down and rummaged through it. He eventually got his hands on their father's wallet, and peered inside it. There was enough money to buy them food, but it wouldn't last a week.

Will frowned, and returned the wallet to the backpack. They wouldn't survive a day out here without jobs, Will just hoped that there might be someone willing to hire two delinquent kids. He tossed his brother another look, then bit his lip.

Or, just me, Will decided. I could find a job, it's not like Bill likes working anyway.

Don't get him wrong, he knew Bill could be really productive when he wanted to be. However...the blond's rebellious and somewhat sociopathic demeanor, tended to scare off potential jobs. Will loved his brother, but there was no denying that Bill could be a dick sometimes.

With that, he pulled on his shoes and jacket, and picked up his backpack. He was ready to go out, giving Bill one last look. Will noticed the dark bags under boy's eyes, like he hadn't slept in decades.

Besides, you done more than enough, Will decided. It's my turn, now.

Then, he headed out.

❇❇❇

Will never expected to find the town so fast.

A dirt road had stood nearby the shack, and once following it, it had led him right to the big sign that read Welcome to Zero Gravity Town. After that, finding the town's border was easy.

Will was now strolling across the pavement, passing buildings of many varieties, and people going along their daily lives. He paused at a crosswalk, waiting for the little walking man in the light to turn green. After a few minutes, he felt a little out of place, since he caught a few stares directed his way.

Is it my hair?, Will wondered, his fingers running through his blue locks subconsciously.

He didn't know why the sudden attention was drawn to him, did he just look unusual? Insecure, he began to regret not letting Bill come with him, his brother oozed the confidence he lacked.

Will shook his head. Stop it! You're not a little kid, who needs to hold Bill's hand 24/7. A few stares isn't going to kill you, you can do this!

He, in fact, could not.

Once he was allowed to walk, Will quickly rushed over the crosswalk. He barely took two steps, before honking blasted into his ear. He spun around, and his heart skipped a beat, when a limo came zooming towards him. Will froze in fear, and shut his eyes, waiting for the crash.

Except, it never came.

"Are you okay, dude?"

Shaking, Will peeled his eyes open, and turned to the one whom had spoken. Peaking his head out of the limo, was a chubby man with a top hat. Will regarded him curiously. This man looked unspeakably friendly, from the bright eyes, to the fuzz on his chin, and the gopher teeth.

"Yeah, I think so," Will replied.

"Oh, that's a relief," He said, stepping out of the car.

Will stared. As if the man couldn't look anymore goofier. Once he stepped out of the vehicle, it was revealed that he was wearing a bright yellow vest, a pair of goggles that wrapped around his neck, and loose black jeans around his stubby legs. Also, there were two objects tied to his belt. One was an umbrella, the other looked like a comically large key.

"Sorry about that, dude," The man said, sheepishly. "My driver isn't the best..."

A skinny man with a cap peeked his head out of the driver's seat window. "I'm Tyler, by the way!"

"Tyler never had experiences with limos."

"But, I did ride a unicycle once!" Tyler beamed. "I have the scars to prove it!"

"It's alright, no harm done," Will reassured them.

"But, there's gotta be something I can make it up to you," The chubby man insisted. "Name your price, it'll be easy, I am the mayor of this town, after all."

Will looked at him incredulously. "You're the mayor?"

He nodded in return. "The name's Soos: mayor of Zero Gravity Town. I can see, you're new around here?"

"Yes, I am," Will admitted. "My brother and I just moved here. I hope that's alright."

Soos clapped him playfully on the back. "Of course! Everyone is welcome here. I'm happy to make you and brother citizens of this town."

"Wow, that's really generous of you."

"Don't sweat it," Soos replied. "You guys couldn't ask for a safer place. This town, and all it's inhabitants, have been protected for centuries."

"Protected by who?" Will asked.

The man grew silent, and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "It's a bit hard to explain...it'll be better if you find out for yourself."

The blue haired boy gave him a puzzled look, unsure of what he meant.

"So, any requests?" Soos asked.

Will was about to decline the offer, but then a thought dawned on him. "Can you give me directions? I'm trying to find a job--"

"Boom!" Soos exclaimed, pulling some folded paper out of his vest. "Here's a map for you, little dude."

"Uh, thank you," He responded, as he was handed the map. "Did you carry this map in your shirt the whole time?"

He nodded. "I carry loads of maps, in case I run into lost tourists. I use to carry acorns so I could feed some squirrels...that sorta backfired, don't ask."

Will didn't think he wanted to know.

"Anyway," Soos started, smiling. "In case you need anything else, you can always turn to me."

"Thank you."

"No problem, just your average work of a responsible adult--"

He was interrupted, when a buzzing emitted from his back pocket. Soos reached out, and pulled out a phone. He turned it on, and looked at the screen.

"Oh, it's my lunch break," He said, then turned to Will. "You mind holding this Key to the City, real quick? They don't allow it in the restaurant."

"Excuse me, what--" Will was cut off, when the large key was handed to him.

"Thanks!" Soos said, climbing back into his limo.

Before the boy could protest, the vehicle drove away from him. Will paused, not sure what happened, before snapping out of it. Adjusting the key under his arm, he looked at the map, to see what his next destination will be.

❇❇❇

After a short walk, while still holding the blasted key, Will finally found the place he been looking for: Greasy's Diner.

At least he wouldn't screw up, when it came to serving tables. Not to mention, he was pretty good in the kitchen, if they ever needed a chef. So, with newfound courage, Will stepped inside the building.

The bell chimed to make everyone aware of his arrival, and he curiously looked around at the other customers. There seemed to be little, despite the delicious smell of pastries.

He tilted his head. I wonder why there's so little people here--

Will was interrupted, when a beaver jumped out from under a table. It hissed at him, and he screamed in reaction. It didn't take long, before a woman ran up with a broom and started shooing it away.

"Bad! Bad beaver!" She shouted, pushing it out of the door. "And stay out!"

She closed the door on it, and turned to the boy. "Sorry about that, sweetie. Also, why are you holding a backscratcher?"

"This is a key," Will corrected, his heart still recovering from the scare. "And I'm just holding it for the mayor."

"For how long?"

Will sighed. "Depending on how he still hadn't returned from his lunch break, I'm guessing forever."

"Okay then, so what can I help you with?" She asked.

He breathed deeply, and looked the woman in the eyes-- or, eye. Oddly enough, one of her eyes were closed shut, and didn't seem to be showing any signs of opening soon.

"My name is Will Cipher," He started. "And, I would like a job here, please."

The lady inspected him thoughtfully. "Aren't you a little young?"

"Yes, but I assure you, I'm hard working. I may not have any experience, but if you just give me a chance--"

"Say no more," She interrupted, smiling. "You're hired."

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah, I like your spirit," The lady decided. "Also, you can call me Lazy Susan from now on."

"Thank you, Lazy Susan," Will said, gratefully. "You won't be disappointed."

She nodded in return. "I sure hope so. And, if you'll excuse me, I'll be checking the floorboards for raccoons...those sneaky little things."

He watched Lazy Susan walk away, and felt relief crash down on him like a boulder. He couldn't believe his luck, soon the twins will be able to live a normal life.

"You're not around here, are ya...?"

Will turned to the one whom had spoken, his gaze landed on one of the tables. An emo looking boy in a black hood and heavy eyeliner was sitting there, grinning at him weirdly.

"No, I'm not," Will said.

"Well in that case, how about I tell you a secret?" He replied. "Just take a seat."

Will hesitated. Something about the other boy seemed off. Yet, the people he met so far were strange, but they weren't dangerous, but helpful. So who knows, maybe this suspicious guy was really nice, it couldn't hurt to find out.

So, that was what made Will finally decide to take a seat by the table. He drummed his fingers nervously, while his gaze shifted everywhere but the person sitting across from him.

"So, what's this secret you wanna tell me?"

"The secret is about this town," He said. "There are creatures who roam here. Anomalies of all shapes and sizes."

Will's eyes widened. "It wasn't a nightmare, then! A monster attacked my brother and I last night, we barely survived."

"You should've left when you had the chance. Once you enter the town's border...there's no going back."

A cold shiver ran up his spine. "Why? Who's stopping us? Is it the monster--"

"Worse," The boy interrupted, his tone serious. "There are powerful beings who protect this town and all it's inhabitants. They call themselves the Guardians, and they may seem nice, but they're a force to be reckon with. They imprison every poor soul who steps into their territory, forcing them to stay here for eternity."

Will straightened his back, and regarded the other suspiciously. "And how do I know you're telling the truth?"

The guy shrugged dismissively. "Knowing that you're new, you must've ran into a Guardian. They're always crawling around, luring travelers over the border."

Memories of last night hit Will like baseball bat. The woman in the trees! Could it be, that she was the Guardian the boy spoke of? He felt a rush of sickness, trying to digest this new information.

"W-what I'm hearing is, we're stuck here forever!? What do these Guardians want from us, and why is this town the only place filled with monsters?"

"I can answer all your questions eventually," He replied. "But first, can you tell me your name?"

"Sure, it's Will. And, what's yours?"

The other boy blinked. "Oh, it's Nor...normal..man"

"Are you trying to say Norman?"

"Yeah..."

Will gave him a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you, Norman...also, is that blood on your face?"

"Uh, it's jam!" Norman blurted out, briskly wiping off the red smudge on his cheek

"Ooh, I like jam," Will said, then added. "OK, going back to the original topic: Can you really answer all my questions?"

"Of course. Meet me in the picnic center in the woods, and all secrets will be revealed."

"Great! I'll bring my brother along, if that--"

"No offense, Will," He started. "But, I think it's better if you go alone."

"But, Bill needs to hear this, too," Will insisted.

"I'm just saying, the less people know about this, the better. The Guardians are always watching, and you don't want your brother to get in trouble with them, huh?"

Will frowned, pondering over this. "I guess, you're right. But, we usually tell each other everything..."

Norman looked at him in mild sympathy, and spoke gently. "Let's just keep this a secret between two friends, alright?"

The blue haired boy nodded, and felt a skip in his heart when he heard the word friend. The only other companion in his life, had been his brother, since others avoided the twins. But now, in this new environment, Will was always open for potential pals.

"Yeah, friends," He agreed.

Norman nodded in approval.

A part of Will felt guilty for hiding something away from Bill, but he was too curious about the mysteries that stirred in this town. He was just protecting his brother, Will was certain that Bill wouldn't be mad at him for that. Now that his mind was on the blond, Will couldn't help but wonder what Bill was up to now.