Why Am I In A Wheelbarrow?
"GET UP," screamed a voice that was both familiar and not. Whoever it was, it was enough to drag me from unconsciousness long enough to stand with a little help. I hobbled, almost floating, as something dragged my barely conscious body through the dark.
I faded in and out of consciousness. Seeing the car park. The trees. The familiar suburban streets that lead to my home. I held out as long as could. Pulling as much weight as possible, but it was only a matter of time before my legs gave out and I dissolved into the darkness again. The taste of blood sitting on my tongue.
When consciousness finally got a hold on me I was lying on something hard and cold, something hard and cold that was moving. It almost felt like I was lying in one of those teacups from Disneyland, only the teacup was made of metal and the suspension was seriously screwed. This teacup definitely needed a service.
I finally opened my eyes when the broken teacup stopped moving abruptly. Carly grunted in complaint stretching her arms above her head. The mask was gone, she'd pulled her ponytail out and pulled a coat over her no doubt strategically planned superhero outfit.
"Why am I in a wheelbarrow?" I asked when it became apparent that the metal box I was lying in was not in fact a broken teacup.
"Morning princess," said Carly in response, ignoring my question.
"Why am I in a wheelbarrow?" I repeated.
"Because," said Carly as she picked up the handles and started to push me forward again. "You passed out like a total loser, and I got sick of trying to haul your ass home."
"So you decide it would be super discreet to dump me into a wheelbarrow and push me through the streets of Parramatta?" I asked. Sweat seeping through my t-shirt despite it being a cold night.
"Relax would you," said Carly calmly. "No one is going to suspect tiny drunk girls beat up a businessman unless we act weird and start hiding."
"I'm too tired to deal with this," I said lying back into the cold hard tub beneath me trying to get as comfortable as possible.
"You could walk maybe?" said Carly.
"Nope," I replied. Carly sighed but kept pushing me along.
Silence followed, but it was mostly comfortable. Carly and I had known each other for so long that a few moments of silence didn't bother us anymore. I let the cool night air wash over me, as I willed my mind to avoid thinking about everything that had happened that evening. I wasn't stupid. I knew this was going to come back to bite me no matter how sure Carly was. Carly's view of the world was not much rooted in reality.
Carly was walking happily through the streets of an area that was certainly not the safest in Sydney without a care in her mind. She didn't have to block the sounds and smells and darkness that instilled fear in my heart. Fortunately Carly didn't really have any reason to worry, she always landed on her feet. She could walk across a firing range and not get shot. Of course she didn't realise the bullets that missed her often hit me. Not that I was going to tell her, if I had anything to say about it Carly would never have any reason to question her safety and happiness even if I had to get shot to do it.
It wasn't until we reached the outskirts of the city that we spoke again. Streetlights now lit our path completely and cars passed regularly.
"So," I said breaking through the silence. "You're a superhero now huh."
"Basically yeah," said Carly. I couldn't see her face but I could tell she was smiling.
"What do I call you then?" I asked.
"I was thinking Quiver," said Carly.
"You don't even have a quiver," I said laughing because that was just so Carly.
"I'm not talking about something to put my arrows in. I'm talking about what happens to girls panties when I'm around," said Carly.
"Gross," I said with a groan.
"You love me," said Carly and I could hear the smugness dripping from her voice.
"Not right now I don't," I said unable to keep the smile out of my voice because despite all the drama I really did love her.
"Shush you or I'll make you walk," said Carly.
As we turned towards our apartment building, I couldn't help but think about that promise I made years ago. Sure I might have thought it was hyperbole. I definitely didn't think it was a promise I was going to have to follow through on. But I was still glad I made it.
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