Christopher Corn's Arc

Chapter 7 of 12

Christopher pulls his friend through the doorway and shuts the door behind them. The building feels colder than it should. Chard stayed outside by the fence, giving them space. Christopher doesn't know what to say first. His friend is still holding the memorial flyer like it might disappear if he lets go. The sun climbs higher and Fred appears at the gate with a toolbox in one hand. Christopher watches through the window as Fred sets down the box and walks straight to Chard. They talk for less than a minute. Fred points toward a small shed near the barn that Christopher's never paid attention to before. Chard nods and follows Fred to the gate. Fred swings it open wide and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a shirt with bright colors that catch the light. The design shows mountains and a river under bold yellow letters that spell Winkin Park. Fred hands it to Chard and says something Christopher can't hear from this distance. Chard takes the shirt and holds it up like he's checking the size. Christopher's friend moves to the window beside him. They both watch as Fred shakes Chard's hand and says something else. Chard laughs and pulls the shirt over his head. It fits perfectly. Fred gestures toward the shed again and Chard walks through the gate like he's done it a hundred times before. Fred closes the gate behind him and picks up his toolbox. Christopher realizes what just happened. Fred didn't ask questions. He didn't wait for explanations. He built Chard a space and gave him a name and a band before Christopher even understood what was going on. Christopher turns away from the window and looks at his friend. The question he's been asking since the gate finally has an answer he can see. Loud Garden doesn't wait for Christopher to figure things out. It moves forward whether he's ready or not. His friend sets the flyer down on a table and meets Christopher's eyes. "I think I'm supposed to be here," he says quietly. Christopher nods because he can't argue with what Fred just showed him. The band is growing beyond anything Christopher planned, and Fred's already three steps ahead.