UNMASKED

Chapter One

So the Gauntlet had been shut down early. Some sort of legal suit, they didn’t know the details and they didn’t care to. Now what was Finnley to do? They had pinned their future on the perilous reality show; they were going to win their stardom or die trying. These were the only two possible outcomes they’d had in their mind for the past couple of months and now they were utterly adrift. 

It’s not fair, they thought, kicking a pebble out of the path of their suitcase’s wheels as they made their way down the sub-sidewalk lane for TCPs and away from Toon Hell studios. 

 

This was supposed to be my big break! People would finally start taking me seriously… I can’t go back home like this, they’ll all laugh at me. ‘The TCP who wants to be a movie star.’ Yeah, real funny guys! Their face scrunched up as if they were going to cry, as if they were capable of tears. I could’ve done it too! We got through our first challenge just fine, I’m sure I would’ve made it all the way to the end, and then- Then I would’ve been able to work with Dropdead! I’m just as capable as everyone else… It’s not fair. This refrain repeated over and over in their head as they continued their journey away from the metaphorical flaming ruins of their hopes and dreams.

 

Their brooding was interrupted by a tall, dark stranger. Literally so; they were a complex and the way they stood over Finnley left them silhouetted by the sun, making it hard for Finnley to perceive them as anything other than a vaguely karacel-shaped shadow. 

 

"Um, can I help you?" Finnley asked.

The karacel's mouth curled upwards into a smile. “Why yes, actually! You are Finnley, correct?” Finnley, slightly cowed, took a step back. They doubted they could get away if the stranger’s intent was actually bad, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t try. 

   

“U-um, yes, that’s me.”

 

“Ah, good! Listen, I saw you on the Gauntlet and your talent stood out to me. I’m with PRN in Solitude...” the stranger began to introduce himself, listing a whole bunch of credentials which was all well and good, but it made it awfully hard for Finnley to catch his name. Still, he must have said it at some point, right? The stranger continued. “I want you to come work for us, if you’d be so willing. You’d have to come to Solitude for filming, but all your expenses would be fully paid.”

 

"What- what would you have me do?" Finnley tried to keep the excitement from their voice but it still shook, hard. It felt too good to be true.

 

"You would have your own short segment on a TV network in Solitude," the stranger replied. "Our network is very reputable." Finnley's head whirled. Their own segment? That was only a hop, skip, and a jump from having their own show. Their inevitable fame was right around the corner.

 

“Y-yes! Yes, thank you!” They weren’t sure what else to say. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity.” Was that alright? Come on, gotta make a good impression!

 

The stranger gave them a smile full of practiced warmth. "We're happy to have you on board."