Chapter 14: Chapter 13: Change of plans
The drive to the border was rather unremarkable but his mind raced the whole time. Conjuring up scenarios and how he could adapt to them.
It wasn't the first time he'd cross the border to the U.S but he was nervous about the whole thing. There's no way the border agents would know what he planned to do but it still set him on edge.
(I've got to calm down or else they'll think I'm acting suspiciously.)
He lined up behind the other cars, waiting to get processed. He double checked his passport and story.
A few minutes later he was waived on through and stopped at the cabin.
"Passport."
The border agent uttered a single word and Mathias knew what to do. He opened his passport to the picture and handed it over.
"Name? Where do you live? Purpose of your visit. How long will you be staying?"
Without trying to sound nervous or give the border agent any doubt about him, Mathias answered as straight as he could.
"Mathias Lamarche. Lachute, Quebec. Doing a bit of shopping and around for two weeks, maybe a bit less."
A few more mundane questions, such as whether fruits or vegetables were being brought in the country and Mathias was allowed through without any trouble.
A few stops along the way for gas and food were necessary but he was soon in the state of Maine. At the last stop before crossing into Maine, he pulled up google maps on his phone to find directions.
(Okay so... Gun store. A few results, this one's the nearest. Let's try it.)
The store screamed patriotism with star spangled banners, eagles and guns on the sign outside.
It was the first time Mathias entered a gun store and he wasn't sure how to ask for what he wanted.
(Do I tell them I need it to pierce metal armor? They might think I'm up to no good.)
Entering the store, a small bell chimed and Mathias felt even more nervous as all eyes went towards him.
He walked up to a wall where an assortment of weapons were displayed behind a glass case.
After staring at it for some time, an employee approached him.
"Hey there, what can I help you with today?"
Mathias swallowed hard and repeated his prepared speech in his head before turning around and addressing the employee.
"Oh, hi. Yes, you see uhhh, we're trying to to simulate how modern weapons would work with medieval style iron armor. It's a project for college. So I'd need something with some good penetrating power but more in the handgun category?"
There was a small look of confusion on the employee's face but it likely did not even register into the top 10 of awkward conversations he'd had about guns with customers as he simply went right away into a sales pitch.
"It's hard to go wrong with the Beretta M9. It's been in service for a while now and it's really reliable. Although if you want more power, a good classic is the Colt Anaconda."
"And you have both in stock?"
"We do. Naturally there's a simple background check and then we can have it available to you within three business days maximum."
(Ah, dang, really? I thought there wasn't anything like that.)
"Oh, I see. I'm from Canada so I'm not quite sure how that'd all work out. I'll go get some more information and come back later."
The employee nodded and went to see another customer, leaving Mathias alone. Leaving the store, he sat in his car with his phone for a bit. Trying to find a way around this dilemma.
(So I don't really want for the government to know I've purchased a gun, especially since I'll be using it in another world and all. So I need a way to get one outside of a store, maybe online? Let's check this out.)
After a few quick searches, it became apparent that there was hardly any laws governing buying a gun privately. A few more searches yielded some interesting craigslist finds and Mathias was soon on his way to meet someone.
(I gotta say. This does feel a bit...sketchy, I hope I don't wind up dead in some alley.)
The meeting place was a Walgreen's parking. It was getting late now, slightly past 5PM and the sun was starting to fade on the horizon.
Mathias exited his vehicle and walked towards a white Toyota Corolla. A man was waiting, smoking a cigarette while leaning against the trunk of the car.
As Mathias approached, he threw his cigarette down and squashed it with his foot. Looking at Mathias, he asked him a question.
"You the guy?"
"Yeah. I mean I think so? For the gun right."
The man nervously looked around and made a shhh motion. As he looked at Mathias's hand and saw an envelope, he turned and opened the trunk, revealing a large plastic container.
"What did ya want again?"
"Uhm, the handgun. K&C or something like that? I have the ad here on my phone let me just look it up..."
"H&K. Yeah, here it is. 750$."
Mathias handed him the envelope with money he had withdrawn from an atm on the way here.
Meanwhile the seller had handed him the gun to inspect. Apart from firing it and seeing, it seemed in good condition.
"Alright, well thanks. Where would you recommend getting ammunition for it?"
The look that the man shot him made him regret asking that question and he felt he needed to specify.
"I mean in bulk."
"Well there's a couple of army surplus places you could go. They might have some. I don't."
"Right. Well... Thanks again."
Mathias waved goodbye and walked back to his car at a brisk pace, his heart thumping.
Finding an army surplus store had been easy. Problem was that it was closed at this time already. Opting to call it a day for now, Mathias searched for nearby hotels and found one that would do.
He could have opted to settle for a motel, saving perhaps 40$ but he was new to this town and preferred to play it safe with a nicer hotel.
What helped sweeten the deal was the interior parking at the hotel. His most prized possession had to be kept safe, naturally. Although not a big gear head, there were some cars that had a soft spot in Mathias' heart. Notably, this Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X which he'd just bought a few months ago. The rims alone were worth north of 3000$ and he couldn't afford to wake up in the morning sitting on cinder blocks.
Mathias pulled up to the reception and locked the doors before heading inside. He was hoping there'd be a valet service but it seemed like it was not an option.
Entering the lobby, he headed straight for the counter.
"Hello, I'm checking in. I made reservations online about an hour ago, last name Lamarche."
It took a moment for the receptionist to process the name, French last names were likely an oddity around here.
"Ah.. Let me look. Uhm, yes, Mr Mathias. Room 412. Do you need your luggage brought up?"
"No luggage, just sleeping for the night. I do need access to the parking though."
The man nodded and the transaction continued.
The receptionist handed him a plastic card key after taking his mastercard for payment.
Heading back outside, Mathias headed for the garage and opened the door with his card key. After taking the elevator to his floor and entering his room, he laid down in the queen sized bed and sighed.
It had been a long day and it was close to over now. The only thing left to do was grab ammunition in the morning and head back home. Thankfully, due to being able to put the gun and ammo in the other dimension, it won't be a bother at the border.
(I'll be ready now, if it happens again. Although.. I do miss some parts of it. The freedom, the new world and Mordain.)
It hadn't been the worst experience of his life but he had nearly died a few times. It was exciting however and there was much he was curious about, especially magic. If he could get some of that power and bring it to his world.. It'd change everything.
(Even if I can only bring material things, I can probably get rich pretty quick by trading things from my world with theirs, I'm sure they'd pay handsomely for quite a few things.)
Mathias' mind raced with ideas and plans until fatigue overtook him and he fell asleep.
Morning came by quickly and a knock at the door woke him up, he had overslept and the cleaning crew were now going room to room. He hurriedly checked out to avoid any late fees and headed straight for the ammunition store after taking a quick breakfast.
Once inside, Mathias went to the counter, hoping to avoid any problems like previously at the gun store.
"Hey. I'm looking for Uhh, a crate of .45, something under 500$ ideally."
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow at the question.
"Gee, I don't know where you been shopping but you can get 1000 for less than 300."
"Perfect then! Oh, do you also have body armor? Going to the range later and don't want to take any chances."
"We do. Let me ring you up if that'll be all."
Smiling ear to ear, Mathias headed to his car with the crate and his body armor. He had gotten more than he had expected and was happy with it.
(1650$ American total spent, a bit closer to 2200 Canadian. I'll probably need to buy oil and a maintenance kit for it eventually but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.)
Parked behind the store, he made sure no one was around and transferred his purchases to the other dimension before heading out back for home.
The six hour drive gave him plenty of time to think. It was hard to pass on an opportunity like this, especially since he could prepare beforehand now.
(It even seems like time stops when I'm gone, so no one would even notice me missing or anything. Now with the body armor, I can mitigate some risk. It could be very profitable by trying to do business with this world.. But dangerous. Could maybe even retire very early.)
Mathias weighed the pros and cons and decided to abstain from making a decision just yet. He had to go to work tomorrow and he was rather tired from all this driving around.
Not much happened for the following week aside from regular life but the lure of adventure pulled at him.
One night, after sitting at his computer at home and playing video games, he got up and made his decision.
"I'll try it one more time. I'm ready now, supplies are all in the dimension and I have a few days off work. If time truly does stop when I'm gone it shouldn't be a problem though."
He sat down on the edge of his bed and closed his eyes. After trying to ease his panic, he pulled himself through the dimensional pocket once more, greeting a perplexed Mordain.
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Not my best writing but I wanted to get something out. I know I don't update a lot, I'm sorry for not completing my stories.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Alteru
Alteru Probably feels weird but chronologically, this is the part when he came back after having left Mordain in that room, after experiments on the homeless person.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone