By Peter Zalazinski
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It started with emptiness, simmering with
anticipation. Quiet potential flickers like a single spark, like at any moment
the world may go up in flames. An infinite array of ideas swarmed violently
around. Eons of research intertwined with a boundless creativity in a chaotic
symphony, where an innumerable count of lives flickered by as if watching a
train pass. Colors swirling, shapes abstracting, and lyrics danced in a
cacophony of imaginative chaos, and then it all stopped.
The swirling, dancing, flickering feeling had
subsided, revealing a round head resting on a thin neck. The neck gave way to
broad, but soft shoulders that lead down to two fit arms capped with a pair of
hardworking hands, they rested at the side of a sturdily built frame, which was
supported by two legs that looked like they had been carved for the sole
purpose of carrying this being's weight. Where there was once an emptiness
brimming with spectacular spontaneity, stood a blank void of a person. Who, or
What were they, and what were they to become?
Just as suddenly as this apparition appeared, so
did a strand of hair, and then another and another. Hank after hank fell until
the once barren scalp was sporting an unkempt mop of overgrown wavy hair. It
made the being look quite silly. “This style is loosely curled or wavy hair, offering a unique blend of flair and
sophistication.” (“70 Top”). But the hair suited the lean frame. It made them
look wild, as if they had no time for hair maintenance. They must have spent a
while growing that out, no doubt their mother protested strongly. Behind the
hair hid two ears, and in those ears, earrings. Small studs that added just the
right amount of edge. If the hair didn't upset mom, those would.
This being was shaping up quite nicely. First
hair, then earrings, and soon followed their clothing, or the lack thereof. A
nice pair of baggy denim jeans to start. They sit low on his waist, better give
him a belt so they don't fall. These are his favorite pair. He's had them for
years, you can tell by the holes he's ripped in the knees. He hand-painted them
with lightning bolts and skulls. He thinks they make him look cool, and they
do; just as cool as the excessive pocket chains do. He is wearing a cut-off
t-shirt, obviously to show off his new tattoos. Now these, his mom doesn't know
he has, but she doesn't know a lot about him anymore.
He's wearing a graphic tee, with the picture of
a skull. No, it's an “I Heart NYC” shirt, or actually it looks like an old band
tee. That suits him best. Especially because he isn't some fake fan who
thrifted this shirt. No, this shirt is from his favorite artists, Simon &
Garfunkel. He got the shirt at their concert “The kickoff of their Old Friends
Tour last night (Oct. 17)” (“Simon”) He has seen them six times in concert.
They are what got him into music, that must be why he's carrying a guitar case.
He's been playing music since he was thirteen years old. He still has the same
guitar, and the same old beat-up case. Though it doesn't look too beat up. It's
covered in stickers from all the cities he's performed in.
He's almost done. There is just one thing left
to address. He has no face, and you can't put a name to a face if you don't
have a face. Begin with a strong nose, to center the face. Under his nose sits
a thick mustache, he's been growing just as long as his hair. Further down he bears
a toothy smile, where he boasts a gap between his two front teeth. He used to
be insecure about it but ultimately has learned to embrace it. A five o’clock
shadow speckles his chin. He has a slit in one of his eyebrows. He claims it's
on purpose but in reality, it comes from a scar he got from riding his bike as
a kid. He's always been a little clumsy, that's probably why he's got a
band-aid on his elbow. And finally, underneath his thick brows are a pair of
the brightest eyes. They're tired from long nights singing and dancing but
they've never looked so happy. What once started as a spark, that turned into a
blank carcass, now is complete with eyes that twinkle with that same spark.
This finished silhouette is nice, but not quite
real just yet. These lines offer shape and ideas, but without the magic of
color the story is left open ended. Almost as soon as the eyes blinked into
existence, so did the color of life bloom. His hair filled in with a rich dark
brown to complement his tanned, olive skin. Long performances in the sun will
do that to you. He has a slight sunburn; it almost goes unnoticed with his
natural rosy complexion. His clothing is plastered in soft cool tones.
Light-wash jeans, with neon paint splotches, cover his black combat boots. His
band tee is tie-dyed with the same bright colors. He holds an affinity for the
late seventies and early eighties. In another life he was decked out in all
black and was the lead bass player in a rock band. He'd ride a motorcycle,
wearing a spiked leather jacket. Here, however, he is a folk artist, who spends
his free time hiking. The dirt on his boots make that apparent. He uses his
talents to tell his story, and the unsung tales of so many others. That's the
gift of the artist. They have the gift to create and form entire worlds—Tell
the tales that go unspoken with just a few pen strokes.
Works Cited
“70 Top Haircuts for Men
& Hairstyles You Need to Try in 2024” Gatsby. Jan 24, 2024.
https://www.gatsbyglobal.com/en/technique/best-haircuts-men-top-mens-hairstyles
today Accessed 24 Apr, 2026
“Simon & Garfunkel
Open ‘Old Friends’ Tour” Billboard. Oct 18, 2003. https://www.billboard.
com/music/music-news/simon-garfunkel-open-old-friends-tour-68616/.
Accessed 24 Apr, 2026
About the Author
Peter Zalazinski is in his first year at ICC. He currently lives in Peoria Illinois. He finds fulfillment in a variety of creative endeavors. This story combines two of his favorites, writing and character design. Peter hopes to one day own his own start up animation studio. Where he will write, and animate most films himself.