The first step was always the hardest, at a snail’s pace I raise my left foot... and ground it firmly. My gaze sharpening like a predator ready to strike. My right foot soon follows, looks like they noticed me. ‘Get Out of here!’ ‘This is none of your business!’ Lowering my head, a miniscule smirk sneaks its way onto my face. My voice as meek as possible, “leave the kid alone.” ‘Heh, and what if we don’t, what are YOU going to do about it.’ Hearing steps get closer my posture shifts ever so slightly. ‘You deal with them; I’ll handle this trash.’ My heartbeat slowing, breath deepening, it’s like I’m back home, ready to inflict a sudden wound on my prey.
With a foot entering my peripheral vision, “It’s not right to beat on someone that can’t defend themself.” With a hand reaching towards me, instantly raising my head I grab their wrist pulling them forward causing them to become unbalanced. Using the chance to trip them using the stick I stomp on the back of their head with my good leg creating an audible crack causing my face to scrunch up. Looking back, it appears the other one has just looked over. ‘Wha-what,’ Seeing them step back my gaze follows them. Taking a step forward ready to fight. ‘Stay away!’ Out of nowhere they turn around and sprint. Under my breath, “you could at least take your friend.” Seeing blood pool around the head a bit, Oh... that’s... a lot of blood, I-’ll just ignore that. It would be problematic if they die. Using the stick, I flip them over onto their side.
The kid is still curled up on their side, I should be careful, gentle maybe. Walking up to them at a steady pace I kneel beside them. “Are you okay?” What am I asking they're obviously not. Sob, with my eyes becoming gentler I sit next to them and start rubbing their back. All I can do is just be here for you. What should I say? Haaa, why does interacting with people need to be so difficult? Hm, looks like they are calming down. Okay, we’ve sat here for some time now, do I... say something? “Are you ready to talk?” ‘Why is the world like this?’ “I’ve asked that question myself multiple times, haa, I wish I could give an answer... but I just don’t know.”
Patting them gently on the back, “you look ravenous, I’ll see if I can get something.” Starting to rise a sudden tug on my cloak makes me stop. ‘No, please don’t go... please.’ Grabbing onto their hand I gently detach it from my cloak, “I’ll be back quicky, just stay here, it won’t take long.” Standing up I glance back and see he’s curled up once again on the dirty cold stone, at least they're not laying on their side anymore. Walking down the path I soon get to a corner that turns into an even darker path that appears deserted, as if no ones used it in ages. Casting a quick glance at the stick, should I do that? Can I handle doing that right now, if I had something in my system it might have been doable. Under my breath, “ haa, it should be fine.”
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Holding the stick in front of me, if one were to look here now, what would they think seeing a protrusion growing out of the stick from nowhere? Continuing to make this branch grow out, berries start to grow rapidly soon being ripe. Breaking off the branch the snapped off point retracts back in looking just as it did before this phenomenon accrued. “Haa, this wasn’t a smart choice.” Starting my way back to the kid with a branch of berries and a bit thinner I can only hope he’s still there. Even hungry and hurt, fear can be a big motivator to run. It would be agitating if they ran after I did all this. I must look weird, a stick in my right hand and a branch of berries in the other, you don’t see something like that around here normally.
While I wish the others were around still, all I would do is worry them. Looking towards the horizon, the sun is high above it now, guess I spent longer than I imagined dealing with all this. Really, how foolish of me. Getting close to the place where the kid should be thankfully it seems they stayed. Loosening the cloak around me to hide my loss of weight I continue as if nothing had happened. Gaining a gentle smile with a calm voice, “thanks for giving me your trust, here.” It takes them some time looking up showing me their dark eyes and sunken cheeks, ‘can I?’ “Of course.” Intently watching as their hand inches bit by bit towards the branch of berries they finally grab it slowly taking it from my hands. Casting a quick glance at the body it seems it hasn’t moved. Seems they were completely abandoned by their friend seeing how I hadn’t seen them while walking. Looking back he has turned away from me and started eating. Sitting back down beside them I start to get lost in my thoughts. Why do I do this, I don’t need to. No one else around here does it other than the occasional exception.
Hearing a small burp I look to the kid seeing they have finished, “do you have a name you go by.” ‘Armin.’ “Can you stand Armin.” ‘Ye-yes.’ Keeping an eye to gauge his reaction, “do you have anywhere you can stay? No need to answer.” Seeing tears well up I quickly respond. With sobs and sniffles coming from besides me I can do nothing but sit there, ‘No, they, they’ pulling him into my side. “Let it out, I won’t judge you for that. There is no shame in tears.” Just sitting there with Armin crying into my side just farther strengthens my desire to help him. “Armin, then would you like to stick together.” At least until I can give you a place to stay. “Two can do more than one along with the strength in numbers.” Looking into Armins' eyes as he looks up at me there seems to be a spark of, hope? I probably just imagined it. 'If you're willing, sir.'