nexuses | 13 | the boy who ran

[ They're on the more rural side of town, where the military and its bases reside. People normally don't come near here out of fear, and Aiden wouldn't either if it weren't for him being brought here by force. But, thanks to Elise's efforts, he's out of there — and damn glad to be. Being so up close and personal to them is completely different from hearing about them or even seeing things from afar. Their brutality is just as bad, if not worse, than he'd been led to believe, and now he's got the cuts and bloodied clothes to prove it (and the emotional trauma).

But all he needs to focus on right now is making the shouting voices in the distance even more distant. He's never been the most athletic, but boy is he running harder than he thinks he ever has before. The adrenaline is enough to keep pushing him long enough to feel safe resting against a tree for a moment, breathing heavily while he tries to catch his breath.

And he sounds rushed and panicked. ] H-Hey — you're there, right? I-I need you to do something about this. Anything. I-I don't care what you —

[ Aaand he can hear the voices in the distance calling for him again now — so that's his cue to stop trying to breathe and to just run for it again. He hadn't even thought about the possibility that Elise might not be with him until now, but he's hoping to god she's not caught back there. He can't go back. At least, not now. All he needs is to get into the city again, because it'll be harder for him to be found among buildings and a sea of people.

So he starts running again, but it's only moments later that he's about to collide with someone else — ]

[ Coming from the opposite direction, the clamor is loud enough to tickle 13's ears. He glances up, a little surprised. This is military territory, and he was under the impression that such part of town tended to be left alone. Not much farther ahead, he hears a muffled voice and running.

Before he knows it, there's a boy heading straight for him. On instinct, 13 thrusts a hand forward to catch the boy's shoulder and mitigate the oncoming collision. At the same time, he steps back and leans with the force of the impact, preventing the both of them from tumbling over.

In their deadlock, 13 gives the boy a quick once-over. On his way through town, he'd heard unfavorable remarks about the military that become all too apparent from what he sees, if they're indeed responsible. The hastiness with which the boy had been moving tells just as much. 13 peels his hand off of the boy's shoulder, staring the while. ]

Are you dodging the military?

[ He's shocked for a few moments after running into 13 — unable to think or react or really take in that he just ran into another person out here. That was kind of the last thing he was expecting. But once he's gathered himself enough to at least process the situation, his eyes dart between 13's face and he ground, as he tries to formulate a quick response.

Please excuse how panicked and out of breath he sounds, um. ] I-I — ah — [ Think. Think. Ah. ] N-No, I'm — I ended up out here by accident, and — just happened to —

[ He's not good at this excuses thing, okay. It sounds convincing in his head. And he can't help but quickly glance back. The voices are getting louder and he doesn't have the time to spend here chatting. And the fact that Elise still isn't doing anything is concerning as all hell. ]

I —

[ No, actually, he's not even going to tell him 'I have to go' or 'excuse me' or anything else that's going to tip this guy off to the fact that he's about to try to get around him and start running.

He's just going to do it. So excuse him but he's trying to get around you to start running again. As quickly as possible. He doesn't know who this guy is or what side he's on here, but he's not taking any chances. ]

[ He's seen worse liars, but that's not important. Following the boy's line of sight, 13 looks up to scan the area. There's nobody there, yet. What he does see out of the corner of his eyes, though, is the boy trying to run around him. He raises an arm to intercept.

His original purpose for visiting the bases will have to wait. It wouldn't be advantageous to approach when hostile soldiers are headed his way and monitoring the perimeters.

He clasps a hand over the boy's shoulder, then lets it slip off as he backpedals some before heading for the side. His ride is parked there, in just the spot where it can remain hidden. ]

They'll outrun you if you keep going that way. Aren't you tired?

[ There's maybe a bit of a whimper when he's intercepted — that's ... concerning. Why is this guy stopping him?

The adrenaline is starting to wear off a little now, and he's feeling a little dizzy from it and the pain in his legs is becoming more apparent, so — yeah, he's tired. Very tired. But he's not sure about admitting to that or anything else right now, because he can't quite make out this guy's intentions. ]

Th-They'll what — how?

[ Mmmnn. ]

A-And I'm not — [ Tired.

He swears. Definitely not. ]

[ Oh, yes. He's definitely not tired. With his back turned to the boy, 13 waves in a dismissive gesture. He's not going to press the "tired" thing.

A few yards away, 13 parts the bushes lined against the wall of the base to reveal a vehicle that resembles a motorcycle. He pulls it out, makes sure it's parked, and slides onto the seat, which is long enough for two. The way he situates himself on the vehicle should make the last part abundantly clear. ]

I'm heading into town. [ Technically, they already are in town, but he figures the boy will get what he means. ] You're welcome to come with me.

[ THIS. IS ALL SORTS OF LEVELS OF SUSPICIOUS AND HE'S AT LEAST CONSCIOUS ENOUGH OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO NOT WANT TO TRUST IT. Running into a random guy, being stopped from running past him, and this secret motorcycle he's got conveniently hidden nearby — not to mention people don't tend to come out here in the first place. And him offering to give him a ride? How's he supposed to trust him enough for that right now? For all he knows, he'll take him somewhere else or even back to the soldiers who are still making their way closer. And Aiden isn't sure if his body could take the pain of trying to jump off a moving motorcycle right now.

So, no. He's not doing this. He even looks a little huffy when he responds. ]

I — I'm fine.

[ And he just ... turns away! And tries to get running but ... trips over himself a little. He doesn't fall, but it's clear his legs are starting to do the jello thing and it's difficult to move in combination with all the cuts. Why this.

At this point he's practically got all the proof he needs that Elise isn't here. ]

[ Well, if the boy insists.

The voices from afar start to boom with proximity, followed by thunderous footsteps. That signals his time to go. 13 leans forward, and, holding the right handle, rests his left hand on a panel that lights up under his palm. The motorcycle's engine hums as 13 grasps both handles and kicks off. He steers himself around to face the inner part of town, circling past Aiden in the turn.

He's yet to pick up speed. After all, if he accelerates too much at once, he'll end up throwing himself. At this rate, he still has plenty of distance between himself and the military.

He won't ask again, but he does say this over his shoulder: ]

I'm leaving, because I'll get into trouble if I don't. If you're serious about running the distance, I'll let you.

[ He flinches when 13 circles past him, and he's — not so sure about his decision now. The soldiers are getting close enough to the point where he probably won't be able to make it away no matter what now — with his legs feeling heavy the longer he spends standing here talking, and the pain starting to set in again ...

At this point, he might not even have a choice. Goddamn it. Well, the pain of jumping off a moving vehicle is far less than the pain of being brought in by the military again, so ... (Especially since now they've got no doubt in their mind he's got everything to do with Elise, and they have no reason to show any more mercy.)

Ah, Elise is going to be mad ... ]

W-Wait!

[ Putting his hand up in a gesture to get his attention, and taking a few steps closer. ]

[ 13 doesn't see the gesture so much as he hears it in the boy's voice. At his current position with his back to the boy, the motorcycle is positioned to take on the second passenger. Looking over his shoulder, 13 gestures to the vehicle.

Time's a wasting. They need to leave before they think about doing anything else. ]

Get on, then.

[ The moment he does, 13's going to accelerate without another word. The motorcycle's seat arches to provide back support, so Aidan should have no problem staying on. Their path is fairly straight with a handful of turns, nothing too vigorous. ]

[ Still a little hesitant, but he's come to terms with this being his only choice, and he's glad the man is so quick to let him on. So he'll make his way over to it as quickly as possible so they don't lose too much time, but — the sudden acceleration without warning is enough to shock him at first, as he quickly reaches to grab onto 13's shirt out of reflex. Even if there's back support, he doesn't feel particularly safe on this thing, okay.

SORRY BUT. HE'S NOT USED TO THESE THINGS ... AT ALL. AND ALSO KIND OF EMBARRASSED.

He will quietly hold onto 13's sides the rest of the ride (embarrassingly), though sometimes he will try to let go because he can't stand how it's making him feel. Those moments will not last long, however. Just great. ]

[ The wind tousles 13’s hair as he picks up more speed, exhilarated. Owing to advanced technology, the ride is quiet and smooth, much like the sensation of gliding off the ground without the nonsense of engine noise. When the boy takes to holding his sides, he grins to himself. He doesn’t have to raise his voice to be heard over the gentle humming of the motorcycle. ]

Relax. You won’t fall off.

[ To the boy’s credit, he recognizes that that’s easier said than done.

The voices and footsteps quickly fade into the distance. 13 tears down the road, taking care to stay on the side for the sake of evading detection, to the more populated part of town, where he stops in front of a bar. Without missing a beat, he slides out of his seat and heads for the entrance. ]

The bar’s crowded. We’re going to blend in.

[ W-Wow, don't recognize he's holding his sides!! S-Stay quiet about it BECAUSE THAT JUST MAKES HIM MORE EMBARRASSED AND HUFFY. R-Rude.

He's glad to get away from all those soldiers, but none of this means he can even remotely trust 13 yet. At all. He's a little confused that 13's even wanting to stick with him — wouldn't it be easier to just drop Aiden off somewhere else and get rid of him? What's the point in associating with someone who's so much trouble? They'll torture 13, too, just by association — it's how his brother died, after all.

He'll follow for now, at least, getting off the vehicle and closely following behind him. He's got no where else he can go without the military expecting it. But he has questions, which he will fire off immediately. ]

H-Hey, wait! "We're"? Why are you helping me? What do you want?

[ 13 strides into the bar, waving casually at the staff posted in the front as he passes. For the boy, he keeps a level tone of voice to create the illusion of an ordinary conversation for those watching. ]

To get you cleaned up. The bar's rowdy enough that no one will suspect you for looking like that.

[ If they were to go anywhere else, like a hotel, they'd be reported on the spot. Blood and bruises don't often spell good news. That leaves the local bar.

13 leads the boy to a booth in the corner, where he reaches for the beverage menu. After a quick perusal, he slides it across the table to the boy's side. He turns away toward the bartender's counter, intending a short visit. ]

If you want anything, here's your chance. The server should come around soon.

[ That answer doesn't help his biggest questions in the least. "Why are you helping me" is still the number one thing on his mind, and he's having a little trouble keeping a level tone of voice when he's so worked up, but he's trying.

Still huffy, though a little less than before. ]

To get me — why are you trying to clean me up?

[ Glancing down at that menu, though, before pushing it away a few inches. ]

I — I'm fine.

[ Not really, but he's not risking drinking anything around someone he doesn't trust. Huff. For all he knows, this is just some elaborate plan. ]

[ The rejection doesn't slow 13, who takes off for the counter – but not before he leaves the boy in a neutral tone, ] Do I need a reason to clean up blood?

[ If so, he might say that he's doing the public a favor. The whole truth, however, is much more complicated and would lead to an inconclusive discussion on human nature. The most realistic answer, then – the one that turns in 13's thoughts – might be "who knows. Habit?"

13 won't be at the counter for long. He'll exchange a few words with the bartender, seal the deal, and be back empty-handed. Of course, that's more than enough time for Aidan to make some choices of his own. ]

Edited 2015-03-05 07:41 (UTC)

[ That response is oddly just frustrating to him. Because he's still confused and lost and unsure of what on earth this guy is after. He can't just be some good person who helps random others in need. Especially when that random other is Aiden and he would normally be left alone or turned in within moments in the situation they met in. He was vulnerable, too. It wouldn't have been hard!

He watches 13 closely while he talks to the bartender, because he's concerned about him and wants to make sure things aren't too out of the ordinary, all the while contemplating just ... running. But, ultimately, that idea falls flat — the way he looks is definitely too suspicious, and anyone in the right mind would turn him in in a heartbeat if they saw him wandering around anywhere else looking like this. Not to mention, he's sure there's soldiers being dispatched all over the place at this point.

But 13 returning empty-handed is a little weird, and he's got reason to be concerned, he thinks. ]

What'd you talk about?

[ What's the point in talking to the bartender and not returning with a drink, huh. ]

[ It's a small wonder that the boy stayed put for all that. Given his suspicious behavior up to now, the chances of him running off versus staying should have been fifty-fifty – or just about. 13 can't well vouch for the boy's character yet.

If Aidan is watching, he'd see the bartender disappearing into the back from his peripheral vision. Meanwhile, 13 props his elbow on the table and rests his chin against his knuckles. ]

Gauze and adhesives. [ He eyes the boy, taking in the latter's battered state. ] They don't have medicine, but, all the same, you wouldn't have taken it.

[ The bartender disappearing into the back is definitely an immediate cause for alarm for him, but 13's explanation at least ... maybe helps. He's still not sure whether he can trust him on this, so he's almost ready to run for it if he has to. He's stuck glancing between 13 and where the bartender was.

He wishes he could feel as calm as 13 looks right now. ]

Of course I wouldn't. [ Huff. Brownie points for noticing that. ] But you're still not telling me why you're getting yourself involved with me. Don't you know what they'll do? This can't just be because you have some weird urge to clean up blood.

[ Okay, he knows it's not some weird blood-cleaning urge, but he's a little frustrated, here. What's the pont in getting involved at all in the first place? You don't just meet some kid being chased by the military and decide "I'll clean up his blood!" Because that's the only answer he's been given so far. ]

[ "Some weird urge to clean up" makes 13 think about what he'd said. It was a strange answer then, and it's even stranger now. ]

I told you, didn't I? If I stayed, I would have been in trouble. [ Does 13 look like he belongs in a military base? His attire may be a tad out of place to the rest, but his weapons are concealed, and in no way does he dress like someone affiliated with the military. He's a foreigner; he has nothing to do with this place. ] You were there, so I took you along.

[ Closing his eyes, he readjusts the placement of his chin. ]

I can't say I know what they'll do to me, but I've heard about their unsavory behavior.

[ Ghhh. He doesn't look like he's involved with the military, but maybe that's just what he wants him to think. He can't just assume things are safe, you know! ]

You took someone like me along just because I was there? Isn't this a little too much trouble you're going through for a decision you made on a whim?

[ Man, he can't just give a straight answer, can he? Everything he says either sounds vague or dodgy, to Aiden. Maybe it's just because he's so paranoid — he can't tell. But he can't afford not to be.

But that last bit is a little weird. ]

... Do you live under a rock?

[ Most anyone here knows first-hand what they're like. The fact that executions are public and common should say enough. Anyone knows that. He should be able to easily deduce what they'd do to him. ]

[ He's about to explain his case – as much as he's allowed to, because it's classified – when another question gets asked. 13 opens his eyes and raises his head, letting his propped arm drop to the table surface. ]

I'm not from here.

[ To date, he's yet to witness any military brutality. He's only heard, and no more than fragmented pieces. There's a thing about fear and resentment, and it's that the former can lock the latter in with tight lips. His statement invites the boy to elaborate, if he's willing. ]

[ Well, instead of elaborating right now, he'd rather just be shocked at this revelation. So his eyes will widen a bit and he'll lean forward and talk a little louder than before. ]

Th-Then what are you doing here?! [ Akjhsdg quieting down a bit though because they're not supposed to attract attention right now. ] What's wrong with you?

[ This place isn't exactly a tourist attraction, if he couldn't already tell. People don't just visit this kind of place because it's fun. He guesses that could be why he was all the way out there so close to where the military resides — maybe he just didn't know? Of course, he still can't dismiss the idea that all of this is a lie, but ... ]

[ 13 blinks, just a bit thrown by the question coming from the ragged boy. The wonder fades, giving rise to a small smile as he thinks on the circumstance that brought him to this town. He draws back a little, enough to dispel the air of secrecy that might have surrounded them. ]

I was asked to come here on business. It didn't exactly have a brochure.

[ He can probably owe that to the looming military presence. ]

[ ... S-Smiling? Smiling? There must be a lot wrong with this guy, regardless of why he came, honestly.

He's still suspicious of this, so he's going to keep asking questions. ]

'Business', huh? [ Sitting back again and sinking into the seat a little, while he crosses his arms. And he eyes him with a bit of suspicion. ] What kind then?

[ What could possibly bring him here? ]

13 | the boy who ran

nobodies running from anything

everybody's running from something

no ur running from something there's no running here. also i got excited and wanted to reply now HI

if i'm running from something then there's absolutely running here. HELLO -

no there's not gosh jaejae also HI I AM GOING TO DO THE OTHER TAGS SOON im working while tagging oop

yes there is shhh TAKE YOUR TIME and ganbatte on your work

nuh uh shhh OKAY ;O; ty jaejae ;w; how is your day and did you get my texts

yah-huh! and my day was long . . . so long . . . but i got your texts and you're cute

;o; ... pets you and puts a blanky on you and rubs your back ;w; also kjhjh pls /)(\ WAS I RIGHT THO

tucks you in and pats you back uwu i was confused but realized you meant the food SPAM IS GREAT

/)(\ too cute ... also PFFF i thought i remembered you liking spam sandwiches SO ;w;

u too . . . spam is great and everyone should try it at least once ok ok

u-uuu shhh also PFFF yeah it was p good ;w; it was thinly sliced and cooked wit rice

spam is the best with rice and esp. if they're slightly crispy on the outside

uuu yeah they were ;o; my friends cheered bc i liked it pfff ...

and i salute ye bc you've entered a whole new world in the universe of food

i always welcome new universes in the world of food, you know. show me more, jaejae

let's dive into the world of chocolate so you can have some milky way bars

OKAY ;W; aaaah i want chocolate nooooow ...

sends you e-chocolates from my table

takes your e-chocolates and cherishes them ;o; also why are you still awake and so fast w/ tags

you asked just as i went to bed oops - but good eat all e-chocolates

pfff yeah i noticed and was like 'lol dat timing oops' but DEVOURS THEM

your timing is incredible and summoned my bed also yes GET CHUBBY

but i don't wanna summon your bed ;o; also KJHSDG OH GOD DON'T EAT ME