The Once-ler stared blankly at the blackened landscape, he was alone. Everyone had left long ago… How long ago?
The animals… Pipsqueak… Melvin… His family… Even the Lorax had left him. He stood up slowly. When had even dropped to his knees? He didn't bother to dust himself off. He didn't deserve to be clean.
He dragged himself back to the house he'd built years ago. It was the nearest building and the smallest. He shoved the door open roughly, it promptly fell right off its hinges. It was also the oldest building. He sighed and pushed himself up the stairs, one by one he took them with a new forlorn disposition.
He dropped onto the lumpy mattress on the floor, he wasn't even worthy of a normal bed. He hugged the flat pillow tightly to his chest, closing his eyes, exhausted. He clung to the pillow; all he could see was the scarred landscape. He didn't want this; he didn't want to see it anymore. A tear slipped from his eye as he whimpered.
He just wanted someone. Anyone. A friend. Hell, even an acquaintance would do. He sighed shakily. That wouldn't happen. There was no chance. He was alone, all alone. He broke. All he could do was sob. Alone. All alone. No one to love him. He fell asleep, crying and knowing he didn't deserve anyone. He was horrible and he knew it.