AN: Thank you to the people that have reviewed! Not much to say about this chapter, but, as usual, reviews are appreciated. Hope you enjoy!
Frank chased the source of the noise through the junkyard. Then, without warning, a figure darted out from behind one of the bins and froze like a deer caught in headlights. The figure was a boy, smaller than Frank. He had unkempt, bleach-blond hair and looked malnourished. The boy wore an old, worn out coat that didn't quite fit him – in fact, all of his clothes looked like hand-me-downs. His eyes darted around the yard in a panic, looking for a way out. The tall fence that encircled the yard was lined with spikes and the only exit was the gate behind Frank. A look of determination came over the intruder's face and he reached into his pocket, withdrawing a strange device and aiming it at Frank. Instinctively, Frank jumped back.
"No, wait. Stop!" Frank implored. He tried to keep calm, backing up slowly with his arms held in front of him.
The intruder advanced. Frank got a better look at the device in the boy's hands. It was a crudely welded together contraption with three metal prongs at the front and a jumble of mismatched wires sticking out the side. A slightly amused expression spread across Frank's face and he stopped backing up.
"Is that supposed to be some sort of laser?" he asked.
The other boy did not respond.
"It's actually rather impressive for something made out of scraps." Frank continued, "But it's clearly broken."
Frank was no stranger to weapons, working on a military complex, and even from a distance he could tell the wiring on the gun was old and faulty. The other boy slowly lowered the laser, defeated, but kept his gaze fixed on Frank.
"I know it's broken." said the intruder bitterly. "I was looking for parts to fix it."
"We'll, you're lucky I found you. Anyone else would have shot you on sight for trespassing here."
If Frank expected gratitude, he did not receive it. The other boy simply continued to eye him suspiciously.
"Who are you, anyways?" Frank asked.
"That's none of your business."
"I think it is," Frank replied, "Considering you just threatened to shoot me with a laser."
The intruder sighed and put the gun back in his jacket pocket.
"Fine. If you must know, my name is Riff Raff." The boy said, "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be going."
Riff Raff began to walk towards the gate, but Frank stopped him.
"Why such a rush? You didn't even get what you came here for." Frank said with a smirk, "You know, if I were you, I would check that old machine over by the incinerator. It should have the wiring you need."
And with that, Frank turned to leave. Riff Raff was bewildered.
"Why are you helping me?" he called after Frank.
"You look like you could use it." Frank said with a shrug, barely looking back.
In reality, he wasn't entirely certain why he had decided to help Riff Raff. Maybe he did it as his own private act of rebellion - his father would be furious if he found out Frank was helping a thief. Maybe it was because Frank pitied Riff Raff - the boy looked like he hadn't heard a kind word in his entire life. Or maybe, just maybe, Frank saw some of himself in the other boy. The same sadness. The same determination. But Frank did not dwell on any of this now. He merely walked home.
The next day proved uneventful. Frank helped rewrite and adjust the formula for his father's experiment, which was dull, tedious work. At the end of his work, as usual, Frank went to throw out the garbage – just paper scraps this time, no dead animals. Frank was heading back inside when a voice called out to him.
"Hello!"
Frank spun around and saw, much to his surprise, that Riff Raff was waiting on the other side of the fence.
"What are you doing back here again?" Frank asked, walking towards where the other boy stood.
"Well, I took the wires like you said, but I still can't get the laser working again." Riff Raff said, "You seem to know about this type of thing, so…do you think you could show me how to fix it?"
Frank raised an eyebrow, looking at Riff Raff dubiously.
"Please," Riff Raff quickly added, seeing Frank's hesitation, "I don't really have anyone else I could ask."
"Well, I suppose I could take a look at it. But who taught you how to make weapons? Couldn't you ask them?"
"I learned everything from books at the library." Riff Raff explained.
Frank was still skeptical. This whole situation seemed like a rabbit hole he shouldn't go down. Besides, Frank didn't need another secret to keep from his father. And yet, there was something decidedly intriguing about Riff Raff, and fixing a laser was simple enough, wasn't it? In the end, Frank's curiosity won out.
"Alright, I will fix it. But I can't do it today. My father is expecting me home soon. Meet me at this same time tomorrow in the alley across from the lab."
"Thank you, thank you!" Riff Raff's normally sullen face became animated.
"Don't mention it. Now shoo, before someone sees you here."
"Wait, before I go, what's your name?"
"Ah, how rude of me. Please, call me Frank."
The next day was a blur. It took everything for Frank to keep focused, as he was so preoccupied with thinking about his meeting. There was something illicit and exciting about meeting a near-total stranger in secret. Fortunately, as Frank suspected, he and his father ran the experiment again that day (unsuccessfully), and so the doctor had to stay late writing a lab report, leaving Frank alone for at least a couple of hours.
Sure enough, he found Riff Raff in the alleyway, right on time. Frank brought a few tools he was able to sneak out of the lab, and the two of them quickly set to work on the gun. Frank showed Riff Raff how to properly strip and connect the wires, and they replaced all the old, broken parts with new ones. Soon, they had the laser functioning again. It was remarkable how well it worked considering the junk it was crafted from. It probably wasn't lethal, but it could certainly incapacitate someone. The two boys set up bottles and cans and took turns shooting at them, making the targets explode in a shower of red sparks. Soon, they grew tired of this game and just sat and talked. They didn't speak about anything particularly important or personal – both boys were somewhat guarded when it came to their personal lives – but it was still pleasant conversation. Frank couldn't remember the last time he had felt so relaxed. They talked and laughed until, after what seemed like too short a time, Frank had to leave. They made plans to meet again and then parted ways.
Over the following weeks, they met as often as they could. They created all sorts of small gadgets and inventions together, and it was often the only part of the day that Frank looked forward to. As Frank headed home one day a thought suddenly dawned on him: for the first time, he had someone he could consider a friend.