Rusty walked across the old wooden bridge that connected their house to the rest of the narrow gauge railway. The bridge creaked under their feet, and they could have sworn they heard something fall into the water below making them hurry across anxiously. They… had to warn the others. And so they ran off towards the school, hoping that they'd be able to catch up with Duncan and Peter Sam.
"There you are!" Peter Sam greeted them with a raised hand. His three fingers painted a bright cheery green, and the friendship bracelet he had made shining in the sun.
Duncan gave a small grunt. "Took you long enough." He teased, his lips curling into a sort of half smile that made Rusty's stomach flip. "Did you lose your way?"
Rusty huffed, "Hardly. But, do you know the bridge we take home? I don't think it's safe." They explained. "Didn't you guys notice anything."
"Ah, No." The green haired teen scratched his cheek, thinking. "But I'm not really one to ask."
"Of course not." Duncan scoffed, "Maybe it was your imagination."
Rusty rolled their eyes, "I'm sure of what I heard."
"Please you always make things sound worse than they are." Duncan sneered. "The Bridge is old, it's going to creak.
Peter Sam rushed to get in between them. "Hey! Easy!" He soothed nervously. "Let's not get heated. If Rusty thinks the bridge is unsafe, maybe we should find another way home."
"Of course, you're going to take their side. Nothing but a couple of worrywarts." Peter Sam wilted, before staying firm.
"If not wanting to fall off a bridge makes me a worrywart, then so be it." He said, his brow furrowed. "Besides you can stand being more careful, never know what could happen to you." He muttered darkly, eyes far away.
Rusty put a hand on his shoulder. "Peter Sam…" He gave them a reassuring smile.
"Never mind that, but my point still stands. I trust Rusty with this." That warmed Rusty's heart as they went inside the school building, waving good bye to their friends as they went their separate ways.
Where was he? Rusty looked around wildly, they usually met up with Peter Sam and Duncan to walk home from school. But while Peter Sam was there, Duncan was no where to be seen. He bounded up to meet them, chewing on his lip nervously.
"Rusty! Have you seen Duncan?" Peter Sam asked, worry shining in his bottle green eyes. "He's always the first out of lessons." Rusty shook their head.
"I don't know." They admitted. "The last time I saw him, I was warning you two about the bridge we usually take home."
Peter Sam gasped, hands flying up to cover his mouth. "You don't think- He wouldn't!" He implored. Duncan was reckless, but he'd never do something-
Rusty nodded grimly. "He would." And so, without another word they ran off, hoping that they weren't too late.
But they were. Rusty stood at the edge of the old wooden bridge, absolute horror in their gaze. Their breath caught in their throat as they saw Duncan holding on for his dear life, as the bridge creaked and groaned, shifting and swaying.
"Duncan!" They walked out as far as they dared to go- it would do no good if both of them were to fall off the bridge after all -And reached out a hand, coal-colored eyes pleading with Duncan to grab on. Just grab on! They didn't want to be witness to another tragedy. Duncan grabbed hold of their hand and they yanked him off the bridge just in time as it collapsed, tumbling into the water below.
They both stood there for a while panting, looking at the absolute wreck of a bridge. Rusty tried to slow their breathing but found that they couldn't, anxiety and anger swirling in their chest as they stomped off, Duncan following. This was new…
"Rusty I-" Rusty's fist hit a tree with a loud thump, silencing him and his useless apology. They knew if they turned around their fist would find a different target, so they stood away trying to remove themselves from the situation. They hated when their emotions went out of control, it was like a burning ache settling deep in their bones. But all they could see was the bridge falling, and taking Duncan with it. Why was he so fucking stupid?! Why didn't he trust them?!
"You- YOU DUMBASS!" They finally screamed, clutching their copper hair. "Did you even think? No of course you didn't. You never think. When will you learn that your actions have consequences?!"
Duncan growled, not liking being talked to as if he was a child. "Well maybe if you didn't overreact-"
"Overreact? OVERREACT?!" Rusty snapped voice cracking they whipped around, feeling hot tears well up in their sparking dark grey eyes. "Have you ever considered that I do this for a reason?! That maybe I don't want to see someone else I love get grievously injured?!" They broke off into uncharacteristic sobs, collapsing to their knees with the force of them. They covered their mouth trying to quiet their own cries.
Duncan stood over them, for the first time since he'd known them being unsure of what to do. He could handle annoyance and even anger from Rusty, but he had never made them cry before. It made guilt settle in the pit of his stomach like a cold rock. "I'm sorry, Rusty."
But that just made them cry harder. Shaking their head, a cold and bitter chuckle falling from their lips. "Y-You don't mean that. You never mean it."
"I do mean it." He protested, "I'm sorry that I put you through so much." He reached out, in what he hoped was a comforting gesture only to get his hand slapped away, Rusty looked up with a tired glare and shook their head, wiping their eyes futilely and getting up.
"I don't think I can be around you right now." They mumbled quietly, and Duncan felt it like a shot through the chest. "Tell Peter Sam I'll see him tomorrow."
And with that, they walked off, leaving Duncan behind.
