I don't need help... Or maybe I do?

The afternoon, the time of day when the city was full of noise and disorder. Cars passed by at different speeds and people walked from one side to the other. They crossed the streets, some were heading home, others were going back to work, among them a tall young man with light blue hair and milk-white eyes stood out. He was wearing a lead sweatshirt with a red print on the chest, blue jeans and red sneakers that matched very well with the rest of his outfit, plus a mask with the same print on the chest.

He walked slowly, looking down as if something was bothering him and yes, he had felt a strong discomfort since he woke up, but that was no reason to slack off, he needed to earn money with his "safe" job as a bounty hunter.

The cold invaded his body to the point of shivering despite looking warm and with his hands in his sweatshirt pocket. He wished he was lying on the couch with a box of Cheez Its or a cup of hot tea in his hands, but that would not be possible for now. He had to finish the job he had been tasked with.

The transparent creatures around him noticed the strange behavior of the blue-haired man, they knew Michael very well as he is the only person with the capacity to see them and even understand them due to the previous events involving his death and resurrection in one night.

-I know what you're thinking, I'm not going home yet- he mentioned in a low tone to avoid being overheard by the people in the surrounding streets.

The snake shaped ghost being stood in front of him hoping to stop him, he wanted him to turn around but he didn't succeed, Michael simply passed in front of him ignoring his calls for attention.

-Justice never rests... -he murmured, the ghosts reluctantly agreed, the faster they found the wanted one, the sooner Michael could return home to rest.


The young man with white pupils hid for a few seconds in a nearby alley in search of some warmth and fresh air, he had to lower his face mask to do so. The chills were invading him and that was not a good sign, he was considering returning home after finishing only the first hunt.

- It's really cold, isn't it? - A voice was heard in the deepest part of the alley. Michael approached at a slow pace, his gaze focused on what appeared to be smoke, a very striking one that he could even swear was glowing a shade of green. He did nothing but pause as he saw another ghostly being different from the others Was the malaise doing its thing?

-Wow, you look just like him- said that ghost with a very faint but bright and sincere smile.

- Who? - Michael said somewhat astonished, he was surely confusing him with someone else, he had never seen this being, not even when walking through the streets during his nightly tours.

- Keith, he's your brother, isn't he? - He adjusted his cap a little during his words.

His blood ran cold when he heard the name of the youngest of his family. How did this ghost know about him? Michael's anxiety appeared as he believed that the specter was trying to harm Keith.

-My name is Garcello - said the ghost in a calm voice. The boy with the red cap introduced himself in a friendly manner to the spirit. The two had a friendly conversation about the youngest of the family, how they had met and the rap battle that helped the ghostly being to rest in peace.

-Keith has always helped others no matter the situation- Michael mentioned but covered his mouth as a small coughing fit escaped- Uh... I'm sorry- -

Garcello ignored the coughing because of the sound of the cars, which alerted Michael, he had completely forgotten the fact that he was working. His strength was already gone, but he had to come up with at least the first reward.

- Are you running away from someone? - The spirit asked somewhat confused when he noticed the young man's reaction, Michael just shook his head, he made a quick explanation of his work, just enough, he didn't want to go into details.

-Then I guess you should leave now - said Garcello with a relaxed tone. The blue-haired man agreed before taking a few steps towards the exit of the alley. -

- You can come whenever you want to my home, maybe Keith is there for a visit. -

A smile came across the Phantom's face before Michael said goodbye and placed the hood of the sweatshirt and the mask still looking for the warmth that would calm his shivers. The cold in the city was intensifying and the onset of the head cold he was carrying didn't quite agree with it.


After leaving the alley and walking a few streets keeping his face low, he scanned the surroundings as if looking for something or rather someone. He turned as he heard a very soft call, one of the snaking ghosts had hit the target. He nodded and with a small but satisfying smile pulled out the gun he had hidden in his backpack.

A couple of minutes were enough to find a dirty and abandoned looking building, but it was not so, inside there were a couple of people doing their business. The ghost indicated to Michael the exact location of the criminals and the place where the corpses were, as well as the murder weapon that had killed several people.


Screams, disorder, noise, all of it stunned Michael even more, he even received a couple of punches due to the discomfort of his illness, but finally the job was complete. He had knocked those criminals' unconscious. Immediately, he took his cell phone to call the police, it would take a while, his job for now was to make sure that his prisoners remained immobilized.

After a short conversation with the transparent beings, the police arrived and upon discovering such a scene, they inspected every corner of the house. While the agents were doing their investigation, Michael had noticed how a couple of ghosts smiled at him, they rested in peace at last and that made him feel calmer. Money was the least of his worries at that moment. The police chief approached the avenger to thank him for capturing both criminals.

-You'd better go home - said the agent, placing his hand on the shoulder of the white-eyed man, who only denied- That fight must have been complicated, you don't look well.

Although it wasn't the fault of the hard work and as much as he hated to accept it, the policeman was right, his body was shaking, his eyelids were heavy and the congestion was doing its thing. He nodded and turned back towards his apartment.


On the way, his vision became blurred, his steps slower and he even felt that at any moment he would faint due to the increasing fever, so he had to stop and wait for the dizzy sensation to disappear.

- Do you need help? - He looked up when he heard a familiar voice, it was Garcello once again, his hand was outstretched, although he knew well that if he tried to take it, he would go through it, Michael smiled a little.

- Are you kidding? I'm wonderful - He tried to raise his body but the same weakness did not allow him to do it, the cough escaped from his mouth -.

- I think you'd better call Keith - The ghost crossed his arms, if it were up to him, he would have already done it to help Michael since he saw him in the alley, but being in the other world he doesn't have any form of contact with living people- You're going to end up in the hospital before you take one more step

- I-I don't need my younger brother's help- Michael muttered trying to keep his pride up, he took one more step when finally, his body gave in to the disease. Garcello watched him triumphantly- Okay, I'll call Keith - He rolled his eyes-.

Without taking another second, he picked up his cell phone and searched for his younger brother's number, when he found it, he hesitated for a few seconds. How ridiculous it should be the other way around.

-Uh... Bro? -His voice trembled for a few seconds, he didn't want to do it, Garcello came closer to give him some confidence, Michael sighed- Yes... I need help... again-...

Unbelievable, Michael didn't usually call Keith for fear that a certain assassin would make an appearance, he wouldn't forgive himself if someone in his family got hurt. He was going to call his younger brother at some point but he never imagined it would be to ask for help... again. It wasn't the first time the older one had gone to the younger one for some grief.

A very quick explanation of what was happening and where he was was enough for the shortest of the family to arrive in a matter of minutes. A small smile of compassion appeared on his face and he immediately offered his hand to Michael to lift him up. For his part, Garcello watched the scene, it wouldn't hurt to go after them to make sure they both made it home safely.

- Ske Beep boop! (Let's go home) - Keith said to his brother who understood his strange way of talking, he had done it since he was a child and it wasn't a problem to understand him, except now that he felt like a hammer was hitting his head.

- Y-you don't have to talk like that, you know? - The shorter one looked up, nodded, I think he got the message - I'm sorry bro, but my head is killing me.

-I get it - Keith replied. So, they both set off for Michael's apartment.


It didn't take them long to reach the major's apartment even though they were going at a somewhat slow pace to keep Michael from fading away. After opening the door, a small friend came to greet the owner of the house, his pet, a kitten that was always attentive to his human. Michael bent down to hold him for a few seconds, giving him a hug and stroking his soft head, the animal's purr was not long in coming.

-You should put on your pajamas, BB - Keith mentioned. He put his backpack aside and went to the kitchen to put some water to boil, it wouldn't hurt to have a hot drink for both of them, after all, the cold of the city was felt in the living room.

- Y-Yeah, you're right - Michael let his pet rest on the top of the couch by the window, it was his favorite spot.


Keith came out of the kitchen a while later with a couple of cups He left the mugs on the small table next to the couch and went to the door of Michael's room. He knocked a couple of times, there was no answer so he slowly opened it. A very soft smile appeared on his face, his brother was resting comfortably, it was one of the times he could sleep peacefully and it was best not to disturb him for now.

The little rapper went back to the living room, he could give him the drink later when his older brother woke up, he sat down on the sofa to rest at ease and spoil the cat.

- Beep Sked boop? (You take good care of my brother?) - The kitty just looked confused at Keith, he wasn't used to his strange way of talking, the boy just laughed and petted behind the pet's ear.


Darkness, it was the only thing that was around him accompanied by the glow in his whitish eyes, where was he, did he pass out in the street and the Keith he saw was just a feverish hallucination? He sat up slowly and as he did so his room came into view, he was home. Michael sighed in relief, he got out of bed this time to head to the living room. He put his hand on the doorknob, there was Keith, asleep on the couch. He wasn't going to wake him up, he would go to the kitchen for something to eat, maybe he had a new box of Cheez itz lying around.

-Wow Wow - A familiar voice was heard behind him, he turned at once, there was that supernatural creature. The angel who had once ended his life, the one who had begun to watch over him since then, the one who had generated his anxiety. The fallen one known as: Armaros- What's wrong, are you afraid?

Michael's body froze when he noticed that the angel was holding a gun in his hands. He swallowed, he had no escape, surely, he was coming to collect his debt, the soul that should be in heaven and the annihilation of a certain succubus.

- What do you want? -He plucked up the courage to speak, but anxiety was eating him up inside, starting with a horrible feeling in his stomach and the rapid beating of his heart.

Armaros began to walk around the room slowly twirling the gun in one of his fingers, at any moment a bullet could escape and harm Keith. The pressure in his chest made an appearance.

- What do you think I want? To drink tea and eat cookies? - He pointed at Michael, who backed up a couple of steps at the threat, it was the end of him and this time he was serious. - You're still the same fool I killed that time.

- I-I guess you're coming for me? - Michael looked away, as long as his brother's partner wasn't hurt, Keith would keep his happiness, that's all that mattered to him.

- No, you big idiot! - A macabre smile on his face, he pointed directly at Keith- Did you think I wouldn't notice? - The sound of the gun reloading put the blue-haired man on alert.

- No, wait! - Michael rushed forward, trying to get in front of his brother, his priority was to protect him.

- Too late! - The sound of the gunshot resounded in Michael's ears. He squeezed his eyes shut; the tachycardia was getting stronger... His eyes were closing-.


- Keith! -He sat up with a thud as the bullet rang in his ears.

He brought his right hand to his chest which was beginning to hurt. A small cough escaped his lips, at which point his younger brother came running in. Michael's scream had awakened him and frightened him. Keith immediately went over to help him calm down.

-B-Beep - He called out in fright as he sat on the edge of the bed next to his older brother. Michael, noticing his little brother's presence, felt calmer, he just had to take a few minutes to calm down the fright caused by the nightmare.


And-and that's what happened...- He looked away. He still felt insecure about telling Keith about this kind of situation, it might put him in danger.

They were both sitting now on the living room couch, covered by a neon-colored blanket, Keith moved closer to his brother to hug him, he was pretty sure that Michael was not having a good time at all.

-You can always count on me...- Keith spoke softly, he didn't care how many times his brother called him in case of a problem like his anxiety attacks or even a simple cold. - Just like you took care of me when I was a child.

-But... -Michael put his hand to his chest, the sincerity in his younger brother's words comforted him, a small smile appeared- Thank you Keith... I don't know what would have happened to me if you weren't in my life.

-For starters, you wouldn't be a big brother, Beep B.- He joked, it didn't hurt to have a few laughs to lighten the mood.

-You're still the same clown since you were a child...- The older boy put both hands to cover his nose and mouth, he didn't want to infect his little brother- Are you aware that you can get sick?

- What about that? Didn't you get sick from taking care of me once? - The white-eyed boy nodded as Keith laid his head on his brother's shoulder - I'll be fine...


And like a premonition, as the days passed, Keith caught his older brother's cold. The two brothers were sitting on the living room couch surrounded by a total mess.

-I told you ...- Michael whispered, bringing the cup of tea to his mouth, the warmth it emanated helping to keep him from getting cold.

-You didn't have to say it...- Keith turned and crossed his arms in annoyance. He had enough to be annoyed by the congestion without Michael doing his own thing.

-D-Don't bother, little man-d... - The older man had to hold back his laughter. He smiled for a few seconds; he had remembered something- I- imagine that... You know Garcello

Keith looked up, of course he remembered his deceased friend, the one he once fought with to prevent him from continuing with his addiction problem and that unfortunately had a sad end.

-Yes... He is my friend... or he was... -The face of the youngest saddened, Michael knew why, he took his hand to his brother's man.

-A few days ago I talked to him... He was the one who forced me to call you to ask for help.

Keith smiled, thanks to Garcello, Michael came to him. He felt calmer knowing that now his brother counted on him more. The younger one went over to snuggle next to the older one, he had long missed those moments between the two of them, after all they were the most attached in their large family.

Meanwhile, a ghost with a green aura watched from the window with a sincere smile, slowly fading away, his mission was accomplished.

Art: Dawn_Brony187