Chapter 5-Weeks

Weeks had passed since that night. He had gone elsewhere, somewhere different each night as he walked around the city. Some of the strangers here were like the man from that night and had chased him off, screaming things after him. Others, though, had given him work, and when he finished, they gave him long pieces of green paper.

He learned quickly, though, that the paper seemed to be a form of trade. He would give a certain amount, and in return, he'd get something he wanted. One kind stranger had taken pity on him and helped him understand how to pay. That time, they had even bought something for him, and told him to eat it.

And he did. It was warm to the taste, and though he had recoiled at first, he found it satisfying. The stranger had watched him eat the whole thing rather quickly, and had to stop him before he ate the paper. They explained that what he had eaten was called a hotdog, a common thing for people to eat. The program took a liking to the "hotdog" and began to eat it whenever he could afford.

But lately, no one had asked him for work. Rather, they ignored him; walked past him as if he wasn't there. He had asked multiple times, but they told him to read the sign. He would look to the sign, and all he would see where jumbles of symbols that didn't make sense. He would express this, and they would chase him off.

On this day in particular, it was raining. This is the first time it had happened…well, since he could remember. The rain was cold, and plastered his jacket to the suit underneath and his skin. He hugged himself, hoping to keep himself warm, but was met with little success. He pulled up his hood, and it provided some protection to his face.

He needed somewhere to rest. With exhaustion creeping up on him with a yawn, and the rain sending shivers down his spine, he needed somewhere for the night.

There.

Glancing to either side of him, he ran across the street and stood under the overhang of the building. He rubbed his arms, shivering and his teeth chattering.

He couldn't stay here. Not where he was in plain view. Someone would see him and run him off, and all he wanted now was to sleep.

He glanced around the corner to see a dumpster, with one of the lids flipped open, catching the rain water. Immediately, he rushed to the dumpster, and crawled underneath. The ground was wet, and some rain passed through the crack between the lid and the dumpster, but it was better than nothing.

Panting, he pulled his legs in close to his chest so his entire body fit underneath. He rested his back against the wall and held himself close. Despite the conditions, sleep overtook him immediately.

They started at dawn. The rain had barely stopped, and not many people were out and about. This was good for the four walking together. Though inconspicuous, none of the members wished to be noticed. A man, one with a hat on his head and thick rims over his eyes, and a woman with her hood pulled up, talked quietly. The other man, hands in the pocket of his jacket and shades on, looked to the left while a woman glanced the opposite way, fiddling with a bracelet on her arm quietly.

The man with thick rims and the lady with her hood pulled up held their phones next to each other, before the woman nodded.

"Looks like they're ready." The man said, pocketing his phone. "Let's split up. Natasha, Wanda, you to take the east. Sam and I will take the west."

The three nodded in response before Natasha and Wanda started off together. Sam and the man with the glasses started off the opposite direction. The man with the glasses pulled out his phone again.

"You getting anything?" Sam asked, glancing over to look at the screen.

"Nothing yet…"

He ran into Sam's arm as it was suddenly held out in front of him. He looked up to look to Sam.

"I think I'm seeing something Cap…"

Cap looked to where he supposed Sam was looking. It was on the corner, near a shop that hadn't opened yet. Slowly, he put his phone away, and peered into the darkness. He could see the trash, but hiding among them…was that a form…

"Could that be…?" Sam muttered.

Cap didn't answer, but ducked under Sam's arm and made his way quietly to the scene. The form didn't move….perhaps it hadn't noticed them. He gripped the edge of the dumpster lid that was covering the figure. Sam grabbed the other side. They exchanged a look and with a combined effort, flipped the lid.

The water splashed loudly. The figure, who's head had been resting against the side of the dumpster, started as the water that fell between the crack hit them. They gasped, and their head snapped up to see them both. Cap, having been thrown off by the gasping and gaping figure, took a slight step back.

"W-what's going on?" The voice was breathy due to the panting, but was loud enough for anyone passing by to hear. "Who are you?"

"Not important." Cap recovered, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"I-I…" The person got to their feet, "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be upset...I'll leave I promise."

However, Cap stopped the person and they froze. They were shaking, and Cap noticed that their clothing was drenched from head to toe.

"Were you out here all night?"

They nodded.

"Why?"

The person shook their head, "Nowhere to go. No one will take me."

"Do you work?" Sam asked.

"Used to." The person continued, "People have stopped taking me. I haven't been paid in weeks."

Cap looked to Sam, and gestured for him to follow.

"Wait here for a moment."

The person nodded and Cap pulled Sam off to the side.

"This can't be the program."

"Cap, it could be."

"Or it could just be a homeless man."

Sam looked to the person, then back to Cap, "Deal breaker: does this guy glow?"

Both Cap and Sam looked to the person again. The person looked up to them, but then looked back down as their stomach growled loudly.

But they did not glow.

"No."

Sam nodded, "Just a homeless guy then."

"What do you suggest we do then?"

The person looked up again as they turned back.

"I'm sorry about that." Cap held out his hand, "We thought you were someone else. No hard feelings?"

The person looked to the hand for a moment before cautiously taking it, "Not at all."

The person's stomach growled again, this time even louder, and they pulled their hand out.

"I-I'm sorry about. I should go…"

"Wait."

The person stopped.

Cap glanced to Sam, then said, "How about we make it up to you?"