9. Drive
Series: Black Jack
Character(s): Black Jack and Pinoco
Comments: I'm sure they have a connection of some sorts like this..
One step, two steps, and that one makes thre- Crash bang and he's back on the ground.
It hurts him terribly, but he'll keep going. He never cries any more when he falls, it's not like it's going to help. It's not like his mother will come to pick him up, and it's not like that damn father of his, damn him, damn him to hell, will come either. The nurses might help him, but that's not going to get his legs back. And he needs those legs, oh, he needs those legs. If only he could walk, so he could run away to Hong Kong and wring someone'sneck off..
OK, try again. One more time, and get up. One step. Two steps, and that one makes-Three! Four! fi-
Back on the ground. Again. Goddamn, these legs...
He'd never even dreamed of killing someone before, but, by gods, he did now.
The little girl struggles terribly as she tries to stand.
She's teared up several times, sometimes looking at him with wide eyes as if she was calling for help, but he can see she's slowly giving up on that. He's not going to yell at her, neither is he going to help her. She'll just have to go on on her own, just like he did.
If she's just going to give up, then whatever did he save her for?
He feels a small tug on his leg.
She grins happily at him, Look, look what I can do!
And sure enough, she's holding onto his pants. He's pretty sure that's cheating, but he's got no idea what to do about the situation. The child's enthusiasm is completely unfamiliar to him, yet the wondering smile makes him want to give her at least some reward. Though really, gaining a pair of legs should be enough..
"Uh, good job. Try to do it yourself next time."
Pinoco smiles even wider, steps back, and manages to hold on with just one hand. He can't say he's impressed, though a tiny flicker of pride does flare up briefly in his heart.