Broken Files

Chapter Three

The diner smelled like dark coffee, untouched by any condiments, and oil. Truck drivers with bushy beards and beady little eyes sat in a line as they drank coffee straight and ate hardy breakfasts'. Their stools seem to have mighty strength, being able to hold their beer bellies. Through the glass windows you could see diesels, pickup trucks, log trucks and many other types of transporting trucks covering the small dirt parking lot. There weren't many cars parked in the small lot; none that could be seen from Shuichi's view, anyway. Woods still surrounded them and the big purple eyes followed the line of trees.

"Hey," The cold voice sounded from across the table, "Are you going to order something or what? Our waitress needs to know…this year." What a rude guy, Shuichi thought as he directed his attention back to the fold out menu.

After he ordered a plate of pancakes and two pieces of sausage, he slouched back into the booth. His childlike eyes stared at the melancholy man who had yet to give his name. 'Why is he being so damn quiet?'

With some hesitation he leaned forward slowly and began, "I'm Shuichi. Shuichi Shin-"

"I don't care." The other whipped out with a monotone voice.

As though the voice had some physical power over him he fell back quickly in his seat. He had really star

-tled him. With a couple of blinks he cautiously sat up again. "Why?" He asked impatiently. This guy was really hopeless.

"Because I don't." The blond snapped again as if to signal the end of their conversation.

It was obvious to Shuichi that this guy had no interest in him. He was like a cat who looks at it's owner with little patience. He had a 'I don't give a fuck' or 'Fuck off, world' kind of attitude. The guy acted like he was so cool, but Shuichi saw him as a snob; a real brat. There was nothing 'cool' about this guy.

Well, this was going to be a long breakfast.

The way to the diner had been a pain. Carrying some dead weight snoring on his back and up a hill tightened the tenseness he already felt. Still, when he put the guy down and he finally stopped snoring things weren't that bad. Well, anyway the guy was annoying him.

Staring down at the still sleeping face he was reminded of someone. He wasn't sure who, but he had a feeling about him. Who the hell was he anyway?

He dug in his jacket and he pulled out a small white package. Flipping open the lid he pulled out a small white stick and stuffed the box back in his pocket. Next he pulled out a black lighter and slowly lit his cig. In a small instant the now lit cigarette was placed between his lips. He inhaled the beautiful smoke and then exhaled. This would help his nerves, or in theory at least. Some alcohol would do now too.

Where were they now? He wondered over this as he stood up and walked a few feet from the lying body. A sign indicated they were on highway nine. That told him nothing though. Why should he be nervous, though? He'd been this way once before. A few feet ahead a sign stated that Ma's Diner was one mile away and on the right. A perfect opportunity and a place to eat. Maybe they could catch a ride from someone there. Though, why he was dragging this guy around was beyond him.

It looked like a good day to travel. No rain and sunshine everywhere.

Turning back to the boy he was now seeing to safety he picked up his pack and nudged the young boy with his foot. When he saw that the other was awake he tossed his cig down, stomping on the remains.

"It's time to get up. You can walk right?" With that he turned away and started for the one mile walk up ahead.

"Wait!" The boy called out behind him. It so happened that the boy was not ready to walk on his own two feet. In fact he was limping, almost jumping on one foot. He didn't get very far before his leg gave out on him and he fell onto the side of the road. He cried out in pain as he landed hard on his butt. This was not a good day for Shuichi.

Yuki sighed in annoyance. Going back to the boy he kneeled in front of him. "Get on." His voice displayed his frustration but he kept a cool demeanor about him. The damn boy felt more like he was laying on Yuki's back as he lifted up. He was really limp. Maybe he was dead.

"It feels like something's in my leg. When I was trying to walk it felt like it was digging in deeper…" Shuichi mumbled weakly. He was obviously in pain, but there wasn't much that Yuki could do for the kid.

'His leg…'

"…Shuichi. Shuichi Shin-"

"I don't care." He stated plainly.

Yuki thought that the fact that this "Shuichi" was in pain that maybe they'd have a quiet breakfast. Apparently not…Might as well get this out of the way.

"Just call me Eiri…If you have to say my name at all…" There was no way he'd let him call him Yuki as though they were friends, because they weren't, not at all. Yuki didn't have friends.

Shuichi blinked at Eiri. After a minute of thought, apparently, the other smiled at him. What the hell…?

"It's nice to meet you, Eiri-san." Shuichi even bowed his head.

Helen, the blond waitress from before, set two plates of food down in front of the two gentlemen.

Snuggly inside of Yuki's pocket he felt the vibrating of his phone going off. He had an incoming call. Maybe he should ignore it. Then again, he had a feeling it was his employer. Sighing and without a word he stood up and headed outside. When he was clear out of sight he pulled out his phone and flipped the screen open.

He felt desperate. Shuichi wanted to stand up and see where the other had gone to. Some instinct went off in his head to go after Eiri, but he could barely move. Why did he suddenly feel like he was being abandoned? It wasn't as though he couldn't catch a ride elsewhere. Still…

To take his feeling off his mind he went back to his food. It was decent and he had certainly had better. Of course he had had worse. He gobbled on the food. He was so hungry. Being injured had made him this way. His body seemed to be crying out for sustenance.

Thinking about it, Shuichi realized that Eiri had left with a cellphone. Why hadn't he just called an ambulance with it earlier? That was strange. He pouted to himself. Why wasn't he doing so now? This was slightly annoying and show just how responsible stupid Eiri was. He huffed in his mind about these things as he glanced around the diner.

There were just truckers there, but somehow he felt oddly like he was…being watched? The feeling chilled through his body and as it passed through his mind he caught a glimpse of someone with raven hair and sunglasses…That couldn't be…

Shuichi tensed. He panicked. It wasn't really him. It couldn't be him. He began to chew down hard on his lip as it bled instantly. His body ached with sorrow. His fists began to clench tightly, resisting with all his might.

The door opened as the blond man stepped back in. Shuichi was hunched over the table as though his stomach hurt and in a way it did. A hand went to his back and he jumped a little to turn and see Eiri there.

"Can we go? Please?" The fuchsia haired boy sounded desperate and tears were welling up in his eyes.

The blond said nothing. A stern look was on his face, but he wasted no time in getting a togo box for his breakfast and exiting the diner. With Shuichi on his back he hiked up the hill. 'Why can't he just call a taxi, please?!' His mind screamed inside of him. He was experiencing so many different types of pain that his mind felt muddled. Very easily though, Shuichi fell asleep under the stress.

Yuki decided then. He pulled out his cellphone and called a taxi.

"Might as well get you to the hospital." With that he dialed the number of the local taxi company and waited there on the side of the road for the yellow car to come in sight.

As he laid the young boy in the back seat he didn't consider where this boy was headed to. He didn't care. He was set on the nearest town and to the hospital. At least his employer was happy.

End-

HAH! Surprised to hear from me eh? It seems like it takes me a year to write on a chapter. Well, I'm in high school and things are very stressful right now. I mean one of my friends who is 18 just had a stroke so that sucks. But anyway I think Shuichi has the same thought process as me, which isn't necessarily good. I should be writing a different character. Well, I'll stop babbling. Anyway this didn't turn out so well. I wanted to get it done so you lovely people can get through this story. I was kind of stuck on this chapter because I want to get to a certain point. It'll get exciting I promise. Hehe. From here it should get exciting and I can explain so many things like the stranger that Shuichi saw in the café. Take you guesses if you dare.