The Two, tired, dirty men walked together down the road of dust and mud. hand in hand, they strode down their path.
earlier, as they prepared to leave that little bank area they had slept at, Berwald remembered a little wheat farm that was about ten miles down the country road. it didn't cross any major roads or pass through any cities. perfect. the men decided it was their safest bet- and they set off to find it. Finding their way to the dirt road was an adventure in itself. walking up the steep, muddy side of the bank was harder than going down it, and both of them were exhausted and dehydrated.
dried mud caked Tinos shirt. he had fallen a few times and now wore a blank stare of a man who had lost hope. not all hope, but a lot. people tend to forget how important an outlook on life is... but Tino never did. their was a point in time were Tinos hope was all gone. he remembered it clearly. he remembered the cold metal of the gun on his head- the chill in the air and the goosebumps on his arms not just from the snow and winter- but from all his nerves standing in attentiveness. but... he also remembered the smooth, melting voice of the man who had saved him. a man who he fell in love with from the moment he took the gun away; berwald. and now, the only little hope he had left was because berwald was by his side.
The Swede couldn't look Tino in the eyes now. what he had done... had damned them both. if he had just let that creep go instead of killing him... if he had just pushed him away... it would be okay. he wouldn't be putting Tino through this hell. he felt guilty. he knew no matter what they would always have to watch their backs now. because of him. because he couldn't stop and think before he acted.
they walked in silence. deafening, awkward silence for miles before any words were said. finally, the farm was only steps away. water, a place to sleep, and that hope Tino craved and survived on.
"this... is it? right?" the smaller man asked timidly
"Ja... i th'nk."
"maybe i should talk."
"wh't? why?" the large Swede asked, his eyebrow raising
"well... your speech pattern can be hard to follow sometimes Ber.. and you can be a bit intimidating when you speak."
"oh"
"n-not to me!"
"Ja..."
Tino frowned. feeling like he just made the rift between him and Berwald become deeper. they soundlessly entered the main office building, greeted by a strange looking man who called himself 'Heracles Karpusi'. Heracles led them into a back room, were they were then greeted by the Farms owner. he was a larger looking man, not by much, but it was obvious he was in charge and didn't do any of the hard work on the farm. he called himself Alfred. Alfred Jones. he wasn't a Rude man. Strict- yes. but not rude. he asked them why they were on the farm and Tino said they were looking for work.
"No one said we needed any more workers here." Alfred said flatly, his tone asserting his authority
"i know sir.. but we're a bit desperate..." Tino responded, all the time Berwald stared blankly into Alfreds face.
"why?"
"well there isn't much work in the city and... as you might tell from the dirt we've had our fair share of bad luck recently.. we could use some money and a place to bunk."
"no, i mean why isn't the big guy talkin'? he mute?" Alfred asked questioningly. it seemed odd that a man so big could have so little to say
"n-no... he isn't mute. he just don't like to talk much."
"why?" Alfred said, getting more and more curios in these strangers
"w-well.., he um..." Tino ramled before being cut off
"No, i want HIM to answer." Alfred said, nodding to Berwald
"jus' d'nt h've anythin' to say, sir." Berwald said, his deep voice humming authoritatively through the room. his accent thick on the word sir.
"that's fair, i guess. i also guess we could use a few more hands, a guy just left a few weeks ago. so, have Herc show you to the bunks."
"yes... sir." Tino said, copying Berwalds tone of voice.
Heracles led them to the bunks and showed them which two were theirs. he offered to show them around the farm more if they wanted, and they agreed. the Larger Greek man told them they could meet in about a half hour to be shown around. as Heracles was leaving- Tino noticed he was missing his right hand. it struck him as odd that one-handed man could be working on a farm... but the thought passed. He had lots of thoughts buzzing around in his mind... he couldn't handle anymore.