Feet beat against dirt, the thudding of Edwards march audible over the creaking and noise of the wagons that separate us, the sounds of nature filling my ears. I huff and rub at an eye, trying to force myself to stay awake as we continue to walk. Same as any other time I've had to go through these stupid fucking woods, more walking, more chirping, more mind numbing walking. The mostly calm and relaxing feeling from the woods is rubbing me the wrong way currently, a heavy and aggravated feeling weighing on my mind. Is it from this morning? I think it is, but i dunno for sure, pfah, more mess onto the fucking pile I guess.
'Feeling rather testy today, aren't we Zekey? Here I was thinking that you were gonna start today on a high note with how excited you were with that friend of yours.'
Pfeh, I guess my moods just went sour, I hope I don't feel like this for too long at least. The little 'episode' with you certainly put a damper on me thats for fucking sure. It feels like it weighs over my mind, or is that because of the magic incident? This morning felt both empty and lonely but resides in my mind like a parasite, not unlike you.
'Testy testy indeed! That ain't cause of me you dipship, that's entirely you, you know that by now. You call me a parasite, yet I'm the reason we're alive, I'm the warning that blares in your skull when those with devious intentions encroach on us. Moments of mental weakness doesn't count, I'm glad this body is as physically hardy at least, I'd wish your dumb ass would stop getting hurt though.'
I trust that as far as I can throw you, metaphorically of course. While that might be true, I'd rather not have to deal with every other moment, most times it feels like you're taking residence within my mind like a freeloader.
'Awh, is that really how you think of me? You know I'm a part of you, right? Everything I say and do is because you want it to happen, whether it be the drive to try to live, or the things that I say.'
I sigh lightly and shake my head, this conversation's going nowhere and all it's doing is making me turn into a brooding mess, can't afford to do that. I try my best to tune out the conversation, turning into a dull buzzing in my head as I focus on the march, though I feel my mind still drift back to it. Pfeh, now I just feel like garbage.
A shiver goes up my spine as the cold wind brushes over my fur, each hand rubbing at an arm as my teeth chatter. It's always so fucking cold, why is it so cold? At least I have my shirt on now, I'd love to have my cloak on too to help with it, but…
A soft smile forces itself on my cheek as I idly look downwards, the image of a cluttering of green and purple cloth wrapped into a ball appears in my mind, wrappings of the shitty jerky meat rations scattered across the floor, more than the ones I gave her. That cloth pile rose and fell with soft breaths, one that I could barely hear.
I'm not gonna wake her, she deserves a sleep where she feels comfortable, I'm glad that she felt comfortable enough to dig through my bag for some more food. I should get her some more food when we get back to Dartwood too, something better than these almost beef jerky meat sticks. I rest a hand over my stomach, lightly pressing against it as I purse my lips together. When was the last time I felt hungry? Is that normal for a basitin, or is that another anomaly from myself? Have I just forgotten about the times where I was hungry? My memory isn't the greatest after all. Pfeh, whatever the answer is, at least it's more food for the kid, that's the important part.
I hum and look upwards, an odd feeling stirring within my chest, how's Gerome doing anyways? I feel like we haven't talked in a while despite how physically close we are, would it be a good idea to talk to him? Yeah, I think it would.
'Nothing's stopping you, besides, it would be a good idea to chat to a friend before you disappear from their lives for a while.'
At least it's something we agree on for once. I jog up to the front of the wagon, waving a hand to catch Geromes attention. He jolts suddenly, his previously flat and emotionless looking face forcing itself into his mask of a smile. There's no way he's always so jovial, it has to be a mask of some kind, right?
'Who knows what other secrets the merchant could have up his sleeve, whether or not you know him, he hides himself well enough, and it's in character for you to miss something isn't it?'
"Oy, young Zeke! What is you doing up here, hm? Come to check up on old man Gerome?" He questions rhetorically with a friendly chuckle, his lively grin seeming to only widen further. Despite the mostly negative feeling thoughts that stir in my head, not really helped by Adrians commentary, I can feel myself lighten as he smiles down to me. I don't really try to stop the feeling of my lips curling upwards, even if his friendly visage is just a mask, at least it's a welcoming one.
'How pathetic.'
"Spot on, actually, how have you been feeling lately Gerome? It feels like we haven't spoken in… quite a while actually, despite how close we've been working." I shoot back to the old man with my head held high. My ears twitch as he lets out a boisterous laugh, mirthful grin still stained on his face.
"Zeke is being correct here, Gerome has being rather busy lately, merchant things, you understand da? Why don't you come up here for a sittings? Young Zeke may be young, but legs would be hurtings eventually." He offers with a gesture of his hand as he shifts off center, offering the spare seat space to me. I've pushed my legs further than this, but who am I to deny an offer from a friend? I nod, chuckling as the old man lets out a joly cheer, hands gripping around the wooden frame of the wagon and bringing myself upwards. I let out a soft grunt as I plant myself onto the wooden chair, hands gripping at the side to steady myself with a faint grimace on my face. It feels strange to be moving like this, the wagon feels unsteady on the dirt tracks beneath us, is it always like this?
"I uh, thank you for the offer Gerome although it wasn't needed, what's time with a friend other than time well spent? Anyways, is the wagon always this… unsteady?" I question the man as I clench my fist, wooden wagon knocking about as it rolls over a more unsteady part of the road, I imagine it to be a rock.
"Oy, is truthful words from young Zeke, time with friends is good time indeed! And da, though you be gettings used to it eventually." He answers with a chuckle, ears twitching as I hum to myself, an unsteady feeling of apprehension in my chest as I continue to squeeze at the wood. Ah man, fuck wagons, I fucking hate this, were cars from home like this or something? Jesus Christ, this feels awful.
"I, uh, if you say so Gerome. How have you been lately though? Both you personally and your work, I mean." I strike up a small conversation as I slowly let go of the bit of wood that stabilizes me, the unwelcome feeling still brewing in my chest, jolting left and right with the wagon. Fuck, I kinda wanna just start walking again, but wouldn't it be rude to just brush off the offer after I've taken it?
"Bahah, Gerome is doings okay, thank you for asking young Zeke! Merchant work is always work, never always good, but best to do your best, is that making sense? Is hard to explain in common human, you understand da?" His overly thick accented explanation is admittedly a bit rough to understand, but I nod along with him.
"Yeah, I think I understand what you mean by that, what do you mean by 'common human' though? Did you speak in a different language up north?" I continue to ask, it's a soft and easy question to pry into his past some more, for learning reasons of course. The north seems like a pretty poor place to live in, not that I know much about snow. Seems cold, speaking of cold, I wish I wasnt always so fucking cold, I can imagine the feeling of my hair standing on end despite having fucking fur.
"Da, Old Mother was good teacher, taught all her children many languages. She taught common human and keidran, but always spoke like Gerome be doing now, is hard habit to be getting rid of." He explains with a surprisingly abashed look on his face, a wrinkled hand rubbing at the back of his neck. Hm, I guess it makes sense to adopt the accent of the person you consider a parental figure, but something seems off about that.
"Why doesn't Vector or Valerie speak the same way then? I assume they were brought up with you, considering how the both of them know you. Of course, I could be wrong, but that's what I've assumed." I continue to ask the elder man with a tilt of my head, a tinge of amusement igniting in my chest as he smiles awkwardly and looks away. Awh, I'm getting under the old buggers skin, that's fucking hilarious! I thought the only way I could do that was with mentioning Anna.
Anna… Fuck, she's gonna kick my ass when she finds out that I have a fucking slave, god dammit.
"Well, Gerome was always closer to Old Mother than others, helped lookings after her as she grew older and older, her way of speakings rubbed off on Gerome. Others were more busy with other things, with other humans, some be leavings her a lot earlier than I, you understand Da?" He continues to explain, a wistful looking smile on his face as he trails off, longing look in his eyes. That's, huh, I can't say I expected Gerome to be a mothers boy honestly. I think it's a nice soft side to him, one that I can appreciate and approve of too.
'Well, I think that his thick as fuck accent is a pain in the ass to listen to, it's fucking awful.'
Sshhh, shut it Adrian, we're getting some god damn Gerome backstory! It's nice to know how friends are.
"Hah, I understand Gerome, quite well actually. I think that's a pretty damn good virtue for you." I reply with a smile, the man chuckling soon after. It's a mirthless sounding chuckle, his smile turns from wistful to a more serious expression, though it's a poor mask for the sudden turn of expression. My smile droops as I tilt my head again, ears flattening against my neck, was it something I said?
"Oy, it is bringing me great joy to hear that from young Zeke, but Gerome has done very… ungood things in the past, for clinkings of coin, for muscle and fightings" His tone turns grim as his lips purse together, hands clenching on the reins of the horse. I grimace, the feel of the air between us becoming stiff and tense. He sighs after a few moments, a time worn hand rubbing against his face.
"Gerome is sorry, young Zeke, should not be being like that. Is old and in the past, should not be worrying you of such things, da? Am old merchant man now, is behind me." He follows up on himself with a stiff happy tone, the smile on his face looks a bit too forced for me to feel comfortable around. I purse my lips together for a few moments before sighing, raising a hand up to clasp at his shoulder with a soft squeeze.
"Hey, sometimes people do bad things for good reasons, you just wanted to look after your mom, right? There isn't anything wrong with that at least." I speak softly with a small smile on my face, in an attempt to comfort him. He blinks once, then twice, the smile on his face looks like its turning a bit more honest as he chuckles.
"Oy, are you forgettings how old I am? Am perfectly aware of myself and other moral things, bwahahaha!" He laughs jovially as he wraps an arm around my neck, yanking me closer in a one armed hug. The 'hug' feels more like a choke hold, his arm squeezing around my neck as he continues his loud laughter.
"Urk, okay, okay! Lemme go you old fuck!" I struggle to choke out, tapping at his arms with a hand. He holds me there for a while longer before letting go, gasping in deep breaths of air as I glare at the chuckling man. Tsk, the little bastard.
'Ah fuck, that fucking hurt! Why's this old fart still got muscle on him? What's he eating?'
"Bahahah! Is big surprise, da? Old sell sword Gerome still be havings some strength left." He says aloud with a bright grin on his face, flexing an arm at me with a wink. I huff and roll my eyes, rubbing at my throat with a wince. Fuck, the grandpa has bite.
"Really? I didn't realise, wanna try to choke me out again?" I sneer at the man, sarcasm dripping off of my tongue, rolling my eyes again as he laughs boisterously. Despite the pain in my throat, I still smile anyways, it's nice to chat to a friend even for a while.
'Who knows when you're gonna see him again, dear little 'wanderer'.'
"Oy, am not thinking that young Zeke be meaning that, but now you know of the dark past of Gerome. I'd be makings you pay for it, but Anna would have my hide." We both snicker and fall into silence, a faint smile on my face as I sit back, just relaxing and enjoying the ride. I guess Gerome was right, you do get used to this eventually, still not exactly excited at the thought of riding something like this again in the future, if its needed anyways, but at least it's an experience.
"Oy, would Zeke be minding some questions of my own?" My ears twitch upwards as Gerome pipes up, tilting my head as I look at him. There was a small change in the way he spoke at the end of that question, a very small one, but it was there.
'I immediately dislike all of this, I don't trust this old crusty bastard.'
"Of course! Shoot your shot Gerome, ask me anything." I reply casually, leaning back into the wagon as I give him a grin. Come on Adrian, Gerome isn't that bad!
'My neck still hurts, just cause he's a 'friend' to you doesn't mean that he's on your si-'
Shh, he's gonna speak!
"Zeke was, very ungood person in past too, da? Gerome do not have good feelings of Templars, and is what you were."" He asks slowly, as if treading over his words as he looks ahead, a blank look on his face as he side eyes me. I let out a soft sigh as my ears flatten, laxly pressing my back against the wagon. Fantastic, just what I wanted to talk about this morning.
'Hurrah, more useless angsty thoughts from you, 'hur my past big bad, must remember though!' Seriously, it's getting on my fucking nerves.'
You and me both, Adrian. Only makes my throat feel like it's smattered with fucking bile.
'A fact that I'm well aware of, by the way, it feels fucking gross.'
"Pfah, should've figured that might've been brought up. Did Anna tell you about that or something?" I reply with a question of my own, letting out a soft sigh as the elder man nods. I figured they'd talk every so often, did I just not notice them speak or something? Bah, besides that.
"Yeah, you know all about how I can't exactly remember much of it, but some things leak through, all that I really recall is some of the 'jobs' I've done, and who I've worked with. It really isn't much, I was very far from the best person after all, can't do much about it though." I finally answer his question with a shrug, looking up to the sky above. The sun shines brightly in the clear sky through the leafy canopy, my eyes squinting to shield the rays that leak through the branche and trees to shine on my face. The sun rays are at least kind of warm, that's a pleasant feeling.
"Ah, Gerome be understanding you, how is that makings you feel?" He continues to ask me, an oddly gentle and soft tone in his voice. I bite back a scoff, the furrow of my eyebrows not solely due to the sun that shines. Is he trying to be a therapist for me or some shit? I don't like the feeling of someone feeling compelled to try to look after me.
'I can feel that wounded pride of yours, its rather sad isn't it? Maybe Edward has a hand in this, the mans awfully concerned for you. It'd be humorous if it wasn't pathetic, you're meant to be a man aren't you? Why are people looking after you like you're a fucking fragile child?'
Pfah, it's one thing to chide me for being like this, but I'd rather you not bring our friends into it. Even if Edward brought it up to Gerome, then it would've been out of the worry of his own heart, he's a friend after all. It doesn't make sense for him to do that to begin with, Edward knows he could just ask me himself, Geromes probably just wondering about it himself. Could've been thinking about it for a while actually, he doesn't exactly like Templars after all...
"Oy, am understanding if you need time to think, no rushings." Geromes thick and low voice brings me out of my thoughts, an embarrassed flushed feeling burning my face as I wave a hand. Fuck, stuck in my thoughts again, I need to stop doing that.
'Ditzy little fuck, as is the norm with you.'
"Ah, I'm not thinking that much about it! Just, caught up in other thoughts is all, sorry about that, it happens a lot, eheh." I apologise with an awkward smile on my face, rubbing at the back of my neck as I look to the man. Ah fuck, this feels so fucking awkward, and I have no idea why.
"Bahahah, is okay young Zeke, head be being in the clouds is all. How is Zeke feelings about it?" He gives me a cheerful and friendly smile as he looks my way, pressing the question again. The awkward feeling in my chest dies down as I shuffle around, hunched over as I hum.
"Mn, I'm not really sure to be honest. I feel like I've spent a lot of time needlessly worrying over it, but with how it's come to bite me in the ass, part of me think it's justified. I want to learn more, but I also just wanna focus on other things from now on, and other people. It's odd, and I dunno if that's just me overthinking it to a disgusting degree or not." I splurge out to the man honestly, shrugging soon after, looking up and facing ahead. The wagon bobs and rattles on what feels like an unsafe bit of road, the horse letting out a distraught neigh. Gerome hums and grips at the reins, fists clenching as he keeps a firm grip on it, steadying the horse.
"Is troubling for Zeke, yes indeed, Gerome believes he can make it through. Like rough patch in road, be keeping good hold on self and others, and will be pushing through just fine, yes?" He replies with a cheerful grin. I blink once, then twice, giving him an uncomfortable feeling smile as I nod. I uh, I think that was meant to be an analogy with what just happened and with myself, I don't think it was a very good one.
'Pfeh, it was pretty fucking bad.'
I don't have the heart to tell him that it sounds kind of poor to listen to, but I do appreciate the thought behind it though, there's some truth in the matter at least. At least it was a simple enough message
"You've my thanks at least, Gerome, it's been nice to catch up with a friend." I jump the topic with a polite tone and smile, a gentle 'hint hint nudge nudge' really. No offense to the man of course, I do appreciate the effort, even if it was a bit awkward.
"Bah, am not wanting any worrying from Zeke! Friend is friend, always will be! Zeke does not seem like man who'd take advantage of friend, da?"
"Wha? Me? Of course not! I'm not one to be scheming after all." I huff lightly as Gerome lets out a boisterous laugh, one of his rough and time worn hands clasping down on my shoulder with a firm, almost rough shaking.
"See? Young Zeke is good kid in heart! Do not be worrying over self too much, da? Is bad for mind." He says aloud with a mirthful chuckle, a warming grin on his face that I mirror myself. We both turn silent for a while, he himself returning to paying attention to the road ahead while I let out a relaxing sigh, resting against the wagon once more. After being on this thing for a while, the shock of the movement does eventually fade, it's not quite a comforting feeling, but there's a satisfying rhythm to it. Almost anyways, at least I can see how he tolerates this shit.
'You're rather lax around a man whos shown that he can catch us off guard and overpower us to an extent, what is it that you thought just a while ago? 'Grandpas got bite' or something along those lines?'
So? I think you're being a bit paranoid Adrian. Sure, he's strong, but he's still old, he probably doesn't wanna put out too much energy, hence why he's a merchant now instead of a mercenary.
'Of course I'm being paranoid, I have to, to keep us safe. I just don't think it's a good idea to be so casual around him is all.'
I know, that's your 'job', isn't it? As well as insulting me, you love that part of the job don't you?
'Course I do dumbass, it's fun.'
And it's needed and I want it, yadda yadda, I get it.
'Your bark's worse than your bite, mutt.'
Speaking of mutts, do you think dogs are a thing here? And cats, cats too, I've been wondering about that for a while and I don't think I've seen one that counts as a pet.
'I feel like my job is being undermined by the eccentricity of your thoughts, theyre as muddled as your memories. As for dogs and whatnot, fuck if I know, I can only really know what you know, remember?'
Ah, don't be like that! Your existence is a begrudgingly welcomed one, as prickish as you are, theres a sort of… strange feeling that weighs in my head, knowing that somethings looking after me, like a dickish guardian angel. And that's not entirely true, there's some things that you instinctively know over me, remember?
'Hmmf, I'm not sure how to feel about that, you're far too trusting, even to a reflection of yourself. And I suppose so, but thats because i can dredge up some meaningless memories, menial things like sports and shit.
...Do you remember anything else about me? From home, I mean, anything at al.
'Shit like that eludes me, I'd say sorry if I cared enough.'
Ah, right, I guess that was a bit too much to ask. I sigh and rub at an eye, pushing up my drooping eyelids and shaking my head. The heart in my chest feels heavy, and the cold wind that brushes over me feels numb against my body. Well fuck, now I've just made myself sad haven't I? I guess I'm not really over the whole past nonsense, not much I can do about it.
'Pfah, feeling your sadness irritates me, lets change the topic to something that doesn't feel like a brick attached to my foot.'
Heh, knew you cared just that little bit Adrian.
'I'd tell you to perish slowly, but I wouldn't wanna feel the pain myself, and I care more about me than you. Even if I'm latched onto your brain.'
I hold down a snicker, my lips curling upwards as I hum softly. Hm, am I forgetting anyone? Ah, that's right.
"Oh, by the by Gerome, hows Vector?" I suddenly pipe up, the man jolting with a start, I guess I caught him off guard. He hums in surprise, raising an eyebrow.
"Gerome is not following, what does Zeke mean by that?" He looks as clueless as I feel, raising an eyebrow to match him.
"As in, is he okay? He was kinda shook up a bit ago, I'd ask him if he's okay myself, but he's as chattable as stone." I clarify with an awkward smile, clasping my hands together softly, a thumb idly rubbing at a hand. I guess I did jump him with the question, so he'd have no idea what I'm talking about.
'The only person who can read your mind is me, dumbass.'
I know, I'm well aware, I guess it slipped my mind after 'talking' to you, I wonder how that looks to an outsider anyways.
"...Gerome still does not follow, what would Vector be shooken up by?" He questions me, blinking with a continued confused expression. I blink, the gears in my skull processing the information. Oh, did, did Vector not tell him what happened? I thought he'd have told him everything with how those two are. How odd.
'Sounds like the brooding pale bastard has something to hide, even from his best friend.'
"I guess he didn't tell you, he and Edward were roughed up a bit by some random strangers, dunno who they are for sure, but apparently they might've been paid off by someone to do it. Any ideas on who they are?" I shuffle in my seat as I peer into Geromes eyes, the old man furrows his brows as he exhales softly, a deep hum coming from his throat as he looks away for a few moments.
"...Gerome be having ideas, but will have to talk to Vector soon, thank you for telling me, young Zeke. Am worried about man, is very close friend, you understand da?" He speaks in a low and grave voice at the beginning, the serious expression on his face turning into a friendly and polite one at the end.
"Uh, okay, sorry if I brought you unneeded worry though Gerome, I thought you knew about it is all." I apologise with a small frown on my face, the man snickering and waving his hand.
"Ah, Gerome is old man, can handle stress, have been in this line of work for years after all! Thank you, though, Vector is important to me." Again with his solemn ways of speaking, its too god damn serious coming from the mostly jolly sounding man.
"Bah, I'm sure Vector doesn't mean any harm from it, he probably just didn't want you to be too worried about it. It is kinda odd though, but if there's an issue where you need an extra hand, I'm always here to help ya!" I affirm the man with a one armed hug, giving him a bright grin and a thumbs up. I truly mean that, it's not as if he hasn't asked me for worse anyways, so what's one more task for a friend?
'Pfah, what a dangerous way of thinking for one such as you, it'll get both of our asses in danger in some way. What happened with trying to look after yourself some more? You have 'responsibilities' now, after all.'
Come on, I'm not so dense that I can't recognise danger Adrian, I can handle myself. Besides, I at least have you with me right? That's something
"Oy, just means that young Zeke is very good friend indeed, da? Will be thinking about it, hoping it's not needed." He replies with a dismissive wave and a grin, his arm wrapping around my shoulder in a returned hug. I gently pull away from the man after a while, hiding a wince as my shoulder throbs in a slight pain. Fucking hell, I feel sorry for whoever had to tussle with this fucker if this is what he's like now. I open my mouth to speak, my throat clenching as an unsavoury stench wafts in the air, cutting through the otherwise gentle smell of the forest like a disgusting rusty blade.
I shift in my seat and furrow my brows, focusing in on the source of the thing. What is that smell? It's putrid and off putting, although familiar. Slaves? No, not slaves, doesn't smell like them at all.
'It smells of burning, not too unlike charred flesh and wood.'
"Gonna dip, gotta talk to Edward." I say stiffly to the old man before pulling myself off of the cart, stumbling to stand upright before making my way down the wagon, Geromes yelling falling mutely on my twitching ears. The hairs on the back of my neck raises as my heart beats quickly, darting around the end of the wagon and jogging towards the other. Edward lags behind Vectors wagon, his armour shifting with his movements, though his face is covered by the back of Lucys head, the two discussing something, though I can't exactly focus on it.
"Gonna break up the party here, we need to talk Edward." I choke out through my stiff throat as I approach, Edwards once relaxed face morphing into a stoic and serious one, Lucys hair flapping around as she twists her neck to face me, a pout on her face.
"Awh, come ooooon! We were just gettin go-"
"What's the situation, Zeke?" Lucy huffs and mumbles to herself as shes cut off, her head disappearing behind the cloth flaps. I look around, a paranoid feeling in my chest as I move closer to whisper to him.
"I smell burning, like wood and skin, do you think that another wagon could've been attacked? Do you think we can try to help them?" I speak lowly in a hurried tone, ears flattening as I rest a hand on my hilt.
"It's possible, but we are not to deviate from our original objective, we are to protect our charge and naught else. If we were to leave these citizens alone, then they'd be at a far greater risk. I know you want to help them Zeke, but you have to think clearly here, we can't leave them."
"Are we just gonna leave them then? What if there's people who're still alive, or in pain? Isn't it right to try to help them?"
"At the risk of others, and ourselves? Zeke, you've already been hurt far more than I'd have wished, I know you've a hero complex of sorts, but it's not our job. Were it possible to do so without risking either, I'd gladly come, but protecting these merchants are our job."
"Then don't come, I can handle myself, and Lucy at least is far from defenceless as long as she has mana reserves and energy to spare."
"Zeke, I fucking forbid you from darting off alone, especially at this time."
"Come on Edward! I want to help them, if there's people to help at least. I won't get into trouble, just at least let me try to scout it out."
"You lack the restraint to merely 'scout' Zeke, we both know that. You can't just blindly run off into danger again."
"If someone needs help, then someone should try at least, it's what's right!"
"Regardless of if it's 'right', it's still a danger at our detriment. If you were to be harmed without me to help, you'd be within arms reach of an enemy dammit."
"Pfah, this is gonna turn into a fucky back and forth, isn't it? I can still smell it, it's stronger than before, we're probably closer to it than before. Just let me go ahead for a bit, I promise that I'll be okay, I have reasons to come back after all." I puff out my chest with a smug grin as I look down to him, his face a dark grimace as he furrows his brows. He lets out a deep sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose.
"You stubborn son of a bitch. Fine, fucking fine. If you don't get back here safely I'll have your fucking head O-Zeke, Zeke. I said Zeke." I tilt my head, his little lapse in speech is… odd, as is the grave tone that he spoke it all in. Is he talking about someone else? His brother? Pfah, it doesn't matter.
"I promised you I'll be safer, and I'll hold myself to it, I swear on it." I try to proclaim firmly, giving him a resolute nod as I clench a fist. He sighs again, still pinching the bridge of his nose before motioning his head.
"What are you still doing here then Fuzz? Get going, and don't forget your shield." I nod again and twist around, moving towards the back of Geromes wagon and yanking myself past its flaps. I try to lightly land on the unsteady wooden ground of the dark insides of the wagon, rapidly blinking eyes looking towards the still heap of cloth, green and purple rising and falling with steady breaths. I slow my own breathing, creeping as silently as I can to grasp at the metal sheet of a shield. I keep a worried eye on the pile as I back off from it, pushing the flaps open and dipping out of the wagon.
I let out a thankful sigh as my feet hit the ground with an unsteady landing, hand clutching at the insides of the shield as I stand up right. Kid deserves a good sleep, there's not much she can do to be entertained anyways. I shake my head to clear my thoughts, there's no time for distractions, I gotta get running.
I turn and run into a sprint, forcing my legs to move as quick as I can, passing the wagon quickly, Gerome yells once more but it sounds muted yet again. I feel sweat form on my forehead as I focus in on the stench. Fuck, it smells awful, would there even be anyone left alive? Too late to turn back now.
The smell grows stronger and stronger, though at least I feel accustomed enough to it to not feel bile building in my throat, forcing my legs into a sprint for a while feels like my muscles burning, but I can't let up. Not until I find the source.
'Literally sprinting straight into danger, fan-fucking-tastic, odds are there ain't gonna be anyone left alive.'
I ignore Adrians sarcastic noting, shaking my head to rid myself of the thought. There's gotta be someone, or at least a clue at what's going on. I squint my eyes as I stare into the distance of the dirt road, my sight can't see what's going on, but there's a whole lotta brown with few trees on either side of the path. I can't see it, but I can definitely smell it, as much as it makes me want to retch, there's a nervous swelling in my chest that isn't just from disgust. Well, fuck.
I swallow the bile in my throat as I approach, whips of smokes flutter in the air as the crackle of fire burns at the bits of wood scattered across the road, the embered remains of it smattered against the dirt. My sight trails up from the wood, my eyes widening as I cover my mouth, holding back a gasp and a gag, eyes watering at the sight of the remains.
Oh my fucking god, I...
Fuck. I swallow down the building puke in my throat, it's a disgusting sour taste that lingers in my throat, I can feel it slide down into my stomach. I squeeze my eyes shut and rub at them with the palms of my hands, wiping away the painful tears as best as I can. I reluctantly open them as I step forwards, drawing my sword in a shaky hand as I hold my shield to my chest. My ears flicker as my heart beats faster, looking around with a sense of fear running up my spine. I'm stepping past and over the scattered and charred remains of fucking humans, Jesus fucking Christ.
'Tsk, such a worthless waste of life, and for what reason? Savages, I say, at least now we know what innards looks like when they're outside of the body! Don't step on anyone by the way.'
Do you need to be so fucking disgusting Adrian? Eaugh. I purse my lips together as I inch forward, looking around with a paranoid fever. Fuck, this was a mistake, this was a terrible terrible mistake, fuck fuck fuck.
I freeze still as a loud crunch fills my ears, the muscles in my body unmoving as my blood runs cold, the sound of something wet filling the air as I look towards the source.
I look at the burnt wooden remains of a wagon, there's too much wood around here to just have been from a single one, every nerve in my body flared as I stare, like a deer in the headlights. A dark brown, almost black furred figure rises from behind the black wood, red liquid drenching the fur around his snout and chest as it pours out from between his teeth. The black pits of his eyes gazes into me, a feral look within the otherwise emotionless depths, his face turning from snarl into a sneer, his teeth as drenched in red as his fur is. I stare into the man unblinkingly as he continues to stand upright, throwing his head back with a disgusting gulp. He holds a bloody stump in one hand and a deadly sharp spear in the other, dropping the stump, an overly audible wet plop that cuts through the silence.
He holds that disgustingly proud looking stare as his grin widens to an almost sickening degree, raising his head high and pushing out a howl. It echoes in my skull and ears, I can feel myself rattle as it fills the air. A cacophonous disgusting symphony of howls echo the savage in reply, the faint beating of feet against dirt filling my ears.
Oh fuck.