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“Looks like Bad Captain struck again huh” Steve sighed as he watched Captain John light another cigarette, a slow puff. “I should have been the one to lay the bullet on that simp. Anyways, he’s not my concern anymore...” “You mean that cyan kid with that city girl who wears her mom’s hand-me-downs?”
John remained silent for a few long seconds, until he released his cigarette for his response. “Yeah...” His keen irises eyeing on another boy who wasn’t a member of his militia. “Hey Theodore, can you do me a favor?”
Messy ginger hair began to move so slightly as an irritated Pico shot a glare. “I’m not a chimpmunk, scumbag...”
“Aw, don’t sweat it, kiddo. The atmosphere’s rough so a little joke could smoothen it.” John chuckled as he puffed some smoke. “I’m not the least sentimental here, but it looks like I underestimated your little friend, eh?”
“And what’s ur business with it?” Pico retorted as his turned back front and crunched some pebbles with his boot as a little boredom coping mechanism.
“For my half-assed apologies, visit the little jerk for me will ya?”
“That’s what I was gonna do. And I’m not gonna visit him for your sake. What’s your motive in this situation anyway...”
“I can be a bit vile at times, but you know I feel bad because that Boyfriend must’ve sacrificed his chords of steel to deal with my handsome singing.” John said as his voice became a bit grungy while he took another puff.
“He won in the end anyway. It’s one of your stupid men who tried to kill him...”
Pico being the angsty kid he is, stood up preparing his little departure out of the base. “I’m leaving now.”
“Yeah yeah I know, anyways you head off now. Tell him I said hi.”
“Whatever...”
3 Fridays crossed out the calendar as our hero’s hiatus has ended. Eversince the unfatal blows he had received in all limbs temporarily immobilized him and his bizzare beatbox adventure, he has been finding his feet increment by increment and seems to be doing a bit fine. I mean, he faced Girlfriend’s parents, his ex, a videogame character, a leader of a militia, spooky homies and literal gods with microphone in hand, other in pocket, and the power of beep boop. Sure he’s too stupid for fear and pain, but a human has it’s boundaries. So what can he do at this moment other than reflecting his life by visiting a familiar place from years ago.
He remembered Pico. Their reunion few Fridays ago reminded him of a memory he had in mind. A tragic one...
It’s weird that an 8-year old male Hatsune Miku and 9-year old ginger took their friendship a leap as both were in a relationship! But rest assured, they wanted to prove their stance in homosexuality that there’s nothing wrong with it as long as both entities are devoted and supportive. But the place where Boyfriend would go is where he is to rewind back to where it all ended.
“I’m sure he’d usually stay here.” Pico muttered to himself as he layed 3 knocks on the door. “Yes who’s thi- oh, Pico! What are you doing here?” Girlfriend opened the door, a smile beaming on her face.
“Is Boyfriend here?” “Nope. He said he was gonna go somewhere, but I don’t know where.”
“Alone?” This somewhat raised a concerned expression in Pico. “Isn’t he injured? What if something bad happens?”
“Don’t worry, he’s been feeling himself lately. Just a bit slow ehe.” Girlfriend replied as she welcomes Pico inside. “You can stay here while waiting for him. He said he won’t be out too long.”
“Thanks, but it’s urgent. Maybe you can tell me where he is.” Pico was getting worried each second. A feeling that rarely resonates him. “You don’t have to be precise. I’ve navigated the whole city countless times so I’m cool.”
“I don’t remember, but all I know is that he’s gonna revisit his old elementary school.” Girlfriend said as she shyly brushed her hair.
“W-why the hell would he go there?? Aight, I’ll check on him, be right back!” Pico said as he swiftly dashed out of Girlfriend’s house to where the hell he’s gonna go anyway.
“Wait I didn’t say what kind of school thoug-“ He already left. “It has been an hour and 30 mins, where has Boyfriend been...?” Girlfriend was slowly sweating as her fear of harm to her significant other was slowly manifesting against her. Luckily she was too stupid to be scared of anything and brushed it off. ‘I’m sure Boyfriend will come home safely. Besides, we went through a lot and he wouldn’t be the type to fall over such a thing...’
‘You idiot! I thought that place was in smithereens already! I swear once I step on the dirt of it’s foundation, it will be a reminder of what happened!’ Pico ran as fast as he could, hoping that Boyfriend was there. He could feel his pulse getting higher, clothes bathed in sweat, UZI grip tighter, teeth grinding faster, face redder. ‘Boyfriend why are you there?!’
Truly a reminder of what happened. His black orbs inspected each detail, seeking advantage in what rubble remained imperishable for a sturdy grip to keep balance. He still couldn’t walk like normal no matter how hard he tries, he earns a flinch. He’s not afraid, but he has touch, which he can feel pain. ‘I should have been in a wheelchair...’ he thought to himself while trying to traverse the obstacles that came along his way. Like what they said, no pain, no gain.
“This is our classroom...” Boyfriend stopped as he stared at what was once a small room with the atmosphere of education, now scattered as inhabitants are barely welcome. Dark red stains preserved in walls, chairs, and wherever and whatever lengths blots can reach. “It’s blood... and there are lots of it...”
Lockers all over the place, while few remained compact through the years. One... two... three... four... five... six... He remembered he hid in Locker 16. “It still stands.” Boyfriend said as he slowly opened the locker, few hues of dark red never wore off. “And that was my blood... How long did I stayed there anyway..? I really did wanted to piss that time.”
He barely remembered what actually happened other than earsplitting assaults released by each trigger, as pools of red crimson dispersed on walls, floors, or literally whatever it touches. Most owned by young casualities, lost a bare portion of youth that day, which only one remained. No two. His time in that locker reminded him: that life ain’t sunshine and rainbows, and that good beginnings will always have endings better or worse.
He checked his watch, “Darn it, I’ve been away for almost two hours. I should head back now...” even then, he struggles. His voice could buy him some time to yell for help, but he said to himself that he is to endure it. No matter what. He had things easy, now the bar will be set higher. “If only I came here 5 weeks late...”
“If you stay here longer, the rubble will hurt.” A sudden voice that gently boomed from afar made his body freeze for a second. “Clumsiness in your state kills...Now stay there for a while.” The anonymous entity began walking towards his direction. A smile genuinely plastered on Boyfriend’s face as he know the voice that spoke. “Pico...You’re late... hehe...” After that, Boyfriend blacked out for a second which alarmed Pico to run towards him. “Are you alright?!” Pico panicked as he layed his former foe on the remains of the hallway floor.
“I think I should have went here with someone...” Boyfriend responded faintly as he coughed up. “But I’m ok. I would have loved to learn more about what happened here years ago while I was too scared to come out of my hiding place. That is, if you’re fine with telling me.”
A smile formed on Pico’s face as he rubbed Boyfriend’s cheek, offering to support his request. “I might be able to do so but...” his smile then reached convexity, “I would be reminded of what I don’t want to remember. Trust me, being in that locker must be tough, but outside it is pure genocide.”
“It’s fine.” Boyfriend small smile beamed his face as he tries to stand up. We can come back next tim- Ow!” And yes, his limbs still hurt.
“Get a wheelchair next time, geez.” Pico chuckled as he helped Boyfriend on his feet, “I still have to recollect and introspect my thoughts. Soon, I will be brave enough to tell the tale right here, right now.”
“Thanks...but take your time. I’m sure you’re braver than me.”
After a little while, both left the little monument that was once their primitive home away from home, in shambles.
“Thank you for coming back to reunite with me in my third Friday and saving me and Girlfriend while we we trespassed the military zone.”
“You can thank me later, my dear boyfriend.”