Chapter Text
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"Rudo, catch up!" A voice called out.
"Wait for me! Wait!"
Rudo's short legs carried him as fast as he could with the pile of little trinkets he found on his way home, some of it clinking onto the floor. He meaningfully looked at his dad who took long strides. He was too fast - way too fast for his liking.
"You're too tall, Regto!"
"Maybe you're just slow and short," Regto chuckled.
"I'm not slow!"
"What ever you say, kiddo," he playfully ruffled Rudo's hair into a mess, "But Rudo. Are you sure your hands are better now?"
Regto looked in concern. It was only a few weeks ago that the pain in Rudo's hands eased. It was still there, but it was significantly much better than before.
Rudo beamed into a grin, "It's better now! The gloves help. I love it the most! No one stares at my hands anymore, and Chiwa thinks it's cool now!"
Regto then smiled and ruffled his hair again. Not once had Rudo questioned where he got the gloves once and instead he enamoured them.
"Thank you, Regto!"
"No problem- Hey Rudo!"
Rudo started running and stuck his tongue out, "Regto, catch up you, old man!"
The sun began to set as they started chasing each other home as the moon started rising in the distance.
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Rudo was used to running freely. Running towards Regto and Chiwa, running away from Apostles after dumpster diving, running to evade the trashbeasts. All that and maybe he should have ran when Regto died. He should've ran for help. He should've fixed Regto. He should've ran after that masked Apostle.
He was framed for the murder of his father. He didn't even get to hold a funeral for Regto. Did anyone give him a grave? Or did they think he was also a problem just like him? Did anyone even find his body?
Rudo already knew the answer.
He looked outside. There were only the early ominous orange clouds of the Ground, nothing like the sky up in the Sphere- nothing like the warm clear skies he and Regto ran home to. Even if he did get to the Sphere again, it would never be the same. Even if things were the same: the people who looked down on them, their home, the divide ; all of it wouldn't be the same without Regto's presence.
His hands started to tremble but inhaled, trying to ignore the dull sensation. He couldn't be late for breakfast, furthermore, he mostly didn't want anyone to fuss over him.
Opening his door, he saw a group of familiar faces just walking towards his door. It was the Enjin, Zanka and Riyo, conversing before they saw him, then waved. All of them were still wearing their pyjamas. Perhaps it was ok to still be a bit tired
Zanka yawned, "Morning Rudo!"
"Morning guys."
"Rough sleep again?" Riyo.
"Yeah..." Rudo sighed.
"That's rough, well hopefully it will get better! Now come on, we've got good food today!"
Enjin patted his shoulder then dragged him along towards the mess hall and off the four of them trugged along as though they were one big happy family!
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