Chapter Text
It was raining that morning. Luckily, Vector had decided the bridge was a good place to rest for the night— after the day he had yesterday, he had been too tired to really do any more work, opting to pass out out under the bridge. The young crocodile stretched as he stood before checking his bag to ensure nothing had been taken, then folded up his blanket and stuffed it into his bag as well as he could.
Rain. Always so so cold.
Vector sighed, looking up at the sky from under his shelter. He held his hand out, feeling the water as it fell. It wasn't too strong, maybe more then a sprinkle— he could do some work today.
Vector leaned against the cement wall, taking his phone out of his bag and turning it on (or attempting to—this lousy thing needed to be hit twice before the screen even turned on.) He scrolled through his emails, trying to see if anyone had contacted him for work that day.
Nothing… nothing… rejected application… oh! Two emails. One from an older lady Vector's mowed the lawn of before, and one from a worker of a moving company he'd met while at a job fair. It wasn't much work, but given his past in helping these two, he'd be sure to get at least a good hundred bucks. Vector leaned harder into the wall, pulling his bag over his shoulder and holding his phone as he scrolled through the messages.
From: [email protected]
Need quick cash?
Hey kid! Don't know if you remember me, but we met at a while back. I remember you mentioned you were pretty strong, and wanted to know if you could come over by the docks later today, preferably around 1pm. One of my co-workers couldn't make it, and we need some extra hands moving some bags and boxes. I promise to pay you for your time.
Thanks in advance!
Carson
Vector squinted at the email, going over it a few times. Moving boxes… in this weather?
He did need the money, though…
He looked at the time. 10AM.
There was a few hours. Maybe the rain would stop by then. Vector clicked reply on the email, shooting back a small yet short 'I'll be there,' then put his phone back into his backpack, ensuring the thing was fully zipped, lest he get his items wet. Forbid his Walkman get water damage— that thing was probably one of the only things keeping Vector sane.
Shame he couldn't listen to anything right now. Stupid rain.
Vector stepped out from under the bridge, bracing himself for the water falling from the sky. Felt the same as it did earlier, maybe a bit colder now that it was hitting his scales directly rather then just his hand. He could walk it off. Vector began to stride uphill onto the city sidewalk, walking in no particular direction. He just knew he needed to get out from under that bridge for a while, then at 2 he'd head over to the docks.
For now, he'd just wander around town, maybe see if he can do any jobs to pass the time.
Seaside City. Still under mass construction— many buildings were just scaffolding and yellow tape bordering fences. There were a lot of smaller businesses around, though. cafes, bakery's, food stalls, some Mom&Pop joints…
Man, was he hungry.
Vector stopped walking for a second, turning to his side to see a cafe. He thought for a bit, debating on whether or not to go in. Yeah, he hadn't eaten in a good while— and he probably needed to charge his phone— but did he really have the money for a quick coffee and piece of bread?
Vector grabbed onto the straps of his bag, clutching it as he thought. He can afford it at the moment, sure— but how would buying something for leisure affect him later… Should he treat himself in risk of not having enough for something later?
Many such cases.
He would have to be moving heavy things later… and it would be a bit rude to ask the moving guy for food when he was already paying Vector.
Vector looked to the side, hesitating to step forward before pushing the door to the cafe open— getting blasted by a wave of warm air. He took a quick glance around the area— there was an empty booth seat next to the windows with a small outlet box in the middle (something made for students on their computers, no doubt.) Vector wiped his too-small shoes on the rug and began to walk to the front counter, waiting in line for his turn to order.
He glimpsed over the menus behind the counter, trying to figure out what would've been cheaper, just before some mouse mobian in front of him looked up from their phone and turned their head around to look at Vector, their face seeming nervous for a second before they turned back around and began vigorously typing on their phone.
Vector did not have to look to know what they were typing.
Vector did his best to not sigh, making some distance between him and the mouse before putting his head down.
Yeah, his presence tended to scare people— from what he's noticed. He guessed it made some sense. He was a giant crocodile kid with sharp teeth— and from the types of mobians he's seen around the city, it was probably a bit rare for anyone bigger then 150 centimeters. He's used to it, though.
Especially when he had that stupid scar on his nose. Must've made him look more scrappy then he already was. But he deserved it.
Vector looked up, locking eyes with the barista. Right. He was going to buy something. Vector moved his bag onto the counter and dug through it, pulling out his wallet as he nervously stared at the waiting barista. He coughed a bit as he took some cash out of it.
"Uh… hello." Oh, his throat was actually pretty dry. Yikes. "Can I just get…" He squinted at the board. The cheapest drink on the menu was 2 bucks, as was the cheapest pastry… what a scam. He sighed, pulling out a 5 dollar bill out of his wallet. "Can I just get a small black coffee and… a bagel," He handed the cashier the bill, "Please."
The cashier stared at Vector for a second, not saying anything until they began they took the bill and began inputting the order into the register. "Would you like a receipt?" They deadpanned as they gave Vector back some coins.
"No thanks."
"Alright," They turned around, grabbing a premade coffee and a napkin-wrapped bagel from the counter and handed it to Vector, "Have a good day."
Vector stared at the bagel in his hand and smiled, "Mhm." He nodded and turned to walk away, just before stopping in his tracks and turning his head back to the worker, "Oh! By the way,"
The barista simply stared at Vector, with no change in their face.
"Would you know if this place is hiring?" A question he asked near every day in every building he went into.
"Ehh…" The only time they looked away from Vector— fidgeting with their hands and tilting their head to the side, "No… especially not if you're gonna make the place flood every time ya' come in…" They mumbled.
"…Right." Vector nodded and sighed, "Well, thank you. Have a good day." He began to walk over to the booth he'd been eyeing earlier, sitting close to the window and placing his backpack next to him— grabbing the charger and phone out of it as he put his wallet back in. His hands weren't as wet anymore, luckily— so he assumed it'd be safe to plug in the charger.
And that he did, plugging the charger into the outlet in the middle of the table and plugging his phone into the cord. He checked the percentage: 32 percent.. He should be able to get to 45, hopefully, in about 15 minutes. Maybe the workers would forgive him for seeking shelter from the rain in there once he finished eating.
Vector grabbed his coffee and took a sip. He squinted his eyes as soon as the bitter flavor hit his tongue. It was… fine. It would help him stay awake— at least. It was just… ok.
His mother could've made something better.
No, no— now was not the time to think about her. He had work to do later. He stuffed the bagel into his mouth and downed the coffee, trying to avoid tasting any of it. He never really liked bitter things, always being told he over sweetened or seasoned anything he made. Gaia, he'd do anything to be in a kitchen at that moment. He would make and try literally anything to get the awful taste of this cafe's too-expensive coffee off of his tongue. Vector sighed, resting his chin in his hand as he looked out the window, trying to distract himself.
The rain seemed to be coming down a bit harder now. There were a few mobians running around with umbrellas and scurrying around to take shelter. Everyone outside seemed to be in a frenzy— was the rain not expected that day? Vector tried to think as he looked at the city.
He didn't really think for long— though. It's always the most mundane things that distracted him.
Some little iguana happily skipped in the rain— jumping around as, who Vector assumed to be the mother, followed close behind, holding an umbrella with one hand and fixing her child's hood with the other. Smiling.
A happy family.
Wouldn't he like to know something about that.
Vector turned his head away, reaching over for his phone. 39 percent. It was nearly 11 AM. Vector tapped his foot and held his head as he kept it down. He listened closely to the rain, trying to filter out any voices— but that was easier said then done.
"That alligator.. is he just going to loiter here?
"Boss said we can't kick people out for that anymore— a bit gross, huh?"
Two employees giggled from a few feet away, leaning on the wall as they sipped some fancy-iced drinks of their own— probably on lunch.
Vector's claws dug into his muzzle, his fingers hovering over his phones screen as it began to darken. It took every bone in his body to not get up and talk them down.
"And those gloves? They look like they haven't been washed in days!" One employee pointed, but her friend quickly snatched her hand and moved it down.
"Probably can't afford any others— I saw him pay with a single five dollar bill earlier, and he STILL looked hesitant."
He stared at his hands, shaking. Maybe he should check his email again— he didn't respond to that old lady, earlier, after all. Vector tapped on his phone screen, trying to ignore the girls laughing at him from across the small building. He opened his email, clicking on the lady's message.
Six words: 'Come mow my lawn again' and 'Thank you'
Vector looked outside the window again. The rain was still coming down pretty hard— not the weather you'd want to use a lawn mower in. He looked back down at his phone, responding to the email as he tried to breathe, calming himself down.
I will come once the rain stops.
He'd probably just go tomorrow morning— he didn't know how long the moving job would take. It wasn't a shallow promise, he didn't make those anymore.
The girls were still laughing behind him. Vector checked his phones percentage again— 43. It was now 11PM. He unplugged his phone and stuffed everything back into his backpack, grabbing his trash and tossing it in the nearest bin as he walked toward the cafe's entrance and shoved open the door.
May as well head out, he can handle the rain. The docks were a bit of a walk away, anyways.
Vector stood underneath an awning of the back of some small shop, looking down at his phone. 12PM. It took him around 45 minutes to get there, and now he'd been waiting for 15. He should've expected this— city folk weren't really the type to show up early to something.
Vector leaned against the wall, staring out into the backdrop of the cities docks. Due to the rain, it looked foggy— filth from the sea washing out onto the beach below. There was a cargo ship covering most of the view, as well (Probably what he was here to help move things from.) Vector yawned, wringing out his bags straps out of boredom.
There really wasn't much to do when he wasn't working.
Nothing but listening to some music.
He unzipped his backpack, taking out his Walkman and headphones. The things that mattered the most to him— his headphones and a cassette of his favorite songs was one of the only things keeping him sane. Vector sat criss-crossed on the damp sidewalk and put his headphones on and his Walkman in his lap, pressing play.
He hadn't listened to anything good in a while.
Vector leaned forward and rested his head on his hand, his elbow digging into his leg. He looked out into the docks again, choosing to stare at the ocean as raindrops hit.
Last time he went to the beach was with his mother.
She had put her sunhat on Vector as he ran around in the sand, being advised not to go into the water. He would collect hermit crabs and bring them over, and she would tell him to put them back. He would try to make sandcastles despite not having a bucket, but then they would have to leave.
Because she needed to go where?
She'd promised ice cream that day. After she'd go buy something.
Yet Vector had been burning up in their trashy car for way too long before she came back.
He never got that ice cream.
Vector scoffed. There was a reason he didn't like thinking of her. Or the beach. His hand hovered over a small cut on his snout before he dropped it to the ground, holding his body weight as he leaned back.
He looked up at the sky. He watched as the rain calm down and the clouds slowly split apart.
He was probably 12 when he went to the beach back then. 12 when he had a house and school. Then he lost school. Then he lost home.
And now he's 17 and on the streets of a city that didn't like him.
It was getting a bit tiring.
Just then, Vector watched a cargo truck pull into the parking lot across the bridge of the docs. He looked down at his phone. 12:30. He paused his music and stood up, stretching his arms as he walked a few feet toward the truck.
He watched as a bear stepped around the truck— probably came from the passenger side, and opened the back trunk. Vector squinted, staring at the bear from a distance. He'd thought he'd recognized him; this likely was the guy who hired him. Vector watched as the bear gave a thumbs up to whoever had been in the front, watching the roll up door open before pulling a ramp of sorts out of the trunk, connecting it to the ground. The bear looked around for a second before spotting Vector, pointing at him and waving him over.
So it was him.
"Hey there, kid!" He approached Vector, stopping just in front of him and holding his hand out. "Nice to see you could make it- thought the rain would'a scared ya away, ha!"
Vector hesitated for a second before taking his hand and shaking it. "Y..yeah, didn't want to miss out on paying work, eheh." He attempted to joke, but the bear did not have a reaction— simply smiling.
Geez, he hoped he didn't sound all greedy with that.
Vector cleared his throat as he put his hand to his side, playing with the wire on his Walkman, "Your name's Carson, right?"
He nodded, "Yup, and you're Victor!" Carson turned around and pointed to the truck— ignoring Vector's attempt to correct him. "We just need you here for a few hours to move some things from the truck onto the pier, if that's alright with you."
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Great!" Carson clapped his hands before beginning to walk over to the truck, waving at the other worker— some sort of canine who had already started dragging some boxes out of the trunk.
Vector followed behind, choosing to keep an eye on the wet ground. He hoped the conditions wouldn't cause any harm.
Vector looked up once he noticed the other worker head his way, Carson close behind her.
"Victor?" She held a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other.
"Vector."
"Right— you can start on the more smaller bins, you seem a bit young and I'm trying to not get in trouble," She elbowed Carson, who simply shrugged in response, "Unlike this guy hiring some kid without asking." She scoffed.
Vector awkwardly laughed. He wasn't told any rules.
And now he had to do his best to make sure he didn't ruin anything.
"Aaalright then!" The canine scribbled something onto the clipboard before putting it down, "Let's get started."
It had been around 2 hours— maybe 3. Then it started to rain again.
The two adults had put the baggage they'd been holding back into the trunk— leading Vector to do the same before they led him into a small building on the side of the street, some sort of bakery.
Carson wiped his shoes on the rug beneath them. "That was bound to happen, should've expected it."
The canine rolled her eyes before nudging Vector and having him follow her to the counter. "C'mon kid, I'll pay for your food." She pointed to the pastrys inside of the display case, "Just get one thing, though. You gotta be hungry after all this work."
Vector didn't want to accept— but given the fact he'd only eaten a bagel so far and had been doing heavy lifting— his body likely wouldn't appreciate that choice. Better to get things done then pass out on the job.
"Thank you, ma'am." Vector kneeled down, trying to find the cheapest thing they had.
Carson soon joined the three while looking before ordering something for himself, the cashier nodding as wrote things down before opening the register. Vector observed as Carson began to look around— seemingly confused.
"Hey, wasn't there some girl workin' here last month?" He asked as the cashier handed him a small paper bag with his order.
The canine worker stood straight, then looked at Carson and the cashier. "Oh yeah, the nice one."
The cashier forced a smile and laughed awkwardly (they clearly did not want to conversate,) "She's on maternity leave at the moment… she should be back soon!"
The canine gasped, "Ah! I forgot she was having a kid, good for her!"
The cashier looked uncomfortable, "I'll, um.. tell her you said congrats!" They then looked at Vector, who'd still been kneeling at the display case. "… are you going to order now?"
Vector flinched and stood up— doing his best to smile as he pointed at a basic muffin. "Could I get this, if that's ok?" He looked at the canine, awaiting her approval.
"Hm?" She looked over, "Oh, yeah sure. I'll get a croissant." She pulled out her card and paid for the food, thanking the cashier as they handed her two bags. She began walking toward a table next to the windows, ushering Vector and Carson over.
The three all sat across from each other and the two adults began to eat. Vector stared to eat his muffin before sighing. He felt bad for having some random lady he's never met pay for this— even if she offered.
He'd pay her back later. If he did see her later.
Carson scarfed down his pastry before speaking, "Hey, kiddo—" he covered his mouth as he spoke and chewed, "You ever think of applying for our agency?"
Vector looked up, taking a second to process the bears words, "Uhm," He paused for a bit, getting more and more anxious as Carson starred him down. "I mean… I wouldn't be—"
"Yeah, right!" The canine cut him off, lightly hitting Carson over the head, "We're already pushing it having a—" She pointed at Vector, "How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Having a seven-" She stopped for a second, turning back to Vector, "You're.. you're seventeen?"
"…Yes?" Vector was confused.
Carson nodded, "Yeah, I told you this, Lucy."
The canine, Lucy apparently, put her head in her hands and heavily sighed, confusing Vector further. "He totally does not look— Carson… you just said you hired an older kid- you know we could get in trouble if we had him do anything more then heavy lifting, right?" She looked at her coworker sharply.
Vector looked to the side and shoved the muffin in his mouth, trying to focus on the chewing rather then the conversation between the two in front of him.
Carson laughed awkwardly before the canine lightly hit him over the head again. "Pay him for his work, now. We've already been working for three hours," She sighed before turning to Vector. "Sorry about this, kid. It's the law, we're already pushing it letting you help with a high injury risk job like this."
Carson scoffed and crossed his arms, "He's more then capable, just look at him!"
"He's still a KID, Carson! Now pay him for his work." She stood up and put a hand on her hip, leaning toward the bear, "Now."
Scary.
Vector cleared his throat, bringing both of their attention to him. "So… I can't help out anymore?"
Carson sighed as he pulled out his wallet, taking a few bills out, "Sorry kid, guess not." He handed Vector some twenty-dollar bills and smiled, "Thanks for everything, though! Go on and head home."
Vector winced at that, yet still took the bills and put them in his bag. He'll sort them into his wallet later. Vector did not want to make things more awkward then they already were.
Carson peered outside the window, "You didn't drive here, right?" He continued looking before nodding his head— confirming his own question. "I'll drive you home."
Vector quickly stood up at that, grabbing his bag before nodding, "I don't-" He looked to the side, trying to avoid showing his anxiety, "I'll be fine, I can walk! Honest!" He tried a smile.
The two workers looked at each other with a small bit of concern before looking back at Vector.
They knew. He'd always been a bad liar.
Lucy stood up from her seat before checking her phone. "Well, if you're going to walk, let me give you a spare umbrella from the truck." She began to walk out the door, throwing away her trash on the way out.
Vector looked at Carson for a second, watching as he too stood up and ambled along before Vector himself began to follow. Vector walked a bit ahead, keeping a closer pace with the canine.
"You really don't have to, ma'am."
She shrugged, speeding up a bit more as to avoid getting too wet. She then ran up to the trucks door, opening it and quickly climbing in before grabbing a compact umbrella from the glove box and tossing it in Vector's direction.
"Forecast says it'll rain for a good few more hours-" She smiled, "Think of this as a part of your payment, ok?"
Vector held the umbrella tight, staring at his dirt-covered gloves before pressing the button to open it. He sighed, "Right. Thank you." He turned to Carson, "You too, sir, have a good day."
Carson grinned before beginning to walk to the other side of the truck, "You too, Victor! Sorry for all this, eheh.." He waved.
"It's fine, I get it- laws are laws," Vector simply stared before attempting a small smile (It looked a bit tired, though) before turning around and beginning to walk off onto the sidewalk.
"GET HOME SAFE, KID!" Vector heard both workers yell. He hesitated in taking a step before continuing on.
Home. What a weird concept.
Vector sighed, looking off into the distance. A long walk from the docks to the bridge— that was for sure.
Could the bridge count as a home?
Vector nodded his head at his thoughts— no, probably not. He didn't really live there. He just slept under it every few nights since it was one of the only spots the cops wouldn't kick him out of.
Home. Getting home safe.
He surely wasn't going to walk the entire distance he'd hitchhiked all that time ago. Besides, was that place ever really a home to him, or did he just live there?
It wasn't comfortable in any way, so he guessed not.
Vector squinted up at the sky, tilting the umbrella a bit behind him.
He swore he saw a bit of lightning strike earlier. Maybe he'd take the walk to the bridge, even if it's a bit far.
All that time ago. How long ago was it?
Vector watched from the sidewalk as leaves washed into the gutters on the side of the city roads.
Was it going to rain tomorrow, too? He may as well check.
Vector leaned against a wall, balancing the umbrella between his arm and body as he dug his phone out of his bag.
He opened his weather app, glancing over the forecast. Gaia, seemed it was going to rain the rest of the week— maybe the umbrella was a blessing-
His eyes caught the date.
He should've remembered. It was raining this bad when he first got into the city too.
A year.
He's surprised he's made it this long.
It's been a year.
Vector laughed a bit. A solemn, small laugh. He then shoved his phone back into his bag, starting to walk toward the bridge once again.
Then he started to jog.
Then run.
He should probably take a stop at that cafe again— no, he'd go to a different one. Maybe there was something a bit closer to the bridge.
He had to charge up his phone a bit more.
There was a job to do tomorrow, after all.
He could only hope the storm wouldn't be that bad. Vector really didn't like the cold of the rain.