Michael POV
I wished I had headphones to block out the incessant chatter that filled the space. 'I never should've let those others come along. This was supposed to be quiet and a get in and out affair, but nooooo, I had to say yes.' The other three were talking and laughing, as if this event was a leisurely walk. My fists clench, my mouth twisting into a sneer. 'Idiots. They have no idea what they're getting themselves into! They don't know what could happen. Any of them could be dead any day now and they act as if there's not a care in the world. Domestic life has made others soft these days. They're unprepared for the world.'
"Hey!"
Nicki hopped up next to me, beaming at me. I give him a cold stare. 'Especially this ridiculously cheerful idiot.' I ignored him until he poked my arm.
"What?" I snapped.
"What's your name? Like, your full name?"
I glared at him.
"None of your business."
"Well, you obviously know me-"
"Who says I know you? All I know is that your brother is missing and someone wanted me to talk to you and help you. I didn't sign up for this **** voluntarily."
"Okay then, Nicki Whyte. I think I told you that, but I honestly can't remember. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you my ***," I swore under my breath, walking faster.
I looked at the sky, realizing that it was about to get dark soon. 'Well ****.'
"Hey, you guys back there. Look for abandoned places, alright?"
"Why?" The one with black hair asked with sarcasm.
"Because unless you want to get hypothermia and die, you'll want somewhere that has at least a little warmth," I snarled back. "Get looking."
I got lost in my own thoughts as I looked around for a suitable place. 'It makes me wonder why he wanted to live here. It isn't even that great. The people are the same here, if not worse. And why... did I dream of him? And worst of all...' I glanced over my shoulder at the chirpy glasses boy, who made crazy gestures with his hands. 'Why did he want me to help this guy? Someone so different from him? Someone so aggravating?' I sighed to myself, my shoulders sagging momentarily as a sign of defeat. 'All I have to do is get this over with. Then I can live my own life and move away from here.'
"Hey Michael look!"
Nicki came up to me, grabbing me by the arm and pointing to a nearby parking garage, dilapidated but not unstable. I ripped my arm away, sending him a half angry, half impressed scowl.
"Good job. You actually used those eyes of yours," I remarked sassily.
"Oof, why are you so salty though?" He teased.
"I'll show you salt, mister adhd," I spat before striding into the building.
I looked around absently, nodding to myself. This place had probably been inhabited before, since it had blankets and the faint but recent smell of lingering alcohol. I looked out the window then at the stairs, having a silent debate.
"Well, it isn't exactly five stars," The other girl joked.
"Yeah. So, what should we do-" Nicki began.
I ignored them and walked over to the window before leaning out, making sure I stabilized myself as I looked up. 'Hmm, this way is much faster.' I easily climbed out.
"Wait, what are you doing?" They shrieked.
I used my legs and swung myself upwards, using my weight accordingly to clamber up the wall until I reached the roof. When I did, I smiled ever so slightly in triumph. I stood at the edge, letting the wind hit my face. While it was refreshing, it also made me chill a bit. Yet I loved wind. I thought it was a good representation of life. How life can be crazy and blow you over. How it can change so quickly. And this may sound cliche but it was free. It could roam the world through the skies, without a care in the world. I sighed, spreading my arms and letting the air hit my skin and send goosebumps up my arms. 'Maybe... if I lean over just a bit...' the thoughts that I've been haunted with for most of my life came rushing back. It brought a sort of heaviness to my limbs and my arms rested at my sides as I stared at the ground. To me, the ground was chanting and holding out its arms. Jump.
Jump...
Jump...
JUMP...
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Vines wrapped around my stomach and yanked me backwards. I fell on my butt and a tree was standing over me. Then I shook my head, squeezing my eyes shut and opened them again. Nicki knelt in front of me, eyes full of concern.
"Are you alright?"
'The voice that came from his lips... wasn't his though. His image flickered almost, another boy standing in front of me, smiling down.' I pinched my arm and came out of my hallucinations. The voices died away. My vision returned to normal. Well, mostly normal. Because for some ******* reason, I was crying. Dammit... dammit... DAMMIT ALL TO HELL!
"****... ****..." I muttered, running a hand through my hair, tears trickling down my cheeks. "Get a hold of yourself..."
"Are you okay Michael-"
"OF COURSE I'M NOT OKAY YOU ******* IDIOT!" I screamed through my teeth.
"Do you want for me to get Rachel? Or Luke? You know, the two kids that came with us. Or maybe we could find a med clinic. Or-"
"Stop rambling," I snapped, my voice cracking.
'Get a HOLD of yourself! You'd humiliating yourself in front of him!' I took a deep breath, steadying my jackhammering heart.
"I'm fine. Just fine."
He stared at me, looking at me with pity. I hate pity. I don't NEED anyone's pity, sympathy, or any of that emotional junk. That look pissed me off.
"Listen, I'm alright, okay? **** off."
Yet I felt gentle hands lift my face up.
"Michael, it's alright not to be alright. Do you know that?"
Usually, physical contact to me felt as if I'd been burned usually. As if a hot poker had been put to my skin. Yet now, his touch was comforting. Warm, not in a scorching way. A sort of nice... warmth.
"So if you don't feel alright, that's just fine," he whispered softly.
I snapped out of my daze and slapped his hands away, my cheeks warming with... embarrassment? NO. Anger. Definitely anger.
"Do NOT touch me! You hear me?" I yelled, my voice wavering.
"Michael-"
"Just shut up! JUST SHUT UP!" I screamed, shoving my hands through my hair and pulling it.
There was a moment of silence after that. It was only the sounds of cars, the wind, and faint murmurings. I sat there, getting my raging emotions under control. When I finally trusted myself to be able to speak without sounding as if I was sad, I sighed and looked up at him.
"Go tell your friends to get their butts up here. Now. Grab those blankets and any trash you find near them. Make sure it's flammable, okay?"
"But..."
"Didn't you hear what I said?"
I pointed at the nearby stairway entrance.
"GO!"
He sighed and swalked for. I looked at my now shaking hands and swore under my breath. 'You can't show them. You can't be vulnerable. You need to hide.
You need to keep hiding everything.