The next day Juel sat there with Drake sitting on the bench in front of the station with a blank stare on his face, his mind completely occupied with trying to figure things out. After the events of yesterday, Drake's words echoed constantly in his mind. The events of yesterday. They kept repeating themselves over and over in his mind.
He felt even more blank than the day before as Shiroi snuck up behind him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder
"Are you sure you're ok Juel?" Shiroi asked.
Juel glanced up at him. "Yeah." He forced a smile.
Shiroi stared at him silently for a few moments. "You know if there's anything you need, just say the word. We' ll do anything to help you"
"I forgot something…I just dunno what," Juel muttered.
"Shouldn't you be doing paperwork?" Shiroi pointed out.
"Right yeah I should get back to work," Juel said getting up. He paused as if considering his options. "Hey, do you think I could try something?" He asked as he turned to look at Shiroi.
"Of course" Shiroi said. "What do you wanna do?"
"I wanna go back to the warehouse to see why we aren't allowed to go back there."
Shiroi frowned. "Why?"
Juel shrugged. "It feels weird. Like I need to go check it out but no sure I wanna in the first place!" He laughed.
"Answer is no! I don't care what your problem is, but I am not getting fired because of your dumbass and some kid!" She shouted.
"Kid?" Juel asked.
Shiroi didn't understand why she said that so suddenly. She didn't know this boy she spoke of, but she knew of his existence. She also realized that they both shared a similar feeling about not sure what happened that night.
A feeling of uneasiness, a sense of dread, a feeling that was telling her to stay away…but at the same time it made their job easier. To not worry about whether or not they were working with someone they shouldn't.
"Just leave it, ok?" She demanded.
"Whatever you say," Juel replied. He grabbed onto the straps of the backpack he wore and walked out of the police station.
"Well that was strange…" Shiroi muttered under her breath.
After leaving the police station he walked through the park, the streets, and the plaza. There was definitely something unsettling about being alone, particularly with the city's lights illuminating the sky and the streetlights shining brightly. Even the shadows felt oppressive with the eerie silence of the area surrounding him.
"I am probably going to get fired…" Juel sighed.
"If you get fired don't come crying to me…because the next time I have to cover for you I won't be too sympathetic either," Drake growled.
"Shut up…"
A white haired boy leaned against the mailbox with a smile on his face as he watched Juel and Drake walk past. His green eyes shone brightly and gleamed with curiosity. He tilted his chin upwards to peer up at Juel's forehead; a scar running across it. The scar reminded him of a dragonfly as it swam across the surface of his skin.
"Hey," The boy grinned.
Juel gawked back to see the kid he just met standing there with a smile painted on his face. And he wasn't smiling because he wanted Juel to notice him. No, he was smiling because he already saw Juel looking directly at him. As if somehow he always looked at Juel whenever the two of them crossed paths Juel blinked.
"Hmm…"
"Do you by chance have a lighter?" He asked.
He patted his pockets and pulled out a silver lighter. He fumbled for a moment trying to light the cigarette between his fingers.
"Here" Juel said as he handed the lighter over.
He stared at Juel with curious eyes and a slightly concerned look in his eyes. Then he flicked the lighter shut again as he turned around and began walking towards the sidewalk.
Juel stood there staring off into space as if lost in thought as he gazed at nothing in particular. It wasn't until a second later when he realized that the stranger had disappeared. With a sigh he shook his head and resumed on his way.
'I must have just imagined it all...nothing important anyway' Juel thought to himself and continued walking.
Checking to see if he still had the lighter he was shocked to find it gone looking around to see if the kid was still there, but instead found him nowhere in sight. Juel frowned in confusion as he looked around the street and tried to spot the boy who was now nowhere in sight.
"Drake, did you see that kid too?" Juel asked.
"You are stupid if you think of me as like a human like you," Drake argued.
"Do you want me to rust your ass!" He shouted angrily.
He stormed off, taking off at full speed in the direction the boy went. Juel sighed once again. He knew deep down that there was more to the boy, but he was just too stubborn and prideful. He would never admit the truth unless someone forced the information out of him.
With a huff, Juel walked towards the train station. He figured he might as well wait for one of the others there. When he returned to the station, there was nobody there besides himself. Juel wondered how long he'd been gone for as the train came speeding into view.
He realized that it was only him when he looked around to see no one else waiting for the train. The train came to an abrupt halt after its arrival with passengers exiting one after the other, rushing to take a seat while the doors opened and closed slowly.
People flooded out overwhelming his senses that was lonely seconds ago.He stood rooted where he stood, unsure of what to do or say. He remained quiet until a pair of shoes came to a stop in front of him. Juel looked up to see who was standing in front of him.
The white haired kid stared up at him with a smile on his face. He was dressed in casual attire, jeans and a black button up shirt, but Juel knew right away that that wasn't the reason he looked familiar. He recognized those clothes immediately. He'd seen him a couple of times he could swear up and down.
They were being pushed left and right by everyone wanting to board. He waved before leaving Juel standing there.
"Wait!!" He exclaimed as the train door slammed closed.
He dashed forward stumbling slightly on the uneven ground. Once Juel caught up to him he noticed that the boy was walking slowly.
"At first I was going to just erase you completely, but I decided you peak my interest, but I won't give your memories back instead I will keep them," He smiled softly.
"So something was missing…" Juel stated.
The charcoal haired man froze, Juel frowned as he followed the boy. The boy looked straight at Juel.
Juel glanced back up at him. His brows furrowed in confusion as he stared into those bright glowing eyes.
"Why?"
"You're interesting," The boy shrugged. "I'm bored."
The train came to an abrupt stop causing Juel to stumble into the boy.
"Ahh!" He gasped.
"Hey!" The boy shouted as he helped Juel stand up straight. "I was supposed to stop here, but I guess I lost track of time," He mumbled, shrugging it off with a small laugh.
Juel stared at him confused. Was this really happening? Did this really happen. What even was the point of that? He couldn't answer his questions. What was he doing there in the first place? If he wasn't doing something it wouldn't make any sense. Unless it was some sort of test that Juel failed.
"Anways, try to guess what I am doing and you might be rewarded handsomely," He winked.
The charcoal haired man could feel his face turning red. He was definitely having some sort of fever dream.
The trains horns started to blare watching the mysterious boy get further and further away.
"I'll see you again!" He called out.
He waved his hand over his shoulder in a playful manner. As soon as the train left he ran back to the station to see the man who earlier made him stop his car.
"What a coincidence seeing you here," The snow haired man stated.
"Who are you again? I slightly recall something, but not much," Juel responded.
"I see...don't worry about it," He said waving.
He turned away.
"Wait!!" Juel called again.
"Yes?" He asked, turning back around.
"Do you by chance know someone who is like you, but a little smaller?" Juel gestured.
At first he had a blank face; as though thinking very hard on what to reply. When he finally spoke he seemed to be searching inside of himself for the correct words.
"How do you mean?" He questioned curiously.
Juel stopped responding. He stared at him for a moment before nodding his head and turning back to leave. He walked away without saying a word.