I was interested in him. He seemed so…lonely, sad, miserable even. He didn't seem even a tiny bit happy. It felt like looking into a black hole, there was just nothingness to him. Empty, heartless, emotionless, cold. I felt bad for him.
Maybe he didn't have a family, or maybe he didn't have any friends. Maybe he was bullied when he was younger, like I was.
He had messy white hair that looked like mine, but it was really dirty, like he hadn't showered for weeks.
He was wearing a ripped up black t-shirt that showed his left shoulder, and the middle of his stomach, baggy red pants that looked like they've been through hell and back, two ripped, white socks that had gray tips, and blue, off brand sneakers that were muddy and had holes in them.
He clearly hasn't been in a very good living situation. I couldn't just let him leave. I'd most likely never see him again.
"Wait," I said, hoping he'd turn around. He didn't. He didn't even stop for a second to think about it. He just kept walking, like he was walking back to a void.
"Please wait," I said with a soft, but loud voice. He stopped. He actually stopped this time.
"What do you want," he said with an empty voice.
"You seem sad," I said.
"I'm not."
"Can we just talk?" I asked him.
He turned his head to me "why?"
"Because you're how I used to be," I said firmly.
He turned around, and stopped. He looked down, then back up at me. He started walking towards me. Maybe he'll talk to me finally.
"Were you an orphan? did you have no friends, no mom, no dad, no one to say 'I love you' to? Did you live by yourself, and scavenge for food, which leads to you getting beat up?" he said in an angered voice, and with his fists balled up.
I paused for a second, thinking about what he just said.
Before I could speak up, he said "That's what I thought. Now leave me alone." he said while walking away again.
I knew I wouldn't be able to stop him again, so I ran up to him, and pulled on his shoulder. He looked at me with a menacing glare, but he didn't fight back.
"I just wanna talk with you. I haven't ever had a friend…and you seem like you'd be fun to hang out with," I said with a smile "I mean…I did save you from getting beat up even more y'know," I said while laughing.
He scoffed "Fine, but we're not friends," he said with a surprisingly less annoyed tone and look. Maybe I'm growing on him, who knows.
"How did you get into trouble with those people?" I asked. That's the question I wanted to know most.
"Have you ever had to scavenge for food before?" he said with a firm tone.
"So you were looking for food…in the extremely dark, and dangerous alleyway?" I asked him, a bit confused.
"Yep, I know the area, and I know where to find the food," he said confidently.
"How do you possibly eat food out of the trash?" I asked with a gross look on my face.
"You get used to it. I also have to, or else I'll starve to death," he said in a sarcastic tone.
"What's your name?" I asked.
"Why should I tell you?" he asked while glaring at me.
"'Cause we're friends now, right?" I said sarcastically. "I'm Scrios."
"Fine. I'm Cara, and we're not friends," he said in an annoyed voice.
"So, I'm guessing you don't have parents, right?" I asked, based on what he said about scavenging for food.
"No, I don't."
"How did you get that name then?" I asked confusedly.
Hesitant, he said "I was raised by a couple from age five, to age seven, then they kicked me out onto the streets to fend for myself,"
"How old are you now, then?"
"SIxteen," he said.
I felt even worse after hearing that. He's been all alone for nine years now. I couldn't even imagine doing that. The things he's probably seen and heard.
"I-I'm so sorry. I-," he cut me off before I could finish.
"You don't need to apologize. I've heard enough of those in my days. No one truly means it, they just say it because they don't know what else to say." he said in an annoyed tone.
"No, really, I'm sorry that you've lived like this your whole life pretty much," I said with a concerned look.
"Hmph, sure."
"Do you need a place to stay? My mom might let you live with us," I proposed, hoping he'd accept my offer.
"I don't need any help now, and I won't need any in the future," he said in a confident, but subtle voice.
"Where do you live, then?" I asked, hoping he'd answer me.
"You don't need that information."
"I wanna come bring you food." I wanted to help him, but he's so stubborn. "Maybe even some new clothes."
"Like I said, I don't want anyone's help, and especially not your help " he said with gritted teeth. I started to notice how cold it was again, and then I realized he had no jacket, no hoodie, nothing at all to protect himself from the cold.
"Are you not cold?" I asked him.
"I never get cold anymore. I know how to use magic at a beginner level."
"You can use magic? That's so cool. I've never seen anyone use it before; can you show me?" I asked excitedly.
"Sure."
He lifted his hand up, then a beautiful, bright, orange flame that lit up the whole alleyway was floating above his hand. It was about the size of a softball. It crackled, and made the same sound a regular bonfire would make.
I was shocked. I've never seen something so cool before. I've always wanted to use magic, but I don't know what my core is. I've tried multiple times, but I don't know where to start.
"How did you learn to use it?" I asked.
He put the flame out, then said "The couple I used to live with taught me a little of it."
"Are you a fire core?"
"No, I'm a water core."
"You must've learned your water magic quickly, then."
"I learned the basics of it, but since I got kicked out, I had to learn fire magic, so I could survive in the cold."
I thought about how he had magic, but didn't use it on the people who were beating on him. "Why didn't you use your magic on those guys beating you up?"
"My magic isn't strong enough to be used in a fight against even just one person, so using it against five people would've been pointless and reckless. I could've just been hurt even more since they'd probably just get mad," he said, looking annoyed.
"Oh, that makes sense," I said, worried for him. "Can I see the water magic as well?" I asked him, curious of what it looks like.
He scoffed, then said "sure."
A blue, wavy type aura covered his hand, then the aura bursted like a bubble, and cobalt blue water completely covered his hand.
He moved his hand, waving it, shaking it, then he stopped, and the water started flowing upwards in a smooth stream, and before I knew it, the water was floating above his hand, just like the fire.
It was in the shape of a sphere, and it had a constant flow, just like the ocean. Unlike the fire, it made no noise. It was silent as a mouse.
"Holy shit," I said loudly.
The water disappeared. "Calm down, it's not that cool," he said calmly.
"It is for someone who's never seen magic before."
"Whatever, can I go now?"
"You sure you don't wanna come live with me?" I asked him once again.
"I'm very sure," he said in a 'just-let-me-go-already' tone.
I laughed and said "Fine, but if you ever decide to take me up on that offer, just let me know."
"Yeah, whatever." he turned his head, then said "I'm leaving now."
"You're leaving already?" I said, disappointed I wouldn't be able to see anymore of his magic.
He started walking away. Once again, looking like he was walking into a void, but this time, I knew why. Maybe I could help him somehow, but he's super stubborn. I hope he finds a home, or somewhere warm to stay.
"See ya later, maybe?" I said, hoping he'd say something back. He didn't say anything back, but he did slightly turn his head. Maybe I got through to him. Who knows, though.