Wanderless

Chapter 6

Herrick stood by the vending machine, inserting a peach 5$ dollar, he checked which snack he'd like. "Hmm... what should I choose; Poppy Cookies? Strawberry-Vanilla Swiss rolls... Milk-Chocolate structure Trophy oooor maybe Apple Delight? The basic ass candy that is famous for its stale taste?"

He shrugged his shoulders, pressing a digit onto the swirl sign. The plastic tin box of Strawberry-Vanilla rolls pushed off the top shelf, hitting the bottom of metal. He squats down, lifting up the slip opening. Taking out the container.

He checked back on Malin, who was gripping the sides of a trashcan, hurling out the acid of swirled, awfully blended colors falling out of his mouth like a waterfall, spewing out on heavier assembly, onward. "O..oh... oh god--!"

He huffed, taking a breather for a moment, Herrick no longer heard that revolting sound that filled his ears, with some generosity, he waltz over to his sickened partner. "You doing good pal?"

Before the young fairian can speak, he forced a hand in a fist, feeling a bitter burp come along to interrupt him, then a hiccup finished last, he breathes in an exhale. Resuming to talk, trying to ignore the fact he's tasting acid in his mouth between his tongue and fangs.

"Y-Yeah, I believe so..."

"Think you might be done?"

"I... yeah..."

Malin hesitates, a shifted hand clenched over his stomach, that painful turning in his intestines that made his eyesight go green, his throat burning, forcing his body to hunch forward on its own. His stomach churns again, making him go for another round.

"No! I'm not... I lied to myself--!"

He choked up, gagging to puking again. Coughs came out along with disoriented belching and chunks within.

"That sounds really bad. I had no idea seeing that gorey scene will get you this fucked up."

Malin grimace to scowl at him but the image of the bloody intestines, ripped jaws, soaked bloodied clothes flowing across from the stomachs, the dried tears of agony, the faded, yet visible expressions of fear, as if they have a story to share that can never be told, had made him spew out the acid again.

This time, Herrick patted his back, squatting next to him. "Sorry dude, didn't mean to make it worse..."

"I... hate you..." Malin struggle a relieving breath, glimpsed in a bit frustration.

"I care a lot for you too, shortie."

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Malin sat down on the pillar strangely tiled wall, panting slowly, chest heaving in and out; knees in front of his chest, his chin resting on top of one kneecap, his skinny arms around his legs in a hugging gesture, feeling miserable in the healing process. He enjoyed the sunset vibes of solid, orange rocky roads, seeing the trees of autumn leaves, them flowing down by the strip of the wind as if they've accepted a gentle dance. The skies of lilacs, splattered with aqua greens, drips of faded light blue clouds, the aesthetic view in front of eyes, wavering their skies back and forth in a welcoming, weary way.

He wasn't brave, nor as social, as already pointed out of the horrendous crime of carelessly scattered corpses, that still was an awful experience, he wasn't tough either, afraid to ever stand up for himself and change for a new life in this peaceful yet very rotten planet, his home, of Helvede.

He would rather sleep away all this instead of being awake, a day without interacting people, without the citizens guilt-tripping him for his weakness, having them think they're much better than him. In all honesty, he will like for half of his civilization to disappear, he thought about that unthinkable train of thought that one time when he was so aggravated.

Shaking off the thoughts, making him settle that anger in again, he sighs, lowering his head back on the edges of his boney knees. He feels skinny... He feels like he's not eating much, he is so disgusted with himself, how worthless and such a crybaby he is, a pushover that everyone sees. Saying he doesn't care what anyone says, he actually does, he wants to change, he wants to move on... He wants freedom, he wants friends, he wants to be himself without feeling judged or misunderstood. He just wants-

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A huge, yet gentle nudge on his forearm, forcing his mind to shut down the thoughts of his lowly life. A somewhat comforting voice spoke out to him.

"Hey, you good there Malin?"

There was Herrick, his soft smile was the first form Malin saw, still silent, he broke from it to answer his question.

"What? Oh, uh... y-yeah. I think I'm fine for now..."

"Uh-huh, suuuuuuure you are... Oh! Now I know what I was going to do. Here," he hands a warm cherry soda to him. "This will help ya wash down that acid aftertaste, you'll feel better in no time! Drink away buddy!"

Malin stares at the soda can, the back at Herrick. Not knowing what else to do, he cracks open the soda cap and began taking slow sips. Herrick scoots close to Malin, wrapping an arm over him. Malin didn't bother to fight back, he couldn't help but to accept the side hug that was given, he let his lips off of the can. "Thanks Herrick, for staying with me today... I apologize if I was such a down and out loser the whole day..." He laughs at himself for a bit. Only to be pulled closer in the warm depths of the older, yet younger man.

"You aren't a downer, it was amazing to hang out with you! I like to do this again sometime, that is, if you're free."

"Heh... you don't mean that, dude..."

"Nah, I'm serious pal. I really would love to do this again, well except for the you-know-what we saw"

"Yeah. But I would like to hang out with you too. You don't seem bad at all."

"You too dude! I promise, I'll be here for as long as you need! If anything is up and down! Talk to me!"

Malin felt warmth, surprised that someone actually cares. He never felt this cared for, he chuckles at the beaming aura. "Thanks Herrick. You're the best..."

"No problem, Malin."