Wanderless

Chapter 7

"You think if anyone will found out who's killing off our civilization?"

Herrick questioned in the car, while on the way back to Malin's home to drop his little fella off. Malin gazed at the window of the vehicle, adoring how the swirling skies had drifted into a dusk, weary scenery. He even heard half of what Herrick just said, tearing his attention away, he tried to answer what he got.

"eh? Oh uh... no, I don't think they will... probably take them months or years to be exact..."

"Why months? Not weeks?" Blurted Herrick.

"When have you ever solved an on-going case in weeks? If you think about it, it'll sound clearly impossible. Especially if a killing spree case is spreading around since last week. Yeah, I don't think those slow asses will find out anytime soon."

"You say it like as if you did it... please tell me that's not true."

That assumption caught Malin off-guard. His arm slammed against the surface of the car door in shock, eyes widened towards the slightly frightened Fairian, those white eyes staring in disbelief and shock, with a little bit of fear.

Him? A murderer? Out of all people...

Sure, he hates people of his own kind, but he never thought of going that far. He almost didn't know what to say.

Feeling the car stop on the step of the brakes, the intense eye contact from the orange Fairian whose begging for an answer.

"Malin? Please tell me it's not true... did you caused all this...?"

Malin, trying to prevent the worse, he stuttered out the words.

"N-n-n-no! NO! Why would-- WHY would you think that? Where did this come from!? I hate being around people, but when have I ever gone that far!? Care to explain that!?"

"W-wh-whoa! Whoa! Chill out dude, I was just wondering... you freaked me out for a bit--"

"OH! So that's how it is huh!? Literally out of everyone else besides me, you suspected me as a murderer!? Why?"

"I just thought wrong, okay!? I'm sorry! I was only--"

"Don't make up an excuse! I can't believe you think that was true! Y'know I was starting to believe you were different from everyone else! Guess I was fucking wrong as always! Haha! Silly, naive me! Always expecting better huh!?"

Herrick gripped the steering wheel handle, his knuckles turning white as his arms were shaking.

This wasn't expected...

"HEY! Chill out Malin! It's not my fault that you're a goddamn introvert that doesn't want to interact with others! I was just only asking in curiosity and you're the one who's overreacting here!"

"NOW you're complaining about me being an introvert!? Then why in the living FUCK would you choose to hang out with me in the first place!?"

"I don't know! Maybe I thought it would be nice to get to know you better! You big fucking wimp! I don't want making people think I'm hanging out with the world's biggest low-life! But that's already been seen right!?"

Malin was just stunned, hearing that word. 'Low-life'

God, how Malin hates that word. He already knows he is, but why does that hurt him so much?

Malin had a bleary-eyed view, his tears flowing. That feeling of worthlessness had came back to drag him down.

"W...wha... Malin. I..."

"...Unlock the car..."

"But...!"

"I SAID UNLOCK THE CAR!"

With defeat, Herrick unlocks it, he just gone silent, hearing the door opening, the shuffling off the seat and the unbuckling of a belt. Malin just headed out, carelessly slamming the car door, attempting a dent on the metal.

Though Herrick still didn't drove off, he watched Malin walk off to the left road where his home was. Then saw him fly up with his gorgeously flaming red shaded wings, levitating from the sidewalk.

After a sudden dash; Malin was gone.

"... Great job, Herrick..."

Herrick sighs, dumping himself into a guilt pit.

"Nice job..."

He locks the car again, shifting the pedal gear into ignition.

And just drove off home.
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"I'm not a low-life.... I'm not a low-life... I'm not a low-life..."

Malin repeats for what seems like the 7th time. Sitting in the shower, letting boiling water hit his hung down head. Curled up in shame, he was shaking as he cried, tears flowing down. Feeling like all the worst. How he wished he can just scream.

"Not... a low-life..."

He then remembered the dream he had, those echoing words flooded his head.

".... you're so weak, you're not going to last a year..."

"Maybe he's right... I guess I am weak..."

Malin paused for a bit, his black hole eyes staring off into the room. But just shook his head at the other thought.

"I am weak..."