Grey (discontinued)

~ PART SEVENTEEN ~

~ CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ~

Good day.

Sorry it's been so long since I updated.

I had a break between the shows for our drama club, but I just needed a break, so I didn't write anything.

Today was our cast party and yesterday was closing night, so I decided why not pump out at least one chapter.

Also, just while I'm on the topic of drama club...

I QUALIFY FOR INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY!!!

I'm going to be a freshman next year, so this is my first chance to be in it.

Anyways, aside from that, nothings really new, because I don't have much of a life, but yea.

Now, onto the story.

~ previously ~

Blah blah blah

It seemed like he wanted to talk.

I was tied until my normal shift was over, but he wasn't budging.

Dang restaurant, not having a back door.

*Grumble, grumble*

I took off my apron in the kitchen, hanging it up on my designated hook, and began to walk out.

Maybe I could just slip by without him noticing.

Yea.

I'm a Vigilante.

One of the best.

I've never even been caught.

*thump*

I felt the hand on my shoulder, shaking me out of my thoughts.

I paused.

Dang it.

I was too lost in my thoughts to notice how I'd walked out of the kitchen and right past the man, without even attempting to sneak by.

I didn't particularly want to talk about my, uh, situation... in a public place, so I continued walking out the door.

He stayed behind me, hand on my shoulder the whole way.

We reached the door and I pushed it open.

We stepped outside and I directed him to the park that was close by.

He continued to walk behind me, hand STILL on my shoulder, as if just waiting for me to try and bolt.

I'm not saying that was an unreasonable precaution... because it was, but it felt a bit unnecessary.

We walked in silence the whole time.

If I tensed up, his grip on my shoulder would tighten.

I really wasn't getting out of this one.

We made it to the park and I guided us over to a bench, not too far from the exit.

Y'know.

Precautions.

"So, what is this little visit for?" I asked impatiently. There was a bit of hostility in my voice, but if the hero noticed, he didn't say anything.

"I want to make you an offer." He spoke in his usual, uncaring voice, but it was gentle and stern, almost like that of a parental figure.

"And what exactly, what exactly is this offer, Aizawa?" I was genuinely curious at this point in time but I didn't let that emotion into my voice. I kept a wall up between us. He knew something that could completely alter my life if he were to tell anyone.

I wouldn't be letting anyone past that wall unless I KNEW I could trust them.

"You don't have a guardian" He stared bluntly.

I winced at the statement.

"You seem relatively used to living without one, so evidently it's been a while since you did have one" he continued.

"That's a little worrying, see. I know you wear baggy clothes. Oversized sweaters, baggy jeans, T Shirts... some people might just see it as the way you like to dress, but I can see how thin you are. How you aren't a healthy weight. You have muscle, but that's it. I've seen the blood on your wrists. The blood that comes from a slight touch. Meaning you cut, and still have been as of recently, so don't try to say you stopped. I first met you on the roof of a building, as did the detective, and multiple other officers in the station. You have been continuously arrested, but not been able to be held for long because of the laws being only slightly bent. You clearly need someone to look after you so you don't end up dead."

I hated how he demolished any arguments I had before I could even speak up.

I wanted to defend myself, to have an elaborate way to turn things around in my favor, but all I could muster was a small "a-and?"

He sighed.

"And? Really kid?"

"AND, there are people who care about you. AND, you have a life to live. AND, you do matter. AND, you're a smart kid, who could have a bright future."

"..."

I didn't believe him, but I wasn't really about to say that to him. I didn't want this to last any longer than it had to.

"So, what's the deal then, Mr., Mr. Aizawa?"

"I'm not going to force you to do anything, but I want you to come to me if anything is happening. You could come over to my home if you needed to talk. If you needed a place to stay. If you need anything, come to me. Tell me. I will try my best to... No. I will help you."

"And in return, I won't tell anyone about your situation."

"..."

"What's the catch?"

"... what do you mean kid?" He asked.

"I mean, what's, what's the catch? What do you get out of, of it? There's always, always, always a, a catch." I mumbled the last bit.

"There is no catch, problem child. I benefit by being able to know that you are safe."

"And what if I don't.. what if I were to not ask for your help? Would you, would you report me? Track me down?"

"No. I would respect your decision. I wouldn't rat you out anyway. Even if you didn't come to me for help. Just know, my door is always open, kid."

"Okay..." I was sceptical, but he seemed genuine.

I wouldn't trust him quite yet though.

He pulled out a small sticky note and handed it to me. It had black writing on it.

I almost chucked at the sticky note itself. I could tell from the texture and color that it was the same kind I used for my little notes to the police. I had recently left a pack of them for both the detective and the hero next to me in my Vigilante persona.

The writing, though, was the erasure hero's address.

I, of course, already knew it, but he didn't know that.

Nor did he need to know that.

"Uh, thank.. than-thank you. I'll, uh, I'll think about it. Thank you for the offer, sir."

I got up from the bench and walked away, clutching the sticky note in my pocket.

Then, I began the walk home.

Goodbye, I'll most likely post again tonight or tomorrow.

{1095 words}