The Moon Hiding at Dawn

Chapter 36: Sunrise

I shuffled towards the swing where we talked before at the playground area at the opposite end of the park, the pain still coursing through my whole body as I dragged one leg and the other, limping around and hoping that I make it not just to the swings but also to my house...that or wherever I could be rested. I won't be choosy about the place at this point. It took a long time under the light of the moon to find my way back in this pace.

I spotted Riz first, casually playing around the swing, possibly deep in thought as it me took a few more steps before she looked my way. Her face lit up for a bit but immediately lost its color and smiles as she rushed towards my side.

"What the—" she stopped herself as she helped me walk. "Just what on earth did the two of you do?!"

I told her what happened. The duel that turned to a street brawl, the keys, and how even Clyde doesn't know much about what's happening either. It was a lot to condense in a few lines so I bet she didn't get the most out of the explanation. Not that I can help it at the moment but I'm sure she understands that.

"Well, good that we're one step closer but with your current condition," she scanned me from head to toe. " might as well skip it out for now. I'm even surprised that an introvert like you is still standing after all that."

"Y-yeah" I managed to let out. "Figured as much."

She even tried to lighten up the mood with her usual banters, which is good but I am really sorry that I don't have the energy to match and reply to that right now.

"Come and put your arms on my shoulder. I'm taking you home."

"Yours or mine?" I asked.

"Mine would be ideal but that's an extremely long walk. You'll probably pass out before we even get there. We'll crash at your place for now." She explained.

Our pace was extremely slow. I can't walk as I would normally do. Riz is supporting my weight on the injured side, which I do appreciate. Its just that her small stature makes it too tiring for her without helping our situation a lot. Not to mention that I'm practically heavily injured on both sides and it was just a matter of which part of me is worth supporting right now.

Quite a weird metaphor for my life as well if I have to be honest.

We occasionally had to stop from time to time in order to rest for a few minutes, then walk again.

"Just what on earth did Clyde do to your leg?" she asked.

"I do remember getting shot nasty by a rubber bullet. Maybe two, I didn't really quite notice after the first one. I can't quite remember any further damage during our fist fight even. It was just pain all over. Might've also been when he was on top of me. That or when he pushed himself sideways to escape my lock or something. I don't really know."

She sighed. "Men and their pointless way of fighting..."

"He forced it though. I legit thought that we'd be fighting for our lives."

She shot me a mad look. "If that wasn't both of you fighting for your lives, I don't wanna see what would it look like if you were."

Her grip to my hand seemed to tighten. I love the warmth but a tight grip still meant pain but I made sure to not let her know or notice that.

"And here I told you to stay safe..." she muttered under her breath.

I squeezed her hand in a pathetically slow and forceless manner. "Sorry. I must've made you worry too much."

"You bet you did!" she scowled.

It took us around two more hours just to get home. By the time we entered, it was almost eleven. She led me to the couch and sat me down.