Broken Paths

Sick

Nezumi returned with all the bags of food. He set them on the counter, pulling out each dish he called out what it was. One by one each person stepped forward to claim their food. The young man in the hoodie didn't came up to Nezumi. He was about to offer him some of his food, when he noticed the person beside mister hoodie slide over half of their dishes to the young man.

Nezumi frowned as he looked to the one who had given the other food. It was an older guy. Maybe he was the kids father? Nezumi shrugged, what did he care. He sunk back to the counter top. Flipping a tray up, he set it up over his legs. Scanning the room he saw that each chair at the three small round tables, was occupied. Each seat on the two long couches had more than what was allotted for it of bodies on it. Nezumi smirked.

It was Friday, valentines day, after all. It was apparent no one really wanted to work today. A frown curved his lips down as his hands worked to open his own lunch. If no one wanted to work, why was it only the science geeks in here with him? He pulled out his phone.

Checking the security system where everyone had to punch in, Nezumi saw that all his staff were on duty. He scrolled through the app, one of these guys had created for him. He could tell where each person was currently working. Mainly because you had to swipe your badge or enter a pin number unique to you, to get into a floor or some rooms in the building. Nezumi smiled.

Happy that his team was doing their job without much direction from him, he lowered the phone. Most of the people were eating, but their eyes were on him. Everyone but mister hoodie. Nezumi tilted his head. Was the kid ill? Is that why he wasn't in school? Hmm, Nezumi loved to figure out puzzles. This one wasn't one he was truly invested in.

"I'm horrible when I'm sick." He stated. Someone snorted.

"So's my husband!" a woman called out. Others chimed in with their agreement. There was laughter all around. Nezumi blew on his noodles.

"Why did you live alone?" Someone else asked. Nezumi shoved a forkful of noodles into his mouth. They were still hot. He hadn't like answering this question, not back then, not now. People nowadays didn't know he lived alone as a teen.

"That's why Shion never saw your parents, right?" the person pressed. "But you would have only been, like fifteen?" They continued while Nezumi slowly chewed through his noodles.

"Yeah." He muttered. He drew in a deep breath. His chest expanding out, he blew out slowly, counting as he let the air slip past his lips. He breathed normally for a few breaths. Then looked up.

Mister hoodie had turned slightly in his seat. He was now facing the only window in the room. Still his back was to Nezumi. Nezumi smirked. He wondered if the kid liked his parents. Maybe he was here due to divorce? That would suck.

"My family was killed in a house fire." Nezumi stated. "I was twelve." He added looking down at the food he was stirring around. "I came home late. See, my parents worked a lot. They were actors. I had just gotten a pretty big role myself." He sighed.

"It was my opening night. I would always take my sister down to watch our parents preform. We grew up at the theater house." He told them. "This night my folks came. They watched me. On opening night there is always a party to kick off the plays season, after the performance. My sister wasn't feeling well, so my parents took her home before the party. They told me I could stay for it. So I did." He sighed again. Turning his head he looked out the window.

They sky beyond it was a calm tranquil blue. Hardly a cloud marred the perfect span of azure. It was the kind of day everyone loved. Sunny, bright love in the air, and all that. Yet, Nezumi only saw the darkness. He had trudged home. His belly filled with all the desserts he was allowed to have. It was late and he was growing tired. His feet stuttered over the broken ground.