My, Dear Me

Prologue - Doubt Arises

It was a busy day, but I finally got out. Due to the curfew, the streets started to empty out and the city grew quieter. On normal days, the famous Paulista Avenue would be bustling with lights and life. Now, all that could be seen was a dark scene surrounded by gray buildings, and a high-pitched wind passing through the constructions, turning it all into a horror movie setting.

Normally, there is an entrance to the Consolação metro station on Paulista Avenue that connects with the Paulista station on the yellow line 4, which is located on Consolação Avenue. Yes, I know, it's confusing. However, today that entrance was closed, so I had to walk a little further to the main entrance.

On the way, something caught my attention. I was walking quickly, but as I crossed the streets that intersected Paulista, I had the impression of seeing a familiar face. But I wouldn't stop; that time was somewhat dangerous and with fewer people on the street, it would be worse.

I kept walking, with that weird feeling that I should have stopped back there. What if it was someone I really knew? Maybe they needed help. However, if it wasn't someone I knew, I would be in trouble.

I stopped, took a deep breath, and turned back. I don't know why.

I arrived at the street that looked more like an alley because of the poor lighting; it was so dark that I could barely see the end. He was right there. Sitting alone, with his hair all messed up, his clothes slightly disheveled, and his backpack by his side. I struggled a lot with myself to believe what I was seeing, and I only became sure after getting much closer. It was him. - Luan? - I asked, but he didn't move.

I got closer, and the smell of alcohol came like a stab. It was horrible. I put my hand on his forehead, and he seemed warmer than normal. I also noticed his breathing, which seemed controlled. He was alive, just a little messed up.

Nearby, a strong light with several laughs and loud voices stood out as the only point of light in that place. It was a bar that, for starters, shouldn't even be open given the quarantine phase we were in. But I ignored that fact for a moment.

Luan? Can you hear me? Are you okay?

Uh... Who... Who are you? - he answered all drooling. Great. At this stage of my life, the last thing I expected was to deal with a drunk person. I hated drinks and their effect even more. However, the way he was, he could stay there until dawn, and who knows what could happen to him.

I rolled my eyes, took a deep breath, and made my decision. I would leave him there to learn not to be stupid - haha if only I had that courage. I got closer to him, mentally covering my nose to ignore the smell of alcohol, and tried to lift him up. He was lighter than I thought at first.

Struggling with all my might against myself, I put his arm around my neck and held onto his waist to steady his body. He was stronger than he appeared through his apparent thinness.

I found his cell phone in his backpack. "Come on, let it be digital, please," I thought, and fortunately it was. Point for us. With some difficulty, I managed to put his fingerprint on the phone to unlock it.

I had no idea where Luan lived, but I had a plan: nowadays, everyone should have used Uber at least once in their life, and probably to go back home, so the address would be saved. The plan worked, and within minutes we were already in the car. Yes, I decided to accompany him, and the driver obviously frowned since the smell of alcohol was really strong, but it didn't stop us from getting in.

Luan seemed lucid, but he was quiet with his head resting on the seat. He was very quiet now, but at a certain moment he mentioned that we were already arriving, which somehow scared me. He was somehow aware of everything, despite being visibly drunk.