The Miracle Clinic

Chapter 73 - Abandonment (2)

Marcus stands up in the alleyway and dusts himself off as he looks at the person who just helped him, Hunter Huntingson, the person he once considered his best friend. And the person who bullied him throughout most of middle school.

An awkward silence between the two former friends forms as they stare at each other. Eventually, Hunter breaks the silence by remarking, "You hungry?"

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At a local soup kitchen, Marcus is sitting down at a table with Marcus eating the soup that's just been served to them by volunteers. Marcus blows on his spoon a bit before eating yet it still burns his tongue a little. Hunter just eats it without a care.

"What type of soup is this?" Marcus questions.

"Uh, I don't know. Tomato-something," Hunter remarks.

"Well whatever it is, it's good!" Marcus remarks.

"Yeah well you can thank the volunteer chefs," Hunter says as he points towards the kitchen.

Marcus looks over and to his shock, Cedro Garcia & Mesto-Presto are both there preparing food for the homeless to enjoy.

"Woah, I didn't think they would be here," Marcus murmurs.

"Cedro's been doing this for ages, and from what I heard Mesto stayed at this shelter for a while," Hunter remarks, "So...why were you out on the streets?"

Marcus is silent for a bit before responding, "Parents kicked me out, had no place to go."

Hunter doesn't respond as he finishes his soup, slurps up anything left in the bowl, and stands up. Not wanting to be left behind, Marcus decides to follow him while finishing his soup. As the two walk towards one of the volunteers who's sitting by a fold-up table. Hunter sets his empty bowl down and Marcus, after quickly shoveling the rest into his mouth, does the same. Marcus glances at the volunteer and recognizes him as the boxer Francisco Champion, who also trains Alex.

"We hope you enjoyed the meal!" Francisco remarks.

"It was delicious," Marcus insists.

"You can tell that cook Mesto that he should focus more on his cooking than his skincare routine," Hunter states matter-of-factly.

To that, Francisco chuckles, "I'll let him know you think that. You planning on staying at the shelter for the night?"

"I heard you guys were all booked for the night, have any tents?" Hunter asks.

"Let me check," Francisco says as he leaves.

While waiting, Hunter turns toward Marcus and explains, "Many people donate used tents to shelters so if they ever have to turn people down, they can at least give them that."

Marcus nods as Francisco returns with a tent.

"You stay safe out there," Francisco requests.

"You got it," Hunter says as he and Marcus exit the soup kitchen and enter the streets.

As the two walk down the streets, Marcus looks at Hunter and wonders just what's been going on with him. How does he know about all of this stuff? Is he in a similar situation? If so, for how long? Despite wanting to ask those questions, Marcus decides not to. He's already been through enough trouble in one day, getting on Hunter's bad side is more than what he's bargaining for at the moment.

As they do so, Marcus notices that all around him are other homeless people too. They're out on the street, begging for money, some have signs made from cardboard, and others are walking toward anyone they come across. Marcus feels his pockets.