I can't escape this now (unless you show me how) TODDBLACK - NOT ME THE SERIES

5 - The faint idea of peace

As the sun sank lower, the cityscape underwent a captivating transformation. The once bustling streets are bathed in a golden glow, casting a warm embrace upon the lively markets and busy intersections.

Black roamed restlessly around, no specific place to go, but he kept moving.

As he walked down one of the less busier alleyways, his mind drifted back to the meeting. Todd looked a lot better than when he last saw him. The once vivid shades of purples and blues had faded into subtle tinges of yellow and green.

These faded marks, now like whispers of the past, blended into the surrounding complexion, gradually becoming less prominent with each passing day. Black's signature was fainting and soon it would be like it was never there.

The swelling that once distorted the facial features had noticeably subsided, allowing the contours to regain their natural shape.

They faced each other, but the warmth that used to exist between them had vanished. Instead, their conversation turned cold, filled with indirect jabs and hurtful comments.

He felt a jumble of anger, pain, and a deep longing for what they used to have. He couldn't help but wonder how things had gotten so bad. The laughter they once shared and the unspoken connection they cherished had somehow transformed into something bitter and agonising. Over and over he asked himself: How did it all come to this?

A weight sat heavy on Black's chest as he replayed the encounter. Each word and gesture etched painfully in his mind.

You are so wrong.

Was he? If there was anything more important to Todd than money and power, wouldn't he be willing to give them up just like Black did? It wasn't easy for Black either. The first few months were especially tough. Suddenly he had to take care of himself and couldn't count on his mother or her staff for support.

Countless times he was at Todd's couch because he spent his money and did not have enough for a proper meal. Todd was always there. Giving him a sofa to sleep on, food to fill his stomach with, alcohol to drown his sorrows in, an ear to chew off and a shoulder to cry on.

And not to mention all the times Todd nurtured his wounds after he got into a fight with the others.

In those moments, Todd stood unwaveringly by his side. Time and time again, he extended his hand, ensuring that his friend never had to face these hardships alone.

So how could he just abandon him now? How could Black leave him? How could he not at least try and make him see how things really were? He deserved at least an attempt to help him see the truth and understand. Black owed him that much.

"And what about you, huh? Pretending to be so high and mighty, but look at where it's led you! Your so-called friends hate your ass and your brother has taken your place. You're left with nowhere to turn."

The mere memory of those words churned his stomach.

His initial reaction was fueled by hurt and frustration, causing him to lash out in a fit of rage. However, the realisation dawned upon him only hours later that his anger had stemmed from a place of deep-seated insecurity. He became aware of the truth in Todd's words and understood why they had hurt him so much.

He's right.

Who was he fooling? He had no place to go, and he had brought it upon himself. White had invited him to stay, to come back, to visit them. He had refused. He had left. And now he found himself wallowing here, feeling sorry for himself.

"One day, you'll come to understand that we're no different. Two sides of the same coin. And until that day comes, we'll continue hurting each other.