Our Foundations from Decay

Gerards POV 51

Sometimes, my mind goes on autopilot, and I briefly live mindlessly, letting my second nature or subconscious brain-or whatever the fuck it was-take the wheel.

My scuffed sneakers dragged me along the graveled road, walking until my feet decided to stop.

The second Frank asked for space and ran away, my subconscious decided to go in the opposite direction. I guess the moment he said he was leaving me, a switch flipped in my brain, and I was no longer in control.

The rocky footpath shuffled under me, loud crunches following with every step I took. It was long and overgrown with weeds and dandelions-it didn't surprise me; it wasn't exactly a populated spot where we were.

I walked for what must have been a while, passing by three cars in total, old little houses now and again, and an injured bird hobbling on the grass beside me. But I was much too in the clouds to notice-Gerard wasn't present then, no, not me.

A loom of light shone on the road, highlighting all the little details in the cracks of the pavement and the silhouette of the forest around me.

Everything was so dark, yet so light with the moon's aura; I felt complex.

And this is when I somewhat regained my consciousness.

Crap, it's nighttime already.

The weight of the bag on my back suddenly became palpable to me, and I wondered if there was anything in there I could use to help me survive the night.

I pulled my phone out, scrolling through several numbers.

'Bert M'

One contact stood out to me. Why? At the time, I reasoned it was because he was in the area earlier, and there was a chance he was staying here somewhere, and maybe I could crash. But also, I think I wanted a way to get back at Frank, hurt him like he had hurt me.

It was awful, I know, but in the moment, I don't think either of us was thinking clearly.

"Hey, Gee? What's up?"

Bert's voice spoke from the other end of the line.

He picked up.

"Hey, you still in Pennsylvania?" My voice trembled slightly, and I hoped that Bert wouldn't notice. This call was already embarrassing enough as it was.

"Yeah, I'm staying with my uncle. Why??"
His voice bore confusion, but behind that, hope and intrigue.

"Uhh, I need a place to stay for a bit, if that's okay?"

Silence from the other side.

"....I'm on my way."

I was sitting on the curb, amongst the cold grass and piney trees outlined in moonlight when a pair of headlights approached me.

Thank God, I thought as a shiver wracked through my body. I was unsure if I could handle the night temperature too much longer.

"Gee, what the hell happened? And where's Frank?" he asked me as the window rolled down, revealing Bert's unmistakable face, recognizable even in the blinding darkness of the secluded countryside.

"I'll tell you about it on the way," I
sighed.

"So he just left you? In the middle of nowhere?" Bert asked as alcohol poured down his throat, a befuddled face remaining as he downed the liquid.

"Yeah, and I think I'm gonna call him to find him, but not now. I'll just give him some space like he wants."

I shuffled around on Bert's couch with his secondhand booze in my hand, trying to ignore the faint, repetitive snoring coming from his uncle's room.