Everlasting Consciousness

Cold

Eteocles was asleep, huddled against a tree. His breath creating small clouds in the air. It was early in the morning, birds chirped, and the sun was peeking through the trees highlighting the forest floor.

His eyes slowly fluttered open. He slowly blinked, his eyes still puffy from crying all night. He looked around, events from last night flooding in his mind.

"They hate me.....I would hate me too." he said out loud. His voice hoarse from screaming so much last night.

He was so close to giving up. What purpose did he hold? It surely wasn't to make his parents happy. Hell as far as he knew his parents have just lost a giant burden off their shoulders.

He looked down at himself, taking in his appearance. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty and his arms and legs we cold from just trying to capture some sort of warmth.

It never came, the warmth, the comfort, the security. All he wanted was someone to care about him. Just one.

He wandered out the woods, just walking on the side of a abandoned street. He was unsure of where he was going, but he couldn't stop, he could not go back there.

He wasn't sure how long he walked for but he was sure that with each step he has taken he has taken each one away from his old life. The beatings, the tears, the darkness. It was all ending, he wanted it to end, he would make it end, even if it meant years would pass.

Lucky enough, streets weren't always abandoned, for a car rolled up next to Eteocles. He hugged his body trying to preserve warmth, his teeth chattering in the mean time.

"What's you doing out here, boy?" the man said with honest curiosity. Eteocles took in the man's appearance. His face was scruffy, and his eyes were a deep forest green. He was dressed in a dark red shirt, and a pair of jeans with a hole in the side. He looked to be about in his late twenties and looked to be someone who could appear to be trustworthy.

Eteocles responded " Just enjoying the scenery." The man narrowed his eyes in utter confusion. the boy was no less than 16, and he looked as if death came and rolled him over with a truck. He knew better than to give the boy a hard time, so he came to the only other conclusion.

"You look like you need some food and water, wanna come by my place and re-fuel?" He asked with his eyebrow raised. Eteocles was no fool, he looked at the man, taking in his options.

" If I stay with him, I could be killed" he said to himself.

" But on the other hand, I would be covered with food and water for the next week"

He looked back up to the man, seeing him impatiently tap his finger on the edge of the window.

" I can easily take this generous offer back kid." He said while looking at his wrist, even though nothing was there.

"Fine, fine.....I will go with you....but only for a night and that is all" He said with a sigh of defeat.

The man smirked, knowing the boy wouldn't turn down his favor. He would be stupid not to, he wouldn't last one second out here on his turf alone.

The man waved his hand, signaling for him to get in. Eteocles got in, and was immediately grateful for the man. The food and water would save his life, something he desperately needs to keep.

" What's your name kid?" the man asked casually.

"Eteocles" Eteocles responded back with a shrug.

He was not use to conversing with someone for so long. He felt as if his mouth was used for only one thing....screaming.

" The name is Jeremiah" Jeremiah said as he look at Eteocles out of the corner of his eye.

They rode down the street in utter silence, the occasional glance being thrown between the two.