GUTS

Chapter 2: The boy called Kid

    The boy sigh a sigh of relief before pulling himself out of the stream. He could hear other officers approaching and quickly searched for a good spot to hide. Taking notice of a cellar door to an out-of-use building to his left, he decided to seek cover in there. Swiftly and quietly he lifted the door, slid in and stayed quiet. He began to listen closely for any familiar policeman sounds. As he tensed, he felt something warm and soft beneath his hand.

    "Huh?" He squished the warm fabric lightly, completely confused. All of a sudden he realised he could hear breathing right in his ear, and slowly started to turn before- WHAM!

   The poor boy flew back as a metal pipe was swung into his face. He immediately tried to get up but a  heavy force squashed him back down. As the dust cleared, he could make out a face looming above him  and realised he was being pinned down by someone and could feel cold metal pressing lightly against his windpipe.

    "Who are you?" A deep whispering voice spoke. Kid quickly struck back and kneed him straight in the groin and kicked him onto his back. He swiftly launched on top of the stranger and pinned him down as he had done to him just prior. He sat on his attacker's stomach, one hand pinning his wrists about his head and the other keeping a tight choke-hold on him.

     "Who the hell are you!?" Kid whispered loudly. He looked down at the attacker's face and was stunned. The attacker was a young teenage boy, maybe 17 or so , blonde hair and had tears in his eyes. He looked in pain and... scared and looked nothing at all like a criminal. Kid loosened his grip on his neck and studied him closer. He looked terrified but still ready to fight. He leaned closer and began to sniff him. After being the way he was for so long, Kid could practically smell foul intentions, but he smelled none here. In fact all he smelled was fear and desperation, mixed with some pretty good cologne.

     He leaned back up and studied him a bit more before speaking, noticing the slightly tattered clothes.

   "What happened to you? You don't smell like a shithead.." Kid raised an eyebrow as he spoke. The blonde looked at him, surprised and confused. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.
  
   Kid spoke a bit softer, "Look, I promise I won't hurt you if you don't hurt me. Deal?"

   The blonde spoke quietly. "Okay.."
Kid sighed and let go of his neck and wrists and slinked off of him and onto his knees. The blonde quickly scooted back and rubbed his own throat, massaging the pain away.
  
    Kid looked around, thinking of what to say, before finally looking back at the stranger and coming up with conversation.

    "So.. what happened to you exactly? You definitely aren't a criminal, trust me I would know. A runaway?" Kid spoke casually.
  
   The blonde was obviously still cautious of him but proceeded to respond. He looked down uncomfortabley at his hands and spoke. "It's complicated.."

    Kid cocked his head before sitting criss cross on the cement floor and crossing his arms. "Welp, I've got no where to be. Shoot."

   The stranger looked at him, unable to really see his eyes due to the hood shadowing them. "I'm positive someone framed me."

    Kid nodded, urging him to continue.
 
    "I'm not a criminal, but for some reason I'm being charged for a crime I never committed.." his voice began to crack and tears could be seen swelling up in his eyes. "Now everyone thinks I murdered some guy I've never even met!" He choked back his tears.

   Kid looked at him sympathetically. He felt saddened by this. It reminded him of when he first became a fugitive over something that wasnt his fault. He wanted to reach out and comfort him but he decided it wouldnt be a good idea at the time. Kid nodded his head in understanding

   "Don't worry, I believe you."
 
  The blonde looked at him, disbelief in his eyes. "Y-you don't even know me.."
  
   "I don't have to. I've had something similar happen to me and let's just say I can sorta tell it wasn't you." Kid tried to smile but realised it was no use since he couldn't see under his mask.

   Thinking about it now, he realised it was probably a good thing. He didn't want to scare him away with what was under it. He stuck out his hand in a friendly manner, inviting the other to shake it. The stranger looked at it, unsure, before finally outstretching his own and clasping the other's hand, gently shaking it.
  
   "'Im.. Aj" he gave a nervous smile.
Kid felt the warm hand grasping his own and felt a fuzzy feeling form in his belly. Its been so long since he had friendly human contact, felt human warmth that wasnt gorey. It was... nice. He hadn't realised how long he was holding on and saying nothing until he heard Aj awkwardly coughing. Kid quickly let go and fumbled a bit with his words until he managed to form a coherrant sentence.

   "Oh! Uh yea I'm.. well you can call me Kid" he pointed both thumbs toward himself and laughed awkwardly, his face heating up from embarrassment. The other began to smile, chuckling a bit at his flustered behavior.

      "So.. is there a reason you're in here?" Aj asked. Kid perked up as he suddenly remembered why he was there in the first place. He crawled back to the opening of the cellar and listened carefully. There was no sign of any police activity. Kid let out a sigh of relief.

   "Thank god."

    Aj looked at him, a little sadness evident in his expression. "So.. are you leaving then?"

    Kid turned and looked at him. He felt bad and he honestly didnt want to leave him, he was the first- actually only friend he had in a while.
 
   "Is there anywhere you need to be?" Kid asked

   "No..."

   "Good. You're coming with me then, friend."

    Aj looked at him before smiling  and nodding.