💟Let it Be💟(Clausten) -OLD-

Number One is Fun

One-

It was a quiet afternoon, which was good cause we barely had quiet afternoons anymore. I looked over at my friend Ness who was leaned against the bus seat with a blank expression. I watched the light of the sun reflecting across his eyes. I then turned to my other side and saw a woman carrying her child, and a tall man with a hat and a large coat next to her. The baby looked like it was shivering, it didn't have a blanket. I sighed standing up in my seat and moving to the woman. She was shorter than me thinner too, which was sad, I could probably wrap my hand around her wrist and it still fall through. I came upon her and she looked up shaking,"P-Please don't hurt me-" she whimpered when I raised my hand to quiet her. I removed my thin jacket and sighed handing it to her,"For the baby," I murmured. The woman blinked the tears from her eyes,"Oh bless your soul...," she breathed as I left to reclaim my seat. I made sure to throw a glare in the man's direction. I sat down and Ness looked over,"Nice work," he praised tiredly. I nodded adjusting the scarf around my neck,"Yeah, well that guy wasn't going to help her," I stated. Ness sighed,"People just don't seem to care anymore." And after that we rode in silence...

We got off at our stop I cringed as the dirty air filled my lungs once more. I covered my mouth and nose to prevent anymore bad air from getting into my throat. Ness placed a hand on my shoulder,"It's only gonna get worse you know?"
"What, the asthma or the air?" I wheezed laughing a little as Ness flicked the hat atop my head. "The air smart-ass." he hummed with a warm look. I chuckled a little more at that,"Whatever." I said as we continued to walk down the rough gravel path. I looked up at the gloomy and dark buildings that littered around our city. I heard the tinkling of change against a can looking over to see a lonely man sitting on the sidewalk. I would've added to his collection, but I had no coins of my own. "I can't believe this used to be Onett..." I hear Ness carry a depressed tone. I turned my attention to the boy, his face was drooped and sinking as he looked around his once beloved town. I frowned too, I remember Onett before this happened...those bright days now seemed like a fairy tale in a worn book. "Ever since that menace 'Porky' came into power it's been nothing but misery for everyone who has enough dignity to not eat out of his palm!" Ness kicked the dirt his face twisting in anger. Now was not the time for another breakdown. I wrapped an arm around his shoulders leading him on, his shoulders were still tensed, and his eyes darted around like bullets, but at least he was quiet now. After we made the climb we reached his house. It was tattered a little, but it was paradise compared to the way the other houses looked. We walked inside,"Mom the boys are home!" I hear Tracy yell. Ness walked to his Mother as she came out from the kitchen. I looked around for mine seeing her peacefully asleep on the couch with my sisters. "She hasn't gotten sleep in the past few days, it's best we leave her alone," Ness' Mother chimed. I nodded in agreement before letting out a cough,"Are you alright dear?" I nodded while coughing again,"I'll be...fine," I breathed after the fit was over. "You know that asthma is going to put you on a disadvantage in survival," Tracy said with a smile. I froze for a moment not knowing what to say,"Now who told you a thing like that!?" Ness asked a defensive tone in his voice. I swallowed as I watch them go on. "My teacher, he said that the weak ones are gonna be picked off first when the Army comes."
"That's nonsense!" Ness retorted,"Ninten isn't a weakling." Tracy only shook her head,"My teacher says people with health issues are liability to the family, and that they should be taken care of....he said he already took care of his own daughter to save her. Maybe Ninten can get saved too!" My body felt cold, so cold in fact that I leaned against the wall and I could feel my heartbeat slowing down I closed my eyes hearing Ness and Tracy's voices melt and being replaced by others. Death is always something that has scared me, so any time it's mentioned I just... My breathing quickened dramatically and I heard a cry sound my name. I let out a blood curdling scream my knees hitting the soft and dirty carpet I covered my ears and screeched once more. I felt hands touching me from all over, grabbing at me with their icy claws,"LeAvE mE aLoNE!" my voice sounds distorted. And then as quickly as everything had come, it all went away. I was in the arms of my Mother she was holding me tightly. My heart wrenched, I'd woken her... "Ninten...Ninten my boy?" she murmured softly into my ears as the cold feeling faded. I realized I had my nails digging into her sides so I let go letting her cradle me as best as she could,"Mom...," I whimpered as she carried me to the couch. She sat down with me stroking my hair,"Shhh...it'll get better soon," she cooed lulling me to sleep. I closed my eyes realizing just now how much sleep I hadn't got recently...