Achievement Hunter: The Broken

Confiding

Alfredo had taken a walk out to the sap Lindsay had planted only a few months ago. He was sitting underneath what had now grown into a small tree, no taller than Alfredo. He had made it a habit to begin taking walks to talk to Lindsay whenever he needed to talk, which was often. The two hadn't been close, but Alfredo takes comfort in talking to Lindsay, and having someone who'll listen.

He'd been sitting in silence for quite some time now, listening to the wind rustle the leaves behind him. He leaned against the bark of the tree, giving him comfort. He'd been feeling isolated from the others as of late, not being able to fight, not good at building or at farming. "Lindsay...I know that I've been coming out here a lot, but...I'd just...we really need your help...I really need your help..." Alfredo sighs, looking out into the field beyond him. "Michael misses you...a lot. He doesn't say it but...I can tell...he's barely talked since you..." Alfredo takes a deep breath, choking down any tears. "...we can't find Steffie...we haven't heard from her in almost a month now..." Alfredo hugs his knees. "I'm scared, Lindsay...I don't know what to do..."

As another breeze rushes by, Alfredo closes his eyes, focusing on the noise. Focusing on his breathing. He feels tears roll down his face, but doesn't move. He just lets them fall, crying for the first time since everything happened. Since the world turned against all of them.

He hadn't known the others long before it all happened, but in that time they had become like family to him. You think the end of the world would bring everyone closer together, but it only seemed to have torn them apart.

They used to laugh together, they used to have fun. But now it seems like everything they do just causes more tension. He wishes everything could just go back to normal, that he'd wake up and realize this had all been some twisted nightmare...

A loud clap of thunder jolts Alfredo awake. He had no clue how long he'd been out there, or when he had fallen asleep. The sky was completely overcast now, and hot rain was pouring down on him. He jumps to his feet, and begins running back to the house. The rain was clouding Alfredo's vision, and soaking him head to toe, but still he kept running. A bright flash of lightning stops him momentarily, stunning him, but he shook his head and continued running.

He makes it to the door, and slams it open. Everyone was inside and staring at him, wide-eyed.

"Alfredo! Where were you?!" Trevor gasps.
"I'm sorry...I took a walk out to L—"
Geoff stands, "What did we say about going out alone?! You can't do that!"
Alfredo stutters, "I just...I needed to..." I needed to get away from you guys. "...I don't know..."
Geoff sighs and rubs his forehead, "You don't need to go out alone. Take someone with you. Honestly, Alfredo, please just use your head next time. You're stressing me out..."

Alfredo is taken aback. ...I'm stressing you out?! Have any of you assholes even asked how I've felt this entire time! I'm not a child! I don't need to be treated like one! I'm just as upset about Lindsay's death as anyone! I'm just as scared for Steffie as anyone!

Only Alfredo doesn't say that.

He does what everyone expects, and stays silent, keeping every single thought to himself. There's no need to start anything. He sits down on one of the beds, back facing everyone, who were now murmuring about what just happened. Alfredo closes his eyes, not wanting to hear them. He buries his face in the pillow, so they can't see how red his face has become with frustration.

***

Trevor had been worried for Alfredo. Something was clearly bothering him, but he was refusing to say anything. Every time he brought it up to Alfredo, he just shrugged it off, or assured he was fine. Trevor didn't buy it, however. He could tell Alfredo disappearing for extended amounts of time wasn't him just needing to 'stretch his legs'.