The Outcast-COMPLETED

Part 1

All credits for the cover photo go to Blake Lisk (https://unsplash.com/photos/BxRSlJhFHus) who has a fantastic selection of photos on unsplash.

---

Clutching to the last thread of life, the outcast forced pressure on his gaping wound. Stranded between the crossroads of life and death; he begged to live. Sticky warm blood oozed from him, collecting like shallow puddles of rain. Droplets of fear trickled down the curvatures of his face. Throbbing aches barricaded his chest like a wild beast shaking a cage. Each breath became shorter as he waited for death.

***

Dreary grey skies pelleted droplets of rain on rushing pedestrians as they marched through the city centre. Some wore business suits, others dressed in brightly coloured labelled uniforms. Mothers with prams raced through shallow puddles scattered on concrete pavements. Their children more aware than them caught his eyes with curiosity. Occasionally, he was entertained by a charity worker stopping to give life advice. His reward for listening came in the form of a hot cup of coffee.

Brightly coloured orange and green Halloween decorations dangled in the front of a few nearby shop windows. Bill, a jolly middle-aged man, ran Tasty Goods, a small bakery across the road. Bill's front window displayed rich orange cupcake stands with two smiling pumpkins neatly placed in the corners of the main window. Tonight, was Halloween, the only night where little monsters could play trick and treat. However, tonight wasn't special for the outcast. He would spend it like every other night, shivering in the darkness.

'Ye gonna go get a joab!' a young teenage boy dressed in a navy tracksuit screamed while walking past him.

Silently, avoiding eye contact, he lowered his eyes.

'Ye, herd meh!'

'Excuse me?' a familiar voice said. Bill stood hovering above the homeless man, directly facing the teenage boy.

'Nothin...' the boy escaped leaving a lingering smell of toxic aftershave.

'Are you ok?'

'Fine.' Casually, the man stroked his companion; a light brown beagle with dark marble eyes. Several months ago, he saved Rufus from wandering around the city. After crossing one another's path a few times, they became best friends.

'Who's a clever boy? Yes... you are.' Bill proclaimed while leaning forward stroking Rufus replacing his owner's hand.

'Anyway, I better get back. Opening in half an hour. If you're still around at the closing time-

'I will be,' The outcast interjected.