Death Stranding: Higgs

Chapter Forty-Four: Tears Of Kali

-Sam's POV- Higgs has reached the next major city. I do not need the tracker to tell me so. I watch from a distance as Higgs enters the city. Even from here, I can tell he looks tired.
Despite the fact that this city is bigger, not many people reside in it anymore.

I suppose the bombing of Middle Knot City was enough to make people run into hiding. My men had orchestrated that attack without my consent, leading me to be angry at them moments before I met Higgs and held him hostage overnight months ago. Has it already been that long?

Against better judgement, I follow Higgs from a distance. Since my Cuff Link has long since been incinerated, the scanners built into the city borders don't detect me at all. It's like I'm a ghost.

The people of Bridges know that I am still alive, but they cannot control me. I'm not some puppet they have authority over anymore.
I watch Higgs enter one of the smaller buildings with the pedestal. To my surprise, I see him take off the metal necklace. Looks like only he can touch it.

I must have made a sound, because Higgs suddenly jumps and turns around. His fearful gaze locks onto mine and I freeze up. He looks scared, then bewildered, and then finally....overjoyed?
"Sam!" He runs up and hugs me before I can respond. Once contact is made, I notice that he smells clean.

God, I must smell so bad....
I nearly stumble back, but hug him back reluctantly.
"What are you doing here?" He asks with a laugh, letting me go as my arms fall to my sides.
"Hey..." He scans me over now that he is closer.
"You okay, Sammy? You look like a mess." Jesus, he sounds so....worried and innocent.
I can't confront him about this. He looks like he genuinely cares. That should be a enough to tell me that Amelie lied.

I say nothing, looking away as a mascara line runs down my cheek. I wince as he suddenly grabs my hand firmly. I snap my gaze back to him in shock as more tears flow down. "Come with me," He murmurs, his southern accent light.

I don't fight back, just let Higgs lead me to his Private Room as thunder rolls in from the mountains. We hear the thunder getting closer even from the safety of the room. Even though all of the rooms look the same, I still feel an odd sense of nostalgia hit me.

He plugs Nava into the wall and I see her nod off.
"Sam, did you hear me?" His voice cuts into my train of thought, making me jump slightly.
"I-I'm sorry?" I stammer.
"I said are you okay? You look like you haven't gotten any proper rest." He smiles sadly.
I snort out a laugh at the audacity of Higgs being so worried. "When did you become my mother?" I joke, kicking off my boots.

"You look worn slap out, Sam. 'Am just concerned, that's all." Yep, he's definitely got some southern blood in him. "I assume 'worn slap out' is slang for exhaustion?" I guess, 'eyebrow' raised in confusion.
Now it's Higgs' turn to laugh. "Now you're getting it. C'mon," He motions to the shower. "You best get in there. Looks like you haven't showered in a long time."

I blink in surprise. "You're....letting me use your shower...? Just because."
"Yup." He smiles. "Don't worry, I won't peek once you undress." He jabs me playfully as he walks past.
"Besides, Heartman gave me a book to read. I'll be busy doin' that." He pulls the book out of his bag and hands it to me.

The black hardcover book is heavy in my arms. "He said he can't read much of it anyways. He has a heart condition, heart stops every twenty or so minutes, then he's on his beach for three minutes. Lookin' for his family, he said. Poor fella."
I'm only half listening, since I've never met Heartman in person. I probably never will.

"Wisdom of the Egyptians." I read the title.
"Pretty cool, huh?" He says as I hand it back to him.
"It is," I say, taking my gloves off and tossing them on his bed. "I'll try to be quick with the shower."
Higgs smiles gently. "Take your time, Sam. There is no need to rush."

I watch him sit in bed and open the book, humming softly to himself. I turn away and take my clothing off, my skin getting goosebumps at the chilled room. I quickly step into the shower and turn the water on. Over the splashing of water hitting my skin, I hear Higgs still humming. The tune is familiar.

I mutter the lyrics to myself, knowing he can't really hear me. "When you're over, I feel so weightless.
And when we kiss, I can't explain.
This superhuman.
But the truth is,
You've got me hypnotized.
I'm feeling so obsessed with you.
You left me paralyzed.
And now I'm stuck.
You've got me stuck...."
(Paralyzed by Mystery Skulls.)
****
After what feels like a long shower, I step out with a towel wrapped around my waist. My hair is a dripping wet mess, but at least I'm clean.

"Here," Higgs looks up and tosses me a comb. He then quickly focuses back on the book, a faint blush on his cheeks. I chuckle, murmuring a thank you, and walking over to his mirror.
My reflection is slightly distorted in the foggy glass, but still clear enough that I can make out my features.

My blue eyes are bloodshot and rimmed with sleep deprivation and/or running mascara. I can't really tell which. The symbols on my forehead still remain, since I got them tattooed on there.
From the reflection, I see Higgs get up and take off his Porter uniform, revealing the grey tank top he always wears.

Even though the tank top is covered a majority of his back, I still see the scars on the back of his neck where the fabric can't reach.
"Ow. Ow!" I turn around to see Higgs cringe as he removes his gloves. To my horror, I see the tips of his fingers are badly frost bitten.
He looks down at his hands with a worried and scared gaze.

I rush over as he begins to hyperventilate. "Higgs. Higgs, look at me." I force his face to meet mine. "We can fix this, okay? Do you trust me?"
He nods, tears in his eyes.
I cup his hands in mine and blow on them. He lets out a pained gasp and I feel his fingers curl up.
"Do you have any medicine on you? An antibiotic?"
"Yeah. In my bag." His voice is shaky.
I let go of his hands and dig through his bag, quickly finding the pills.

I make him take two and then run his fingers under warm water from the sink. "How do you know so much about treating frostbite?" He asks.
"I've had frostbite before. Toes turned black and I had to rip my toenails out. Couldn't walk right for weeks. You're lucky we caught this early. You could have lost your fingers if it spread."

As Higgs calms down, I put my uniform back on, but leave the gloves and boots off. I sit next to him in bed and he leans against me. He still looks tired.
"Sleep." I comment gently. "I'll be here when you wake up."
He smiles, giggling like he's drunk. "Thank you..." he whispers, falling asleep while slumped against me. I smile, gently getting up and laying him down in bed. I toss a blanket over him and sit on the floor, leaning against the display case with weapons and uniforms.

Once Higgs is fully asleep, I cry to myself softly, pulling my knees to my chest and letting my emotions spill out. "He...really does enjoy my company...Oh, Troy...."