Once Human

Infinite's Advice

Leaning up against the wall of the Nautical Diner, my first instinct was to reach for the cigarette pack I always had on me and light one. I pulled one out from the box, but I didn't light it. I just stared at it, ever so lightly twiddling it between my fingers. The thought of lighting yet another cigarette in an alley wasn't like myself. I put it back in the box and threw what was left in the dumpster next to me.

Me: F**k smoking. I know it's a problem. I'll try cold turkey for a while. If I can't last, I'll go back with it. It's not supposed to be like this. A broken city that is being rebuilt from the ground up, all because of a powerful foe. It's all bullshit.

???: You do realize I caused all this, right?

I glanced at the voice. Infinite stood not a foot away from me.

Me: Great. It's you.

Infinite: You know we all can change. You don't see that in me, just like I don't see a nicer guy inside you.

Me: Yeah. I guess I think that. What you showed me really was true.

Infinite: Like I would lie about that. Pain is only what you feel. You know that, Right?

Me: Ehh. A little bit.

Infinite: You feel that pain is the only thing that can happen to you. Or me, for that matter. I don't understand why the world hates us, but we can relate a bit.

Me: Bullshit. I'm nothing compared to you.

Infinite: Actually, we're closer than you realize. We're both going through tough times, we've been through so much already, and we can't find our path in life. We try our hardest, yet we end up short.

Me: You're trying to shift my thoughts your way. Although I have to admit, even though I haven't seen it, I believe that we've both been through this.

Infinite: Life is a battle worth fighting for. Do you fight and die, or run away? That's what I always say.

Me: I always stayed and fought. Maybe... maybe now is that time I run. Away from all of this.

Infinite: I don't advise that you have to run from EVERYTHING. I just stated that maybe it's best to get away from all of it.

Me: Where do I go? That's my question.

Infinite: You shall see, soon enough. For now, stay for a while. Get yourself situated.

Me: I don't know. It's just... I've been through all of this and all of that. It's not what I wanted. I moved here a mere two months ago, and already, a lot has happened.

Infinite: Maybe take a day or two to recollect yourself. It'll only be worse if you don't.

Me: I just want to feel like I belong. But, maybe I don't.

Infinite: The truth is a complicated thing to handle. Kind of like a water droplet. You either hold onto it with all of your strength and let go of it when you're ready to, or let it slip through your fingers and into the ground, to be buried under a mountain of lies. Until it is once again unearthed and in the hands of someone else.

Me: That's... actually quite meaningful. Do I keep the knowledge of the truth with me, or do I sweep it under the rug?

Infinite: That is your own path to follow. A great wiseman once said "Only in the darkness can you see stars." Martin Luther King, Jr. He spoke of a better time, where people could live without regrets and racism. He led his fellow African-Americans to a peaceful world, of color and prosperity.

Me: Yeah. Every successful person has at least one good quote from themselves. "Be a first class version of yourself and not a second class version of someone else." I don't remember who said that, but it has meaning.

Infinite: Yes. It is a quote from a great mind. Now then, head on to where you were headed.

Me: I was just planning on staying here.

Infinite: Let me tell you something. You never reach your destiny by staying still, doing nothing. A great mind follows its path. You should do the same.

Me: Infinite. Going from an a$$hole to a somewhat nice guy, I'll take your word on it.

Infinite: I'm not a nice guy, but I'm not a monster, either. As for you...

He slugged me right in the stomach, and I fell on my knees.

Infinite: Consider that as payback for breaking the Phantom Ruby a small amount. You choose where your story begins and ends. I don't control it. You do.

Me: Where do I start now?

Infinite: Regroup with your friends, and they'll help you from there.

I picked myself up off the ground.

Me: Not exactly what I was expecting, but alright.

Infinite: You want to help your brother get his home back, right? So, my first start from here would be to find some work. You're not really a bad guy, and I could even give whoever wants to hire you positive reviews.

Me: I didn't beat you, though.

Infinite: I showed you the truth, and you were there to take it. You had enough determination to stare the ugly truth in the eye. I couldn't compare to that. I destroyed everything I made, and freed every citizen I captured. You showed me that there's strength in good relationships with friends. Me being myself, I never understood what it meant until afterwards. It's not just numbers that make a strong army. It's the bonds that hold together.

Me: Yeah. The stronger the bond, the better the ones who are willing to fight for each other.

Infinite: I'll be here with you. Even though we didn't start off on the right foot, I could see a close friend in you.

Me: But, there is a bond that can become stronger with time.

Infinite: Yeah. Yeah, that works. I think, since we barely have any other people to work with, you and I can help each other out with whatever needs helped with. For now, I did see a Help Wanted sign at the Walmart across town.

Me: Wait, there's a Walmart?

Infinite: Yep. There's always something that belongs to both worlds.

Me: I guess I'll start there. Thanks, Infinite.

Infinite: Don't thank me. Thank yourself. Crazy bastard.

Me: Yeah. Thanks for the compliment, as well.

Infinite: Soo... you ARE going to grab those, right?

Me: Nah. I think I need to leave them behind.

Infinite: You sure? That was, what? Half a pack?

Me: Roughly three-quarters.

Infinite: Wow.

Me: Only used them for stress and all, mostly.

Infinite: That's understandable. Now, go get them.

Me: Sure.