Courageous Compassion | Illinois x Reader |

Introductions

We both continued to walk through these dusted hallways. I still had my arms crossed, following the other person and maybe the only in this temple. We walked in silence, only the sound of our shoes against the rock below could be heard.

I looked at Illinois in front of me. He had a very sassy walk. His hands were on his hips, one foot in front of the other, and applying pressure to get that sway in the hips. I scoffed softly and I turned the other way to see the etching in the walls. I was curious as a person and I wanted to stop and admire them. But I didn't want to spend more time in this place with this person.

My thoughts eventually went to Mark. I sighed because I didn't know where he was. Him and I were childhood friends and maybe friends for more years. He was always there to watch my back from every angle. College, memories, financial problems, bad times, everything you could think of. And in return, I did the same.

I lived a good childhood. You know, when a man and a woman love each other very much, they decide to start a family. And they did. Out came me. I know they loved me when I came into life. They tell me mostly every day. We lived in a happy city with a happy neighborhood with a decent school. I lived in a urban pioneer neighborhood with a very big front yard.

We had a family pet. He was a Bernese Mountain Dog named Archie. Emphasis on the 'had'. He passed away when our house got broken in. What a brave dog. He tried to warn us by barking. Dad heard him downstairs and he woke Mom up and Dad went downstairs while Mom went into my room. Although I couldn't see them, I could hear. I could hear there was two people in the house. I heard growling and grunting downstairs. Then I heard a sudden whimper, but they were still grunting and fighting.

I didn't noticed but Mom called the police while we were in my room, hiding in my closet. I could hear sirens outside and the blue and red lights through the blinds of my window. They bust opened the door and they broke them apart.

We both ran downstairs to Dad. He had minor injuries but overall fine. However, I couldn't say the same for Archie. I saw him on the living room carpet, stained in his blood. I remember how shallow his breathing was. He was trying to stay strong for me while I held his head on my lap, his paw in my hand. I saw that he was stabbed in the stomach, losing too much blood. We tried to help him, but he didn't make it. Of course, I was devastated.

We made a grave for him in the cemetery 5 minutes away North out of this town. Our family and some of my friends, including Mark, joined. We all admired of how he sacrificed his life in order to keep us safe.

When we came home, I told my parents that I'm going to do some things to help get my mind off of that day. They understood and let me be. Although, they didn't know what I did. And I never came clean. I sneaked out to just go on a little walk.

It started to sprinkle a little and I listened to music while walking through the gloomy day. I guess I passed Mark's house and he came out beside me. I told him of how Archie was a good boy. We took shelter under a tree and I let out my emotions. He comforted me in all ways possible. Saying he always had my back and will never let me go. He held out his pinkie finger for me. This was a little kids trick and we're going into high school. But it never gets old.

And from there on, we worked together. Both in school work and through family problems. We never took interest in parties and thought they were a waste of time. Just a time to become stupid and wasted and then BING BANG BOOM someone gets pregnant in school.

I never took a liking to Mark. I only saw him as a friend and I liked that he understood my boundaries. And then, we grew up together and here we are.

Now coming back into reality, I'm not sure if I'm able to go on without him. I'm still in college only two semesters in. I need 2 left and it breaks my heart that I may or may not be able to see him again.

I sighed as I stopped for a bit to catch a breath. Illinois heard my footsteps were done and he turned around. I looked up at him and I could see a small smirk forming. I scoffed away as I started to walk again. This time, going a little past him.

My pace started to get slow and then we both were walking side by side.

[Illinois] You know, I never got your name. May I ask what it is?

I didn't take one peek at him. I moved a tuft of my hair away from my face before speaking.

[Y/N] It's...uhm...it's (nickname).
[Illinois] That's your full name.

I sighed and I rolled my eyes.

[Y/N] No. My full name is (Y/N) (Middle or Nickname) (L/N). But I like to go with (nickname).
[Illinois] I like that. Sounds daring.

I scoffed as looked away from him.

[Y/N] How 'bout you? You look like a doppelgänger of that movie 'Indiana Jones.' What's the deal with that?
[Illinois] People day that a lot. I'm used to it, but it started to get annoying. I told many people I'm not a doppelgänger of him, but they don't believe me.
[Y/N] Sad.

I chuckled a small bit, proceeding to dive my hands into my pockets.

[Illinois] I would like to know you better.

I became confused a bit.

[Y/N] How so?
[Illinois] Tell me about your life.

I cleared my life before telling him what I have thought about earlier.

-

After telling him, he told his life to me. To be honest, I wasn't really if listening. But I do remember him saying that he traveled from place to place, doesn't stick to one, associates he made along the way, he is a archeologist that teaches young adults.

He never talked about his parents or family at all which left me a bit curious. And I do everything to settled that. But I have to pick subtle moves in order for him to confess.

There were times in his story telling that I chuckled to a little bit. He did have a sense of humor and a bit of sarcasm which I appreciated. But I know I can't trust him now. We have just met and the first impressions this guy gave me made me feel that my trust is going to be non existent for a while.

. . .