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The moment he set a foot in the building, he could feel several gazes lingering on his skin. Everyone stared at him—it was too overwhelming, but it felt so good at the same time. Everyone was acknowledging his suffering at this very moment he could bathe in forever. He didn’t stop walking down the corridor. Whispers started to increase, sending him spiraling.
Please.
There were crowds surrounding him.
Please… someone.
It was getting louder, a repetitive string of laughter started to prick at his ears making them drop in embarrassment and humiliation. What was he even hoping for? Now everyone knew, there was no going back—He was done forever in this place. He rapidly turned around with the intention to head back but all he saw were endless droplets of blood already smeared on the floor by crowds passing by, minding their own business, not paying the slightest attention to him literally bleeding out.
He froze. Not only was it impossible for him to pass through them, but also he didn't know where else to go so as not to suffer again. He just wanted it to end—the longing for someone, the countless failed attempts for a change, the constant fear of humiliation. He was over it.
“Hey, it’s dangerous to walk like that y’know?” Someone suddenly approached him and grabbed his bleeding hand in his own and spoke to him. He was so out of it he genuinely couldn’t tell if the words spoken to him were to mock him or they came out of pure empathy.
“…Huh?”
“Do you have any first aid kit with you?”
The person kept talking to him, asking questions, but the words felt so unreal. They sounded genuine, but he couldn’t believe it, it was so long since someone held him. He knew he ought to give a response, but with each passing moment his throat was tightening more and more. He shook his head in disapproval.
“C’mon, there’s a pharmacy nearby, let’s go.”
The person put their arm around his back and guided him to the exit. He felt the dying laughter as they were leaving the building. As they stepped outside, he immediately felt a cold breeze brush against his exposed arms. During normal circumstances, a short sleeve in the middle of the winter would be the last thing he came up with.
“Here, have my jacket.” The person didn’t wait for him to take it, he just… put it onto him, without giving him a room to decline.
The person didn’t ask any questions, but he on the other hand wanted to know the answer to way too many. Aren’t you cold? Will the stains come off of it? Won’t you be late for the class? Is it alright if you cover the first aid kit? But no words were spoken.
“Wait at the bench, I will be right back.” The person pointed for the nearest bench and headed right away to the pharmacy, leaving him all alone again. He missed his presence already, but he also needed at least a moment to settle himself down. He sat down, feeling the frozen wood under his legs, but it was nothing compared to the stinging ache in his arms. He let out an exhausted breath, feeling a relief after suppressing it for the longest time. A vapor followed forming from the cold air. He felt so many mixed emotions at once that he struggled to name them. He was elated but also petrified. What if the person leaves him again after and the loneliness will come ten times stronger and more suffocating. Oh there was no way out of it wasn’t there?
“I’m back!” He lifted his head to see him holding a hydrogen peroxide and plenty of bandages. He set his bag on the bench and pulled a pair of scissors out of it. He sat down, unpacked the supplies, and gestured with his hand for him to give his own. He shakily lent himself to him and then he got to work. He just emotionlessly watched the other treat the wounds one after another. He still remained speechless, swallowed by a shock. His breath again stuck like a lump in his throat. The whole process seemed to stretch endlessly, like the time was mocking him for what he had done. But after a while, he started to get content and got used to it. Seeing as his wounds were getting cleaned and covered one by one made him calm down. He was safe, at least for the moment.
“What’s your name?” The person let himself do the talking again as he saw the other’s chest slowing down. He was adding final touches to his work in a form of a knot more similar to a shape of a ribbon.
“Sh-Sha…dow.”
“Shadow huh, a nice one.”
“My name’s Sonic, pleasure to meet you.”
Shadow only weakly nodded in response, feeling exhaustion already consuming him after running his mouth barely once.
“Done!” Sonic let go of his hand, Shadow missed his gentle touch already. He admired the other’s work, there were at least several layers of bandages just to make sure they wouldn’t leak.
“Here have the rest, remember to change them regularly so you won’t catch an infection.” Sonic handed him a few remaining roles of bandages and the bottle.
“Are you coming back to school?” Shadow shook his head in disapproval yet again, his eyes were already dropping by the ongoing questions, but he didn’t mind them at all, in fact, he treasured every single moment of it.
“I see, I will be heading back, mandatory classes are calling.” Sonic spun on his heel and turned his back to Shadow. Shadow knew if he didn't face him now, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
“W-Why did you help me?”
Sonic stood still for a couple of seconds, as if he was choosing correct words.
“I just did what I wished to be done for me for the longest time.” He stated, but Shadow felt like it wasn’t all what he meant to say, giving he took another breath shortly after, like he was in a rush to explain himself further.
“But I never had enough strength to do the same to anyone else. Ironic isn’t it? It honestly made me feel like a hypocrite.” He giggled weakly, scratching at his neck, feeling a guilt eating him up.
“Maybe I helped you to feel better with myself, or maybe I wanted you to feel better, I don’t really know.”
“But you helped me take a step forward, Shadow, and I’m grateful for that, I mean it.” Shadow sat there bewildered. He… managed to help someone?
“Ah, look how much stuff you got out of me with just a simple question like that. I get so talkative with the right people. Just don’t tell anyone, okay?” Sonic peered at him furtively the last time and started walking towards the building.
Maybe Shadow hasn't realized that yet, but both of them took a big step forward today.