Chapter Text
Run
Run
Run
That's all he could think as the grass cushioned the impact of his feet. The sun bearing down on his skin didn't make it easier as short, harsh breaths left his mouth.
He wasn’t sure where he was heading; he just knew he had to get away. Away from the evil men and women that poked and prodded at him all day, leaving him alone at the end to deal with the repercussions of their actions.
While he couldn’t recall much about his life before the center, he knew he had a family. A family that cared for him and raised him with love and compassion and was proud to have him as a son, even if he only made them a picture out of macaroni. The memories slowly faded away with time, but he remembered the feeling of being wanted because of who he was, not because of what he could offer.
That feeling alone pushed him to snap and finally escape, yet he didn't plan beyond that and the lack of planning was catching up to him. Still, he pushed forward and only slightly stumbled as he broke through the underbrush that crowded the enormous trees right into what seemed to be a large open spot.
As his feet touched the ground, he could only grimace as the rough texture pressed against the injuries on his feet that he got from the forest floor. But the pitch-black ground was stable with parallel lines of yellow running through it at certain spots that seemed to box in certain spaces. A part of his mind recalled seeing this type of place with the faded memories of his family, but he couldn’t remember what they called it.
However, none of that mattered as his gaze landed on a small, white building. He wasn’t sure where he was, but he knew he needed food and judging by some of the containers that spilled out of the garbage, he could confidently say that this place had some type of food in it.
So, he slowly made his way to the front after learning that the back door was locked. Peeking into the window, he could only make out one figure behind the counter, which made him more comfortable when it came to stealing. Having to deal with only one body was better than dealing with two or more.
Cautiously, he pulled the door open and stepped in, instantly feeling his skin rise on his arms from the cold air that enveloped him.
“Sorry, we’re clo—” The person, a male, behind the counter began to voice but then trailed off when they turned to face him. “Holy shit.” They rushed out from behind the counter over to him. “Are you okay?”
Scared to speak, he could only nod, which didn't ease the worry on the stranger's face.
“Here.” They gently guided him to a table and helped him sit down. “I'll be right back.”
The stranger went behind the counter and into the backroom, where a conversation started to fill the air; however, he was too far to hear what was being said. So, he glanced around the small building that seemed to be a diner from the folded paper that had a list of foods on it.
Plus, the sitting area reminded him of one of the only vivid memories of a small family diner that he went to when he was younger with his family.
After a few minutes, the man came back with a cup and a plate that he was able to see was filled with food when placed in front of him. Though, what the food was, he wasn’t able to say. He had never seen it in the center nor in any memories he still had of his past life.
“Sorry if you don't like pancakes.” So, that was what they were called, he thought as the man took a seat across from him. “It was all we had left to quickly cook up for you.”
Knowing he should show how grateful he was, he slowly grabbed the sharp object the male had provided and cut into the food, trying his best to think back to how those at the center had cut their stuff around him.
The male went to help, but a quick glance up stopped the male, who just nodded and dropped his hands down. After a few more seconds, he was able to get a decent-sized piece on the sharp object and ate it.
Expecting a bland flavor, he was surprised when it turned out to be mildly sweet along with the texture being fluffy and soft.
“You should try it with syrup.” The stranger recommended, handing him a small container with a brown substance in it.
He stared at it for a second, trying to figure out what exactly syrup was, but the man seemed to think he was confused by what to do because he pointed at the pancakes before saying, “Pour it on the top.”
Listening to his advice, he watched as the liquid slithered from the container onto his pancakes, spreading and coating the top one. Once he was sure he couldn’t get any more syrup from the container, he set it aside and picked up the previous utensil he used.
As he cut off another piece, faster than the last time, another person came out from the back room. While he didn’t get a perfect view, busy trying the food, he could see it was another male that had tanned skin and black hair.
“Valtteri, I made the call.” The guy said.
The man across from him—Valtteri, his mind supplied—started to reply, but he couldn’t help but tense up. While he wasn’t sure what a call was, it was obvious that it must have been something important.
Something that could end up with him getting taken back to the facility. Hell, maybe this was a whole trick on him. A way to test just how strong he's become and ways to figure out more precautions that they would have to take to keep him locked away longer.
Valtteri seemed to notice the change in his attitude from the look of concern he gave.
“Hey, kid—” Yet, Valtteri never got to finish his words. Instead, he fell back in shock as the objects on the table flew off the table and the table itself flipped sideways, missing Valtter by an inch or so.
Stunned by what he had done, he stared down at Valtteri in shock until the yelling from the other guy brought him back to reality.
“You could’ve hurt him!”
“Checo, settle.”
But the man, Checo, was right. He did almost hurt someone who had tried to help him, even if it might’ve been an act. Still, he didn’t want to hurt anyone, so he quickly began to run out the door.
Instantly, the heat from the sun attacked him, but he ignored it, along with the yells and pleas for him to come back. Instead, he kept pushing himself until he found himself back in the forest, the one he had just escaped. But while it wasn’t the safest spot, it still provided him more cover than staying outside of it would and it had more things around that would be easier to use against anyone that tried to chase him.
Happy with that logic, he started to make his way through the forest, making sure to walk far from the direction he had come from earlier. And, hey, maybe, if lucky, he'd find a place to settle down and even be able to call it home. But until then, he was going to keep on going onward.
No matter what it cost him.