Four - A day of sun

On the city outskirts, I started walking the road and enjoying some sun on my skin. A couple of kilometers away from the capital and you can be dry again.

The road was full of other travelers. Coming and going.

Big transportation vehicles can not get too close to the city. The water just destroys everything. They would approach a certain point where other smaller trucks would would get the cargo. This smaller ones where rain resistant.

Water can go through hard metals with enough time.

The closest train station is some distance away walking. Outside of the rain perimeter.

You can get a transportation from the city gates to the station but I rather walk. It is not that far.

I got rid of my cloak. I can feel the sun on my skin. It reminds me of home.

I hate being wet.

I did not see someone coming desperately running towards me. He hits me and we both fall.

He is on top of me. He is heavy. His arms are toned and thick. He is laying on me trying to recover. We lock eyes. His are dark green and big. His face is pretty. We are about the same age. He reminds me of…

“Roger!”

That name came out of my mouth without me thinking.

The time we stayed on this weird position seemed to not pass. My body is not moving. He is not moving.

Someone screamed in the distance. Enough warning for him to break the moment and stand up fast. He grabbed me and started to pull me outside of the road. My body followed without hesitate. What was going on with me?

We are going deep into the threes. Why? From whom he was running? He abruptly pulled me to hide behind some trunks. He covered us with some leaves and straws. He orders me to not move.

Four people approach. They did not see us. They were angry and breathless. They move past us.

We waited more a few minutes until for sure we were safe. We sat. I remembered how to breath.

I finally spoke: “What is going…”.

He closes my mouth with his hand and shushes me. “Do not scream. They might be near still. Let us go back to the station in silence.”

I obey.

We are under the sunlight again. Trying not to be noticed by anyone.

He said: “Call me Canny”.

“What?” – I am still a little bit dazed by everything.

“My name is Canny” – He repeats. “But my mother would say I am uncanny”.

That smile!

What is going on? What is happening to me? Why am I weird? This is not how I should behave. Clear my mind. Clear my mind. Who is this person?

He gets close to my face.

I stepped back. Why am I so uneasy? Why he makes me so uneasy?

“I do not have a name. What was that? What is going on?” – Words are now properly coming out of my mouth. I formed full sentence.

He smiled.

Brighter than the sun. “I do not believe you do not have a name.”

“Those guys back there they looked dangerous. What did you do?” – I ask.

“I have a thing to get me into trouble sometimes.” – He is still smiling.

“I am sorry. I have to go.” – I try leaving the conversation.

He follows me.

“I am also going to catch the train.” – Says. “The sun is very good today. But it is going go be harsher once I get north to the desert.” – He continues.

He is also going to the desert? Does this mean he will be with me for more time?

I quicken my pace.

He keeps up.

I increase speed.

He increases speed.

I start running.

He starts running.

“Why are we running?” – He cries.

“Why are you following me?”

On the train, he sits next to me.

“I do not know why you were in such a rush. We still had time to catch the train.” – He complains. “What a coincidence that we are going to the same place, right?” – He smiles. “It is so hard this days to make a new friend. I am glad I met you.”

Friend? What did he just called me? I can not understand why I am like this now. It is all his fault. I am not his friend. What is going on?

“What is going on in your head right now, Mr. No Name?”

“What? No!” – Can he read my thoughts? Those big eyes are looking at me. Why some people are this hot? Hot? No, not hot. I do not think he is hot. I meant nice, warm, like a good guy.

“I am going to call you Bruce. You look like a Bruce to me.” – Did he just gave me a name? “You know, Bruce, I have never been north. It is my first time at the desert. I have heard they have not been very friendly with us in the recent years. There are still rebels trying to take back their land from the Capital.”

“That is a good thing! The more we fight back, the faster we can defeat the Capital.” – This words fly out of my mouth.

“So you can talk, huh?”

Wait? what? Why I said that? He could be a spy or someone from the Council. I can not be open about this with anyone. This is dangerous. This could jeopardize the whole mission. I move my hands quietly to grab my knife. I need to get rid of him.

“You also do not like the Capital? So you are a good person after all. But I do not think it is safe to criticize them so open like this. I could be a spy.” - He laughs.

Every time he laughs it is like the sun is also smiling at me. I do not know why, but I trust him. I let my guard down. “If you were a spy, I would already have killed you. You gave me a lot of chances.”

“I trust you too, Bruce. This is going to be a fun trip, man.”