Fifteenth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

Stop it!  Stop going!  Stop . . . !

There's   . . . There's so much blood, I -- [Lucas breaks off and seems to gasp for breath for a few moments.  He is, in fact, covered with the stuff despite not having exchanged anything at all, having just finished helping NIc.]  The sidewalk . . . Everything . . . Even on the trees.  It's just like when

Comments

[numanstan]

[Hey, look who's completely and utterly fine physically.]

Lucas! Christ... What'd they take?!

[numanstan]

... Good idea.

[He picks up the suitcase, but pauses.]

... Y'gonna be alright, mate?

[a_gentle_boy]

[Lucas hesitates a few seconds, the memory of what he had just been doing suddenly returning. After a little bit, he tries a smile.]

I'll be OK. . . . Sorry to worry you. I guess I just . . . panicked.

[Lucas is slightly ashamed of himself. He hasn't done something like that for a very long time.]

Be careful, Mr. Vince.

[numanstan]

... Y'be careful too, yeah?

[Before he leaves, he ruffles Lucas' hair. It seemed like the appropriate thing to do.]

[a_gentle_boy]

[Vince has blood on his hands now, but Lucas relaxes a little. The blood-smeared child watches for a little while longer as Vince drags his precious suitcase away before turning to run back in the direction he had came.]