Title: What I see
Author: Heero's Soul
Pairings: None
Warnings: Can't think of any
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Disclaimers: Oh what bliss it would be to own them, but I don't (goes to room and cries)
Notes: The Dude's poem is actually the lyrics from the song "Open Your Eyes" by Staind on the CD "Break the Cycle" Can you tell I like music? Also, I made the Dude a lefty simply because I am
What I See
I was walking along the filthy streets of some run-down, poor city of some colony in L2. Despite the climate control, there was a wind that blew bone-chilling air through every fiber of my clothing. I decided to sit on an old, beat-up bench and as I sit I hope it doesn't break under the pressure of my weight. I wrap my coat around my starving body more tightly in an effort to keep what little body heat I have. A paper is on the ground by my feet, headlines reminding the citizens of this wretched place of the 5th anniversary of the Maxwell Church Tragedy. I was 19 at the time; I remember reading about it. I lived on the opposite side of the colony, the side I'm now on.
I give a sigh and look up at the crowded sidewalk across the street from my bench. I feel myself become slightly angry at what I see and I reach for a notepad and pen I carry around. I'm a writer at heart, I write in the chance that one day the generations after me may know of how things were and not take their blessings for granted, that is, if peace is ever attained. I place the pen in my left hand, such a rare thing to be left handed, and I begin to write furiously the thoughts that now flow through my busy mind.
As I walk along these streets
I see a man that walks alone
Distant echo of people's feet
He has no place to call his own
A shot rings out from a roof over head
A crack head asks for changes nearby
An old man lies in an alleyway dead
A little girl lost just stands there and cries
What would you do, if it was you
Would you take everything
For granted like you do
A boy just 13 on the corner for sale
Swallows' his pride for another hit
Overpopulation there's no room in jail
But most of you don't give a shit
That your daughters are porno stars
And your sons sell death to kids
You're so lost in your little worlds
Your little worlds you'll never fix
You turn away
As I walk along the streets
Soaking up the acid rain
Underneath the taxi cabs
I hear the streets cry out in vain
As I look at my work, I realize it's in the form of a poem. It's true, I don't really know what I'm writing until I'm finished. I begin to analyze my words and discover that the man I'm watching that is walking alone with no home is me watching myself. I look up to find two little boys digging in the dead man's pockets in the alleyway, and that lost little girl picked up by a speeding motorcycle. I read on and wonder if I should have mentioned the long braid that boy standing o the corner had, and his powerful, violet eyes. I feel tears stinging in my frozen eyes staring at the spot that amazing boy stood. We all need help, but this war must end first. Hope is wearing thin; who could possibly put an end to this…bullshit?
I quickly wipe my eyes dry and fold the paper with my thoughts and place it in my deep pocket of the gray coat I'm wearing. I stand up and walk over to the corner where the violet-eyed boy had been standing. I look down the street that was earlier hidden from my observing eyes to find the boy sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, staring at something in his hands. I walk over to him and sit down next to his shivering body. I look to find he held a silver crucifix in his tiny palms, which was connected to a silver necklace chain around his neck. He looks up at me innocently, with the secret of no innocence behind his violet orbs. I give a small smile.
"Hi, there. What's your name?" I ask kindly.
The boy looks back at the crucifix "Duo Maxwell" he mumbled.
"You were living in the Maxwell church, weren't you?" I asked, smiling at his surprised face.
"How did you know?" Duo's puberty-stricken voice asked.
"Your last name and that necklace says a lot. I'm sorry for your losses" he looks back at the cross "You look very cold, here, take this" I begin to take my coat off.
"No, no, it's yours, keep it" Duo quickly refuses.
"It doesn't matter to me" I explain, and place my only coat over his bony shoulders. He begins to look uncomfortable and a little worried. "Don't worry" I give an assuring smile "I'm not expecting anything from you, I'm just being friendly."
"Thank you" Duo smiles in relief.
"You've never gone through with it, have you?" I ask bluntly. He jerks his head up to glare at me, then his face softens a bit.
"No, I've only tried a few times for money, but…I can't do it" Duo confessed.
"Don't ever, not even for money. That should only happen if you're in love and they're in love with you and you plan on spending the rest of your lives together" I say seriously.
"That seems like a nice thing, to be in love I mean" Duo smiles.
"Your still young. You should leave this Godforsaken place, just hop on a shuttle and leave" I advise.
"I will, because you told me to, I will. You're nice and you seem wise, you remind me of my friends; there're all dead now. Can I call you my friend? What's your name?" Duo's eyes light up with youthful sparkle.
I smile " Yes, I'll be your friend…" I am cut off by a sharp pain in my back.
My eyes grow wide and I fall forward onto my knees. Duo calls to me, and we both realize I have been shot in the spine. I find myself on my back staring into Duo's beautiful, violet eyes.
"I'm…sorry, Duo. Promise to leave" I plea.
"I promise" Duo whispers, and watches the two gangs that started shooting run away, not claiming responsibility for the life they just took.
I give him an encouraging smile "You're strong, Duo…never change, you will do much…peace will come…" his eyes are blurring, and the color is fading darker.
"What's your name?" Duo repeats, thinking it important to know.
"I…don't have one" not by choice, those were my last words.
Duo stood up from the corpse of the young man, making sure to never forget his kindness. However, he couldn't help but think that once again, somehow, he has killed his only friend.
Duo turns and begins running towards the nearest shuttleport, keeping the warm coat secure around his body.
~Owari~