Chapter 7 part 2

Samuel

Does Matias really want to forget about all of this? After he told me so much? After I cried in front of him? Even after I let him know pretending it didn't happen isn't what I want?

Samuels thoughts moved at a shockingly slow pace. He got in his car and wanted nothing but to just sit there. He wanted to sit there and do nothing but think. However, Matias could definitely see his car from inside and normal pedestrians were already giving him looks.

He pulled out into the road and drove back to his house. He was still a bit ahead of schedule after he had practically sped down the road everywhere after dropping off Matias. He even showed up at the Coffee shop fifteen minutes before he usually did and even a few minutes before Matias.

The second he reached his house he dragged himself to his bed and plopped down. He couldn't be bothered to change clothes, take his shoes off, or do anything else. He fell asleep there and then. Lying diagonally on top of his blankets. Feet with shoes still on them hanging off the edge.

Some time later

Samuel was still fast asleep when something shook his arm.

"Mmh" Samuel groaned, not bothering to check who or what it was.

His arm shook a bit more aggressively.

"Whaaat" Samuel groaned once again. He had yet to come to his senses and realize that something was in his house and shaking his arm.

"Dude wake up already" a voice spoke from the side of the bed

"It's too early" Samuel mumbled, delusional.

"It's almost 4 pm"

Samuel finally lifted his head and flinched as he realized what was going on. His head whipped up and he flinched again at the person standing there.

"Ya really shouldn't leave your door unlocked like that" The man said while looking down on Samuel

Matias was practically hovering over Samuel who was still lying stomach down in his bed. Matias's arms were crossed over his chest and he was standing with awful posture. His hair was messy and the bags under his eyes had grown immensely.

"You shouldn't barge into people's houses" Samuel sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"I knocked. A lot. I kinda tried the door as a last resort, never thought you'd be dumb enough to leave it unlocked" Matias smirked down at Samuel.

How was he so calm? Just this morning he was seemed so distant and uncomfortable. How could he talk to Samuel so casually while the only thing keeping Samuel calm was the sleepiness that still coursed through his body.

"You wanna talk now? Or are you too tired?" Matias asked referring to this morning when Samuel insisted they talked things out.

Samuel perked up and straightened his posture. It seemed like every ounce of sleep had left his body upon hearing Matias's request.

"I'm fine! We can talk now!" Samuel nearly shouted as he quickly stood up. His leg yelled at him as he put so much sudden pressure on it, but he did nothing but ignore it.

"You woke up awful fast.. let's go" Matias seemed to sigh as he led Samuel to his own couch.

They both sat down on separate cushions, Samuel trying to sit close enough where he felt he could really talk to Matias, but not too close to where they would be touching legs and elbows mid-conversation.

"Why do you want to act like this never happened?" Samuel blurted, not giving Matias the chance to speak first.

"Samuel.." Matias stopped.

His name felt almost unnatural coming from Matias's lips. But Samuel didn't mind it, it was nice in a weird kind of way.

"Samuel we've been fighting for years. We can't just ignore that it ever happened and try to be friends." Matias spoke with emotion coursing through his voice, which Samuel learned was pretty rare for him.

"We don't have to ignore it! You already explained how it all started as a misunderstanding, and I fully believe that you weren't behind any of the other things you were accused of. We can work it out" he pleaded, trying not to sound like he was begging.

"That's the thing Samuel! We've hated each other for years, how can you just forgive me so fast?" Matias raised his voice, but it was clear that he wasn't mad.

"Matias.." Samuel spoke longingly

"I can't forgive you"

Matias looked up at Samuel with eyes that seemed to hold so many and yet no emotions at the same time.

"I can't forgive you, because there's nothing to forgive you for."

The two stared at each other for a moment longer than either of them would like to admit.

"Everything I was upset at you about before it turns out you didn't even do. You never killed anyone and you never intended to start any fights. I believe you when you say that.

A small smile formed on Matias's lips before it quickly faded and his eyes widened.

"no.. that not true." Matias seemed to be breathing more than he was actually talking.

"What? What do you mean?" Samuel felt disappointed as Matias looked away.

Matias's breathing quickened and his fingers began to twitch. Samuel scooted closer in a pathetic attempt to calm him down.

"Hey, hey, it's okay" he spoke swiftly

He wanted to hug Matias until he calmed down. He at least wanted to put a hand on his shoulder. But for some reason his body betrayed him, and he just sat there staring at the man before him.

The mood of the whole room had drastically shifted in a fraction of a second. Samuel wasn't exactly sure what he said wrong, but he cursed himself for saying it.

Matias was now huffing with every ragged breath and his hands were shaking while balled into fists. He was clearly trying to get the whole thing to stop as he avoided Samuels gaze as much as he could.

"Matias it's okay. Whatever it is, it'll be okay. I promise"

Samuel finally worked up an ounce of courage. He held his hand up with his pinky displayed.

"I pinky promise"

Matias looked at Samuels hand, moving only his eyes as his head remained still.

"samuel.." Matias barely managed between breaths.

"Shh, you have to finish the pinky promise. Everything is going to be okay"

Matias stared at Samuels hand, his breathing remaining the same. After a long moment Matias finally raised a trembling hand. He locked his pinky onto Samuels and pulled both of their hands down to the couch.

Matias looked down at the floor trying to hide his face from Samuel.

"Is it okay if I touch you?" Samuel asked when he didn't know what else to say. He had never been in a situation like this and actions seemed easier than words. Matias nodded slowly.

Samuel pulled his pinky away from Matias and put that hand on his back. He scooted even closer to him so their hips were now touching. He used his other hand to grab Matias's.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. For everything" Samuel laid his head on Matias's shoulder.

"no" Matias whispered

"What?" Samuel lifted his head up and looked down at Matias

"It's not.. your fault" Matias spoke through loud breathing. It was a miracle Samuel could understand him.

"thank you" Samuel said softly. He didn't know what else to say. Nothing he had done so far worked and he began to think that Matias just needed space. If anything he was probably making things worse by being there.

"I can leave if you'd like. I could get you some water?" Samuel spoke as he started to pull his hand away from Matias's.

Matias tightened his grip on Samuels hand, which was still weak, and shook his head.

"stay.. please"

Samuel barely heard the words come out of Matias's mouth. He paused for a moment to grasp everything.

"Okay"

Samuel slid his hand to the end of Matias's back and pulled him close. He got a tight, yet comfortable, grip on his hand. From then, they just sat there. Samuel moved his thumb back and forth on Matias's hand and over multiple minutes his breathing had slowed almost back to normal.

"I'm sorry. That was childish" Matias broke the silence and pulled mostly away from Samuel. He tugged at his hand but Samuel wasn't ready to let go of it yet.

"There's nothing to apologize for. It's not childish" Samuel chose to leave out how he was almost certain that was a panic attack and that he should see a doctor.

"I killed a woman last night." Matias looked far away from Samuel and took some surprisingly deep breath's.

Samuel was too shocked to even question what Matias had just said.

"She was trying to kill me. She was on top of me and the other guy was getting a gun. I couldn't think of anything else so I snatched the knife and I killed her."

"Matias that's completely different. If you hadn't done anything she would've killed you, it was just self defense" Samuel spoke slowly.

Matias had his whole head turned away from Samuel, which made Samuel assume he was embarrassed. He tightened his grip on his hand and rubbed his thumb over the back of it. He grabbed Matias's far shoulder and pulled him close once again.

"I could've done something else, she didn't have to die" Matias's voice was weak and his tone was unsteady.

"No Matias, you couldn't have. Maybe now if you went back you could change things, but in that initial moment of panic you never know what your body will do. You did the right thing." Samuel assured.

Matias finally turned his head towards Samuel. They were both silent for a moment as Samuel took in Matias's awful state. His eye bags somehow continued to grow and his lip was once again curled into his mouth has he chewed on it. And for the first time, Samuel was sure of the emotion he saw in Matias's eyes. It was nothing but pure grief and sadness.

"How about we finish the questions another time? You haven't slept in a while and it's been a long day" Samuel suggested, though he silently cursed at the fact that he would have to wait even longer.

"No" Matias shook his head

"I'd rather just do this now, I won't be able to sleep with all of this on my mine anyways"

Matias's voice broke Samuel heart as it wobbled and shook. Never did he think that Matias would allow himself to be so vulnerable around him.

"Okay, but we can stop at anytime. Don't pressure yourself"

Samuel wanted to do whatever made Matias comfortable, but he didn't think that interrogating him would be what he wanted. He had to pause to even remember some of his questions. He tried to pick out one that was pretty easy going.

"Why won't you go to the hospital? You said you didn't want to get caught up in the legal stuff but then said you weren't worried about the paperwork."

A wave of silenced passed.

"If it's money I can take care of it, if it's work I can assure you they wouldn't mind you taking time off" Samuel did his best to assure Matias that it would all be fine.

"It's not that"

"Then what is it? I mean are you just scared or something?" Samuel became desperate.

"What? No- that's ridiculous" Matias shook his head

"I just.. I don't have any identification. I don't have any legal papers or anything to show them. As far as the government is concerned I may not even exist" He finally admitted.

"You don't have anything?" Samuel questioned with a puzzled look on his face. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't that.

"Nope. I've got no birth certificate, licenses, passports, social security. Nothing"

Samuel stared at Matias dumbfounded. How had he gotten this far with no ID or legal papers? How did he get a job? Or a house?

"How did that even happen?" Samuel questioned

"Yknow what, I've got no idea" Matias sat back into the couch, relaxing.

"My guess is that some druggie bitch gave birth at home or something. No hospital involved. She must've not gotten me any papers or anythin cause she was either in trouble with the police, couldn't get to a hospital or police station, or maybe she was just too lazy. I don't really remember anythin til I was probably eight." Matias seemed so casual, but Samuel was freaking out.

"Wait, so you just don't know anything? Nothing about a birth certificate at least?" Samuel asked as if they were running short on time.

"Nope. I just remember some old lady and her asshole husband bringing me home from somewhere" Matias glanced at Samuel.

It seemed that every time Matias would answer one question it would create three more.

"Somewhere?"

"Yep, somewhere. Hell if I know where. I briefly remember a real long car ride. They told me they were gonna take care of me from then on. I don't remember who was takin care of me before"

Matias didn't seem thrown off talking about it at all. He clearly knew this wasn't normal, but he didn't express it. All uncertainty had left his voice and now Samuel was more tense than he was.

"Didn't they try to sort things out though? Why would they just raise an unidentified kid?" Samuel didn't have an ounce of confidence left in his voice.

"Look, I don't know much more than you do. All I remember is some couple taking me home and sayin they were gonna be my new parents. They homeschooled me and doctored me from home. Every time I asked about my real mother or why I couldn't hang out with the other kids I would get punished. That's all I know." Matias looked over to Samuel.

And then it clicked. Samuel also had a brief moment of his life that he couldn't remember. It wasn't as bad at Matias's was, but he was just a normal kid until he lost at least a weeks worth of memory. After that he always felt a bit off. That's when his pretty laid back parents took him out of school and his mother learned health care so he didn't have to go out of the house to a doctor. And that's when he discovered his powers.

"Hello? Earth to Samuel"

Matias snapped his fingers in front of Samuels face. Samuel snapped back to reality with a wave of shock.

"Do you remember how you got your powers?!" Samuel spoke loudly and fast.

"What?" Matias flinched

"Your powers! Do you remember how you got them?" Samuel was more than eager. He was more than desperate.

"Huh- no. No I don't" Matias answered after what Samuel thought was ages.

"That's it! I don't remember getting mine either! I lost memory for at least a week when I was a kid and that's when the powers started!" Samuel shouted enthusiastically.

He had wanted to figure out where his strange powers came for his whole life, and now he was onto something.

"Oh, yeah I guess mine were always there too. From what I can remember at least" Matias was clearly uninterested in what Samuel was saying.

"Don't you want to know where they came from? We can figure out why we're like this!" Samuel was talking loudly and Matias was growing uncomfortable.

"Don't act like your powers have never bothered you before! We can figure it all out now!" Samuel continued his rambling.

"Calm down, this doesn't change much of anything" Matias really didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"I spent years trying to research and find out what's up with this shit, and I bet you did too. Knowing that we both lost memory of it doesn't change anything"

Samuels jaw clenched together and his eyebrows furrowed. He knew Matias was right, but he so badly wanted to know what was wrong with him. He wanted to know what made him have these powers.

"Right." Matias took the silence as Samuel giving up.

"We can't just keep living like this without knowing how it all started" Samuel pleaded

"Of course we can. We've made it this far and everything's great. Except for the constant fighting, which was completely your fault" Matias started chewing on the nails of his free hand.

"Okay it wasn't completely my fault" Samuel protested

Matias shot Samuel a look.

"You fought back! You could've tried to talk to me" Samuel continued to argue

"Typically you don't reason with people who are trying to kill you. If I tried to reason with those people in the alley yesterday I'd be dead" Matias joked

"I wasn't trying to kill you! In fact for multiple months I've just been trying to talk to you!" Samuel got defensive.

"Yeah, yeah, let's not talk about this. Anymore questions?" Matias changed the topic.

"What? We can't just leave it at that!" Samuel argued

Matias dramatically looked at Samuel.

"I haven't slept in over 24 hours, Samuel. Finish with your damn questions" Matias complained, though he didn't really seem annoyed.

"You can go to sleep now if you'd like. We can do this tomorrow" Samuel assured. He suddenly felt bad once again for keeping Matias up for so long.

"Nah it's good. I already told you I won't be able to sleep like this. Plus you've been practically dripping with curiosity since I showed up at your door"

Samuel felt his face heat up and looked downwards. Had he really been that obvious about it?

"Oh yeah, and you should probably clean that blood on your porch before someone calls the cops. Your neighbors don't seem to get out much but they'll notice eventually"

Matias was unbelievably casual, especially considering he was just struggling to breathe not even ten minutes ago. Samuel didn't bother question him about it, but it definitely threw him off how Matias's attitude could change so fast.

"Yeah, I'll do that" Samuel said shyly

"Anyways, interview time. Hit me." Matias changed the topic

"Oh uh.. why do you owe that guy so much money? What was his name? Guzaline?" He asked the first question that came to mind.

"Guzantee" Matias corrected

"And you're really not going to like it"

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Who is y'all's favorite character so far? I'm curious