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Ever since he could remember Rudo could see people who had already died. They would linger around and typically attach themselves to a person they knew, someone that was interesting, or their murderer.
He didn’t mind them. The worst they could do was talk his ear off, but oftentimes they did respect him when he wanted to be left alone. He’d always see them floating or phasing through walls and tried to do the same when he was younger.
Of course he couldn’t and Regto, the man who adopted him, had found it curious while explaining to Rudo about gravity and physics even when he was just a child.
It also didn’t take long for Regto to learn about what he called Rudo’s imaginary friends. It irritated Rudo because he was positive they weren’t made up, though Regto never seemed convinced. However he didn’t put him down for talking about them and even asked how they were.
When Rudo turned ten he noticed a lot more ghosts were starting to linger around The City. He’d watch from behind the wall separating the tribes from the city as all sorts of ghosts wearing white and gold hovered around and observed life as it went on.
It really didn’t help that he now had a persistent ghost that refused to leave his side.
“You know they all live fake lives, right?” The annoying ghost said.
Rudo looked up to the spirit beside him who called himself Alto. He glared at him hard. “At least they get to eat all the food they want.”
“True.” Alto crossed his arms. “One of the few benefits of living like that.”
Rudo didn’t care. He walked through Alto and back home, trying to ignore him as he kept speaking.
“Listen I know you’re still mad at me, but I can help you sneak some food! We can all stand guard while you go in and out. You have to try cake.”
Rudo didn’t even glance at the ghost as he kept walking, avoiding people and spirits on the streets. It was only polite even if he could walk through them.
“Back to the silent treatment, huh? I can start to lecture you then since you can’t tune me out.” Alto was grinning as he said that.
Rudo shot him a murderous glare. Alto hasn’t left him alone for two weeks now. He just showed up randomly and has yet to leave.
But Rudo knew damn well who he was.
“I’m trying to atone!" Alto moved in front of Rudo and winced. “Rudo! Damnit, stop ignoring me.”
Rudo pushed open the door to his and Regto’s place and went straight for a spray bottle that had some diluted salt in it. It was only a temporary ward but it was a threat nonetheless.
“Don’t you dare-!”
He didn’t hesitate to spray it on him. Rudo sighed when Alto vanished and set it down, rubbing his face with his gloves.
“Another one bothering you?” Regto asked from the kitchen where he was making them dinner. “Which one is it now?”
“The annoying one.” Rudo grumbled out and walked over to Regto. “Do you need help?”
“Nah, it’s almost done.” Regto ruffled his hair softly. “Does the new ghost have a name?”
“Yeah but if I acknowledge him he will seriously never leave.” Rudo said angrily, genuinely pissed off.
Seriously, who the hell did Alto think he was? Regto had told him months ago his birth fathers name was Alto. Even if he hadn't, just looking at the ghost would tell him all he had to know.
It was his fucking fault everyone in the city and tribes hates him! They said Alto had murdered all of those people years ago and he was acting like everything was fine.
“Glaring at the food will make it taste worse.” Regto chastised him lightly. “Can you go set the table for us?”
Rudo nodded and cleared it off of books and scraps, set out some utensils, then grabbed two bowls and returned to Regto.
While Rudo ate he listened to Regto talk about his day, chores to do, and plans they had to do later. Rudo was trying to pay attention, he was, but somehow Alto returned earlier than he assumed he would.
“Do that again I dare you!” Alto said while Regto was talking to him about sweeping the floors. “How many times do I have to tell you I didn’t kill anyone! If I had, why aren’t all those people's ghosts fighting me?”
Rudo took a bite of soup as his attention was now split both ways.
“-getting some flour too, but it’s getting cold. Rudo?” Regto waved a hand. “You’re zoning out again kid. Are they talking over me again?”
Rudo nodded and looked down to his bowl of food. He was always honest with Regto about everything, and even if he tried to lie Regto would figure it out.
He couldn’t help but feel very amused when he watched Regto chastise the air about talking over him. Seeing Alto look annoyed, irritated, but guilty was hilarious.
“So he shuts up for you but not me.. Great.” Rudo dragged his spoon around the bowl. “I’ll sweep and shit. You sound like you’ll be busy tomorrow.”
“Oh so you were listening?” Regto teased him lightly with a grin. “Yep. It will be just you and your friends here.”
Rudo made a sour face. “They aren’t my friends. Especially not you.” He turned to Alto when he said that. To his credit, Alto didn’t speak up and just kept his distance though he was watching.
Regto pinched the bridge of his nose. “Rudo, I don’t care who it is, you need to be respectful to everyone. You can’t get into fights. I don’t want the Apostles to find any reason to throw you in prison or worse.”
“You should listen to him.” Alto finally said, holding his hands up defensively when Rudo shot him a glare.
“Yeah, be nice to the assholes who hate me with every fiber of their being.” Rudo scoffed and got up, putting his bowl in the sink and walking away to sit on the couch. It pissed him off that he had to sit there and take the words, stares, and harassment. If he even lifted a finger then he was under threat of being hauled off even though they’ve done worse to him!
He distracted himself by grabbing a screwdriver and taking apart a remote and putting it back together a few times until his anger faded enough to not instantly lash out if someone spoke to him.
Rudo felt Regto sit across from him on the couch and flip through his book to read. He chose to ignore him as he screwed the remote back together again.
“You should tell him to be careful with that book. He should keep it hidden.” Alto said earnestly which made Rudo pause.
He sighed and turned to Regto, his eyes landing on the old book. “The ghost says to keep that hidden.” The look Regto gave him made him a bit nervous. He turned his attention back to the remote but didn’t want to tinker with it anymore.
Rudo didn’t like the tension in the room. While he kept his eyes on what he was doing which was now taking apart a pen, he noticed Regto had grabbed the spray bottle and was spritzing the air. It very much pissed Alto off.
“--do?”
Rudo’s head hurt so much. His whole body, actually.
“Rudo?!”
He groaned, his muscles aching. What the fuck was going on? Rudo slowly opened his eyes and his world instantly felt dizzy.
What the hell was wrong with the sky?
“Rudo!”
He saw Regto come into view, but Rudo had to blink a few times as his mind and thoughts came back to him rapidly.
He could see through his dad.
Regto was crouched beside him and looked incredibly worried. “Okay, good you’re awake. Take some slow breaths okay?”
Rudo kept staring at him in shock. He remembered what happened now. How someone had killed his dad and he was sent into the pit.
“Am I dead?” Rudo looked down at himself. He had to be dead too.
“No.” Regto said this with relief. He was glad Rudo had survived, even though he had not. “Just keep calm, okay? You’re safe.”
Rudo was not safe. He was literally in hell and Regto had died. He pushed up off the trash under him to stand up despite feeling lightweight and looked around.
Mountains of trash. The smell was horrific too. Rudo couldn’t care less about that right now as he could see a lot of ghosts all around him. It wasn’t just Regto.
“And you’re sure I’m not dead?” Rudo had to be sure. This didn’t feel real.
“Yes.” Regto stood up and clearly shot a look to the random lingering ghosts around him to give him space. “You were out for quite a while, so I got some information from them. You’re fine, just don’t make a lot of noise here.”
Great. This was just fine.
Rudo wanted to cry, scream, laugh, and sleep all at once. He did none of those and just started to walk where they were guiding him. “So where the hell are we and what is going on?”
“The ground,” Regto sighed softly. “And you’re in the middle of a trash field. I haven’t left your side but apparently there are towns and people.”
“Fantasitc.” Rudo said sarcastically and stepped on a loose piece of something, falling forward and landing on the trash. The realization of everything was hitting him hard and Rudo could barely pull himself up by his arms.
“I’m going to kill that bastard who murdered you.” Rudo grit out.
“Please don’t.” Regto spoke lightly. “Won’t they haunt you forever then? I fear that’s.. Not a great outcome.”
Rudo shot Regto a glare. “I don’t care. Plus you didn’t even believe me this whole time!”
Regto looked apologetic. “Rudo this isn’t the time or place for that. We need to get you to safety first.”
Rudo grabbed a random metal pole and used it to help him stand. “Fine.” He kept following them for a while though in the distance he noticed some trash moving around like it was alive. Luckily they never came near him. Or maybe the ghosts knew where to guide him to avoid that.
He sure as hell didn’t want to run into them.
It was way too quiet. Rudo glanced at the ghosts following him, then to Regto. “Are.. you okay?” He couldn’t imagine how terrifying it must be for Regto too.
“Just worried about you. You’re getting too tired though, I can see it in how you hold yourself. Sit down and take a break.”
Rudo was exhausted but he felt like if he stopped then he’d die. Still, he sat down on a random broken down air conditioner and looked off into the distance to see one of those beasts suddenly turn to ash and drop down into a pile on the ground.
He saw a bright beam of light appear out of nowhere and strike down another. Then a third. Rudo gave a worried glance to Regto who didn’t seem worried, though he was concerned.
“Do you know what those things are?”
Regto looked over to where the trash beasts had been. “Alto briefed me on a few things before leaving very quickly.”
Rudo blinked, then looked around. “He– That FUCK FACE!” He balled his fists tightly. Of course Alto would do some stupid shit like that and leave them alone!
“Rudo.. you never told me it was Alto who’s been following you around.” Regto sighed softly.
“Why would I?” Rudo snapped. “I wanted him to leave me alone.” He suddenly froze when a shadow loomed over him. He slowly looked up to see a gigantic trash beast walking towards him after having just emerged from the ground.
“Rudo, don’t make a noise or move.” Regto said firmly as the ground shifted, the beast's massive hands slamming into the trash as it stepped right over Rudo and towards the fight happening far away.
Rudo held his breath and glared at the beast as it didn’t seem to notice him at all. When he wasn’t under it he slowly breathed in. “You said there were towns and shit, right?” Rudo whispered to which Regto nodded.
“According to what Alto and the other ghosts said at least.”
Rudo fidgeted with his gloves. “So are we waiting on him? Do I have to listen to him? He’s really frustrating."
“Even in these circumstances you’re still such a brat.” Regto said lightly with a small smile. “Considering he damn well knows more than me about what’s going on, yes. Plus you need to rest.”
Like hell Rudo was about to rest in the middle of a landfill that smelled like shit. He watched as that bright beam took down the trash beast that had walked over him.
He should probably avoid that.
“Hey, he’s awake!” Alto’s voice came from nowhere.
Rudo snapped around to see Alto standing nearby with a pleased expression on his face. “Why the hell did you leave, you asshole?” “Hey, hey, calm down! Regto was watching over you. I had to figure out where we were, and guess what, I know now! I can take you to the nearest town!” Alto said with his arms on his hips as if he had completely fixed everything.
Rudo hated his attitude. Ever since he showed up he’s felt off. Plus it was obvious Regto at least knew him somehow from before. “I swear to god if you both don’t tell me everything soon I will find a more permanent spray for you.” He pointed at Alto.
Alto held up his hands defensively. “Okay, okay! Let's get you somewhere safe and settled first. Can you walk?”
“Of course I can!” Rudo snapped and pushed himself up, holding onto the pipe like a cane. He was fine now but would hold onto it just in case. “Where are we going?”
“Depends. Do you want to go to town or that guy over there?”
Regto sighed again and looked over Alto. “I am beginning to understand why Rudo had gotten irritated more often since ‘the annoying ghost’ showed up.”
“I’m trying to help!” Alto hissed and turned to Rudo. “I know that guy over there, he’s trustworthy! He has a car and can get you to town way faster. If you don’t, you’ll be walking for at least a day and a half.”
Rudo must have shown his despair because both Regto and Alto looked worried before Regto gave Alto a look. “Are you serious?” “I mean, you’ll be fine! Let's head for Enjin, alright? He’s been the guy taking out trash beasts over there.” Alto explained quickly, trying to backtrack slightly before Rudo could panic more.
“I swear to god..” Rudo grumbled under his breath and started walking where he had seen those beasts be taken out. Walking for hours did not sound ideal at all, but meeting someone else worried him too.
In the distance he could see a tan dot perched up on a spiral of trash. Rudo damn well knew he was looking at him. It probably didn’t help he was wearing spherite clothing which stuck out like a sore thumb in the brown wasteland.
“Alto, I don’t know if I like this for Rudo.” Regto said lowly, glancing over at the other. “He’s in a completely new world. And it doesn’t help what’s going on behind us.”
Rudo looked behind him to see a lot of the wasteland ghosts were following him, though at a distance. They were curious about him. He gripped the pipe harder.
He survived that fall somehow, so he’d just have to keep pressing on. Find somewhere to live, get a job and food, and he’d be set.
..but then what?
“Living spherites don’t, ah, happen.” Alto explained. “Oh, and they call the City the sphere. Or heaven.” He shrugged.
“Fucking fantastic. Thanks.” Rudo said sarcastically. His eyes snapped forward when he saw the guy wearing a longer coat and a full head mask walking over to him. “Ah, he kept it. Damnit.” Alto mumbled to himself.
Rudo didn’t have time to reply as Enjin tilted his head at him. It was creepy as hell with his crossed out eyes and smile on the mask. He glared at him.
“Rudo, seriously, be polite. We need him to take you to town.” Regto explained quickly.
A few other landfill ghosts were lingering around Enjin, clearly having been drawn to him. Enjin scoffed. “A living spherite, huh?”
Rudo didn’t have time to react when he felt the wind knocked out of his lungs and his arms pinned behind his back as a rope was tied around him. Then he was being dragged.
“Alto, what the hell?!” Regto yelled at him for Rudo.
“HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW HE’D BE LIKE THIS?!” Alto yelled back as they had to rush to keep up with Rudo with how fast Enjin was walking.
Rudo kicked and squirmed hard. The rope hurt and dug into his skin. He managed to stand up at least and had to jog to make sure he didn’t get pulled again. “Why the fuck did you do that, you asshole?!” Rudo yelled at him, wincing when Enjin yanked the ropes.
He didn’t say anything though.
One random ghost beside him moved over to Rudo. “A lot of people detest spherites.. He intends to sell you for cash.”
“HE WHAT?!” Rudo yelled out and dug his feet into the ground, trying to fight against Enjin. “Let me go, asshole!” He saw the earth filling his vision as he was tugged town. Rudo slammed into the trash and dirt hard enough to make him nose bleed and head spin.
“God, you’re a fighter.” Enjin grumbled and tugged the rope again. “Don’t make me knock ya out.”
Rudo stood up again and spat blood on him. “Fuck you, asshole.”
Rudo tried to dodge the umbrella but failed as it connected with his head.
..
Everything hurt like hell. Again. Rudo’s vision was blurry. He couldn’t move his arms as they were pinned up. Rudo looked to the side to see he was bound in chains. Faintly, he could hear two people arguing while several others were talking.
Rudo looked forward to see Regto and Alto being the ones loudly yelling while he saw a bunch of random guys discussing what to do.
“Oh, he’s awake.” One said, grinning as he leaned forward to mock Rudo.
Rudo tried to pay attention to what he was saying but he was more focused on Regto and Alto as they finally looked at him.
“Rudo! God, kid, stop pissing people off at least for one day! I need you to listen to me, okay? Your gloves, put all your trust in them. They are gonna be your weapon.”
“What..?” Rudo mumbled. The guy in front of him looked ticked off to all hell. He couldn't be bothered.
“Pretend to punch but with just the energy in your gloves.” Alto explained.
Rudo reached out and gripped the chains hard. He felt a well of unfamiliar but not unwelcome energy appear out of nowhere as red and black flames coated the chains, ripping them off the truck he was inside of and growing spikes.
Rudo inhaled slowly as he realized he was free, just for a moment, then swung at the nearest guy. He didn’t care he was attacking in a blind rage, he needed to get rid of them then run off.
“Rudo!” Regto called out, making him snap out of it. He was holding a tire above someone. Rudo dropped it on them and turned to look at Regto. “Don’t go overboard. You got them all.”
Rudo looked around to see all of the guys who had been lingering around were on the ground unable to move. He felt the energy from the chain vanish as it turned to dust.
Rudo turned to Alto with a murderous glare. “That asshole Enjin didn’t help like you said he would.”
“I knew him when he was your age and only briefly! I didn’t think he would do this to you, I’m serious.” Alto defended himself, genuinely upset. “He’s still nearby too so be careful–”
Too late.
Rudo could see him land and walk over to him, tapping his umbrella.
“Hell no, fuck off!” Rudo looked around for a weapon and grabbed the tire from before. “I said fuck off asshole!” Rudo repeated when Enjin had just kept walking over.
He stopped a few feet away and took off his mask, looking down at Rudo. “How’d you know my name?”
Shit, he heard that? Didn’t matter. Rudo threw the tire at him and turned around, running as fast as possible away from him as he could. “Alto, where is that town?” “Miles away. You can steal that truck, I can teach you to drive.”
Rudo felt the hair on his arms prickly as a well of energy appeared beside him, intentionally missing.
If those blasts could take out trash beasts then they could easily kill him. He kept running and clambered into the truck. “What do I do?”
“Pop open–” Alto didn’t get to finish his sentence as the truck shook from an attack. “--Okay new plan, get out and knock him out.”
“YOU WANT ME TO FIGHT THAT CRAZY ASSHOLE?!” Rudo yelled as he clambered over part of the car to get out of the passenger seat.
Rudo wheezed when something heavy slammed into him. He winced when he looked up to see Enjin standing on him with one foot. “Kid, stop fighting. You aren’t gonna win.”
“Fuck. You.” Rudo grabbed his shoe that wasn’t on him and poured his energy into it, activating it. He watched the leather grow and shift into a heavy boot that kept Enjin stuck in place. Rudo rolled out from under him and pushed himself up. Just before he could make a run for it he felt Enjin grab his hood and hold him there.
“Do you think I’m stupid or easy to deal with?” Enjin snapped, now sounding genuinely irritated. “How the hell did you activate my shoe?”
“Cus you’re trash!” Rudo snapped at him, trying to reach out and yank his grip off, then attempting to bite.
“You don’t make this shit easy.”
“YOU TRIED TO SELL ME TO TRAFFICKERS!” Rudo managed to kick him in the gut properly.
“Damn kid, I wasn’t gonna let them take you!” Enjin hissed out with a wince. “Stop fighting me, ow!”
Rudo slowly stopped then glared at him. “You want me to trust you after the shit you pulled?”
Enjin sighed softly and let go of Rudo, letting him completely free. “You’re gonna die out here. I needed a reason to get rid of these idiots with a cause. Attacking them unprovoked with no crime to report gets me in a shitton of trouble.” He then pointed at Rudo. “I wasn’t expecting ya to take them out!”
“THAT’S SO STUPID!” Rudo hissed out. “You used me like bait!”
“I was gonna fill ya in but you kept fightin’ me! I didn’t mean to knock ya out. Thought you’d sleep the whole time, I’d get my evidence, rescue you, and be on our way.”
Alto stood beside Enjin. “He is telling the truth.”
Rudo groaned. “You’re horrible. Do you promise to take me to town?”
“I already was.” Enjin then motioned to his boot. “Can you deactivate this?”
Rudo had forgotten about it. He did so, then snorted when his shoe vanished into nothing.
Enjin looked annoyed but said nothing as he walked him to his own car, now with only one shoe. “It would be a good idea for you to take that outfit off. We can sell it for a shit ton and if ya wear it you’ll be a target.”
Rudo looked down at his attire, off white city clothes with gold accents. It still had some blood on it. Maybe from Regto. Maybe from himself. He slid just the top part off for now and buckled up, sending another glare to Enjin. “If you try anything I will activate your car.”
“Then we will both be stranded and have to walk.” Enjin said a bit smugly, damn well knowing he couldn’t do that. “What’s your name anyway? And how did ya know mine?”
“Rudo, and fuck you.” Rudo snapped out, refusing to tell him. He could hear Regto sigh and mumble something about manners to the one person they were depending on not to kill him right now.
So Rudo mutter out a ‘whatever’ as a feeble apology and looked out of the window. Just before they left he saw a lot of those landfill ghosts watching them.
“Won’t be too long of a drive.” Enjin said. “So.. from the sphere, hm?”
Rudo didn’t respond to him. In fact he sent him another glare.
“Alright, not fond of small talk.” Enjin turned on the radio and said nothing for the rest of the drive.
Nearly thirty minutes later Rudo saw a huge dome in the distance. They drove through a tunnel and Rudo got out the second the car stopped. Just before he could run off Enjin grabbed his shirt. “You don’t know anything about this town.” He yanked the spherite hoodie from his hands. “I’ll sell this and give you some of the money.” Oh, Rudo hated this man with a burning passion. “Asshole! That’s mine.”
“And I’m helping ya. Gas money, food, and whatever else.” He then pointed at the car. “Stay here or don’t. I’ll be back with money.”
And then he was gone.
Rudo groaned and walked back to the car and sat on the ground beside it. What did he do to deserve all of this? Regto died just hours ago, then he was sent to hell, and now all of this?
“We really should wait on him.” Regto said softly, sitting beside Rudo. “Even if he only gives you half that’s still some money.”
“I hate him.” Rudo grumbled out.
“Ya hate Enjin?” A new voice said, sounding a lot older. “Lottsa people do, you ain’t special.”
Rudo looked up to see an older person with a bald head staring at him with an almost crazed look. They were a ghost though. “Do you know him?”
“Know? Ha! I practically had to raise him. He’s been a brat since this one brought him to me.” She motioned to Alto, who looked conflicted.
“Is there a reason he gave Rudo to traffickers then? Also, what is your name?” Regto asked, trying to stay polite while gathering information.
“Alice. Was a doctor here for decades. Enjin’s always off doin’ his own thing, but I’m sure he was just trying to get rid of those guys.” She walked over to Rudo. “May I?” Rudo didn’t know what she was asking for. Despite her attitude and his nervousness, he nodded.
She crouched down and looked over his arms. Rudo had some rope burn, blooming bruises, and a few cuts. “You’re quite malnourished. Ya need to eat better.”
Rudo tensed up at that and glared at her. Didn’t he eat fine? Regto always made them whatever they could find. She was insulting him in a way, even without meaning to.
He looked down when a bag landed at his feet with a clunk. Rudo picked it up and it felt heavy with coins.
“Your payment.” Enjin said and tapped his umbrella. “You want me to take you somewhere to eat, or are you gonna run off?”
Rudo didn’t like him but he also didn’t like the idea of eating alone either. He looked at Alice, a silent as if he decided not to go with would she show him around.
“Kid, he’s trust worthy, I promise. He goes around adoptin’ strays all the time!”
Strays? Rudo wasn’t a stray. He still had Regto. Rudo looked back at Enjin. “Fine but you’re paying.”
“Damn you’re stingy.” Enjin teased. “Come on then.” He walked down some streets to a random burger joint and ordered a quick burger and fries. When the order was ready he set it in front of Rudo and crossed his arms, sitting across from him.
Rudo didn’t hesitate as he grabbed what looked like a whole feast in front of him and bit into it like it would vanish in seconds.
“Whoa, slow down!” Alto said shocked. “It isn’t going anywhere.” Rudo didn’t respond as he only chew a few times, swallowed, then bit into it again, scarfing it down as fast as he could. Distantly he could hear Regto and Alice talking nearby, but far enough that it was hard to listen to.
“You really shouldn’t try to live here without knowing things.” Enjin said, tapping his own arm in thought. “Plus you’ll need an income and some place to sleep. You can work with us.” Rudo swallowed another bite down and coughed hard from how dry it was. He shot Enjin a glare. “I don’t give a shit if you ‘rescued’ me or if you’re trustworthy, I’m not being enticed. I’ll figure this shit out on my own.”
Enjin’s eyebrow raised though he was far more interested than anything at Rudo’s confidence. He watched the kid shovel the fries into his mouth once the burger was consumed. “People aren’t kind to givers, let alone spherites.”
The food was gone. Rudo was licking the salty grease off of his gloves. “Givers?”
“Yeah, your gloves.” He motioned to them. “You can activate them. Just like me with my umbrella.”
Rudo looked to it and scowled softly. He looked behind Enjin to see a taller looking guy with a cap grinning at him.
“Yo! You can see me? Names Gob, Enjin’s best friend. Or, uh, previous.” Gob said, moving to stand beside the table.
“Rudo, don’t answer him. Enjin’s still here.” Alto said and looked at Gob. “What happened to Enjin? Last I saw he was a scrawny kid I rescued from the landfill.”
Enjin was talking again. Rudo couldn’t hear him with how several conversations were going on at once so he covered his ears and winced. Damnit this was overwhelming.
He heard Alice yell something loudly then it got quiet.
“You ok kid?” Enjin asked.
Rudo looked up at him with a glare. “If I leave are you gonna bother me?”
Enjin shrugged. “Whatever you wanna do. Good luck out there if so.”
Rudo took his coin bag and left quickly. He didn’t know where he was going but he just wanted to find somewhere away from everyone and everything.
“Wait! Do you even know where you’re going?” Alto called out.
“Do you?” Rudo snapped back. “You’ve been no help!”
“He was offering you a job, Rudo! Several ghosts are vouching for him and-” “I. don’t. care.” Rudo said lowly, motioning to his forearms where deep red rope burns were now showing. Every movement hurt and stung on top of his other wounds and scarred hands. “He tied me up, knocked me out, and gave me to traffickers! I don’t care if he is actually good or whatever, he’s an asshole.”
“You should stop talking.” A new ghost said from nearby.
Rudo snapped his mouth closed and looked over to see a taller man wearing a big flat cone shaped hat glaring down at him. He was used to scary looking ghosts and knew they couldn’t do anything, but it still unnerved him.
Rudo gripped his coin bag harder and turned to Regto for any help.
“I’m sorry kid, I don’t know anything about down here. It may be best to stick with Enjin.” Regto said quietly, not sure what the best outcome for Rudo would be.
“Enjin?” The other ghost spoke up, crossing his arms. “What did that idiot do to him?” They pointed to Rudo but were looking at Alto and Regto which meant he still did not want Rudo to talk.
Alto started talking to him, but Rudo was focused on the person he was staring at. They were staring at him and holding some type of staff with a confused and mildly irritated expression.
“I see.” The ghost sighed. “Of course Enjin did that. He is a damn fool.” They turned to Rudo. “You may not survive alone living as you think you will. Going with him is the safe bet. He took in my brother despite his.. Attitude as well.”
Rudo glared softly at him then looked at the person who was nearby.
“Hey kid,” The new teen greeted. “Enjin sent me to find ya.”
Of course he did.
“Tell me, why do you like that guy?” Rudo said bitterly. “He hauled me in ropes to traffickers and then tried to butter me up in the worst way possible.”
The person sighed softly, clearly annoyed but not at Rudo. “That damn fool. He’s an idiot but does mean well. We don’t wanna see a kid runnin’ around if we can help-” “I’m not a kid.” Rudo snapped. “And I don’t want your help.” “Rudo!” Regto chastised. “Rudo, please. Take their help. You’re exhausted and hurt and we need to figure out what’s going on.” A pause. “Please.”
Zanka’s eyebrow twitched with annoyance. He inhaled, trying to keep his cool.
“My little brother’s got a fiery temper if ya piss him off enough.” The ghost who had yet to introduce himself said. “You have my word that it will be alright. Plus they have lots of food.”
“We want to help you. If it bothers you, it won’t be free. We are in dire need of more Givers to help us take out trash beasts. We’ve had a lot of casualties over the years.” Zanka explained.
Rudo balled his fists up. Fine. It’s not like he had a choice anyway. “Alright.” He was trying to keep his anger in check, just frustrated from everything that happened and still reeling from it all. “Who are you?” When he asked that he glanced to the other ghost.
“Name’s Zanka.” Zanka said, and a second later the ghost spoke up. “Goka, but do not say it.”
Rudo nodded a bit. “Rudo.” He unclenched his hands and followed Zanka back to Enjin’s car. He was not surprised to see a lot of ghosts lingering around there. Alice was chastising Gob about something while a few others he didn’t recognize were floating around.
Enjin was smoking near the car and looked surprised to see Rudo. “Decided to join us after all?”
Rudo shot him a stern glare. “Zanka said you’d pay me double if I did.”
“I– the hell?! I didn’t say that!” Zanka gripped his staff hard.
“It’s fine.” Enjin stood up and pulled out his car keys. “We will get it all squared away soon. Come on.”
The car ride had been silent except the ghosts chatting away. Apparently there was a girl in the back that Regto asked about, but considering she didn’t make herself known Rudo didn’t want to bring her up.
When they arrived Rudo got out and glanced at everyone. First was Enjin who was strolling inside with Zanka close behind. Goka was following Zanka, but all the others lingered around Rudo which only included Regto, Alto, and Alice.
“I’m only here ‘cus I’m visiting my family.” Alice explained. “You should go see my granddaughter so she can take care of those wounds.”
Great, another thing he had to do. Rudo walked in after Zanka and froze.
There were more ghosts in here, and clearly expecting him too. The only other human he saw was a woman behind a desk staring at him as if he was made of glass.
Rudo tried not to look at the other ghosts but they were curious about him. He could see another woman, a male teen, and a smaller child at a glance.
“This is the giver you found, Enjin?” The woman questioned, eyeing Rudo as if he needed to be studied. “Come here.”
Rudo felt like he should obey her and stepped forward. Behind him he could hear his dad greeting the other ghosts to learn from them.
She reached up and touched her glasses, activating them and staring at Rudo. “Hm.” She looked off behind him. “You have two ghosts following you around, Rudo.” What? Wait, of course she knew his name. He was more surprised she could see them.
The ghostly lady wearing a uniform walked behind the desk and smiled at Rudo warmly, waving her hand. “Semiu can’t actually see us. Regto just told us you can though, that’s cool!”
Semiu gave Rudo a look and turned around to see behind her. She looked back at Rudo with a curious look. “Your eyes dart around a lot, you know.”
“Uh,” Rudo tensed up. “A lot is going on.”
“Hm.” She looked back at Enjin. “We will have a chat about how you handled this later. Zanka,” She glanced at him. “Find Rudo a room please.”
Zanka nodded and went to walk up some stairs with Rudo following behind him. He felt weird since neither Alto or Regto came with him, but Goka was there at least.
“So..” Zanka glanced down at his pants. “A sphereite?"
“Before you respond, please do not piss him off.” Goka said. “Most detest those who live in the sky.”
Rudo tensed up and shot him a glare. He knew that but it still sucked. “Yeah.” Rudo rubbed his own arms a bit. “It fucking sucks up there.”
Zanka didn’t respond as he opened a door for Rudo. “This is your room. Keep it clean, but it is yours. If you need something, just say so.”
Rudo stepped inside and it was so quiet. The room was rather barren with the essentials, but he could tell they were someone else's. He walked over to the bed and sat down, then flinched when he saw the kid before standing in front of him.
“Shit, you’re quiet.” Rudo stared at him before kicking off his shoes and flopping on the bed. He looked over at the kid again. “Is.. this place really nice? It’s hard to believe that.”
The small ghost nodded proudly then gave him a thumbs up.
Huh. A ghost that didn’t talk was new. Not that he minded. Rudo felt the weight of the day catching up to him and found himself falling into the worst sleep of his life.
Rudo tiredly opened his eyes. His sleep hadn’t been restful at all since he was still on high alert. He looked up to see Regto sitting beside him staring down at him.
He reached out and tried to touch him, then winced when his hand went through,
Right. It hadn’t even been a full day yet, had it?
“I’ve been keeping watch over you.” Regto said and tried to pat his head, giving a sad smile when he realized he couldn’t. “You can go back to sleep. I’ll wake you up if anything happens.”
Rudo pushed himself up and shook his head. He didn’t want to sleep as tempting as that sounded. “What all did you learn?” He glanced to the side to see the female ghost from before sitting nearby with a small patient smile, not wanting to interrupt them.
“A lot. It is good we got you here, they are trustworthy.” Regto said to quickly tell Rudo a brief overview. “Whats on your mind?”
Rudo stared at him. Everything and nothing was. He had hundreds of questions but couldn’t think of one. If Regto was alright with this situation then he could trust that. Even Alto wouldn’t let him stay here if it was bad.
He looked over to the other ghost in his room. “Who are you?”
Regto sighed softly. “Rudo, manners.” He turned to her. “Like I said before Rudo is not very good with being polite. He is asking you your name.”
They chuckled softly and got up, walking over to Rudo. “Name’s Tomme. I was a supporter and died the most recently out of everyone here.” She stopped to stand in front of him. “You dad’s been boasting about you the whole time.”
Rudo groaned and flipped Regto off. Of course Regto would find a way to embarrass him even when deceased. “Just kill me.”
“Rudo!” Regto chastised. “Dead or not I will haunt you till you improve your manners.”
Rudo slowly sat up and rubbed his face, then looked over at Tomme. “Who was that kid earlier? The one who’s quiet?”
“That’s Dear.” Tomme said rather sadly, her smile dropping. “His father, Bro, blames himself for being unable to protect him during a trash beast attack. We were all devistated.” She swallowed a bit. “Every death hurts, really.”
Rudo stared at his gloves, not sure what to say. He could tell everyone cared about one another here, but a kid that young..?
“On another topic, I’m very curious about you!” Tomme changed the subject quickly. “How can you see and hear us? How long? Regto wouldn’t tell me, but he told us stories of the sphere.”
Rudo sighed softly. “I don’t know why I can.” He swung his legs over the bed and stood up, exploring the room he was in. “It’s been this way my whole life. Even Regto didn’t believe me.”
“I’m sure if you told the cleaners they will.” Tomme said while following him.
“They won’t.” If Regto didn’t, though he was understanding, then he was sure strangers he just met wouldn’t.
Tomme didn’t look convinced. “Promise me to try.”
“Only if you tell me who’s room this was before.” Rudo said, looking over at her.
She went very quiet, taken aback that he was aware this stuff was someone else's and not just a guest room. She.. wasn’t sure what to say. “Everyones..?” Tomme shrugged, looking at a few items. “The bed was mine. That shelf was Riyos, and that table was Zankas.”
So spare furniture people didn’t want or use anymore? That was perfect for Rudo. He’d cherish them. “Where’s the kitchen?”
“Downstairs. I can take you there.” She guided Rudo with Regto while the other two talked.
“Where is Alto?” Rudo asked his dad.
“He said he was doing some investigating and would be back later. Oh, Rudo, Tomme taught me how we can interact with items somewhat! It takes a lot of energy and has to be something light, but we can manipulate a bit.” Regto explained.
Rudo sighed softly. “Are you about to use that to turn the pages of a book?”
Regto stammered a bit from being called out that fast. “No.” “Dumbass.” Rudo said lightly as a joke. He pushed open a door to see a mess hall, but behind that was the kitchen. Rudo’s stomach growled. “Is it okay to take some food?” He asked her.
Tomme nodded. “I promise it’s fine. We don't like people going hungry around here. Just don’t disorganize it or make a mess.”
That made sense to him. Rudo opened the pantry and his eyes widened seeing fruits and vegetables. He grabbed a tomato and practically scarfed it down while Regto talked to Tomme.
“What do you guys usually do around here?” Regto wasn’t sure how ghosts really.. Were.
“We can not do much.” Tomme said. “Though for some reason we do not get bored either. I like to think it’s a limbo state of life, sort of like we were completely frozen in time. No hunger, tiredness, pain.” She had clearly been researching this for a while.
Regto looked over at Rudo. “Your gloves are a mess. Here-” He tried to touch his shoulder, then froze. Damnit, he was not used to this. He knew he was dead and that he couldn’t interact, but that didn’t erase years of habit.
The urge to get a napkin and clean Rudo off, or to take his gloves and wash them for him were strong.
But he couldn’t do anything but watch.
“Go over to the sink and clean up kid.”
Rudo made a grumbling noise but at least listened and washed them with a wet paper towel so they wouldn’t get soaked. He pat them dry.
“Don’t forget to clean your face. Imagine if someone saw you with food all over it like a toddler.” Regto teased.
“Shut up!” Rudo snapped, embarrassed as he wiped his face off. “I’m not a kid.”
“Who are you talking to?” A new voice cut through the quiet room.
Rudo froze and looked over to see Zanka staring at him as he approached him in the kitchen. Goka was behind him with his arms still crossed and intense gaze. Rudo was going to have to get used to that.
“Uh, the ghosts.” Rudo said flatly.
Zanka stared at him with an unreadable expression as if he was debating if he was lying or not. It didn’t sound exactly like a joke, but Rudo wasn’t acting like he disbelieved himself either. “You talk ta ghosts?”
Rudo threw the dirty napkin away. “Yeah. Got a problem with that?”
Zanka was quiet for a long moment, then sighed. “No. I believe in spirits, but I do not talk to the open air as if they were there.” He walked around him into the pantry and grabbed a granola bar, then tossed one at Rudo.
Rudo caught it and his mouth watered. He didn’t even know what this tasted like but knew it looked good. As he opened it up he spoke to Zanka before taking a bite. “You believe in spirits?”
“Yes.” Zanka opened his own but was staring at Rudo. “Wards, charms, good and bad spirits, the like.” Zanka took a bite of his food. “Though from how you said ‘ghost’ it makes me think you mean human spirits only.”
Rudo hadn’t seen an animal spirit. Not yet anyway. Was that what Zanka meant? He took a big bite and chewed on it, his eyes landing on Goka.
“While Zanka believes in spirits, he does not necessarily believe we are around.” Goka explained, then Tomme spoke after him. “If you tell him he will probably believe you!”
Rudo swallowed his bite and looked back at Zanka. “Would you believe me if I said I could see them?”
Zanka raised a brow, and while he was skeptical, he didn’t dismiss him instantly. “I would say I would need proof to believe that.” He had noticed how Rudo’s attention was all over the place in the short time he has met him. Even if not spirits, something was going on.
“Do not say our names.” Goka said firmly before Rudo could open his mouth.
It was an easy way to say proof. There was no way for Rudo to know who Tomme, Goka, and the others were.
“Speaking our names in such a manner is like a ward in itself. It weakens and banishes us from the area for some time.” Goka explained, tapping his fingers against his arm. A casual topic was enough to bypass it, but usually directly referencing them made them unable to get near for several days.
“When those we are not tethered to speak of us we are warded off. Zanka can say my name, but someone like Enjin can not.”
Of course this wouldn’t be simple. “I just can! You were there when Semiu said I had two following me, right? One is my dad and the other is an annoying ghost who won't leave me alone.” Regto pinched the bridge of his nose as he seriously debated how he had raised Rudo to act this way.
“Really?” Zanka said curiously. He had only known Rudo about a few hours now and the kid provided nothing. “What ghosts are here then?”
“I can’t say their names.” Rudo mumbled out. “They tell me it banishes them for a while.”
Zanka slowly took a bite of food. “You do know this sounds impossible to believe, right?” Like a feeble excuse.
He knew that. Rudo balled his fists up and nearly broke the granola. He took another bite. “What ghost do you think is following you around then?”
“None.” Zanka said flatly. Too monochrome.
Tomme sighed. “I know who he is thinking of.”
Rudo crossed his arms and decided to ignore Zanka for now as he turned to Tomme. “Are there limitations? Can I explain what you guys look like?”
“I’m not sure.” Tomme then grinned. “You can test on me. I love researching things even if it keeps me away from my family for a bit. Gris and Follo would understand!”
“What? No! We can’t just do research like that if it keeps you away from them.” Rudo took another bite as Regto spoke up, talking to Goka.
“Do we know anything about this then? Rudo can freely say my name, but others even mentioning me would send me away?” Regto asked. “Tell us information only Zanka would know then.”
Goka stared coldly at him, then made a low huff noise. He turned to Rudo. “Ask Zanka about the well.”
“The well?” Rudo made a face. From how Zanka tensed up he clearly recgonized something.
“That’s not proof.” Zanka said flatly. Who the hell knows what Enjin told Rudo before he saw him? Would he have told Rudo about that? He had hope for who the ghost was. Hope he had not felt in a long time. “Speaking about them banishes them.. So I have a suggestion before you talk to the open air again.” Zanka crossed his arms. “What jinki do they use?”
Rudo blinked, then realized that was indeed a good idea. He turned to Goka who shook his head.
“He doesn’t have one.”
Zanka stared flatly at Rudo for a long time as he processed those four words as if he hit a brick wall. He balled up the trash. “I won’t judge you for talking to the open air, but do not patronize me again.”
Rudo didn’t even have time to respond as Zanka left with Goka following behind after a quick nod. At least they tried.
“I told you it wouldn’t work.” Rudo said to Tomme bitterly.
“Well, I think it was because he thought it would be someone else.” Tomme admitted.
Rudo saw a movement from the corner of his eye and looked down to see Dear standing there staring at him. The small ghost motioned for him to follow, so Rudo did. He walked down the hall then outside. “Where are we going?”
Dear looked back to glare at him, then kept walking.
Rudo followed him around a corner and stared at the sight. There were makeshift stone plates dug into the ground. A small cemetery. It was well cleaned, too.
But there was someone else there.
A big man he didn’t recognize was crouched over a specific one praying. Rudo kept silent as he glanced at the others. There were a lot, and close together, which meant bodies weren’t buried here. It was more symbolic than anything.
After a minute the man stood up and looked at Rudo with a tired expression, but not of sleepiness. It was clear he was in deep mourning. “You must be Rudo.” He greeted. “My name is Bro.” Oh. This was Dear's dad.
Rudo looked down at Dear to see him proudly presenting Bro as if to show him off. He looked back at the taller. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Bro slowly inhaled. He had heard that so many times for the past year.
“I just lost my dad.” Rudo said quietly, looking down at the rocks. “Today, technically.” He walked over to the grave Bro was at and crouched down, reading ‘Dear Santa’ and a date on the stone.
“Grief affects us in different ways, but even I am not blind that you are not in mourning necessarily.” Bro said flatly. He wasn’t accusing Rudo of lying, but he knew when someone lost someone close to them.
“He has not left me.” Rudo said firmly. “His ghost follows me around and annoys the shit out of me.”
Bro moved to crouch beside him. “You said he passed yesterday, so how has he done that?”
Rudo wasn’t going to beat around the bush. “I can see ghosts.” He watched Dear pointing at a pocket Bro had urgently, then towards his mouth where a pacifier was. “You still carry his pacifier around, right?”
Bro gave Rudo a long stare before pulling it out of his pocket. He stared at it for a long moment, then closed his eyes. “Is he here?”
Rudo moved to sit on his legs and looked from Dear to Regto. When he saw Dear nod, that he didn’t care if this banished him for a bit, he inhaled. “Yeah, he is. So is my dad.”
Bro let out a weak choked sob. He reached up and grabbed the cloth on his head and turned away from Rudo.
“Did.. I do something wrong..?” Rudo asked unsure, mainly to Regto.
“No. I can not fathom losing someone as young as Dear, though.” Regto said as he sat beside Rudo, the both of them watching Dear try to comfort Bro even if he couldn’t touch him.
“No.” Bro croaked out. “I’ve always hoped he could somehow hear me talking to him every night.” He swallowed hard and wiped his eyes with the cloth, then looked at Rudo. “Is he well?”
“He glared at me the second he saw me.” Rudo mumbled, then motioned to his hair. “And his hair surprised me since it's similar to mine, but it’s styled nice.”
Bro reached out and gently ruffled Rudo’s head. “Of course you’re not mourning your dad.. You still have him by your side.”
Rudo didn’t respond, just nodded. It still hurt. He could see Dear gesturing something again. “I think he’s trying to tell me he hasn’t left your side either, but uh, he kinda is mimicking a monster right now?” “Guita!” Bro realized. He stood up and offered his hand to Rudo. “Please come with me. Guita is his sister. It would mean the world to us if you’d help us talk to Dear.”
Rudo looked unsure. Zanka hadn’t believed him, but Bro did and rather quickly. He took his hand and followed him to their room where he saw a girl wearing a monster onesie asleep on the bed.
Bro gently shook her to wake her, but she only woke up after Dear climbed onto the bed to bounce on it even if it did nothing. “Dad?” She questioned sleepily, then saw Rudo. “Ooo, red eyes!”
“This is Rudo. He can see Dear.” Bro said with no hint of disbelief.
Rudo expected her to be skeptical too, but instead she jumped up and tackled him. “You can!? Where is he? I have so much to say to him!”
“Uhm,” Rudo looked at the bed. “He was jumping on you to wake you up. Now he’s pulling at your tail.”
“That sounds just like him!” Guita spun around and put her hands on her hips. “I didn’t doubt you were with us ever! What’s it like being a ghost? Are there monster ghosts?!”
Rudo sat on the bed, only glancing to Regto once. His dad was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed looking rather proud and content. “Dear made a so-so motion then shook his head no.”
He spent a while answering their questions. It was unusually normal for the most part.
“I need to know..” Bro asked quietly. “Are there others?” “Yes. I can’t say their names except my dads. If a person they aren’t tethered to talks about them they are warded off..? I’m.. not really sure.” Rudo glared at the floor.
“I see.” Bro hummed, then got up. He grabbed a photograph from the shelf nearby and handed it to Rudo. “Point to the ones you’ve seen.”
Rudo could see a lot of people. He saw Enjin with Zanka and a red head he hadn’t met yet. He saw Dear being held up by Bro and a younger Guita. There was also Tomme with her arms around two guys he assumed were Gris and Follo along with several other people.
“Some aren’t on here.” He said, furrowing his brows. Still, he pointed at Dear, Tomme, then Zanka and Eishia. “Their family.”
Bro hummed, then nodded. “Mentioning them may ward them off.” He noted. “Those four have indeed passed. And you said there were more?” “Not many.” Rudo bit back a yawn then glared at Dear. “Stop teasing me, asshole.”
Dear had made a teasing gesture of Rudo getting sleepy and looked rather amused.
“I will agree with Dear, you need rest. I’m not sure what you went through, but it’s been a big day.” If his father passed that recently then Rudo has had no time at all to process it. Hell, he was still grieving his own kid over a year later.
Guita nodded with her arms crossed. “Yeah! Even I’m tired after all that talking. Can Rudo spend the night in here?” Guita asked, reaching over to grab Rudo's arm and look pleadingly at Bro.
“I do not care. That is up to Rudo himself.” Bro got up to clean up a bit before he’d sleep.
Rudo wasn’t opposed.. Especially not when he saw Dear snuggling into the bed waiting on Guita and Bro, now looking expectantly at Rudo.
He looked over to where Regto was. His dad was now sitting in a chair arms crossed loosely as he motioned Rudo for him to stay and accept their offer.
Rudo laid down awkwardly and too stiff since he wasn’t sure how to do this. Guita was sprawled out already, half on Bro, so Rudo curled up into a small ball beside him and stared out into the room at Regto.
“I’ll be watchin’ over you kid. I promise I’m not going anywhere.” Regto said reaffirmingly.
Rudo nodded and closed his eyes, feeling the pull of unconsciousness hit him rather fast.
Rudo woke up to mummering. He didn’t open his eyes but just listened.
“--don’t leave again.” Regto’s low angry tone was spoken quietly.
“I’m not. I had to do something.” Alto grumbled.
“Are you daft? He already detests you and you’ve left his side several times now.” Regto chasticed. “Your information better be worth it.”
“It is.” Alto moved around the room from what Rudo could hear as he explained. “I was learning about everyone here. There's at least one extremely dangerous person we need to keep him away from, but the rest should be fine.”
“Should?” Regto’s tone indicated he was getting fed up.
“I couldn’t predict what Enjin did, how am I supposed to do the same for people I’ve not met?” Alto argued back. “Anyways.. Rudo is quite safe here. Every ghost has vouched for everyone except that one person.”
“Which is?”
Alto waked over to Rudo and crouched down. Rudo knew this because it was just a bit colder. He opened his eyes to glare at Alto, damn well knowing Alto knew he was awake.
“You aren’t slick.” Alto teased. “I’m glad you’ve already made some friends.”
“I haven’t.” Rudo pushed up off the bed and looked to the side to see Bro and Guita still asleep. Dear was curled up near them and eyes closed.
He was sure spirits couldn’t sleep.. but maybe for Dear it was different. Rudo climbed out of bed and left the room, shutting the door behind him.
He stared at a girl in front of him, smirking almost. She had red hair and was spinning some scissors around. “So.. you’re the guy who can see ghosts, huh?”
Rudo stared at her, a soft scowl on his face. Something was weird about her. Did she believe him? She wasn’t see through like typical ghosts.
“What about it?” Rudo tried to keep his tone even.
“Just curious. Not every day you run into someone who can talk to the dead.” She said, sitting up and putting her scissors in her pocket. “Follow me.”
Rudo was just going to scavenge the kitchen again but followed her instead. She took him to a room with several couches and tables, clearly a get together room.
There were a few people in here already, though asleep since it was still morning. All of which he wasn’t exactly who they were.
One was a guy asleep on a couch with blonde hair and a scar on his eye. Another was sleeping on a massive bean bag chair with a hat tipped over his face.
A ghost was sat near that one, staring at Rudo boredly.
Rudo glanced at the red head. “Why are we here?”
She smirked a bit. “See that guy?” She pointed towards the beanbag chair. “Talk to the ghost there.”
Rudo was getting a real strange vibe from her. “Okay..” He looked back over at the ghost who seemed to be younger than the teen sleeping. “Uh, hi..?”
The ghost got up and walked over to Rudo. “Names Allen. That one is Riyo. Don’t use our names, I’m sure you know why.”
Rudo nodded as he took in the information. “Okay.” He looked at the two sleeping. “Is that uh,” How does he talk about her..? “Research girl’s family?”
Allen snorted while Riyo laughed. They were just amused at his work around to not banish her. “Yeah.” Allen said with a hum. “Though I’m bound specifically to Follo. She’s bound to both Gris and him.”
Riyo walked over to Rudo and leaned down a bit, looking up at him. “So.. talking to ghosts, hm? It isn’t scary?”
“No. The worst they can do is talk my ear off.” Rudo shrugs. “Alto and Regto do that all the time.”
“Who are they?” Riyo questioned, her expression going a bit softer.
“Regto’s my dad. The others annoying.” Rudo sighed, glancing back. Actually, why hadn’t they followed him?
Rudo flinched when he heard some shuffling and looked over to see the blonde haired man, Gris, staring at him curiously.
How long had he watched Rudo?
“You’re the new recruit.” Gris said, sitting up and smiling warmly at him. “Welcome. Sorry I didn’t greet you before, we were out on a mission.”
Rudo shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. “It’s whatever. Not like you have to say hi.”
“Sorry if this is personal but.. you were just talking to someone right?”
Rudo looked around. Riyo was gone and seemly had been for a while but Allen was still standing near him.
At this point he wasn’t going to try to hide it. If they didn’t like he told them about this then whatever. “Talking to Follos ghost.”
Gris didn’t react in any way for a while. A moment later he smiled softly. “Do I have one?”
Rudo nodded. “She isn’t here now, but I met her earlier.” He saw how Gris’ expression changed, but he didn’t understand it.
“Tomme?” Gris asked, now standing up.
Rudo nodded again, now unsure. “She wanted me to say her name to test something..” He realized Gris maybe had no idea what he was talking about. “Saying their name banishes them to those they aren’t tethered to.”
Gris blinked as he processed that. He cleared his throat. “Well, you didn’t eat a proper dinner last night. Let me make you something to eat for breakfast.”
Rudo tensed up at the idea of that. Did this guy want something in return? He was a bit intimidating but with how Tomme boasted about him..
Allen walked past Rudo. “You’re being stupid. He’s worried about you and if you don’t eat it will get worse.”
Rudo looked at Allen with a small huff. He walked after Gris, glancing behind him. Allen was following, but Regto was still not there just yet.
“Hey.” Rudo spoke lowly so hopefully only Allen could hear. “Can you get Regto for me?”
Allen thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But you owe me.”
When they got to the kitchen Gris had Rudo sit down while he made some pancakes. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Tomme.
“Oh good you met them!” She beamed. “Gris loves to treat all recruits to food.”
Rudo stared at her, then back to the door.
Tomme sat in front of him. “Rudo? Somethings on your mind.” When he didn’t reply Tomme glanced to where Gris was. “He won’t judge you for talking to yourself. Everyones.. kinda used to it? Bro talks to Dear the most but even I’ve seen Enjin speaking when he thinks no one is around.”
“I told Follos ghost to get dad and..” Rudo trailed off. “I don't know why they aren’t here.”
Tomme made a face, then sighed. “They are discussing some information they found out in how to help you. Not much we can do.”
Rudo crossed his arms on the table and rested his head on them. So much has been going on lately. He didn’t know how to feel. Anger was there, but he also felt nothing.
It was weird.
“We can test things though! Regto told me you have a ghost ward?”
“Testing things?” Rudo grumbled out. “Its salt and water in a spray bottle.”
Rudo blinked when he saw a plate in front of him. It was steaming and smelled sweet. He looked up to see Gris across from him.
“Testing things sounds like Tomme.” Gris said with an undertone of softness. “I’m sure you may get this a lot, but may I ask you about her?”
Rudo looked from him to Tomme who was right beside him.
“I mean.. not much other than being dead.” Tomme smiled a bit. “I just want them both happy.”
Rudo nodded then looked at his plate and poked at the food. “She says she wants you guys happy.” He lifted up a bite. “Do you even believe me?”
“Well it is hard to wrap my head around, but hope can do some things.” Gris slid over some syrup to him to use. “Plus it doesn’t take much effort to be observational.”
Rudo ate his bite and drowned the pancakes in syrup, scarfing them down as he listened to Gris.
“You keep talking to things. Sure it could be an active imagination.. but it’s not.” Gris smiled warmly at him. “Plus you’ve said things that remind me of her. Though I’m curious.. can you describe ‘Follos Ghost’?”
Rudo swallowed his bite and thought about it. “A bit younger than him. I think he’s been tethered to him for a long time.”
Gris contemplated as he ate his breakfast, then realized something. “Is his name Allen?”
Rudo nodded and ate another bite of syrupy pancake. He nearly choked when he saw Regto floating upside down in front of him. He totally forgot about Gris as his anger momentarily took over. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Regto smirked at him. “Trying to cheer you up. You sent someone to fetch me! That’s cute.”
Rudo flushed hard from his ears to his neck and looked back at his plate to keep eating it. He only remembered Gris when he felt him staring at him.
Instead of looking at him like he was crazy, he just seemed concerned. “Did something happen?”
“My asshole dad is being mean.” Rudo mumbled, poking at his pancake.
Gris hummed. “Sounds like he was worried about you and you got embarrassed.” From the little he knew about Rudo he could tell he had a short fuse but clearly meant well. “I’m glad you can see him.”
Rudo was about to take another bite when he paused. He stared at Gris as he mulled over his words. He had said ‘him’ and not ‘them’. Why was this man who he just met happy he could see his dad? Wouldn’t Gris also be glad to know Rudo could see Tomme and others?
Gris chuckled softly and sat back, a grin appearing on his face. “You’re quite expressive. I’m not sure why you’re confused. What you have is a gift, and with it you don’t have to be apart from your family. Just you being here to tell me that my own family is here brings me comfort. I’m sure the others agree.”
Rudo slowly ate his last bite of pancake and chewed it.
“I like this guy.” Regto said and looked over at Rudo. “Did you thank him for the food?” A pause. “Rudo!”
Rudo swallowed his bite and stared at his own lap. “Thanks, Gris.”
“No problem.” Gris took his plate and went into the kitchen to clean up. When he did that RUdo looked over at the door as Zanka, Goka, and Riyo walked in.
Zanka looked over at Rudo with a blank expression, then headed into the kitchen.
“He is still unhappy about yesterday.” Tomme sighed and crossed her arms.
Riyo sat across from Rudo and grinned at him. “What did you do to piss Zanka off?”
“I told him I could see ghosts. He didn’t really believe me and got upset when I couldn’t provide proof and told him that his brother didn’t have a jinki or something..” Rudo shrugged, glaring at the table.
“What?” Riyo then scoffed. “That idiot! Ugh, I wish someone could knock some sense into him. Maybe you’ll be able to do that in time.”
“Why can’t you?” Rudo crossed his arms at her.
“He never listened to me before. Maybe Enjin? I don’t trust Enjin to teach him stuff like that though. He acts like a kid often.” Riyo took her scissors out and spun them around. “You should tell him about Goka.”
“I tried!” Rudo groaned. “Maybe I could draw him?”
“Your.. drawing skills may not convey his likeness enough.” Regto piped up. “But you should certainly try!”
“Are you calling my drawing shitty?” Rudo grumbled at him.
From the kitchen, Gris turned to Zanka. “I can tell you’re upset. Stop trying to hide it. What happened last night?”
Zanka put a pancake on his plate and sighed. “That kid thinks he can see ghosts. He can’t. He said the ghost following me doesn’t have a jinki.”
Both of them looked over to Rudo when he raised his voice at something. They could see his eyes darting around, then reacting to things.
“That.. is not an active imagination, Zanka. Even if you do not believe him, do not ostracize him. He’s just gone through a lot. Go talk to him.” Gris said firmly, leaving no room for Zanka to try to not do so.
Zanka grabbed a fork, his staff, and carried the plate over to Rudo. Before he sat down he glanced around. “Where do I sit?”
Rudo looked up at him and back to the table. He saw Tomme shuffle away to make room. “Uh, across from me I guess.” After Zanka sat down he saw Goka standing nearby with his arms crossed.
Zanka didn’t say anything and just ate in silence. He kept glancing at Rudo and watched him stare at things around him constantly.
Were they all seriously here? This entire time? He hoped the kid wasn’t lying, but how does he get proof of that?
Riyo stopped spinning her scissors and sighed. “Rudo, you know you can talk even with Zanka around, right? Just cus he’s here doesn’t mean you have to stop.”
It still felt weird. Rudo fidgeted with the ring on the back of his gloves.
“I know, lets play a game then!” Riyo sat up a bit, smiling at Rudo. “We will get to learn about one another, especially your dad! You’ll have to be the interpreter for everyone though. We can do two truths and a lie about ourselves!”
“I don’t think I can think of two truths and a lie.” Rudo muttered finally.
Zanka stared at Rudo, then sighed. “I hate that game too, honestly.” It was one thing they had in common now. “Tell me, Rudo, who all is here? Get them to tell me something only they should know.” “Like that worked last time.” Rudo grumbled.
“No, that was about me.” Zanka narrowed his eyes. He had talked to Enjin last night about Rudo and if he told him about the well. Enjin said he had not.
Rudo turned to Goka first.
“Why me?” Goka grumbled, then thought about it. “Tell him that when he was a toddler, his sister would sneak him away to the woods where she’d get some honey from the beehive for him to try.”
Rudo relayed that, making Zanka freeze.
“Goka?” He sounded baffled. “That’s the ghost around me? Goka?”
Rudo nodded. “Yeah.”
“Just him?” Zanka asked. “Not–” He gripped his staff. “Not my sister, the red head?”
Rudo looked at Goka for answers. “She is still alive. However he is referring to her.” Goka pointed to.. Riyo.
Rudo looked over at her with shock. “You’re dead?”
Riyo snorted and set her scissors on the table. “You didn’t realize?”
“NO! You’re different to the other ghosts! What the hell? Why didn’t you say anything?!” Rudo pointed at her.
Zanka looked at the empty spot Rudo was yelling at and seemed relieved. “She is here?” Rudo rubbed his face and groaned. “Yeah but I couldn’t tell she was a ghost.” She was different. All ghosts were see through but she wasn’t!
“I’m not surprised she made things complicated.” Zanka finally began to eat his breakfast. The revelation that Goka was here, but also Riyo, really made him feel at ease. Most likely the others were too.
Rudo saw Gris sit beside him and stayed quiet.
“You look a lot less stressed, Zanka. So do you.” Gris turned to Rudo when he said that.
Yeah. He was. It was weird having people not really judge him for talking to ghosts. He was used to Regto of course, but this time is different.
“Admit it.” Regto said with a cheeky grin. “You do like it here, and you like them. So, you gonna stay with them?”
Rudo felt his ears turn red with embarrassment again. He didn’t reply to Regto. Really, he didn’t need to.
They both knew that Rudo had a family here now.