246 54 Mikael

As they arrived to the cabin, Norio let out a yawn. Larkin turned to him. "Are you tired?" Norio nodded. "I'm sure, it's been a long day." Larkin smiled. "What do we do now?" Rick looked up at Larkin. "What do you mean?" Larkin asked. "We need food..." Norio's stomach began to rumble. "Sorry..." He said, shyly holding his stomach. Larkin sat on a chair, and let out a sigh. "There's a village down the hill..." Rick looked at him. "What is that look for?" Larkin asked. "We're too tired, right Nori?" Norio nodded. "Too tired!" He echoed. Larkin let out a sigh. "Fine, I guess I'll have to go by myself then." Rick folded his arms, nodding. "Looks like we have no other choice!" Larkin's eye twitched in annoyance.

As Larkin headed out, he scratched his head. "I'm not obligated to return..." he whispered. "Then again..." He began to think about the fact that without him, the boys would most likely end up dead one way, or another. Larkin let out a sigh of frustration. "Fine, guess I have no choice!" He grumbled angrily. "Oi," A voice called out. Larkin quickly spun around. "What the h.e.l.l are ya doin'?" A man asked, leaning on a tree. Larkin narrowed his eyes, studying the man. "Do I...know you?" He asked. "Hah!?" The man cried. "We've been working together for months now...!" He shouted. "Anyway..." he coughed. "The name's Mikael." He said. Larkin shook his head. "Doesn't ring a bell..." he whispered. "Not the point!" Mikael cried. "What the h.e.l.l are ya doin out here!?" Larkin looked up. "I..." He looked around. "P-picking berries..." Mikael folded his arms. "Oh really, where are they then?" Larkin blushed. "I ate them..." Mikael grumbled. "You're such a liar!" He cried. "Ok, ok, look..." Larkin waved his hands. "The truth is..." he began. "There were two boys outside playing when I burned the orphanage down." Mikael looked up. "And now because of me, they have nowhere to go..." He whispered. "Larkin..." Mikael then smirked. "Didn't think you'd have a soft spot." Larkin blushed. "I-it's not like that...!" He grumbled. "In truth...I don't know what to do, I can't let them starve..." Mikael then pointed. "There's a village down this hill." Larkin looked at him. "Yea, no s.h.i.t." Mikael puffed his cheeks in annoyance. "Listen just...tell the organization I died or somethin'." Mikael looked at him, then sighed. "I Can't." Larkin sighed. "'Cause, I wanna help too!" He smiled. Larkin looked at him. "Did you eat poisonous berries or something, or are you just insane?" Mikael grinned. "I have a weak spot for kids, and honestly this job drains me, and 'sides," He paused. "It can be our little secret!" He beamed. Larkin looked at him, then laughed. "So you are insane..." he closed his eyes, smiling. "Come on, they're really hungry, and cranky..." Larkin said, as he began walking toward the village. "Mm!" Mikael nodded, running to catch up with him.