The Meeting

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"I remember that night...  I don't think I could ever forget."

I had not been in Candor for very long, perhaps a few months established with my shop.  It had been going so-so, some days better than others, but the more I considered our seemingly bleak future, the more upset I grew.  Over a short time of dealing with illnesses and ailments, I became despondent and more withdrawn.

One autumn night I was loitering around the lampposts by the cliffs, overlooking the sea and lost in my own feelings.  After all, I wasn't really there to make money, but to at least attempt to make a better future for those in need.  It seemed that no amount of effort could match demands, and this was but one town.  Unsavory thoughts had begun to seep into my head and I was no longer with the world at large.  Nothing seemed to matter anymore.  

After some time, I felt something tap my shoulder and I was brought back to the present.  Slowly I started to turn my head--

"Ah...p-please don't turn around," they stuttered.  This voice was unfamiliar to me.

"Who are you?  What do you want?" I demanded.

"I...I just...I thought you were planning to do s-something reckless.  I wanted to make sure you were feeling alright."

I did not have a response for such a thing, but I felt a bit sick to my stomach and my chest was heavy.  I hadn't realized how close to the cliffs I had come and took a precautionary step back.  A few seconds later I felt my hands being gently grabbed by theirs and hesitated to move.

"I am not armed.  I do not intend to harm you in any way.  Please, I just...just want to share some words with you."

The words sounded soft and sincere.  I went with whatever their plan was and they held my hands with their own from behind, but not too close.  Their palms were hairless and their skin was uneven in multiple places.

"...I know who you are in this town.  I know of your shop.  I wanted to...muster up the strength to tell you something for a short while now.  I hope that I am not, um, bothering you with this…" they trailed.

"Yes?"  I was confused and a little concerned, to be honest.

"Just...I know your feelings.  You have seen the kind of troubles the people face.  You see the fear everyone lives under.  You see the illnesses, the harm sustained, those unsound of mind.  I have seen it take its toll on you from afar--"

"Are you some kind of stalker?"  Any sane person would have asked, I'm sure.

"No, no!  I am not like that at all!" they whimpered, "I...stay hidden away from people."

"...Oookay."  I couldn't help but be skeptical.

"I just…want you to know that your help with the people is appreciated.  You help to provide care and remedies to those in great need, perhaps those who cannot afford, um, more modern means.  I have seen them, too-- how their expressions change from worry to relief, and how they always come back whenever they are in need.  You...you are a positive force in this town and your influence means more than you may see.  I know that…it may be hard to believe, but you really are making a difference…even if it is only one small place."  They seemed to be short of breath by the end.

I don't know what it was about the words spoken, but I felt something in me both relax and shatter and for a few seconds it was like time had stopped.  Without thinking, I quickly twirled around and grabbed them, squeezed, and buried my face in what I assumed to be their chest.

"Ah!--" they quietly yelped.

They were much taller than me and I took them by surprise, albeit accidentally.  Some old habits die hard, I suppose.  Maybe I just needed some kind of confirmation from another person-- someone to say I was doing a good job?  To say I really was helping?  I don’t really know.

"I'm glad I've managed to make some kind of influence here.  I didn't think anyone really cared.  I put a lot of work into what I do, but it just...it never seems like enough.  Not with how this world is.  Not with only me."  I was fighting back the urge to cry all over this person.  Poor thing.

"Ah, um... For what it is worth: the darker the room, the brighter the candle glows.  I...know the state of this world.  Your actions reach farther and touch deeper than you know," they stammered.

Likely not knowing what else to do, they slowly raised their arms around my shoulders with a weak but honest attempt at a hug or consolation.  We stood there for a short time, only the sound of the waves in the near distance and occasional breeze.  After a few minutes I loosened my grip, but they seemed to fear such a thing.

"If...if you are done, um, please let me leave by myself, and quickly.  I am sorry for being curt, but--"

"Is something the matter?"  I mean, their voice was cracking like they were afraid of something.  I had to ask.

"No, I am...fine.  Please turn back around; I will leave you in peace.  Thank you...for giving me your time," they uttered.
 
I could not help but pick up on the sadness in their voice.  I complied, however, and turned back around to face the sea.  A few seconds pass and I hear irregular footsteps softly padding away...followed by the sound of something tumbling and hitting the ground.

As anyone would, I turned around toward the sound and see an individual much larger than I, buckled over on the street under the light of the lamppost.  They were a...male psycrhen?  Here?

I looked at him from under the light.  He was tall and in terrible shape-- messy, dirty hair, old torn and faded clothing, bandages...

...Bloody bandages?  

Oh, oh no, he was injured in numerous places.  I couldn't tell what from, but it looked like exhaustion aided in what was likely a trip from a loose wrap around his right leg.  His feet were cut up and bloody, his knees looked like they met pavement many times, his left arm looked like it had been attacked with it being wrapped the most.  Oh, this poor man, I could not leave him here--

"P...please come no closer," he muttered.

"Surely you jest because I’m going to do exactly that," I retorted, "Just look at you.  You need help and you need it right now."

"No, thank you, I will be fi--" he flinched as I stepped closer, raising his left arm like I was going to hit him or something.

"I don't know what your--"

...

He looked up at me with pleading eyes to let him go.

Pleading...red...eyes?

I started to put these things together.  He had likely been driven away from every place he'd come, people too scared to allow him their company, because...

...he was one of the corrupted.  Oh, you poor thing...

I progressed further and he seemed to grow increasingly shaken.

"I'm...I'm sorry, I...please, I was never going to hurt you, please let me--"

"I am not going to hurt you.  I would never dream of it.  Please just let me help you."  I never thought I would have to say these things to anyone until now.  I never thought anyone would be afraid of something like me.

I was greeted with a look of awe and fright.

"Please give me your hand," I urged, offering my right.  "I will try to help you walk back to my place."

He slowly, hesitantly raised his hand, placing it in mine and gripping tightly.  Tonight was probably the first time he felt the hand of another from something other than assault.  He slowly rose to his feet, stumbling a bit on his right side from his reddened ankle.  I grabbed his right hand, swung his arm around my shoulders, and wrapped my other arm around his waist, grunting slightly.  This would be awkward, but we would manage.

"Let's go home."

I wasn't about to leave him like this.  Too many people already had.