Running Errands
James
“They always send me out for these stupid fucking errands” James complains out loud.
He’s wandering through an empty town a few miles from the camp he’s staying at, they’re with quite a big group at the moment, probably the biggest it has ever been, James thinks this is most likely because they stayed in this spot for longer than they usually would. Remus, their leader as you could call it, always makes sure they’re on the move. In this world you can't settle down nowadays.
His fellow group members are always adamant on sending him out here. He truly doesn’t get it, it always ends up being him that has to go get supplies. Carrying a backpack on his right shoulder, he steps into a pharmacy, it appears to be empty, the windows are shattered and most of the shelves are empty, James sifts through the few items that are still there, he takes some bandages but quickly comes to the conclusion that there aren’t really many useful things left.
James does a final look over the place when he spots movement in the corner of his eye, he freezes.
“Hello?” James calls out.
He’s met with silence.
“Hello? Is anyone here?” He says a bit louder this time.
Suddenly, there’s a shuffling sound, and before he can process what is happening someone stumbles out from behind a shelf, gun aimed straight at him.
“Who the hell are you?” The boy in front of him snarls.
James instinctively puts his hands up in a defensive manner. “I’m James, and you are?”
“Regulus.” The boy states coldly.
There’s a brief pause as the two men lock eyes, and then James spots a growing pool of blood around Regulus his left foot.
“You’re bleeding.” James points out.
“I noticed.” Regulus retorts with sarcasm.
James approaches cautiously, observing how Regulus’s hands tremble as he clutches the gun tighter
“I can help you,” James says. “But you have to trust me.”
James sees the conflict behind Regulus his eyes before he slowly lowers his weapon
“Alright” He exhales, knowing that if he doesn’t accept the help he might not last much longer.
James kneels on the ground before Regulus and puts his backpack in front of him. He takes out a small red bag marked with a white cross.
“Take a seat.” He instructs Regulus, focusing on the task at hand.
Regulus hesitates for a moment but eventually lowers himself onto the cold floor of the pharmacy, his hand still gripping his gun with shaky fingers.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” James says firmly. “If you don’t hurt me.”
Regulus exhales sharply but takes his hand from the gun.
James opens up the small pouch and takes out a bottle of something that looks like anti - septic along with a few cotton pads. He moves over to Regulus. “That’s a stab wound.” James says, a bit surprised while pointing at Regulus his left thigh. “How did you get that?” He asks, concern for the unknown boy present in his eyes.
“It’s none of your fucking business.” Regulus bites out.
James looks taken aback by the response but doesn’t press or ask anymore questions. The blood is steadily soaking through Regulus' trousers. James takes a pair of scissors from the pouch and cuts open the trousers around the wound, slicing the fabric open.
“Hey-” Regulus protests weakly.
“Oh shut it. You would not be able to get your trousers off due to the pain and besides we have enough trousers where I came from.” James says flatly as he folds the fabric away.
“I’m not going back with you.” Regulus says, his tone sharp.
“You are,” James says matter of factly. Before Regulus can process the words and come up with a response James continues. “Now this is going to sting, just keep it down, okay?.” He says as he pours the antiseptic over the wound.
Tears spring into Regulus' eyes as he bites down on his tongue.
James gently presses a cotton pad against the injury. “The worst part is over.”
Regulus lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.
James takes a hold of Regulus' lower leg and sets his foot flat on the floor, bending his knee to make it easier to tightly wrap a bandage around his thigh. “That looks much better,” James says proudly of his handiwork. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Regulus snaps.
“Jeez, a thank you would be nice.” James says, attempting to ease the tension, he feels the strange want to make the boy in front of him feel better.
“I never asked for your help in the first place.” Regulus shoots back coldly.
James realises that it might be better not to say anything.