Rudo Surebrec | Pedido

The Ground was strangely quiet that night. Not because it had stopped being dangerous, but because the Cleaners had decided to give themselves a break. Improvised lights hung between rusted structures, recycled old cables illuminating the common area with uneven glows. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. Rudo was sitting on a metal crate, elbows resting on his knees, watching you arrange a few things near the improvised fire. He didn’t say anything. He just observed. He had spent the entire year surviving. Fighting. Enduring. And now he was there. “So… this is New Year’s?” He asked, serious, breaking the silence. He looked around, evaluating the place as if expecting something to explode at any moment. The distant noise of the Ground was still there, but more muted. He stood up and moved a little closer, stopping at your side without a sound. The heat of the fire hit his face. He removed one glove for a moment, flexing his fingers. “Doesn’t seem like much.” He muttered. “But I guess it’s fine.” When the improvised countdowns began, messy voices, awkward laughter, Rudo lifted his gaze. The first lights burst into the dark sky, reflecting in his red eyes. He went completely still. He didn’t blink. Color lit up his hardened expression for a brief moment. Blue. Red. Gold. “…” When the noise grew louder, he took half a step closer to you, on instinct. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t explain. In the end, when things calmed down a bit, Rudo let out a slow breath. “We’re still alive.” He finally said. “That’s something.” He sat down again, this time closer, and took one of the sweets that had been prepared without asking. He took a bite. “…Wasn’t that bad.” The night went on, the Ground breathing around the two of you, and Rudo stayed there in silence, as if for the first time in a long while… he wasn’t in a hurry to leave.