[Video] [New Los Angeles]

[witnessme]

[The feed shows a pale young man with a scarred mouth and a bald head, mostly recovered from his recent injuries. He's posting this from what appears to be a run-down gas station bathroom, where the tiles are water-damaged and there's at least one visible leaking pipe in the frame.]

I d-didn't talk about this before. I was scared. I always was k-kind of a coward.

But there's something I gotta say.

It's my fault Damon came to Shepherd's Haven. I challeneged him to a fight when he was being mean, long time ago, and forgot about it. I wanna stay and help rebuild, like they said we need to, b-but I decided that I needed to leave. I'm in New L.A. now. Weird things are happening here, you guys know all about that. But it's a better place for me in case he wants to come back and knock the snot out of me again. I got my bike, a lot of road and space. Working on getting a job.

Anyway. Sorry I couldn't be a better Numbered. You all deserve so much better.

Comments

Video.

[witnessme]

Doesn't talk to me anymore, more like. I mean, I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure he hates me after what I let happen to Shepherd's Haven after he gave me a job and a chance to prove I was good.

Video.

[enflammen]

Hm. Well, I can't speak for Lazarus, since I'm not him, but I do know this - you can speculate forever, but you won't know for sure if you don't try.

Video.

[witnessme]

Ngh... sorry. You just really sound like him. Nice... but in a way that kind of still tears me up inside. D-don't know how to describe it other than that.

Video.

[enflammen]

Is that so.

[Micah goes quiet for a bit, chewing his bottom lip.]

Look, I'm not meaning to upset you. I just hate seeing people give up. That's all.

Video.

[witnessme]

I'm not giving up! Just going in a different direction for awhile. It's only gonna help the people I'm trying to protect in the long run.

Video.

[enflammen]

No, I mean giving up on you. Saying you're too stupid to bother with, that sort of thing.

Video.

[witnessme]

It would be a lie to say that I'm smart, and lying's the one thing I've always tried not to do no matter what.

Video.

[enflammen]

You don't have to be a genius, you know.

Video.

[witnessme]

Almost everyone I know is geniuses. You probably are one too. Easy for you to say.

Video.

[enflammen]

[That elicits a quiet laugh from him.]

I think you're the first person to ever call me that, actually.

Video.

[witnessme]

Like I'd know, but my point is p-pretty much everyone is a genius compared to me.

Video.

[enflammen]

It's not a competition.

[Not in this lifetime, at least.]

Video.

[witnessme]

Never said it was, but sometimes it's nice to feel like you're keeping up.

Video.

[enflammen]

Yeah, I guess I can see that. Where are you getting a job?

Video.

[witnessme]

Dunno. Guess I gotta ask around and see who needs someone who d-doesn't mind getting his hands a little dirty.

Video.

[enflammen]

I work with one of the relief centers there in what's left of town. I know they can always use extra hands, dirty or otherwise. I can send you the address if you want.

Video.

[witnessme]

Uh...

[A pause as he thinks it over.]

I g-guess that'd be OK. Thanks.

Video/text.

[enflammen]

Sure. Tell them Micah Kelly sent you.

[He hangs up on video, then sends the name and address of the place via text, plus good luck.]

Not here/ reaction

[witnessme]

[Nux receives the contact info, swallowing and nodding even though no one can see him anymore. He's going in the next day, and feels, if not optimistic, like he can at least handle the coming days like an adult and not some scared kid.]