Chapter Text
Atlas stared out into the distance. He had been sitting on the dirty sidewalk leaning against a building for what felt like forever. He had cried till he had no more tears left to shed. The sky was beginning to darken. He could see the sun making its path behind the mountains. Atlas reached for his phone in his back pocket to check the time, when he tried to turn it on the dead battery icon started flashing on the screen. Atlas groaned and shoved his phone back into his pocket and checked his watch instead. The time read 8:32 PM, Atlas let his head fall back against the brick wall feeling dejected.
Looking up at the sky he saw a flock of pigeons loudly fly over him. When he tried to let out a sigh his chest heaved in an attempt to release nonexistent tears. He couldn't even remember exactly the hotel where he and his family were staying. It probably was destroyed or damaged. Atlas wanted to scream. The whole time he had been sitting there, no one had walked past him. The street appeared empty.
Atlas remained sitting there for a couple more minutes before standing up. He scrubbed his hands over his face and raked his fingers through his hair.
I bet I look absolutely horrible. He thought.
Atlas turned away from the waterfront and began to slowly walk deeper into the city. The sky got darker as he made his way through Pioneer Square. Eventually the streetlights flickered on. Atlas stuck his hands into the pockets of his pants. He continued to walk, not knowing where he was going. Walking in an aimless direction.
The streets were empty, utterly devoid of human life. There was not a single person outside. When Atlas passed what looked like a bar, there was no one inside, the lights weren't even on. He looked at one of its windows, the hours of operation were on it. Atlas checked his watch; the bar should have been open by now. He walked away from the bar. Atlas didn't have a clue where he would sleep, he felt as if he was about to collapse from exhaustion. Across the street he could see a bus shelter with a bench. He started to cross the street when out of nowhere a car appeared and was heading straight towards him.
Atlas didn't notice the car until it was too late. He squeezed his eyes shut and tensed as he waited for the inevitable collision. The car screeched as the driver slammed on the brakes. Instead of being run over or sent flying, Atlas was just sent backwards a couple of steps. The driver slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid injuring him. Atlas cautiously opened his eyes, squinting through the bright headlights. He could hear the car door open as the driver got out.
"Oh shit! Are you okay?" The driver exclaimed.
Atlas stared at the driver. For some reason the man looked familiar.
"Uh," Atlas croaked out.
The boy's face grew more worried the longer Atlas didn't answer his question. Meanwhile Altas was desperately raking his brain on why he looked so familiar.
"Do I know you?" Atlas said abruptly.
The boy blinked at him, looking confused.
"Can you repeat that?" The boy asked his confusion deepening.
"Oh! Sorry, you just look really familiar and I'm trying to remember if I know you." Atlas replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
The boy was silent for a while, seemingly thinking. He looked Atlas up and down before shouting: "OH WAIT!"
Atlas jolted from the sudden increase in volume.
"You're Atlas, right? You do look familiar yourself." The boy asked, a big smile on his face.
"I'm Eden, remember? I moved away from Denver about 5 years ago!" He added.
Ohhh, Atlas thought, that's why he looked so familiar. Getting a better look at him, Atlas noticed some similarities from the little boy he remembers and the much older version in front of him. Eden’s hair seemed to have grown to his elbows. No longer shoulder length, though it could be longer because his hair was tied up. His facial features also no longer had that baby-ish chub that every kid had before hitting puberty. Eden also looked taller, much taller. Maybe even a bit taller than he was.
Atlas slightly shook his head thinking Nah, he can’t be that tall.
Shifting in his spot and refocusing on Eden’s face, Atlas teased "Looks like you finally got your growth spurt."
Eden gasped, his face twisting in mock outrage "That's the first thing you say after recognizing me?!" He exclaimed.
Atlas started laughing. "I'm sorry, I just remembered that you were so short before you moved away." he said, still laughing.
Eden scoffed as he playfully shoved Atlas’ shoulder “Wow, is that the only thing you remember? Some friend you are.
Atlas’ who was beginning to calm down, started to laugh all over again. He clutched his sides from how hard he was laughing.
Eventually his laughter tapered off.
"Do you mind if I ask what you’re doing in Seattle?" Eden inquired after Atlas finished laughing.
Atlas’ expression sobered "I'm on vacation with my family," He replied
Then he added softer, "…or I was."
"What do you mean was?" Eden asked.
Atlas looked down at his shoes. He hunched in on himself, the events from earlier that day started flickering through his mind. Atlas sniffed and raised his head and used his shoulder to rub at his face as it started to scrunch up.
"So, um… I don't know where my family is right now." Atlas muttered
"You know how the waterfront got practically wiped out earlier today?" he then asked.
Trying to hold back tears Atlas quickly mumbled "Me and my family were down there doing some of the attractions, and then that happened. I lost them and I couldn't find them, and I'm scared that they may be dead."
Eden looked at him in shock. "What?" he gasped.
"Yeah." Atlas quietly said, looking down.
He heard Eden move, clothes shuffling as he walked over to Atlas and stood in front of him. To his surprise Eden grabbed his shoulders and drew him into a hug. Atlas didn't know what to do at first, he just stared over Eden's shoulder with wide eyes. Eventually he returned the hug and tucked his face into Eden’s neck. Atlas could feel tears coming out again.
"Sorry, I'm making your neck wet." He murmured wetly.
"It's okay, no need to apologize." Eden whispered.
Atlas tightened his arms and buried his face deeper into Eden's neck as the tears started to fall faster, causing Eden to lightly chuckle. He tightened one of his arms in return while he used his free hand to pat Atlas’ head.
"If you want, I can help you find your family." Eden offered.
Atlas’ head shot up. “Really?” He asked, twisting his head to stare at Eden.
“Of course. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?” He replied
“Thank you so much. I would really appreciate it!” Atlas exclaimed.
Atlas removed one hand to wipe at his face, breaking into a smile. He put his hand on Eden’s shoulder then rested his cheek on his hand. After about another minute Eden patted his back and then released Atlas from his hug. Taking a step back, he gestured towards his car.
“Do you wanna come to my house?” He offered.