No_Creative_Name
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SoK Chapter 146
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 15:00:11 +0000 UTCLuz struggled as TJ carried her through the streets back towards campus. His plans of how he would go and train were dashed, and he didn’t care. Thoughts of serving himself died as, instead, he cared for the confused child. She didn’t say anything except for what he slowly came to understand was “Mama”. And she loved her mom. TJ felt his heart break a little more with each step. Each reminder of the cruel world they were stuck in, every sign that showed this could happen to him or Junior shattered something inside of him. He was willing to be a monster, but only for a reason. If he experienced this happening to Junior… then he may well become a monster without reason.
TJ bounced with each step, hoping to calm her enough to get back to campus without any problems. After changing and cleaning her as much as he could manage, he’d stuffed his backpack completely full of changes of clothes for her, then grabbed their diaper bag and stuffed that with toys, diapers, and a well-loved blanket. That was most of her clothing and items taken care of, and then he’d found a baby carrier that he’d strapped to his belly to put Luz in. With his spear poking up between the straps of his backpack, he was sure that he made for quite a sight.
Luz, however, didn’t appreciate his efforts, and he wasn’t surprised. If she ever truly got over today, even with her age, that’d be a miracle, and he just wanted her to find what little happiness she could. On their path back to campus for the third time that day, TJ decided to write off any further explorations for today. It was still just the first full day since the monsters had returned the morning before, and TJ could wait one more day. The real question that he’d need to confront was what he was going to do about Luz.
He couldn’t take her with him on hunts. That would only make it a question of time for when she was killed. He couldn’t lose all his time taking care of her when he needed to work hard at continuing to gain levels and getting towards Silver tier. And he couldn’t, in good conscience, just foist her off on someone else.
So which impossible choice would he end up selecting to go with?
As he pondered over it and whispered meaningless things to Luz as she fussed in the carrier, TJ listened for anything approaching. With Wind Manipulation guiding him, he knew more or less whatever it was long before the monsters could approach. They died nearly immediately, TJ showing no mercy or hesitation. He didn’t need this experience, but those who did could find it elsewhere. This child needed to be protected. The few humans who did approach, though, were warned before they could get close.
“I’ve got a baby with me. If you start acting shady, I’ll be violent before I’m understanding. Make wise choices.”
The first two groups retreated at that. The third, however, called out in return, “That’s fine. Can we travel with you?”
“As long as we don’t mistreat each other, I’ll walk with you as far ASU campus.”
“That’s where we’re going!” Their leader called out. It was a younger man, a college student for sure. One of the New Republic people, then. TJ Appraised him.
Acolyte, 20
A higher leveled Dirt tier. As with most, TJ saw the moment in which the new traveling partners Appraised him in return. Some gasped, and the man who’d spoken let his mouth fall open. Then, after gathering himself, he asked, “Have you heard of what’s going on on campus?”
“The whole New Republic thing?” TJ asked. When he got a nod back, he shrugged. “Sven filled me in on most of it. I’m not totally joined in or anything, but it’s where I’m staying for now.”
“Oh, great! We’ll be able to work well together, then. I’m Ben!”
“Hey Ben.” TJ nodded. “Call me TJ. This is Luz.” He bounced her hand in a wave. Fortunately, she picked up the wave herself after a second, and took the time to wave at everyone who looked at her. For the first time, she giggled, and TJ thanked children’s inability to remember things.
“How old is she?” Asked a woman following Ben. They all started walking towards campus as she asked the question. Knowing what was going to happen as he answered, TJ shrugged.
“I’m not sure. I only barely managed to save her life. I was wandering around, and heard something going on. When I checked it out, found three monsters. They’d already killed her dad, and though I tried to help, her mom died from her wounds right after. Killed the monsters, got all the baby stuff I could find in the house, and here I am.”
“You… she… you aren’t her dad?” The woman asked, her face scandalized. “What if someone comes looking for her? Her grandparents or uncles or aunts? You had no right!”
TJ stopped in his tracks. He couldn’t believe his ears. As he turned and leveled the most withering look he could muster at the middle aged woman, she seemed confused as to why he was so angry. He didn’t leave her waiting.
“Are you fucking stupid? ‘Oh, this kid’s parents are dead. Well, shucks, I guess I’ll leave the toddler in the busted house and hope someone she knows comes to help her!’" As he spoke, the woman flushed and turned away. It was pretty obvious that she just hadn't been thinking, but TJ didn't stop. "You… I don’t think there are words that exist to correctly express just how much I hate your stupid existence. There has to be nothing going on between your ears. Truly. Do you think I should leave a child alone in the rubble, surrounded by her parents’ blood?”
He couldn’t hold himself back. From where he was, he flicked his middle finger like he was flipping someone. With Wind Manipulation, he pushed wind through the air until it smacked between her eyes.
“I don’t want you to open your mouth again where I can hear it. Not a single fucking word. Everyone is worse off for hearing you breathe, much less speak.”
“Ok, buddy, that’s too much. She obviously just wasn't thinking, and doesn't deserve---” A man said, stepping forward and grabbing TJ’s arm. As he’d promised, TJ chose violence before he chose understanding. Without any warning, he backhanded the man across the face, knocking him prone. Luz started to cry in her carrier and TJ tried to shush her as the man groaned on the ground. As the man tried to recover, TJ looked Ben in the face.
“I don’t know how much luck you’ve had in keeping these idiots alive this long, but holy shit. You have your work cut out for you. I don’t want any of these morons anywhere near me. I’m going ahead.” Without another word, TJ sped up while still keeping his steps as gentle as possible. Once he was a quarter mile or so ahead of Ben’s entourage of idiots, TJ slowed down and focused more on calming Luz. He could smell one of the issues that was upsetting her, and, not knowing how to say it in Spanish, spoke to her.
“I’ll change you once we get there. Do you want a snack? I think there’s some in the diaper bag.” Of course, he didn’t wait for or expect an answer, and instead pulled the tube of puffed cereal from the bag. As he shook it, Luz kicked her feet excitedly.
“There we go. Take some of these, and we’ll get you clean soon.” He held a handful in front of her, and she clumsily grabbed a fistful, knocking half the snacks towards the ground. With Wind Manipulation, though, TJ caught them and carried them back to his hand. It shouldn’t have surprised him, but that incited his first “fight” with the little girl. Seeing that they came back, Luz took the handful she carried and threw it away. TJ caught it as best as he could manage, losing a couple in the process. When Luz giggled, though, any small frustration that he carried about the way she was acting was washed away. She was still mostly filthy, though he’d tried to clean her as best as he could manage with a handful of wipes.
But she was laughing. TJ felt something in him heal at the sound, and he continued to indulge the toddler.
After a couple minutes of her building laughter, she decided that wasn’t funny anymore. Instead, Luz focused on how best to stuff as many of the pieces of cereal as possible into her mouth at the same time. She was only moderately successful, and somehow ended up with one of the squares of puffed rice on her forehead. TJ idly pulled it from her head and held it in front of her, where she leaned out and tried to take it directly with her mouth. It was just too far. Though he laughed, TJ held it closer and let her suck the cereal into her mouth.
As she exhausted the last of the cereal that TJ was willing to feed to her so early, TJ could see the edges of campus. Luz started to fuss, and TJ bounced her, hoping to be able to get into a safer area before getting her changed and fed. Instead of complying, though, she changed from whining to crying, and TJ pulled her out of the carrier and shushed and distracted her as best as she could. Like all babies, she didn’t care.
There wasn’t anything else he could do, though, and TJ jogged through campus to the center, where he could finally take care of the child. Someone started to step out in front of him, but he just called out, “I have a poopy, hungry baby. You wanna deal with it?”
They scooted right out of his path. He chuckled, running to the room that was his. There, he looked around. Before, he hadn’t paid any attention, but it was a dorm room, one of those made to be effectively a single person suite. One of the expensive ones. There was a chest of drawers that was just the right height, though, and TJ pulled a towel out and laid it there before putting Luz on it.
She knew what was coming, and, unfortunately, chose chaos again. She rolled back and forth, kicking her feet, and generally making a nuisance of herself as TJ wiped her up. Once her new, clean diaper was on, Luz was ready to wander around. Deciding letting her burn off some energy was for the best, TJ put her down and let her wander in the mostly undecorated room. A single NASA poster on the wall and blue sheets and quilt. How was he going to take care of this kid? He’d decided he’d be a part of her life, but maybe he’d spend days out hunting? More and more, he found that he was laying down roots, and he didn’t like that.
While he was wondering what to do about Luz’s sleeping situation, a knock came at the door.
“Come in!” He called. “Door’s not locked.”
A tall black woman TJ vaguely recognized walked in. Someone that maybe he’d spoken with as Raya had led them through her plans for how to ensure everyone got vegetables and fruits.
“Hello, TJ. I’ve heard that you got a baby?” She asked, a little confused.
TJ pointed to Luz, who’d crawled under the desk. “Yes. I found her with her two dead parents. I was just in time to protect her from the monsters, and decided she didn’t deserve to die. So here we are. Is there anything that we can do to get her taken care of during the day while I go out? I’ll be back at night to take care of her then.”
“Well…” The woman drew out the word, thinking about it. “I think that there’s a couple of mothers who are getting together most days to take care of the kids. I’ll make sure you get in contact with them to see what you can get figured out there. Is that alright?”
“Yes, thank you. And I’m sorry, what was your name? I’ve forgotten it.”
“I never gave it.” She nodded. “My name is Alicia. Now, is there anything else I can do for you right now?”
After rubbing his chin for a second, TJ figured he’d ask. “You have any baby food?”
Comments
No_Creative_Name
I can get that. In what way does this chapter feel incoherent? I’ve felt like sometimes I drag on and sometimes I move too quick, so I’d love to know the specifics of your opinion.
Lwoah
I enjoy the story but sometimes the interactions with strangers don’t feel very coherent
AL
I love that he didnt take their shit lol
