“We should probably stop running, man,” I said a couple of minutes later. “The streets are swarming with people by now; we'll attract much more attention running around like a couple of idiots.”

“You're right… ah… bro…” His lungs were gasping for air, his speech interrupted by long, uneven breaths, hands on his knees seeking support. “Oof, I’m gonna pass out right here.” He attempted laughing, but his breath wouldn't let him do anything else other than desperately seek for more air.

“You should really exercise a lot more,” I said as I slapped my friend’s shoulder lightly. “Why am I your friend, again?” Another rhetorical question; besides my mom, Clovis was the closest person I had to family. Today he had really messed everything up, but I can't say I’ve never done my fair share of chaos in his life.

“Surely should, but certainly won't.” His head was a bit less pale now; his eyes darted around, looking for any signs of guards. By now, the two dorks I knocked out must have woken up. Did I leave anything important there? Well, there's not much left to be done, other than to follow my lazy friend.

“Once we stopped running, another sensation crept in, one I’d almost forgotten amidst the chaos. Aside from the extreme headache, I could feel, right below my left eye, the remnants from my last little scuffle with the two guards. Dodging that punch was a close call; one moment more, and the situation might have gone much more complicated for me. Why can’t I be a little less impulsive? Everything would be so much easier that way… but come to think of it, I’m not an impulsive person, it's quite the opposite. What the hell is happening to me?

"My head is about to explode anytime soon, and how's my eye? Is it bad?" I asked while softly touching the bruise in my face.

"You’re still the pretty one, don’t worry,” Clovis quipped, his gaze still scanning the horizon.

Following his gaze, I noticed a couple of guards talking to some people. Could they already be asking about us? Most probably, by now all the Official Guards must be aware of our situation, and looking for us. Am I really a bad guy? I've done my fair share of wrongdoings, but today I did nothing wrong, except maybe for the whole knocking out two guards thing, but that wasn't my intention… I thought back to how I had meticulously planned every word, every moment, leading to them being both on the ground. Am I the villain here? Despite today’s chaos, that thought unnerves me more than any punch I’ve dodged.

“Hey Clov, I really need a painkiller. I can’t even think straight. Why can't the damn world stop pulsating?” My hands mimicked a beating heart, trying to emphasize the intensity of the pain.

“Sure, as long as you stop bitching about it! Since when do you feel pain, anyway? I thought your crazy-boy superpower blocked it all, or something like that. At least that’s what everyone says about it out there.” 

Though he's not entirely wrong, he simultaneously couldn't be further from the truth. I do have some control over my senses and sensations, but even I don't understand much about it. Since childhood, I've had to accept that my way of seeing and sensing the world can be fun, but often horrific. So much for being the crazy kid, right? Even not knowing much about it, I do know alcohol makes everything messier. Being hungover doesn't help either.

“As you very well know, 'everyone' has no idea what they're talking about.” I said shortly, putting the subject aside.

“I really wish you would trust me and talk to me about it someday”

“Maybe someday. Anyway, let's make a quick stop at Mario’s for those painkillers. And then you can tell me your big plan for hiding out, and what the hell you did to get the Official Guard after you,” I said, pointing my finger at his face and staring deeply into his eyes. “well, to be fair, they're now after both of us, but still, it's in your best interest to have a good reason. You know I would never turn you in, but who knows what else I might do to you?”

"Bro, you're scary as hell, especially when you have a headache. But sure, let's go."