T/W: Foul Language

I’ve always been one who hated the silence. When it’s too quiet, I feel almost claustrophobic. So the overwhelming confusion by the sounds and the lights I felt as I stood in the middle of an active crosswalk was hard for me to comprehend. 

I, for my life, can’t remember what I was just doing or where I was heading, too. I only know I felt dizzy - nauseous even. I hear the crosswalk counting down, but my feet are heavily planted in place against my will. I don’t remember having any type of astigmatism. I’ve never needed glasses before.

“Do you need help?” came a low voice in front of me. I reluctantly looked up. All I could see was a blur of blue and red.

“I’m sorry. I’m feeling lightheaded,” I mumbled, stumbling back as I tried to take a step. A hand caught me by my forearm. 

“It’s no bother. I’ll help you to the other side,” the kind voice rumbled deeply. I could only nod meekly in thanks as the stranger helped move me out of the way of traffic. It seemed he guided me to a bench at a bus stop, sitting me down gently before kneeling in front of me. “Do you need medical help?”

“No, I don’t think so,” I reply slowly, putting my hand to my temples as I try to will my vision to return to me.

“Do you need water? It’s hot enough to consider dehydration,” the voice continued. I shook my head slowly.

“No, thank you. I’m not thirsty,” I responded. The voice chuckled.

“It’s not about thirsty or not.”

“Is there a clinic nearby? I don’t believe this is serious enough for the Emergency Room,” I chuckled awkwardly. The voice hummed as I felt him shift, probably looking around and thinking of where the closest one may be. 

“I think the after-hours clinic should open up in the next forty minutes or so. It’s about four or five blocks from here if I remember correctly,” the man mused. I smiled in thanks.

“That’s not too far off,” I reply, squeezing my eyes and rubbing them as I try to clear my vision once more. 

“I’ll take you there,” the voice came back to me as it stood up. I flinched in surprise. “Do you need longer to catch your breath?”

“No, you really don’t have to!” I cried out, looking at his tall silhouette above me.

“As a patrol officer, it’s my duty to make sure civilians are safe. I can spare the time to guide someone who is having a medical issue. So please don’t feel overwhelmed by the officer. Consider it part of my job,” the low voice came back so soft, I would feel like an ass if I continued to refuse him.

“I guess I can’t refuse then,” I dramatically sighed, exaggerating the burden I felt from accepting his help. A low, rumbling laugh made me feel safe. I held out my hand to him, embarrassed. “If you can, dear officer.”

“Of course, lovely citizen in need,” he responded, a quick snicker escaping from his mouth. I chuckled. I couldn’t see him well, but I knew from his personality that he must be younger than my twenty-eight-year-old self. He had a boyish charm when he talked. A new recruit, stuck on patrol duty, was probably enjoying this side quest. 

I followed beside the office. Or correctly stated, dragged along with my arm thrown over the officer’s shoulder. My one foot almost dangled as we made our way down the busy afternoon street. My heavily fogged eyes were clearing up at a begrudgingly slow pace, which honestly, were pissing me off how long it was taking. 

“Hey, you really don’t have to take me all the way…” I mumbled, feeling embarrassed. This tall, childlike officer dragged my feet down the sidewalk like a dead fish. It was starting to make me feel insecure about my five-foot-seven self. At least I could say I was average…

“Should I just dump you like a dead body in an alley then? Let the homeless steal from - I mean, take care of you?” the officer cackled. I take it back - I wanted to smack him. If I hit him hard enough, would he shrink? Would he finally be less cocky if I make him shorter than me? 

Hmm… No, that’s an assault on an officer. But I’m currently under duress from being temporarily blinded. I could claim it’s his fault. No… he has a bodycam. It would seem unprovoked after this officer tried to help me find a clinic. I’ll just tuck that away for a rainy day if I run into him again. 

“... I would appreciate it if you didn’t do that, officer,” I clicked my tongue, holding back as much as I could of a spiteful tone. He laughed, voice rumbling and shaking my hanging body. Seems he noticed. 

“Of course not. I’m a cop, not a villain,” he chuckled. I rolled my eyes.

“Well, from my point of view, there’s been no confirmation. I can’t see properly - so I have no idea if you’re actually wearing a uniform. You didn’t even try to show me a badge.”

“I’d be pretty insensitive if I tried to shove my badge in the face of someone who told me they’re blind…” he awkwardly laughed. 

“You could have let me feel it, and guided me to where the badge number was for my peace of mind…” I mumbled. The officer paused, whipping his head to look at me as if just realizing that he could have done that. I felt his shoulder-length hair brush against my face. 

“Oh,” he stuttered. I tried to hold back hold back a smug smile but my face must have looked pretty weird from twitching while restraining my expression. I heard him muffle a scoff, and I unknowingly let out a snicker. He was definitely a newbie.