From one proxy to another proxy [Ticcimask]

Chap. 9: Out of the Darkness, Into the Fire

Masky narrates 

Finally, after an hour and half of walking through the forest, i completed my task.

I was in the tub taking a hot bath, i smelled like dead animals. I hated it, animals shouldn't die in traps or at the hands of humans... unless it's because of survival, like eating.

When i was a teenager i tried to be a vegetarian, i couldn't i gave up.

Whatever, traps were for nosy humans who think they're cool for filming pseudo documentaries doing stupid urban explorations in the woods, the Operator doesn't like them hanging around here, and well sometimes we find some poor animal agonizing or split in half.

Usually i'm the one who has to dispose of them, sometimes Hoodie, but never Toby, he loves animals. He doesn't have the guts to do that... nor do i have a heart of stone to allow him to do it. 

Killing people is easy, they deserve it they all have done something bad.

But animals? They're just animals.

I got out of the bathtub, a small puddle of water formed under my feet as I dried myself. I looked at my reflection in the broken mirror. A beard was growing and probably needed a haircut.  

—I refuse to look like a bum... smelling like one is bad enough. 

I heard the door close, so I assumed the boys had returned. I got out with the towel around my waist, some water drops fell from my hair and slid down my body. 

I saw Rogers going to his room, he had a face of discomfort. Our eyes met but he didn't say anything, he kept walking completely ignoring me.

They had a disagreement? 

I went down stairs looking for Hoodie, he just opened the door and walked in without his mask.

—What is it? 

—I still don't know what to think about Toby —he said as he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame—. I think your right about him being lazy and not completely devoted to the Operator...

—I didn't... i said he's so far from man up, but i don't doubt about his loyalty. 

It is true that Rogers is too soft, or he was at first, there were tasks he didn't want to do, but nothing is opcional. However i think he's made a progress. 

—So he's not clear on how things work. We got sent to do shit, we don't ask and we do it, that or we die. He can make his choice, i know what i want—Hoodie sounded so irritated, for the first time i see him... sick? of Toby. 

—Can you explain me what got you bitching about him? —i mocked him, i kinda enjoy it.

—His first kidnapping! The kid popped his cherry! Applauses. 

—Cut the shit.

Now i get it.

For us it was common kidnapping, but Toby joined when that task wasn't that common anymore so he never had to do it. I understand he's a little sensitive now.

—Where was it? A park?

—Kindergarten.

—Fuck Hoodie, what the hell?

—Kidnapping children in a park isn't less terrible than after kindergarten. He'll get over it. I gotta go, i have to hand over the child and get rid of the car, can you get a new one?

—Fine.

He left.

Part of me wanted to go to Toby's room, check on him, talk to him and help him to clear his mind but the other part was just thinking how stupid that sounds.

Two men talking about their emotions in his room? Hell no, that's too gay.

Tho, i tormented myself for days when i did it for the first time...