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It was almost like there was a magnetic force to the park, the way it drew Eric in. The park was all covered in lush green vegetation, freshly cut grass and tall, lean trees. Dotted between the patches of earthy tones were far pastel houses facing the waterfront.
The magnetism turned to a nauseating sensation. All of this overly precious scenery was starting to make Eric sick. Why, oh why was he here? He was only trying to walk home after what was supposed to be a quick trip to the supermarket. The sickness pushed Eric to leave, that is until he heard muffled sobs even more inwards to the park, sounding innocent and childlike.
Following the sounds lead him to a boy, around ten or eleven, sobbing by an array of bushes. He was wearing an oversized The Jesus and Mary Chain t-shirt about two sizes too big. His blond hair was matted and tangled, as if he were a stray.
"E-excuse me, can you please give me some money for the bus? I'm trying to get back home, and I can't call my mom." He said, tears rolling down his cheek.
“Erm, yeah, sure. Let me just…” Eric reached for his wallet.
When the boy turned to look up at him, Eric was struck by a sense of familiarity. The eyes looked tense and cunning, like the boy was much more capable of what he let on. The intensity reminded him of Henning, the way his brows furrowed and how the iris and pupils turned dark. After their eyes briefly met, the boy’s mouth turned up in such a way that it looked like he was about to laugh.
Something was definitely up, thought Eric.
Maybe he realized that Eric was catching on to him, because afterwards, he quickly moved his head downwards, as if he was ready for prayer.
Now Eric wasn't dumb. He used to do his fair share of delinquency with his childhood friend Henning back in the day. In fact, the idea came to his head that this boy might even be related to Henning! The two haven't talked in ages, but Henning did have a child. It was a rather small town the two of them came from, so it wouldn't be unusual that he may be Henning’s son or nephew or something.
"Wait a minute. You don't happen to be related to a Henning Fürst, by any chance?"
The boy jumped back. "Din satan! Eric, let's go!" The boy shrieked. Another child came out from behind him, possibly hiding in the foliage, who looked strangely like what Eric would've seen in the mirror when he was about ten years old. Now, this was getting way too strange for Eric! The names and the likeness! The two started to run off into the distance.
Eric started to yell. “Hey, wait a minute! I'm not mad...believe me, I used to do my fair share of-erm-illicit activities when I was about your age."
The boy and the other Eric stopped in their tracks. The first boy looked back, confused. "How did you know my name?"
Huh. This kid's name was Henning too? What a coincidence, thought Eric. "Well, I had a childhood friend that looked just like you when he was young. His name's also Henning." Eric gave a small laugh. "And my name's Eric too."
"Oh, whatever, you gubbe!"
"Oh, c'mon. I actually want to help you two out a bit." Eric said. He pointed at other Henning. "Like you. I saw that smile, you probably shouldn't be so obvious when trying to con someone out of their money."
"Oh, really, old man?" Then, his features softened. "I was really that obvious?" Other Henning gave a small chuckle.
"Yeah, I could see it on your face!"
"It's true, Henning. You should probably let me do it next time,” said other Eric.
Eric looked over. "And is that your friend?"
Other Henning nodded, grabbing other Eric's arm. "Yeah! His name’s Eric, we're best friends. We're definitely gonna start a band and take over the world together!"
Eric smiled, his heart hurting just a bit. "That's good. You should do that.”