julian sat in the back of his truck, fiddling with one of his hearing aids. it hadn't been working for most of the day, and it was definitely bothering him. he picked up his cigarette, lighting it. it was too much energy, fixing the stupid thing all the time. he didn't have the money for a new one, though, and bothering his parents would be a waste of time. it always was.

he turned off both hearing aids, closing his eyes. he hated the silence, most of the time, when he was in public- it could be rather scary, not being able to hear when he was in a crowded place. he preferred it, sometimes, though- times like this, when he was all alone. sitting in the near-total silence, bathing in darkness. it was a gloomy day. he always liked it when it was overcast.