Hugo was often called 'a ray of light' by his family. He was their sweet, little and innocent boy who frolicked over the flower fields on the first day of spring.
Being nicknamed to many light related puns he grew to love the Sun more. "Sunshine," his mother's voice rung in his ear, "Come down for dinner."
Hugo smiled and clutched onto the pillow beneath his head as he continued his dream.
"My radiant little boy," he heard his father's voice at the dining table, "How was your day?"
Hugo sat on the chair and felt like a child sitting next to his two elder sisters, talking to his father while their mother served them food and eventually sat down with them, joining them about the most mundane of conversations.
"Sunshine," he heard his mother's voice ring in his ear but now with a strained tone to it. He looked around as the scenery changed from his house to a burning building and him changing from a child to a teenager.
His mother's eyes danced with malice as she grabbed his arm, "Come down for dinner," she ordered him but he struggled. More hands grabbed his arm, attempting to pull him in. He recognized them as his father's and both of his sister's.
Tears ran down his cheeks as smoke and taunts from his burning family filled his lungs.
"Why did you leave us, son?"
(No, Dad I didn't mean to-)
"Sunshine, why are you not coming to your mother? Didn't I tell you family sticks together?"
(I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so-)
"Did you not promise to be our model, Gogo?"
(I did, I did promise Margaret. I'm so so sorry I left-)
"Liar. You said you would protect me "
(I did try to protect you, Sierra. I did my best I promise, I promise-)
The nightmare forcing him awake, Hugo sat up and staring at his arms where he could still feel his family's grip.
Hugo shuddered.
And sighed.
Then wondered.
"Where am I?"
______________________
Piper had dozed off at Hugo's bedside. She had barely managing to keep him from turning into a bloodless prune. She deserved her rest.
"Hey," she heard from her slumber, "Wake up."
Piper's eyes fluttered open and the only thing she saw were deep grey and annoyed irises. She screamed as the person in front of her flinched away from her face. "Spirits," the man in front of her sighed, "I never thought my beauty would make someone scream out of joy." He tilted his head and grinned, "A first time for everything, huh?"
Piper stared at him speechless. He looked at her disappointedly, "No reply?"
Her fists clenched as she tried to avert her gaze from him. "Your stomach and calf have been treated. I'd bet that you need only two to three days to heal and then you can be on your way to Spirits know where," she stated while restraining herself from asking him about what happened to him. About why he was found in the rose gardens in such a dreadful state.
Silence stretched as Piper's legs started shaking faster. "No questions or introductions?" Hugo wondered out loud, a hint of amusement in his voice, "I really wanted to get to know my savior," he said as he leaned across the bed and moved his face to a place where she could see it.
Piper flinched.
"No, I don't believe it's necessary for us to know each other. After all, we are strangers," Piper said a little too quickly. She noticed Hugo's expression change to one of mischief. "Really?" he drawled, "I think a pretty lady such as yourself would have some fun in knowing me," he paused after noticing her worried face and then lowered his voice, "Don't worry, it'll stay between us if that's what you're worried about."
It hurt Piper's poor little heart as she watched Hugo flirt with a woman he barely even knew. Hell, he didn't even care whether she was taken or not.
"Stop being an arrogant bastard just because of your good looks. Do you have no shame?" she seethed, letting her emotions get the better of her.
Hugo's eyes widened, "Well, you surely do have a fiery personality...," he trailed as he looked at her hair.
Piper's face heated up as cherished and ruined words echoed in the forests of her mind- "You're noticeable from anywhere, aren't you Rust?"
Hugo looked dumfounded at her reaction. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I didn't think that the comment would affect you that much. I was just trying to-, you know?"
"Fuck," Piper muttered underneath her breath, "What is wrong with you?"
"You brought me here!" he exclaimed, a little annoyed by her nonsensical actions. Piper looked at him, full of regret and left the room.
"That's not what I mean, you fool."