The times before, when I was younger and I always looked past the little things that I took for granted, there was this nagging feeling.
This feeling that I just lost something. Something dear and… Raw. It was an unfathomable pain–One that was just as unexplainable. Suffering in silence is what I thought would be best. Lest I incur the wrath of the tyrant king who ruled the Kaltroth home…
Blood seeped into the cracks of our mahogany flooring, blood and wax converged. Squelching into a snail trail leading to my feet. White socks stained like roses.
The thick liquid didn't seem capable enough to stir me though. My eyes never departed from the mangled corpse of my father–His heart pierced through by a sterling silver dagger.
My heart pounded so heavily it was like a rock band was in session, right there, in between my ears. The blade in my hand fell to the ground–It's glistening metal reflecting the moonlight into my eye.
W-Wha–No… No… no, this isn't what I wanted–He's dead, I'm free! I won't be hurt anymore. My hand twitched, still heavy with the weight of my own fathers blood.
He… he won't hurt me anymore… Like a dam my stoic pretense of shock and fear gave way to elation and liberation. It was like shackles were removed from my very soul.
Something deep in my belly roared to life, a burning sensation that quickly flooded my entire body. Through the veins–Traveling through cell to cell, it was like my body was on fire from the inside out.
I gulped, my shaky hands wiping my mouth as I struggled to keep my bile in my gut. I spun stumbling on my heel, aiming for the front door but our halls seem so much bigger than before.
Darkness covered my every angle, the only thing in sight were the dark oak doors coddled by two giant windows on each side. Almost there… Just a little further! Where will I go once I get out? Ah, u–uncle Elon?! Yeah! H-He'll take me in–He'll understand!
Uncle Elon always knew how bad he was to me… He knows that he drove my mom crazy too! He'll understand for sure! The doors leading to my liberation felt like the sun, and just like in nature, that too has to be outshone at some point.
Like a wave of irrefutable justice blue and red lights flashed hypnotically–Acting to reverse my shock and replace my etherealism with a sense of doom.
My chest caved and my breaths became heavier than ever before–It was like cement bags settled in the depths of my lungs.
"THIS IS THE POLICE!! THE PLACE IS SURROUNDED! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!!" A voice, deep and commanding, sent shivers down my spine as memories of my late father and his torment swam to the surface of my fear stricken mind.
"Shit!" Dashing to the right down towards the east wing–Where our theatre room and subsequently, the garage was structured. With as many windows we have in this place, it was more akin to a giant greenhouse than an actual abode.
"WE WON"T ASK AGAIN! WE KNOW THERE'S A BODY!" And any pretense of being sneaky and conserved went out the window. That heat from early permeated my entire being now, I felt like I was steaming.
Chu! I grunt under my breath and speed up, my speed picking up to the point I was nothing but a blur through a dimly lit hallway. "THERE HE IS! BREACH! BREACH! BREACH!" A loud bang along with dozens of weighted footsteps shook the hallway.
The very foundation shook to its core but I was already in the garage and bolting through the backdoor before they even hit the right wing.
Come on! Come on! Almost there! The blissful wind of the midnight breeze– The silver moonlight cascading on the forestry that was, thankfully, our backyard. The serenity of it all briefly distracted me from the overpowering current that was reality.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" "G–HOLY SH– HE'S JUST A KID! "DON"T SHOOT HOLD YOUR FIRE!"
And in the pitch black of the night a shining beam falling from guttural blades that chopped through the thick atmosphere that surrounded us all. A hand shot up to cover my eyes from the overpowering beam.
"Guh!" I grunt, my eyes wide, heart pumping with both adrenaline and fear for my future.
"Inspector what do we do!?" My eyes cut through the chaos and to the most prominent man in the group. A dark skinned man with a mean mustache–His gear was slimmer than the rest of his men, more room for agility.
His gun was quickly holstered as he bruised past his men. His eyes locked onto mine–Even through the onyx dreads that began to hang over my face.
Silence dominated the area, only the constant chattering of the helicopter above us reigned supreme. My heart paced heavily, battling against my ribcage in a losing battle but that didn't stop my mind from thinking of all my possibilities.
"Come on kid, relax… Just breathe and cooperate with us so we can get you back to your parents." The Inspector suggested–Though just the mention of parental figures sent an alerting shiver down my spine.
My eyes narrowed and before I even knew it my Talent had activated and I dashed forward directly towards the line of armed men surrounding my garage–Most likely my entire house by now.
"Shit! Don't shoot! Tase the little bastard if you have too!" I heard him shout, his men only grunting and shouting indiscriminate cries of confusion as I ran straight through them. Literally.
"H-HE'S INSIDE ME! WHAT THE FU–", "SHIT! HE'S A KIMYO! HURRY YOUR ASSES MEN!"
Don't stop–Head straight for the forest. They can't track you there! The group was cleared easily with the help of surprise. Their demands and threats didn't teeter my advance one bit–Even as I narrowly dodged electrically charged discs.
The power dispersed peacefully into the earthen ground below me. The midnight breeze wafting powerfully–Muting the terror that raged around me.
Either it was due to my speed or the forest began to do its job, but sooner than later, the wind didn't need to aid me in covering them up. "Chu!" I grunted, leaping over a fallen tree trunk and clearing the distance with ease.
My talent halted and I came to a stop, dashing to my right in a dramatic attempt to secure my losing the police. No way it was that easy–Where is my mom–I need my mom! My breath began to hitch, my chest heaving as tears etched their ways to the edges of my eyes.
But a deep breath forced them to retreat, my gaze hardening as I had to steel myself. I killed my father… With my own hands–She's never coming for me. The silence in this particular moment was loud and heavy.
It was damn near tangible.
I'm on my own…
. . .
"Hmm, to escape the dirty grip of the Trinidad police force–How impressive." A voice as crumbly as autumn leaves, and heavy as the sun lit ablaze my darkness in the night.
Two feet, exposed as they were in nothing but sandals, stood directly in front of me. I tensed, my talent activating as I dashed backwards through the tree I leaned against.
Who was that!? I was so worked up I let myself get drowsy! My blunder may be the reason I face justice today. I blinked and the next thing I saw was a giant forearm extended straight for my forehead.
My eyes widened and in that second of my grand escape and now, I had released my talent… "AUGH!" It was like hitting a steel beam, sending my brain rattling in seconds and my already stupor state to even worsen heights.
I hit the ground hard and lofty. Even with my stature the forest shook.
"Humph, intangibility huh…? Quite the troublemaker you're turning out to be, boy." His voice was like a warm blanket and a fulfilling breeze. Fear and panic filled my heart but my body didn't have it in me to run any longer.
This is the end…
"Open your eyes. I'm not here to harm you. I'm sure you're already familiar with that concept." I couldn't see it due to the darkness that wrapped around him like a cloak, but I could hear the smile on his face… And the security it was offering.
My breath hitched on the way in, my chest tight. I had no words, so I simply stayed quiet praying that the silence would speak to my troubles for me.
But it lingered longer than I expected. The old man stayed just as quiet–His presence was so astounding if it weren't for it I would've thought he'd left me be.
Distant shouts full of vigor and angst began to fill in that silent gap. Time was running out. Shit…
My heart rate began to speed up as thoughts and memories began to flash within my mind. Memories of when my dad and I weren't on such bad terms. Back to when we were all just family.
I miss you, mom… My head falls into the safe coverage of my inner elbow, my knees curl towards my chest as I fight back the sobs that threaten to bleak from my throat.
H-How would I ever look her in the eyes? How could I face Karma? He's not even three years old yet and I took his–
A massive hand fell on my head, my head shot up but I was forced to look straight ahead. "...I don't know your reasoning. I don't know what you're feeling…" The mysterious man began.
"But I have an idea of it." His hand caresses the base of my locs, making them dance slightly. "Come with me, son. Let me help you." As his hand lifted, so too did the restraint on my neck.
"--this way! I see footprints!" My gaze lifted, glancing over my shoulder and seeing flickers of flashlights only cemented my lack of resolve. I sighed. My eyes tracing up the figure who stood by me through it all.
For the first time I paid attention to his features, taking in his soft brown skin and wrinkled features. A white goatee, well trimmed and maintenanced… Just like Fa–Rakesh… I snapped out of it as his pupils caught me off guard.
I gulped, f-fire! It was as if his very pupils breathed it. It explained his warmth–He was a Kimyo. Just like me.
"I'm Leo." He said, his benign tone capturing me back in from my introspection. I blinked. "A-Alduin." His smile widened and he pulled me into a hug just as I heard two people stumble out of the bushes we were hiding behind.
In a bright burst of flames and a massive gust of wind that made me clench harder to the man who I can only call my savior. "Haha! Hold on tight, boy. This will be quick!"
"Mm!"
I could hardly manage much else. I guess even with my enhanced physique I'm nothing in front of someone with actual skill.
As the police faded into ants, my breath, fear and angst did too. Like a mountain being freed from its snowy cap prisons. Trinidad and Tobago was a beautiful city at night–Too bad the people who wander about this time of night don't share that same concept.
Somewhere along the way I had finally come to terms with what had happened–With what I had done. My thoughts wandered to that moment over and over again.
Flashes of his intense rage as he seethed and visibly held himself back from striking me just from the news I was a Kimyo… Scum… An abomination just like my mother. I scoff, so quietly I doubt Leo was able to hear it.
The grip around my torso tightened for a second before loosening, can he read my mind too? The silent reassurance, all the while, thickened my sorrow and for the first time since I truly existed I didn't feel the need to upkeep my mask.
In the midst of the night with no one but the moon to witness, I cried. Mourning my past life and the changes that are to come, and perhaps, a little bit was for my father too.