Raven turned as though he was about to leave, his steps slow and heavy, but after only a few strides, he stopped. Something held him back. He turned again, facing the man whose hands were still trembling from everything that had happened.
"Your son is with you now," Raven said quietly, his voice low but firm. "Take care of him."
There was no anger in his tone, only exhaustion—
Without waiting for a response, Raven turned and walked away, leaving the man standing there, rooted to the spot, his chest tight with fear, guilt, and relief
The forest swallowed Raven as he walked deeper into it.
The moment he was sure no one could see him, the tears came.
They rushed down his face without warning, warm and relentless. Raven lifted his hand and wiped them away roughly, almost angrily, but more followed. His breath hitched as his chest tightened.
He let out a bitter, humorless smile.
"You don't need to keep hiding," he said softly to himself, his voice barely louder than the wind. "I know you have always wanted things to be this way."
He paused, his voice breaking.
"But I never knew it would reach this extent."
His knees weakened, and he staggered toward a tree, sinking down beside it. His back pressed against the rough bark as his head fell forward, chin resting against his chest. His shoulders shook silently.
For a long time, he just sat there, letting the forest witness his grief.
When he finally stood, it was as if he had forced every broken piece of himself back into place. He inhaled deeply, steadying his breathing, then took off at full speed, his movements swift and controlled as he raced through the forest.
Moments later, he reached the road. A cab slowed down, and Raven flagged it. He climbed in without a word, staring blankly out the window as the vehicle drove away, carrying him back toward the place he dreaded the most.
Raven stepped onto the school grounds, the familiar environment feeling colder than usual. Students moved around, laughing, talking, living ordinary lives—completely unaware of the darkness threading itself through their world.
He walked straight into the cafeteria and sat down at a corner table. Slowly, he lowered his head, his gaze fixed on nothing, his thoughts spiraling deep into places he rarely allowed himself to visit.
"Raven."
The voice pulled him back.
Jan slid into the seat across from him, her movements calm, her expression gentle. Raven lifted his head and looked at her, and the change in his face was immediate. His eyes sharpened, darkened, as though he was looking at someone he could not trust.
Jan noticed.
She smiled faintly, trying to soften the tension. "I am not your enemy, Raven," she said quietly. "I don't know why you look at me like that."
Raven stared at her for a long moment, his gaze piercing.
"What did she do to you?" he asked suddenly.
Jan frowned. "Who?" she asked, confusion flashing across her face.
Raven said nothing. He simply continued staring, his silence heavier than words.
Jan stood slowly. "I can see you're not in the mood to talk—as always," she said softly. "I'll leave you."
She turned and walked away.
The moment she disappeared from sight, Raven's body stiffened. Something sharp and instinctive cut through his thoughts.
Something was wrong.
He stood up abruptly and rushed upstairs, his steps urgent, almost frantic. He reached the door and forced it open without knocking.
Inside, the sight froze him.
I was on the floor.
Unconscious.
Raven's heart dropped. He rushed to the window and threw it open, scanning the area below. Just in time, he saw a woman—fully covered, her appearance concealed—slipping into a taxi. The vehicle pulled away quickly, disappearing down the road.
Raven stood there, gripping the window frame as tears filled his eyes again.
"I never wanted to harm you," he whispered, his voice breaking as he watched the taxi vanish. "Never."
I groaned softly and stirred, my eyes fluttering open. My head throbbed as I slowly became aware of my surroundings.
Raven stood by the window.
"What happened to me?" I asked weakly. "And what are you doing in my room?"
Raven turned toward me. For a moment, our eyes met.
Then he looked away.
Without saying a single word, he walked out of the room. He didn't turn back. He didn't explain. He didn't defend himself.
He just left.
Raven stood at the school gate, staring at the road ahead. Cars passed by, their headlights slicing through the evening air.
"So it's you," he said quietly, his eyes fixed on the moving vehicles. "It's always been you."
Tears slipped down his face once more.
He lifted his head slowly, the weight of realization crushing down on him.
"So this is what you wanted," he whispered, his voice filled with pain and disbelief.
"Mother."