13 years ago

She was twelve when she met him. A peculiar child who's somehow lost and tried everything he can to survive. He was confused most of the time, but he managed. He was still a child.

The twelve-year-old Eira saw him running away after stealing quietly from a nearby bakery when she was walking home from her evening classes. The bakery owner saw it and came out shouting in anger. She dug her pockets for some money before handing it to the owner.

"I'm sorry, my.. friend is quite hungry. Here's the payment" she gave him more money than what the actual price was. "If you could please don't say anything about what had happened." She smiled but immediately dropped the act.

Eira quietly followed the little kid who was hiding inside one of the dark alleyways, eating the food quickly by himself. She decided that it's not her problem whether he went into trouble or not and decided to go home.

The very next day, she saw the same child. Lurking around to find a chance for food to survive. Eira gripped her bag tightly before going into cover and decided to just watch him for now. She doesn't know why, but she sees herself in him. He is still a child but needed to find a way to survive somehow.

The following week, she does the same thing after she keeps on seeing the kid. It was night time, Eira was sitting on the park's bench and there she saw the little human. She doesn't know why but he fascinates her.

"Hey! A thief!" Someone shouted, causing quite a ruckus. The shouts caused the child to be frightened a bit. He gripped the bread in his arms tight, not knowing where to run. Suddenly, someone was pulling his hand as they flee from the scene. His head was covered by a cap to cover his face.

When it looks safe, they stop. She pulled his arm towards what looked like an abandoned building, but he forced her to a halt. She pulled her hoodie down before turning towards him. The moonlight shone down, so it wasn't really that dark. He still couldn't see her face properly, though. She stared him down, there were dried blood on his clothes and on his arm. He was dirty, and his appearance was shabby.

"Who are you?" He asked with a solemn look on his face. Eira, who was taller than him, didn't say anything and just motioned towards the house.

"There's plenty of simple necessities in that house. A mattress, blankets, and clean clothes. I wasn't able to get you a proper home yet, though. Just found this clean house when I was searching for something." her voice came out monotone as she turned away from him. Even though she sounded emotionless, he could feel warmth from her.

"Stay here for now. I'll bring food for you tomorrow," she said and began walking away, but his voice stopped her. "Why should I trust you?"

"You don't have to. But if you want to survive, you need to do whatever it takes. So doing what I said is the best option.. for now. I don't care if you trust me or not." With that, Eira began running away towards the darkness until she completely disappeared from his sight.

He didn't want to do it, but a part of him wanted to try. He was scared, that's for sure. He began walking towards the house and took a peak inside. It was somewhat clean for an abandoned house. There was a mattress on the floor with some blankets and clean clothes.

She spoke the truth.

He woke up with the sound of birds chirping. He had wrapped himself with the blankets. It was a good sleep compared to what he had to endure these past months. Remembering what had happened last night made him sit up instantly. Will she come today? She did say she would bring food. His stomach started grumbling, and he sighed. He kept on waiting and waiting, she wasn't coming. He was leaning on the wall near the window, curling himself like a ball.

"Why should i trust a stranger?" he muttered to himself, feeling disappointed. "Like I said last night, you dont," a voice appeared, causing him to immediately look up towards the window near his head.

His eyes widened as their gazes met. He could see her clearly this time. The side of her lips tugged upwards as she leaned forwards from outside of the window. Her right hand lifted as she gave him a small wave.

"Yo!" He could feel his heart skip a beat as he watched her jump inside through the window. She extended her arm, handing him a plastic bag containing some food.

"Eat," she instructed still with the smile on her lips. He was hesitating, and she took it as a sign. "I'll go," and once again, she disappeared from his sight.

He fumbled around the plastic bag, and there was a small box inside with some fruits and chips. His hands grabbed the small box and opened it. Korean fried chicken. It was still hot. He began eating when he made sure she was nowhere. Eira, who was far away, turned around to see him. She had a solemn look on her face as she watched him devour the food.

The next day was the same, her bringing him food as Eira ran away after giving it to him. He didn't really say anything because Eira did all the talking. She greeted him with a soft smile every time. On the sixth day, Eira brought him food as usual. He bit his lower lips as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

"Well enjoy you meal." When she was about to walk away, haechan grabbed her arm. "Wait. You can.. stay," he mumbled but was loud enough for her to hear. Eira plastered a smile as she sat in front of him without hesitation.

"Please dont.. stare when I eat." he broke the silence, feeling the intense gaze from eira. She gave a half-suppressed laugh and positioned herself to face the other way, knowing that he's shy and uncomfortable.

"Ah, this house is crappy," she mumbled to herself. "It's fine. It's better than what I've had before," he who had heard her answered.

"Now that I think about it, I don't even know your name."

"Lee Donghyuck. But I go by Haechan now."

Eira hummed in response. "Hyuck."

"I ran away from home. Bad people trying to take my brother. I dont know what happened after." Eira's gaze softened as she listened to him talk— explaining with his limited words. He was still a child after all.. just like her. She sees a vision of herself again.

Eira gave him a sad smile as she reached for his head, giving it a light pat. "Dont worry. Next time, I'll protect you." he shook his head upon hearing her words.

"No! I'm a boy. I should protect you. I will protect you." he sounded cute when he said it, causing Eira to let out a chuckle. "You're cute." her eyes caught a glimpse of white dusts outside.

"Snow!" She quickly went out with short Haechan following her from behind. It was snowing. Eira reached her hand out to catch the snowflake with her bare hands, a fascinated smile spread across her lips. She was too occupied with the snow, not realising haechan staring at her. For the first time in a while, he smiled.

Eira, who suddenly remembered an unpleasant past memories of her, went quiet, and the smile she had was gone. She clenched her fists, and her mind was busy. "I gotta go,"

—

"Hey! Take this. " he caught the thing Eira threw to him in reflex and examined it. "What's this?"

"Are you that stupid? It's a necklace. With a pendant," Eira said and rolled her eyes as she stared him. Haechan's fingers caressed the sun engravings on the metal and unknowingly smiled.

"What's it for?" He asked, and their eyes met. "Ah, i stole it. I just feel like the sun suits you."

"You what—"

"Oh, don't act all noble here. You aren't lesser than a thief, too. Sorry, I was just kidding. It used to be one of my necklaces,"

"Why are you giving me your things?"

"Because it would be a waste to throw it away, dont you think? Can't you just accept it without asking much?"

"Thank you.." he sheepishly said and looked away. He got a gift from her. He's happy, that's for sure.

Eira had a solemn look plastered on her face. She closed her eyes, thinking the correct words to say to him. Haechan, who realised she went quiet, saw her standing up with an unreadable expression. Her eyes had a hint of sadness.
"Hyuck-ah," she started before continuing, "Please take care of yourself, alright?"

That was the last words she spoke to him before she completely disappeared. She didn't come to meet him anymore.

Eira hadn't visited him in a for almost a year. He kept waiting for her every day, hoping that each second that passed, there would be a moment where Eira would appear. He lived mostly by himself, scavenging the streets to find food. He doesn't want to depend on her. She's still just a teenager. He dont know much about her, but he felt like he was with her for years.

It would be a lie if he didn't like her. He liked her. A lot, actually.

It was winter, and he had wrapped himself in thick jackets. That time, a year had passed. Haechan got some money eventually. He worked for it. Though sometimes he would use his powers to get them. Yes, he found out that he had powers and began exercising it to get away with any means. He did feel bad, but he had to survive somehow.

It was night, and he was too lazy to find food, so he had walked around and used his powers on someone to cast an illusion for them to buy him something. It was fun playing tricks on someone, but he found out that he could only use it on one person each time— which sucks. His right eye was glowing bright blue as he used his powers.

He was focusing on the person until his body was pulled away, breaking his illusion powers. The guy under his illusion was confused about what had happened that he had run away.

"Donghyuck," Haechan's body was pushed to the ground as he gasped in shock. He was about to attack, but when he raised his head up, he saw her. His expression softened, and he immediately stood, grabbing her sleeve.

"Eira! You.. you— why are you here? Where did you go?!" He was still shorter than her, but he did grow a ton. Eira just stared him emotionlessly, but her gaze was kind to him. He missed her. The snow began covering the ground, Eira noticed that he's not wearing appropriate clothing. A sigh escaped her lips as she took the scarf she was wearing and wrapped it around his neck. He could feel heat rushing up to his cheeks.

"Take care of yourself. You need to remember that. I see you have powers? I've suspected it for a while now. Don't go using it recklessly. You don't want to be captured by the Authorities" she began lecturing him, which caused him to pout and frowned.

"I just found you again, and the first thing that you do was lecture me? Save that talk. I dont wanna hear it anyway." he crossed his arms over his chest and looked away. She looked different to him. She wasn't smiling, and the look on her face was cold.

She changed. Or was this the real her?

"Donghyuck, there's something I want to tell you." she began talking seriously, and he felt like looking at her. Their dark orbs met, and silence fell between them.

"I won't be able to see you anymore."

"What? What do you mean you can't see me anymore? Are you going somewhere? If so, for how long?" He was saddened by her, she just appeared but now she wanted to leave him. Again.

"How long.. I'm not sure. Maybe long enough that you would forget about me? I won't be able to tell you where I go. This path of mine isn't for someone like you. I dont want you to thread such a dark path when you can have a better future. I have my reasons.."

"Then i also have my reasons! I want you to be a part of my future. Why aren't you telling me—?"

"You're still a child." she gave him a quick embrace, but he hugged her back tightly. Almost not letting her go. "Take care, hyuck. Dont cry," she whispered and began walking away. He wanted to follow her, but his legs wouldn't move.

She's leaving. This time probably forever.