His eyes slowly opened to the darkness around him. He rubbed with the back of his hand and rapidly blinked, feeling the moisture around the edges.
"Was I crying?" He wondered, "Why?"
Slowly, he scanned the environment around him, still disoriented from sleep. Nothing but vast darkness.
"Where am I?"
As his thoughts crystallised, a sense of nostalgia ensued. His hands. His small, frail hands were unnatural, like he had never used them, or if he did, he forgot. He rose his lanky body and looked around, trying to make sense of the situation.
But, not too far in his ear, a soft, sweet voice of a young lady, familiar yet not, grounded him to something.
"Cain, are you up yet?"
He looked up, startled as the scenery started changing. A gush of warm autumn wind, carrying the sweet smell of the moist soil and brown leaves, swept. Calmness settled. Birds chirping and a peaceful atmosphere.
A little girl, maybe 12 years old, stared at him; he couldn't see her face.
"Yeah..." He replied, "I guess so. Where am I?"
He asked, still trying to make out the girl's face.
The girl looked at him, startled, and smiled mischievously.
"Don't you remember?" she asked, her voice low.
He squinted his eyes and leaned forward. He, however, froze when, on his hand, a drop of blood stained his wrist. Then another and another, making him stumble back, heart racing. His eyes widened when he saw the hole in the girl's chest where her heart should have been, and blood trailing from her mouth, ears and eyes.
"Cain... Why did you let me die?" She asked.
His eyes snapped, heavy pants as his chest heaved, his hands desperately gripping the edge of his blankets. A dream.
"I remember blood? What was the dream about?"
Like the other times, he had forgotten.
"Lord Cain? You seem to be having dreams again," Gabriel spoke from a seat beside his bed. "You seemed uncomfortable."
There was throbbing on his chest. Every motion he made reminded him of the cuts on his body. Not healing. From time to time, it sent pulses of pain across his body. Maybe it was the pain giving him nightmares.
"Lord Cain, I will..."
"No." He cut in curtly, "I'm fine, Gebriel, it was just a dream. The residue from the spear will soon wear off, and I will begin healing. No need to worry yourself."
Cain lay back on his bed and turned away from her. Gabriel stood, curtsied, and walked away. The sound of the heavy doors followed suit.
***
Tap! Tap! Tap.
Came three consecutive knocks on the door. He looked over and sighed heavily. The huge Honduran mahogany door was slowly pushed open. Gabriel walked in slow, measured strides.
She stood a good distance from him, her face, that rarely changed, betrayed by a mixture of emotions. Certain he had noticed she spoke nonetheless.
"— Lord Cain," she called, "There is someone here to see you."
"Gabriel— Didn't I tell you not to bother me?" He said, barely turning to her.
Still, his curiosity was piqued. He didn't have to wait long; another graceful knock drew his eyes.
"Cain?" A familiar voice called.
His eyes zeroed in on the voice and momentarily flashed with rage as he looked into the eyes of the young lady. Kitsune. She nervously stared back at him.
"Gabriel— you want to die, don't you!" asked Cain, his eyes fixed on her.
"I'm sorry, Lord Cain. I thought since she looks like..."
"Leave us." Cain cut in.
She bowed and walked out silently. Kitsune's eyes followed her, a gnawing sense of betrayal clutching her throat.
"Feels like Gebriel set me up," she thought.
"Come here," said Cain, patting the bed beside him.
She was hesitant for a second, but his voice left no room for denial. Standing in front of him, she could see through the dim light the deep cuts on his body and the red stretches of tissue on his face.
For a second, she could swear she saw the skin on his shoulder moving as if stitching back.
Her eyes were then drawn to his short dark hair that glistened in the lamplight. It looked soft and smooth to touch.
As she sat beside him, she was overwhelmed by his silence.
"So...," she began nervously, trying to lighten the mood",...Gebriel was only worried about you. Don't hate her."
"I don't," he said, turning to her.
"She told me to bandage your wounds at least," she added, looking away, "or try to."
She added with a nervous laugh.
"Really?" Asked Cain with a soft laugh.
"Yeah, she definitely did."
Kitsune spoke quickly, all the while reaching for the first aid kit beside his bed. He caught her hand, stopping her.
"I am good, promise," he said.
"No. You're not."
Pulling her hand away, then picking the first aid kit and fishing out the bandages. She pulled his hand.
"Let me help." She said.
He nodded, capitulating. Carefully, she began wrapping it around his body.
"Was there a fight?" She asked, sneaking a conversation to dull the occasional uncomfortable silence.
"Yeah."
"Was it bad?"
"You should've seen the other guy," he replied.
Kitsune chuckled, "I can only imagine."
As he turned his back to her, she noticed a rhythmic movement on his upper back. Unconsciously, her hand settled on the spot, and a rhythm froze her. It was familiar.
"That is my heart," he said as if reading her mind.
She instantly pulled back.
"A heart? What was it doing on his back?"
"It's okay, I don't mind," he said.
"I was just startled. How is it on your back?"
"I have two," he said.
He turned and took her hand. Half pulling it to his chest. His skin was colder, and a strong pulse reverberated on his chest.
"You mustn't forget Kitsune, I am not a human," he said, and paused.
His eyes lingered on hers, and she stared back questioningly.
"Kitsune, your hands are warm," he said.
The words startled her as she moved back when his grip on her hand slightly tightened. After a pause, he pulled her closer to him, and any resistance in her was gone. A light gasp escaped, her heart now racing. His grip was firm but at the same time gentle. His eyes, however, seemed to look into a distance beyond her. Their faces were so close that she felt his breath and lips graze.
The roll of bandage on her hand then dropped, and he jerked back, letting her go.
"I am sorry I — I'm sorry,, he said, moving the edge of his bed eyes downcast.
"It's okay," she said quickly. Followed by a short silence.
"You should leave," he said.
"Okay."
At the door, she turned to him, about to say something, but decided against it.
Walking out, she was mortified. Her heart pounded, and she held her lips.
"His eyes..." she thought, the dull looks he had, still lingering in her mind.
"You dummy," she said, almost in a whisper.
***
Mr Hayato walked in. A sight of the students still chattering met him.
"Silence," he tried to say, welling with irritation.
Ignored, a piece of chalk flew into the crowd at no one in particular, halting the classroom circus.
"I said silence!" He exploded.
They rushed to sit in giggles. It was a common occurrence for Mr Hayato to lose his cool and his chalk.
"I have a special announcement," he said, "You can come in?"
All heads turned to the door as in walked a familiar face.
Kitsune instantly shot up, eyes wide, drawing looks from the rest.
"Why are you here?" "Adam?"
"Kitsune, hi there," she spoke," —Adam."
The comment sparked an uproar.
"Silence!" Shouted Mr Hayato, "You sit down!" He lost another chalk.
"Adam has recovered now, but go easy on him. Adam, get to your seat."
Later on, break Kitsune cornered Adam on the rooftop.
"Bold to show your face back here," Kitsune spoke.
Adam's head was bowed; there were no words at all.
"You know what will happen if I call him...,"
"Please don't," he said quickly, " just hear me out — please."
"Why?" Asked Kitsune, her face darker.
"I am desperate."
He said, bowing at a full ninety degrees. His voice was low and shaky, and his heart beat so loud he could hear it.
A silence festered as Kitsune watched him.
"Answer me, with a yes or no," she said at last.
Adam looked up.
"Is this a trick?" She asked.
"No."
"Will you try to kill or hurt me or my friends or anyone in this school?"
"No."
After a thoughtful second, she spoke.
"Okay, what do you want?"
"Thank you so much, you are kind, thank you, thank you, thank you—" he said, eyes lit and bowing severally.
"Just stop that," she said.
***
A few hours later.
Cain looked around. Something about the huge structures still fascinated him. Still, he was glad it was not the city; he didn't like the crowd. He still drew some attention, but it was moderate.
At the park. Some children playing caught his sight, and he stopped and watched. The childhood nostalgia triggered.
"Cain," a voice called.
Kitsune awkwardly held her bag. Her gaze escaped his. He then turned to Akira, then to Adam beside them.
Kitsune— Aki— hello,"
"Hello," they replied
"Aki? That's awfully casual," commented Kitsune.
"Cain and I play games like every weekend after we went to his house," said Akira, "Apparently, he's into modern games."
"Really?" Kitsune asked with puffed cheeks.
Akira looked at the duo curiously.
"Are you two fighting?" she asked, disorienting them.
"No, we are not fighting!" Kitsune stumbled for words, "Right, Cain?"
"Most definitely!"
"Ooh," Said Akira. Interest immediately waned.
"... And Young Adam," said Cain, changing the topic.
"Lord Cain," said Adam hesitantly, "I have no right to ask, but please, lend me an ear."
Cain looked at him thoughtfully for a second.
"I see," he then turned to Akira, "Aki, can you do me a favour?"
"Yep! Yep!" said Akira, skipping up and down.
"Here," said Cain, giving her a black credit card, "How about you take Kitsune and get me a copy of 'Untamed gameplay. While you are at it, get yourself something nice."
"Really?" Asked Akira, with sparkling eyes, "Tsune lets go before he changes his mind."
Kitsune followed, glancing back as she walked.
Adam watched the duo disappear into a corner, his only sense of security vanishing. Cain leaned on the rails. The softness earlier waning away, Adam shuddered as Cain, like a giant, looked down at him.
"You picked an open park, that's smart," said Cain, " still, you came alone, not a good plan?"
His mellowed tone did little to mask the intent.
"What are your intentions?" he asked quickly, reverting to his kind demeanour.
"I—," started Adam, and paused to find his words," Ever since that night, I've thought about a lot of things."
Adam noticed the kids playing ball not far from them. The sight warmed his heart, and a simple smile formed.
"I remember that night, when you appeared and saved Akira and Kitsune, you were so cool," he looked at him, a shy smile tagging at his lips and continued, " I could instantly see the relief on Kitsune's face."
Cain watched him from the corner of his eyes.
"I mean, it was to be expected. After all, you were like a superhero. I was jealous back then, maybe that's why I felt an instinctual hate towards you."
Adam laughed nervously, then sat beside Cain on the rails, his eyes wandering to the ground, his fingers moving mindlessly.
"I have a dream, Mr Cain," said Adam, looking up at him with determination, "I want to be a... A superhero." As he said this, his cheeks flushed red.
Cain tried to hold back the titter but failed. He burst out into a laugh, and Adam buried his face in his hands.
"Please don't laugh, Mr Cain," he said.
Cain patted Adam's back and rubbed his hair.
"You know something, Adam, you are interesting. But why a superhero?"
A memory flashed to Adam. A morgue, dead bodies all bearing faces similar to his.
"I have to, I just have to."
As he said that, his fist clenched.
"I see." Said Cain.
"Please teach me how?" Added Adam: "I want to be strong, but I am stuck. I want to give people relief when they see me."
"Look, Adam. I am not a superhero, nor do I have any interest in being one"
"Ohhh... I see, I get it," said a disheartened Adam.
"But I can help you get stronger."
"Really?"
"There is a condition."
"I'll do it," said Adam happily, "whatever it is, I'll do it."
" Good, from now just call me Teacher?"
"Yes! Teacher!" said Adam.
"It is admirable to want to be a Hero."
A ball hit Cain on the leg. Not too far, a kid stared curiously at him. Some boys ran over next to their friend, and Cain gently kicked the ball back to them. They smiled happily as they ran off with it. He watched them briefly and turned to Adam.
"The girls seem to be taking long," said Cain.
On cue, Akira and Kitsune came into sight, carrying three shopping bags.
"Wow, your credit card has a magnificent feature," said Kitsune.
"Yeah, tell them," Akira added.
"No matter what, we bought the balance remained the same, it's like magic."
An evil grin formed on Kitsune's face.
"We had to test it out and bought a few more things just to be sure."
"But it seems you didn't overspend," said Cain, looking at their rather small shopping bags.
"Oh, these, these are just the souvenirs, the real items are online, they should be delivered to our homes by tonight?"
"Wait, what?" asked Cain.
***
It was dark. The streetlights illuminated their path, casting shadows of trees and edges across the street. Insects danced on the luminous lamp, enjoying the warmth away from the cold, cold night. But side by side as they walked in silence, she could not feel even the slightest hint of cold.
This was after dropping off Adam and Akira at their homes. Cain had insisted on walking her home, and since neither had a thing to talk about, it led to a horrendous silence.
"Should I ask him about the other day, or will he get mad?"
From time to time, she looked at him furtively, her cheeks red as sauce. What was he thinking? What was the meaning of this silence for him? Was he mad? A bountiful question was raised continuously in her head.
"Are you okay?" he asked as if he had read her mind.
"I am fine," she replied instantly and nervously.
"You seem agitated, you've been sighing the whole time, am I making you uncomfortable?"
"No ..." she said and continued after a pause, "it's just that I've had a lot on my mind, you know."
"I see, in that case, let me apologise about last time, I wasn't myself. Gabriel told me I should go to jail." He said with a slight smile.
This stimulated a slight laughter from her. For some reason, she felt relieved by his words, like a heavy load had been yanked out of her chest. She elbowed him slightly as she walked.
"I don't hate you, for some reason, I feel like you're not that kind of person,"
"You think so?" he asked, blushing slightly.
By now, they were outside Kitsune's apartment building. She stopped by the gate, signalling him in turn.
"Well, this is it, I guess it's goodbye," she said.
"Goodnight," said Cain.
As he turned to walk away, he felt a tag on his sleeves. Pinching it slightly. He turned to her, and she was torn as if she was about to cry.
"Cain, I know it's not my place to judge, but please be careful. Don't get hurt again..."
He was silent at this. She eventually let go of his jacket.
However, he took her hand and slowly pulled her into an embrace. Again, relieving her of her worries.
"Don't worry about me. Live a normal life," he said.
"You dummy," she whispered.
She did not know how long she held on to him. A minute, maybe two. But she wanted to feel his warmth, his smell, his heartbeat, filled with a burning need to preserve that moment.