December 23rd , 2210, 10.32 am.
Metallic Alloy's had already finished packing up and moving to their new site elsewhere, where it was Kale didn't need to know according to his Boss. All that Kale had to do was move the last of his stuff that was currently residing in the backpack slung across his back as he took one last look at the place he had called home.
Small, cramped, covered in dirt stained windows and yellow faded walls, this was Kale's home. The constant sound of laboured breathes and hacking coughs could be heard, they were Kale's neighbours, those who lived in similar squalor above and below him. This place as bad as it was had provided Kale safety and comfort. With a final tip of the bottle Kale finished the last of the whisky he had bought, it was a harsh cheap whisky but it warmed his heart, especially at this time of year.
The empty bottle was the only item he left behind, he had no furniture to move, no TV as he couldn't afford the license and a laptop that fell into his possession had long since ceased working. He had his phone, the clothes on his back and the final vestiges of food he could scrounge away from the mice that kept threatening to raid at a moments notice.
In a strange way Kale knew he would miss this place, it didn't live up to his original home but he could never go back there, he had no family left and no way to prove it was ever theirs. Undoubtedly some new power had already claimed it, but there was no way he could afford to skip continents let alone vie for his family belongings.
They were long gone and dead like everything else he knew, Kale had to move forward, his new outlook on life was helping him see things in a completely different manner.
It was either that or suffer and struggle, only to die alone in some place where mankind should never tread.
"You were a good home."
With a final nod of his head Kale left, the keys to his small room casually discarded inside, someone would come along and verify that he was gone. He knew what happened to those who stopped paying and tried to swindle the 'owners' of the apartment block, stating that they had indeed moved out. A few blood curdling screams and lack of bodies was evidence enough, you just had to be quick to claim any belongings that were left, the police never asked any questions, they knew better.
Kale only had one last stop before his live in job, he wanted to see Chloe one last time in the supermarket.
Walking his way down the familiar roads and streets Kale marvelled as people rushed around in their Christmas panic, wanting to buy a few final gifts or rush to enjoy drinks with their friends, all dressed up and raring to go.
Already it was as if Incident C had been forgotten.
Looking at himself Kale smiled, he was wearing his second best pair of jeans that had also faded and another plain grey t-shirt, it was no wonder they avoided him. He would have avoided himself years ago as well. Still it was funny for him to seeing them rushing around swathed in coats and jumpers as they feared the cold, Kale had been like them but ever since he had returned from the summoning he hadn't been as bothered by it, even as they let out plumes of frozen breathe he found it comfortably chilly. He had no need to cover up.
Once more outside the modern looking supermarket Kale peered inside and saw Chloe behind the counter, smiling and wishing a 'Merry Christmas,' to everyone as they left. Kale in his mind wished that Chloe maintained her positive outlook and was never summoned, he wanted some of the good people to survive.
The familiar electronic bell of the supermarket rang out as Kale entered.
"Welcome Custome….Oh Kale, how have you been?"
Chloe was about to treat Kale as a normal customer until she recognised him and changed her lines, she had gotten to know Kale a little better as he came in and made some small talk, she was amazed by the sudden change that seemed to be over taking him.
Weeks ago he was lost and forlorn with a damned kind of look written across his face, his eyes blank and hopeless but now he was different. He stood taller and fuller as if he had found some kind of drive, even though he still looked a bit pale and malnourished he was much better as the bags under his eyes from sleepless nights had even improved somewhat. In Chloe's eyes he was even a bit better looking, as some of his rough edges had been smoothed out showing the world what was really beneath.
"I'm doing well. Thank you Chloe."
Already Kale could see Chloe's manager prepare to stalk over and kick him out, he didn't like Kale's sort in his shop, always saying that they were polluting the atmosphere. In reality Kale realised that Chloe's manager had a thing for her and didn't want any male customers or staff approaching her, smiling to himself Kale reached into his bag and pulled out a small parcel.
Chloe saw the small package that Kale was holding, a hand-sized box with a pale blue wrapping paper covered in golden stars, it was a Christmas present for her.
"This is for you Chloe, it doesn't do justice to the gratitude that I hold for your action in helping me, but I suppose its the best I can do for now."
Laughing slightly Kale used his free hand as he rubbed the back of his head, feeling slightly foolish at himself, he didn't even know if she would accept his present, it wasn't like they were that close after all.
"Thank you Kale, but I don't have anything to offer you and I was only doing what everyone should. I… I don't deserve this."
"You do."
Kale placed the present on the counter before Chloe as he turned to take his leave, not wanting to get her into trouble with her manager or give her the time to give it back, it wasn't the most expensive of gifts to other people but it was to him as his funds were limited.
Over the days that he had met and spoken to Chloe it was her mum Lillian who gave away the fact that she was also studying psychology at university and was working in the supermarket part time to help pay for school supplies, so Kale had spent a bulk of his savings to buy her a black fountain tip pen covered in miniature stars that spiralled and twisted up the body. According to the shop owner he had bought it off they were meant to symbolise hope and happiness, but he didn't really believe that, still it was the best he could get for Chloe.
He didn't have much and even with the money he did have he realised that it was useless when he was summoned, even more so if he died. So he could selfishly but Chloe a gift, maybe at least one person would then remember him if he never returned.
Letting the electronic bell chime once again Kale sent Chloe a smile as he waved goodbye, only now did Chloe realise that Kale was gone. He had simply walked in, dropped off a present to a girl like it was nothing and left, leaving in her in slight bewilderment.
"Merry Christmas Chloe."
She was the only person that Kale had wished a merry Christmas too, he may be alone himself but he knew that there were many more families who were still hoping and praying that their loved ones would wake up for Christmas, it was a sobering thought to know the answer but be unable to tell anyone.
Hope was the only thing they had at the moment.
Chloe watched through the shop windows as Kale's resolute appearance disappeared into the frosty day, it seemed, broader. Clutching the small present in her hands she wondered if it was okay to accept this, she hadn't even said merry Christmas back.
"Put that trash in the bin Chloe, its probably diseased and it reeks of poverty. Scum like that should just freeze in the cold and do us a favour by dying."
Storming off her manager left Chloe behind the till, the small present still in her hands, she knew her manager liked her but luckily he didn't take it any further, he wasn't brave enough to try anything on.
Looking down Chloe could see the worn paper that had been used to wrap the box, so carefully folded and taped with the utmost care, she couldn't help but feel guilty that someone with less than her still seemed to give more and asked for nothing in return. She really wanted to call her mum right now and ask her what to make of all this, worst of all she wondered what her boyfriend would say, he was the easily jealous type. He always tried to shoo away any guy that she talked to whilst at university, she was finding it quite stifling really.
Looking out the windows once more Chloe could see no signs of Kale, he was gone, no one else was even interested in the passing of someone like him, only the present was proof that he had been here.
She wanted to know more about Kale, he was only slightly older than her but seemed to carry so much more. Who was he really? Chloe decided, the next time he entered the shop she would invite him out for a coffee or maybe some food and find out more about him, he wasn't a bad person and she shouldn't let society's views cloud her mind, forcing her to ignore him and push him away.
Grasping the present with determination Chloe went to find her manager and ask for the rest of today off, she was only covering anyway and she had another person she wanted to buy for.
Recalling Kale's lack of a jacket Chloe set off to hit the shops, she would give it to him the next time she saw him, something to keep his heart warm in this cold world.
December 25th , 19:10.
Houses around the world lit up as families celebrated, passing presents and food around like fine wine, enjoying themselves and forgetting the struggles of life for a day.
By the edge of a forest sat inside a now empty office was Kale, leant against a wall as he listened to music through an old battered radio that had been left behind, it had taken him hours of cranking to wind the battery up sufficiently.
Raising a bottle up Kale let the light of the sun reflect off it as it shined through the window, this was his gift to himself.
"Merry Christmas Kale."
Drinking the bottle dry Kale let his mind wonder back, back to when he was younger, before the world had been broken. Back to memories of his family, to better times, when he didn't feel so alone.
Kale basked in the sun as he leant against the cold brick wall, the snow outside fell gently against the window as tears rolled from his cheeks, slowly and softly, falling and fading away, leaving only marks behind.
Sleep came easy to Kale that day.