[Jackson]
I landed on the hard concrete ground, narrowly missing a car crashing into me.
"Where did this boy come from ? He just appeared out of nowhere !" The driver shouted.
"Sir, can you call the nearest hospital ? I work there." A soft voice hummed.
"You work at a hospital ?"
"Yes, I'm a surgeon. My name is Akimi Kurokage. A pleasure to meet you."
[Akimi]
"Sweetie, can you please come to the hospital I work in ?" I hummed softly into the phone.
"Wow, not even a greeting ?" Robert sniffled.
"Hi." I uttered, tapping on the watch on my left arm. "Now, can you come ? It is an emergency."
"Hospital in California ?"
"Yes. There's… a… um… A supernatural." I whispered.
"Alright, I'm coming."
"Thank you, Sweetie. You're the best."
"Well of course I am-"
I hung up before he could boost.
"Hello, my Aki. Did you miss me ?" Robert appeared next to me.
"You came here earlier than I thought." I blushed.
"Well, of course." He wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head on my shoulder, trailing kisses up and down my neck.
"R-robert ! We're in public !" I struggled against his embrace, my face red. "You're making me blush !"
"Oh, come on, I just teleported all the way from Oklahoma. And I haven't seen you in three weeks. I miss you."
"I miss you too." I smiled.
"O-oh ! The… uh… supernatural I was talking about ! He may not have much time ! Can you please heal him, if you can ?"
"Of course. Where is he ?"
"This way." I lead him to the room where the supernatural was resting in.
"He looks pretty fine to me." Robert frowned. "His injuries are just scratch marks."
"He is clearly not fine." I insisted. "He broke his left leg and his ribs. And he had many deep wounds that looked like claw marks. Most were properly mended. The ones I didn't stick were infected."
"So why don't you just disinfect… Ohhhhh. That's why you needed me. He's poisoned, isn't he ?"
"Bingo !" I snorted. "Try to use that big head of yours. Most of his claw marks on his body contain poison that are incurable by our medicine. Mortal medicine. But with your super sparkly magic powers, I'm sure you can fix him !"
"Super… sparkly ? I am a demon. How did you get 'super sparkly magic powers' ?"
"Your hands always spark when you're nervous." I blinked.
"You noticed ?"
"Sweetie, I've know you for so long. Of course I noticed some of your cute habits. I also know your favourite colour is green, your favourite drink is hot chocolate, and you sleep facing the wall. And-"
"Do you know who my favourite person is ?" He laughed, the corner of his eyes crinkling.
He always does that when he smiles.
"Aw ! Me ?" I grinned.
"Nope. Myself !"
"Just fix him." I said, my face deadpan.
"I'm kidding ! You and Kana are my favourite people. The two cutest and lovable people in the whole universe. Now…come on, Akimi. He may not have much time, right ? When I heal him, I will send him back to the Supernatural's Realm."
'A demon', my ass.
HE'S THE MOST ADORABLE-
"You coming ?"
"Yup !"
I ran after him.
"Akimi ?"
"Yes ?"
"He's a kitsune."
"A kitsune ?! Oh my gosh… A fox ? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh !"
"Yes. You love the kitsune from Japanese mythology. I know, Aki. But they never spend any time in the Mortal's Realm. They hate humans."
"What's your point ?"
"My point… If his parents or guardians aren't here attacking this hospital to get him back… This one was probably attacked in the Supernatural's Realm, and desperately escaped here. I don't think we should take him back to his Realm. It will put his life in danger."
"Poor boy…" I sighed. "Please heal him."
Robert nodded and his hands hovered above the boy.
Dark dust surrounded him, and when it cleared, all his wounds faded away.
"Who are you…?" the boy murmured weakly.
"What is your name ?" Robert asked.
"A-ace… My mother… Is she okay…?"
"I do not know. I am sorry. Rest. I am a chaos demon; I am not specialised in peaceful magic. It's dark healing… It will drain your energy as well as mine."
The boy closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
"I can wait until he wakes-"
"No. Robert. I'll wait for him to wake up." I offered.
"But-"
"You need to go back to Oklahoma and take care of Kana, remember ? Doesn't her kindergarten end right-"
"Oh, shit !" Robert exclaimed and slapped his forehead. "I forgot !"
"And the best dad award goes to- Robert Kurokage !" I joked.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. But you'll be okay ?"
"Robert, of course I'll be okay ! I'll come back to Oklahoma in a week. Don't miss me too much." I winked.
"I love you." Robert kissed me in the forehead. "I'll see you in a week."
He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
I love you too.
[Jackson]
I opened my heavy eyelids with difficulty and looked around.
Where am I…?
What is this weird smell ?
"You're finally awake." A soft voice hummed. "Hey, kid. You've been unconscious for 2 days. You sleep like a pro ! Man, I wish I had that talent. I have insomnia, so-"
"I don't care." I cut her off rudely. "I won't listen to someone like you. Where is that man from before ?"
The woman doubted over in laughter.
"You're sassy, huh ? Just like my daughter. Robert left shortly, after he healed you."
I glared at her.
"You think I'm just a mere little mortal, huh ?" She scoffed.
"M-mortal… you just used the term 'mortal'…"
"Yes, I did."
"Are you a supernatural ? Some kind of peaceful spirit-?" I asked.
"No." She gagged. "Ha, ha ! God, I wish I had sparkly powers like Robert… No, I don't have an ounce of supernatural's blood in my veins."
"But… then how do you know about us ? I think humans were ignorant non-believers. That their minds were too stubborn and stupid to see the reality of the world…"
"I am not most people. I am special ! I'm one of the few mortals on Earth who have a flexible and strong-willed mindset. I'm able to see more than mortals ! I can sense supernaturals. Pretty cool, huh ?" She winked.
"Not really. It would be a lot cooler if you can fart rainbows."
"Oh my gosh !" She gasped dramatically. "Crapping rainbows would be awesome ! I'm going to ask Robert if he has that ability when I go back to Oklahoma."
"Only unicorns do that…"
"Seriously ? That's-Wait a minute, okay ?" She walked outside the room.
This lady is weird.
I sat up and groaned.
My head hurts.
"Alright, I'm back !" she announced, holding a plate of cooked worms covered in a thick paste of red coloured sauce. . "At least two days without food… You must be hungry, huh ? This was originally my lunch, but… But I can always get ramen from the Japanese restaurant next door !"
"Come on ! Eat up !" She placed the food on my blanket. "You won't get your energy back if you don't eat. Normally, I would give you something sweet, like hot chocolate… But I only has this."
Uh…
What are these…
And this small four pointed sword ?
"Uhm… That demon from before… Who is he to you ? You two seemed close."
"He's… a friend." She rubbed her neck. "Very close friends."
"And… how do I eat with this sword ?" I pointed to the silvery thingy. "Are those cooked worms ?"
"Uh… Those aren't worms. They're noodles. If you cover it in sauce and toppings, it's called pasta ! And that 'sword' is a fork."
"How do I… use this f…fork ?"
"Here, let me show you."
A few days later...
"Dr. Kurokage…? You're here earlier than usual." I tilted my head and looked at her. "And what's with that jacket ?"
"I wanted to give this to you as a present before I leave. I don't know if you've had a jacket before, but they're pretty comfy ! I'll just put it here." She placed the jacket beside my bed.
"Where are you going ?" I questioned.
"I'm finally going to see my daughter ! Her name is Kana. My husband and I were thinking that we should move to California. So that it'll be easier for my job here as a surgeon. Ooh ! She's actually close to your age, Ace ! She's six. I have a feeling you two will get along well. I'll make sure to bring her the next time I see you."
"How long has it been since you've seen her ?"
"Almost a month." She took out her phone. "Oh, yikes… I should get going, now. I'll see you in a few days, Ace !"
"Have fun, Dr. Kurkokage."
"I will !" She grinned. "If you ever want dark coffee, just remember my amazing recipes ! Bye !"
Days passed.
Then a week.
She never came back.
I always wondered what had happened to her.
About two weeks after Dr. Kurokage's disappearance, I was released form the hospital.
Although that strange demon had sped up my recovery…
It still took a while for the poison to completely dissipate, and my wounds would open up at random times. So I was covered in bandages.
I was already obliged for Dr. Kurokage's gift, but now I felt extremely grateful.
I hated bandages.
It reminded me of what happened that night.
And this jacket helped cover them.
The doctor in front of me, who took Dr. Kurokage's place, refused to tell me what had happened to her.
However, he explained to me that I was going to be taken to forster care.
I did not understand this whole concept, but I got the general idea that I was considered as an orphan.
In orphanage…
The mortal woman told me to quietly enter this room and sit…
Where am I supposed to go ?
There's literally no space.
The room was packed with children.
They sat everywhere; chairs, sofas, and even floors.
I'll just stand, I guess.
"The reason you are all here is because I have an important announcement to make." The manager said.
"I am heavily disappointed the fact that many children here are misbehaving with their foster parents. And even trying to escape ! Especially the Yoon's."
He pointed to three children standing at the corner, with bored looks on their face.
"Do not follow their attempts and behaviour. Got it ? You are all free to go and have lunch."
"Finally. I'm starving." One of Yoon siblings yawned.
I followed the rest of the children and walked into a big room with food placed on each table.
What is this food with multiple layers of meat and vegetables ?
Mortals eat weird food.
I grimaced and took a nibbled.
Not bad.
Why are people staring at me ?
"Maybe I should go talk to him. He seems lonely." I heard someone whispering.
I teleported myself into the garden.
Mother…
Where are you ?
Please send me a sign…
A rustle distracted me from my thoughts.
"How did you find me ?" I uttered without turning back. "What do you want ?"
I turned around and saw a girl with black hair in pixie haircut and grey eyes staring at me.
"What is your name ?" she asked. "I'm Leah... Leah Yoon."
I literally just met her.
Why is she so… friendly ?
Mortals are strange.
"I'm… Ace." I mumbled.
"Just Ace ?" She smiled.
"What do you mean ?"
"You don't have a surname ?"
"No. I've never heard of a surname."
"Oh." She laughed, her voice like bells tinkling. "What are you doing here, Ace ? Everyone's eating in the cafeteria… Including my siblings."
"I can't eat at a time like this. I… I just…" I turned away from her, my face somber. "I need to leave. As soon as possible."
"Why…?"
"…"
"It's actually the same for me, too."
"Really ?"
"Yup. Why don't we team up ? You and I have the same goal… To leave this foster care system. What do you say ?"
"Sounds good." I nodded.
"Let's go back to the cafe. I'll introduce my siblings to you."
"So… you're planning to escape ?" the sister of Leah questioned.
She has grey eyes like her sister, but she has long black hair.
"Uh-huh."
"See ? Isn't he great ?" Leah beamed.
"Yeah. I'm Jay."
"Ace."
"I'm Jun." a boy smiled.
"We're gonna make a great team !" Leah cheered.
1 month later…
After one month, I was taken into my first foster home, along with the Yoon's.
However, after two weeks…
We made our first escape together.
"How are we supposed to get through these gates ?" Jun grimaced.
There was a tall, iron gate at the entrance of the house.
There was no way we could climb though it.
"I don't know." Leah sighed in defeat.
"Maybe I can try punching it-"
"No, don't-"
"Ow !" Jun clutched his hand in pain.
"I told you." Leah sighed.
I exhaled silently.
I know a way.
"Is something wrong, Ace ?" Jay asked, observing me carefully.
"I mean, we're stuck here. So of course there's something wrong." Jun snorted.
"Well, I have an idea… But…"
I don't want you guys to think I am a monster.
But I have to do it, for the sake of them.
"Everyone… Stay back, just in case." I uttered and grabbed the iron bars.
"Ace… What are you planning to…?" Leah asked worriedly.
Focus focus focus.
With a loud growl, I ripped the iron gate in half.
"Ace…" Leah stammered.
"Were you always…?"
"Always. I know… You guys think I'm some kind of monster. In a way, I guess I am-"
"Ace." Jay uttered.
"Huh ?" I faced her.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner ?" She laughed.
"Why would I tell you guys that I have monstrous strength and can bend metal bars like tissue paper ? That's pretty horrific."
"Fair point." Leah laughed. "But we wouldn't be terrified. One, super strength is super cool. And two, if having powers make people 'horrific', then I guess we're all monsters."
"Wait, what ?"
"Oh my God, Ace. You're so dense." Jay sighed and opened her palms, a green fire flickering between her fingers.
"Don't think you're so special. You're not so different from us."
"Besides, being a 'monster' isn't bad." Jun chuckled, lasers shooting from his palms. "Now, we can be 'Monster Squad' !"
"No. That name sucks." Jay smacked his head.
But I can sense they're mortals...
Does that mean that...
Evan mortals can have supernatural abilities ?
Is it some kind of mutation ?
Oh well...
I'm just...
"I'm relieved that you don't see me as a monster." I smiled, genuinely touched.
"Of course not ! We're friends." Leah giggled.
"Alright ! Let's go already." Ash ushered us.
"Yeah, I'm sure they woke up from that loud-"
"And where do you think you are going ?" The foster mother screamed.
We spent months together as close friends.
We were all adopted again, only to escape a few weeks later.
And we were caught once more.
Even with our failed getaways, we were always in sync.
Until we were adopted the third time.
We had a problem.
"What ?" I shouted. "Are you sure about that…?"
"Y-yeah." Leah stuttered. "I was just thinking… Maybe we don't need to run anymore. I actually really like this house, and-"
"No. I have nothing against you, Leah. But I can't agree to that. It's been a month since we were adopted here. I can't stay here any longer… and you know that. I need to leave."
"I'm with Ace on this one." Jun said. "We already spent so much time here, we need to go. Tonight, at the latest."
"I… I just want to stay…" Leah whimpered. "We can all stay here, and-"
"NO ! I can't, Leah ! As much as I want to, I can't !" I screamed.
"Sorry. I'm just… I'm confused. What you're saying right now is completely different than what you told me when we first met."
"Leah… Why do you want to..?" Jun asked softly.
"I really like this house. And this family. And I'm…. I'm just really tired of running away."
"Leah, it that's what you really want, I'm okay with it." I sighed.
"I can't force you to do something you don't want to do. But I'm leaving. Tonight. What about you two ?" I turned to Jun and Jay. "I'm sure you want to stay with Leah."
"No, I'm with you, Ace." Jun shook his head.
"I need time. I'm confused and I don't know what to do." Jay uttered.
"It's okay, Jay-"
"We're back from grocery shopping, kids !" Our foster parents called.
"I'll get it." I muttered.
Later that night…
"Oh, shoot. It opened up again." I muttered, blood dripping from my old wound.
"Hong long have you had those bandages ?" Jun asked.
"A couple months now."
"Why isn't it healed by now ? And what's with the jacket…? You only take it off when you wash it. And even when it's hot, you still wear it."
"I was injured. Had a lot of broken bones and wounds. But the worst part is, I was heavily poisoned. I was on the verge of death. Then, a dem- A man healed me. The jacket was a gift from the man's friend. She just disappeared, though. I don't know what happened to her."
"Were you being chased ? How did you get so injured ?"
"It's… Something I don't want to remember."
"Oh ! Sorry."
"It's fine. Where's Jay ?"
"She told me that she's still deciding."
"I understand."
Leaves rustled behind Jun and Jay walked out slowly, her eyes swollen.
"I… I tried to convince her. I tried to convince Leah." She sniffed, her voice broken.
"Is that… Is that her necklace…?" Jun asked.
"She's… She's not coming. Let's … Let's go. Before we get caught."
We ran for hours, but we couldn't find an exit.
"It's a dead end." I sighed.
"Great, what do we do now-"
"Who's there ?"
One month after another failed escape, we were adopted.
Again.
But this time, Leah wasn't with us.
After spending two weeks in the care of our new foster mother and her children, we planned to escape once more.
It was my last escape.
"Don't you dare." My foster mother grabbed me by the arm. "I've already heard from the system about your desires to escape every home. How ungrateful-"
Vines tangled her body, forcing her to loosen her grip.
"Don't grab Ace like that." Jay uttered, her eyes glowing.
"Y'know, I could've just-"
"Ace, your superhuman strength would've killed her."
"I guess. Alright, then. Let's go !"
"Guys…?"
"You go ahead, Ace." Jun smiled.
"What are you talking about…?" I frowned.
"We're staying behind. So you can escape."
"What ? W-why-?!" I widened my eyes in disbelief. "i can't just leave you guys-"
"It's fine, Ace. We'll see each other again soon." Jun reached out and gave me a hug.
"Stay safe and don't be an idiot, Ace."
"We'll see each other again, right ?" I whispered.
"Of course we will. I know it."
Present…
Why didn't I stay…?
I could've help them.
They could've escaped.
But no…
I ran away like a fucking coward.
Again.
I picked up a vase and looked at it, determining the price.
"Bloody son of a bitch." I snarled and threw it at the wall.
"I need a shower…" I muttered.