Kei couldn't exactly tell how many times he longed to go back to his old home where he grew up as a child. The neighborhood is very peaceful, there are full of trees and planted flowers around their home, and the families in every house are kind to each other. Who wouldn't miss living in this kind of dwelling?
It has been approximately 7 years ago when Kei and his family suddenly left to live in the countryside because of his condition. But today, they finally moved back.
"Kei, don't forget to bring out your school supplies from the boxes because you'll start going to school in two days." His mother reminds him.
The young boy hurriedly ran up the stairs and went inside his old room. The place wasn't dusty at all, likely the workers cleaned their house the day before they moved. One by one, Kei started to open all the boxes and organized his things.
Kei already turned 17 two months ago. When he was 10 he suffered from asthma, and it was tough for him to adjust to school with his condition. He couldn't longer play basketball like he used to, and most of the time he was absent from class. This is why his parents decided to move to the countryside for a while for Kei's well-being. Kei didn't want to leave but he had no choice.
"I wonder if he's still here." The boy mumbled as he puts down his stuff on the floor. He quickly took a look at an opened box and searched for a certain photo he's been treasuring his whole life.
There's one important thing that Kei missed the most right now. It's his childhood best friend, Red.
Red is the same age as Kei and their birthdays are just 5 days apart. They've known each other since they were four years old. Red is a cheerful and clever boy, while Kei is a shy and fragile one. Though their personalities are completely different the two of them still get along well.
Kei smiled looking at the photo he was holding, it was a picture of him and Red during his 6th birthday.
A thought suddenly entered Kei's head. "I hope he's there." The young boy immediately walked outside his room and went out of his house to check on a place where he could only find his best friend. He started running, in hopes that he can still meet him there.
After running, and running, he arrived at the place. It's in the middle of the woods of the neighborhood. There's a huge tree of acacia standing and a small windwheel under the tree continuously spinning from the strong but relaxing wind.
Kei walked closer to the tree.
As he goes closer, a figure of a young boy lying down on the grass below the huge tree can be caught in sight.
"Red," Kei whispered.
When Kei and his family left, Red didn't have a clue about everything; about Kei's situation, where they are moving, and when they are moving. It all happened so suddenly that's why Kei couldn't tell his friend anything before he left.
Every day, in the countryside, whenever Kei thought of Red he only felt guilt and despair. His best friend was his everything yet he left him alone without any notice.
"RED!" Kei knew just from far away that the mysterious figure under the tree was his precious friend. He quickly ran to him and as soon as he reached him he hugged him tightly.
"Kei? Is that you?" The boy asked.
Kei nodded in response while a tear fell down his cheeks. "I am back Red." He happily said still hugging the boy tightly.
"I'm glad you're back." Red let out a relieved sigh before hugging back his friend.
The both of them let go of the warm hug after a few moments. Red caressed Kei's long hair and giggled.
"Your hair is so long, you look like a girl." Red teased.
Kei sighed and laughed, "why are you teasing me after 7 years of not seeing each other."
"I missed you a lot of course!"
"I missed you too," Kei smiled, "I am also so sorry that I left without you knowing. I hope you didn't feel lonely while I was away."
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘮𝘦" A deep and husky voice whispered in Kei's ear.
Kei jumped from the whisper, and his eyes are wide open. He quickly turned his head around to find who did that but surprisingly no one else was there around except him and Red.
"What's wrong?" Red asked as he held Kei's hand.
Kei returned his focus to Red and shook his head, "it's nothing, I thought I heard something but I think it's just the wind." He nervously smiled.
"Is that so? It's already getting dark, you should go home now." His friend said and stood up from sitting while still holding Kei's hand.
"I'll have to go to school in 2 days, but don't worry, I'll meet you here after school or I can visit you at your school! Which high school do you go to?" Kei wondered.
"School? I don't go to school. But I will wait for you here." Red simply answered without even an explanation.
So many questions are running inside Kei's mind after hearing his friend's reply but he couldn't ask and just thought maybe there was a personal reason behind it.
"I see, next time we can play if you want though we're not little kids anymore." Kei jokingly said making Red also laugh.
"Alright, alright." Red giggled, once again he gave Kei a warm hug and smiled, "will you now stay by my side forever?" He whispered.
Kei's smile faded away. He suddenly felt more guilty than before after he heard Red's words. It's like there's a vine of thorns slowly growing inside Kei's chest that's stinging him from this shame.
Kei patted the lad's back before replying, "I will." Even though he knows that he can not keep the promise Kei swore under his breath that he would do anything just to be right beside Red forever.
"Alright now, you should go home. Your mom is probably looking for you now." Red said after letting go of the embrace.
Kei finally bid his goodbye and so is Red. Kei ran away hastily from the woods. When he turned his head around to check if Red is still there, strangely he didn't see a glimpse of his friend anymore. Maybe he also ran back to his house, that's what Kei keeps saying inside his head.
After some more running, he got out of the woods and soon after he arrived back at his house. His mom was still busy arranging their stuff in the living room when he returned.
"Oh, you're here, what took you so long? If you're hungry I made Chinese sweet and sour on the table for dinner. Go and eat already." Kei's mom said while being busy setting the sofa by herself in the living room.
"Where's dad?" Kei asked.
"He should be arriving home by now. But you can eat the first sweetie. Go now and continue fixing your room after." His mom replied while smiling. "Hold on, what's that on your hand?" Kei's mom approached him and grabbed his arm to take a look.
It looks like a huge black ash handprint on his right arm. But where did that come from?
"Oh, I went to the woods remember? That's probably just the dirt when I fell." Kei lied. He didn't while in the woods or anything, he just made that up to stop his mother from worrying.
"Ok, next time be careful. And do not go into the woods when it's dark." His mom warned.
Kei nodded in response and he proceeded to the kitchen to have dinner. He didn't think much about it so he wiped the dirt on his arm.
And just like that, the day ended. Nothing else weird occurred that night. Maybe Kei's intuitions are right that there's nothing to be worried about, that's why he slept soundly right after he jumped on his bed.
However, Kei was wrong. Because he doesn't know, there's something secretly watching him as he sleeps.
~To be continued