Jian walked into his small closet-like room and locked the doors. He flopped down on the dirty comforter that served as his bed. The first thing he did was remove his school uniform. It was riddled with dirty shoe marks all over it. 'it could have been worse."
In his previous life after a few bullying incidents, the teachers finally released what was going on with him. They called his grandmother to inform him that he was being bullied and that the school would take corrective measures. But what did his grandmother do? She pulled him out of school because it was too 'troublesome'
He was the best-ranking student in the grade but he was made to drop out because of these continuous bullying incidents.
After that, Bian had consoled him, who was sobbing all night.
Jian plopped down on the duvet. 'he might try to make me drop out. Before that, I need to do something.'
With Bian pulling him down like an anchor, leaving the family might be hard. but if he went through legal procedures, he might have a chance. But the legality of it will take long.
He only had seven months. Seven months before the world is thrown into chaos. He did not wish to waste it by going to courtrooms.
'Should I just run away?'
It was a tempting thought. But if he was caught, he would never see the light of the day. He might get trapped in his small room without food or water.
'I need to plan everything well.'
Now that his part-time plan was set, he needed to save a bit of money and run away from this town. Somewhere far and remote so that they won't find him.
with a small smile, he rolled himself into the duvet and fell into a deep sleep.
A small knock pulled him out of his sleep-like state.
Dazed, Jian gazed at the small clock close by. It was just eight p.m. 'Are they here to pester me to make dinner?'
I'm too 'hurt' to do anything.
He rolled himself up and once again closed his eyes.
The person outside knocked again. It was a soft knock as if testing if he was awake.
Jian frowned slightly. If it was his grandmother, she would have banged on it, Bian would have used his sickly-sweet voice to say his boring dialogues. 'Who else would knock?'
He got up and opened the door.
Outside stood an old man hunching over. In his hand was a small plastic bag. He shoved it to him with a small smile. "don't sleep on an empty stomach. Eat something."
Jian's hands started to tremble. Unblinking, he gazed at his wrinkled face. The old man was just as tall as him, wearing an old brown shirt and beige pants. His hands were covered in black soot, probably from the match factory he worked at.
"don't be angry with your grandma. She… she can be unreasonable sometimes." A slim wrinkled hand gently caressed the top of his hand. "My Jian is the kindest, you will never bully anyone. I know that,"
Tears started to pour out. Jian lunged into his embrace. "Grandpa... grandpa…"
In his last life, his grandpa died so pitifully trying to save his life.
He was the only person who actually cared about him.
No one else.
In this fake family, he was the only warmth he had.
Jian sobbed silently.
"Oh, my little boy, don't cry." He pulled him away slightly and gently wiped his tears away. "Grandpa will protect you, okay? I'll talk to your grandma. She will understand," he whispered with a small smile.
His precious words only made him tear up even more. Sobbing he leaned into his slumped shoulders. "What should I do, grandpa?"
He had planned to leave so resolutely. But... if he left his grandpa wouldn't survive.
his resolution was shaken up again
His grandpa wordlessly hugged him tight. "Shh, crying will weaken you. Here, eat some apples," he took out fresh pink apples from the plastic bag in his hand and handed it to him.
Jian sobbingly took a bite.
"Isn't it sweet?" old bony hands gently caressed his wet cheeks.
"hmm.." Jian nodded tearing up even more. It was the sweetest apple he had eaten.
"They were selling it close to the factory. I secretly brought you some. Bian also got his share," he whispered with a sneaky grin. "These are all yours,"
Jian chuckled whilst wiping his snot.
That was his grandpa. this kind man would sneak some food for him in secret while he was being punished by his grandma. this thin stick-like man would try to stand up for him when he was being beaten, getting hit in the process. This poor man even till the moment he was dead was desperately trying to protect him.
He chewed the apple sniffling. hot tears dripped down his face Gazing at his kind old man. he suddenly felt a question pop in his mind. "Grandpa… did you know that I was not your blood?"
The old man scoffed. "What nonsense. Don't believe your grandma. You look just like my daughter. How can you not be my family?"
"What if I was not? Will you treat me the same?" he leaned close. He did not wish to see his expression. If his only family member rejected him, he would be beyond heartbroken.
The old man gently hugged his trembling shoulders. "Even if you were born into some other family, I would still treat you as mine. But don't believe her nonsense. You are my beloved grandchild. Just like Bian."
He let go of him and wiped his tears off once again. "She has grown old... her words might not make sense. There is no way a pair of twins can be of different blood," he mumbled softly.
Jian swallowed the apple with difficulty.
'But that's the truth'
'I….I'm not human…'
That could only mean he was an alien who had been disguised as a human since his childhood. It could have happened in the hospital or maybe somewhere in the middle.
he had heard of tales of fairies stealing children and replacing them with their own kind.
maybe these tales might be real.
because his situation was eerily similar to those ancient myths.
'Did someone alter their memories? Maybe Grandma is the only one who is not swayed by it. but how did Bian know?'
During his dying moments, Bian kept mumbling something about stealing his fate and his man. he still could not make sense of it.
'There are too many things I did not know…'
Bian was a ticking time bomb, running away now would only make the dangerous situation much more unpredictable. right now, he needed to stick close to that guy and learn all his secrets.