Reign's thoughts hushed into stillness, memories standing locked behind impenetrable barriers. He existed as naught but a cluster of cells, proliferating and dividing within the nurturing confines of a mother's womb—now his mother's, with a connection woven between them.
...
"Honey! I think I just felt a little kick!"
Within the intimate haven of a cozy abode, a gentle voice reverberated. Laden with fervor and eager anticipation, her words carried an air of excitement that seemed to saturate the very atmosphere.
"Oh, let me see if the little one will do it again!"
A resonant baritone emanated from an adjoining room, the sound waves imbued with a certain gravity. Subsequently, the resounding cadence of steps reverberated, heralding the entrance of the individual in question. With hair as dark as obsidian, eyes of a profound brown hue, and chiseled features that conveyed an air of strength, the man's visage bore the unmistakable hallmark of a hero's countenance.
In the man's gaze, an overflow of affection and tenderness brimmed as he fixated on the woman seated on the couch. She was engrossed in the glow of the television, her hand gently caressing her swelling belly with a gesture that spoke of maternal care and anticipation.
Stepping into the room, his heart's captor, swiveled her gaze toward him, instantly eliciting a skipped heartbeat in response. Her entrancing eyes, a vivid shade of green, exuded a palpable enthusiasm, while a waterfall of blonde tresses cascaded gracefully down her shoulders, enhancing her allure.
"Love, come here and feel! The baby is still kicking!" Perched on the couch, her words tumbled forth as she moved, each bounce echoing the intensity of her emotions. Every gesture amplified the gravity of what she had to say. The piece of furniture seemed less a place for rest and more a stage for her fervent expression.
The man hastened his pace, urgency evident in his strides. Upon reaching his wife, Adaline, he tenderly placed his hand on her, mirroring the delicate descent of a feather in still air.
Thump* Thump*
"Woah! They're so active today!" His smile, infectious and genuine, spread warmth to all who witnessed it.
"Michael, baby. Do you think they will be a super athlete? Or maybe they'll be a future president? Ooo! Maybe they'll find a nice partner, get a small house, and live a happy life with kids of their own!" Adaline's eyes shimmered with a brilliance akin to a star-studded galaxy. As she spoke, her voice pulsed with palpable excitement.
"That will be a grand tale that will unfold in due time, my dear. Whatever they may be, we'll be there to witness it all, and to share their time on earth... I cannot wait to meet them." Michael's words emerged in a gentle whisper, his resonant voice eliciting a subtle movement from the unborn child within Adaline's womb.
At 36, his heart swelled with warmth. He had found a loving wife, carved a fulfilling career to support his budding family, and embarked on the transformative journey of parenthood. Life was sheer joy.
Lost in thought, Michael's gaze rested tenderly on his wife and unborn child.
"I've asked you many times, but do you think it's a boy or a girl? Do you have a preference, dear?" With her head nestled on his shoulder, Adaline whispered.
"Hehe, All I know is that I'll love them regardless and I will always protect them... With my life." Michael laughed softly, caressing her nose.
"And you too, of course." Following her playful, sharp glance, Michael quickly added.
...
Time marched on, unyielding.
A month on, Adaline began her labor, and Michael's anxiety peaked, his heart wrenching at the sight of his wife's agony. But it felt like mere seconds before their baby arrived—a robust boy they named Rayne.
Yet, a hush enveloped the room. Despite Rayne's evident vitality, he hadn't uttered a cry. His quiet breathing was the lone testament to his life.
"Honey, smack his ass. How dare he cause us to worry." Michael's laugh concealed his underlying anxiety. Yet, his discerning wife saw through his pretense and sought to comfort him.
With a gentle turn, she positioned the baby on his stomach, causing little Rayne to open his eyes in response to the change in orientation. Adaline, arm poised in the perfect arc to deliver a firm pat, hadn't yet locked eyes with her son.
Michael's left eye quivered at the sight, sending a silent plea skyward for his child. It was this very unwavering commitment, no matter the gravity of the situation, that had drawn him to Adaline.
Suddenly, she met the arresting gaze of Rayne's unique eyes, filled with an innocence that seemed to ask a palpable, "Why?", as they darted from her arm to her eyes.
She was momentarily breathless, captivated by their iridescence. One eye danced with colors of brown, green, and blue, with hints of ethereal purple. The other showcased a blend of grey, amber, and deep violet. The room's lighting played upon them, further amplifying their mesmerizing hues.
From a distance, his eyes appeared as dark as the nocturnal heavens. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could discern the vibrant shades concealed within their depth.
"Babe! Babe! Babe! Look! His eyes!" Adaline's voice shimmered with excitement and affection, the earlier reprimand to Rayne long forgotten. She cradled him tenderly, leaning back against Michael for a shared view. Bathed in the hospital's ambient light, Rayne's eyes took on even more vibrant hues.
"What ab-" Frozen in astonishment, Michael met the baby's gaze, a whirlwind of disbelief and exhilaration swirling within him.
"He's gonna be a lady killer with those eyes, and he also has your heroic looks, love. We'll have to parent him right so he doesn't hurt the girls that come into his life, you hear?" As Adaline conversed with her husband, her mind danced with visions of the future, piecing together a decisive plan.
Naturally, Michael couldn't disagree with his cherished wife. With a foolish grin, he gave a silent nod. Having realized his dreams had him soaring high... With their precious Rayne, his world felt truly complete.
...
Four years later.
Rayne stood tall at 1.3 meters, leaving many who encountered him in awe. Whispers about his diet filled with potential superfoods circulated as a result.
His parents reveled in his exceptional yet healthy growth. However, they faced a unique challenge: his piercing intelligence and insatiable curiosity seemed to unravel the mysteries of any topic he touched. Frequently, their conversations veered into the ambiguous realms of societal conventions, delving into subjects typically left unsaid.
Consider an earlier exchange at the grocery store:
Michael and Adaline strode into the grocery store, making a beeline for the fresh produce aisle. As they busied themselves selecting ripe fruits, Rayne's gaze wandered. He noticed a young Caucasian boy sneering at an African-American toddler nearby.
Drawn to the scene, Rayne approached and gently tapped the boy's shoulder.
"Excuse me, why are you scoffing at that little boy? Did he do something to you?" With genuine curiosity, Rayne inquired innocently.
"I just don't like him." The boy responded, pivoting to face the other direction.
"Oh. But why don't you like him?" Rayne inquired, subtly unveiling glimpses of his parents' struggles.
...
While most 4-year-olds reveled in muddy puddles or brandished sticks as makeshift swords, Rayne exhibited a profound curiosity. He gravitated toward subjects like Philosophy, Anthropology, Ethics, Morals, Religion, Science, and Music.
Recognizing his advanced understanding, his parents embarked on the challenge of educating him until school started. They paced their teachings, meticulously researching to address his burgeoning queries without succumbing to misinformation.
This often resulted in countless restless nights and mind-bending discussions, forcing them to question the very nature of their reality.
...
The young boy's expression was unreadable, deep in contemplation. That was Rayne's signature move. He'd challenge you, forcing introspection until the fragility of your conviction, logic, or belief became unmistakably clear.
"My parents, they've always reacted like that to people like him." The boy responded head bowed in shame. Just then, his parents approached, having caught snippets of their brief exchange.
"Hello young man, I suggest you mind your own business and go back to your parents." The boy's father uttered words with a stern tone.
Rayne cast a disbelieving glance at the rotund elder. His attention soon moved to the young boy.
"Does this primitive blabbering mass of blubber speak for you? Or do you perhaps have your own thoughts and values that you need to develop in order not to be led astray by filthy things like them?" Rayne's words, while whispered, were laced with malicious venom aimed at the racist couple.
The older man's face twisted, reddening with fury. The young boy peered into Rayne's eyes, discovering their profound innocence and curiosity, promptly throwing him into deeper contemplation.
Rayne's parents suddenly appeared, catching fragments of their son's words. Immediately, Rayne's father positioned himself between his son and the stout elderly man, his gaze piercing with silent warning. "Address my four-year-old with respect," he cautioned, "or we'll find ourselves a problem."
The rotund elderly man retreated, quickly gathering his son and wife, and departed with the diminished presence of a punctured balloon.
They had anticipated confronting such matters during his teenage years, at the earliest nearing the double digits. Yet, here they stood.
Thankfully, one aspect they deeply appreciate is his emerging inherent character. He's gentle, patient, immensely curious, and somewhat naive in the realm of emotional intelligence. Yet, they didn't worry, as that particular trait was a learned skill that would develop over time.
Though parenting tested their patience, their pride in Rayne was unwavering. Bathing him in love, they deftly navigated the situation to the best of their ability.
...
Yet, such moments were not rare. As Rayne matured, his intellect rapidly broadened. Throughout his elementary years, he faced ridicule for his sharp mind and towering presence. Consequently, he turned more reticent and his words became more cutting, affording him a measure of solace and frequently leaving his tormentors in a state of despair.
The few friends he managed to make were paradoxical, deemed foolish and intelligent by the varying standards of others. One, often oblivious to the deep and contemplative truths Rayne would regularly utter, still managed to touch Rayne with his unadorned sincerity. The other possessed enough insight to discern that Rayne perceived social interaction distinctively from his peers. However, she could perceive his solitude, a kind she had briefly encountered before meeting Rayne.
Zane and Amber.
He encountered them on his inaugural day of school, a moment that left his parents oscillating between laughter and tears, a mix of sorrow and relief.
Zane and Amber were initially strangers to one another, yet their attention converged on Rayne who, distinct from his peers, neither shed tears nor waved farewell; he simply observed.
That had piqued their curiosity, prompting them to converse with them. Thus, almost as if it were planned, they walked to Rayne.
Zane was the first to arrive, speaking with palpable zeal. "Hey! How come you aren't sad? I'm gonna miss my parents." His shoulders sagged.
Rayne glanced in his direction, taking him in, and let out a soft chuckle. "I know I will see them soon, and my time spent here won't go to waste as I will be learning. And I'm super excited! I wonder if we'll explore quantum mechanics today or even, contemplate the philosophical meaning of existence and whether living is even worth it!"
Amber made her appearance just as he concluded. "Umm, I'm sure we won't be studying any of that."
Simultaneously, Zane and Rayne responded: "And why not?" Both frowning.
Observing Rayne's fervor, Zane was eager to partake in the captivating topic at hand. Meanwhile, Rayne felt disheartened as Amber's words threatened to quell his enthusiasm, suggesting they'd bypass his favored subjects. "This is a publically-funded educating institution, if that isn't something they teach then they are worth no more than the toilet paper I use to wipe my pale ass!"
Michael and Adaline shared a quiet laugh, yet a twinge of melancholy struck them as they observed their sole child engaging with his newfound friends.
Now, it fell to the hands of seasoned professionals to nurture their joyful bundle until his daily energy waned, they had thought to themselves.
...
Shortly thereafter, Rayne, Amber, and Zane settled into the classroom, silently anticipating guidance from their teacher, Ms. Berkley.
"Alright everyone, nice to finally attach some faces to the names on my list! How is everyone doing?" With a gentle and cheerful tone, she offered a sincere smile to her intimate group of 12 kindergarteners.
"Good!" They all responded with soft chuckles. Amber occasionally cast glances at Rayne, noting his poised demeanor.
Rayne's patience waned as Ms. Berkley's introductions seemed to stretch on endlessly.
"Class, we'll all introduce ourselves, and then we will also say something we are super interested in, ready? Sam, you go first!" She chuckled as she spoke to a young boy seated to Rayne's left.
"H-hi everyone, I'm Sam. I like trains." Sam's voice was a gentle murmur as he quickly reseated himself, nearly toppling from the chair.
Soon after, Ms. Berkley turned her attention to Rayne.
He exhaled softly, rising gracefully before addressing the room with a composed voice. "Hello everyone, My name is Rayne Magnus, and I have many interests. Science, philosophy, and Quantum Mechanics are some of my greatest curiosities. Oh, and the theoretical development of A.I and the machine learning capabilities we have merely glimpsed upon. Ms Berkely, I do hope we can begin these studies and discussions soon." Rayne offered a smile, gave a courteous bow, and resumed his seat, ushering in a hushed stillness across the classroom.
Ms. Berkley, taken aback, stood frozen in place.
She jolted her head, pulling herself from her daydream. "I'm sorry Rayne, we aren't going to learn any of those classes here in elementary school. Those are subject matters for universities."
Rayne's gaze held a mix of stark surprise and ire. "What?! Am I just wasting my time here then? What are we learning?"
"Shut up weirdo!" A student from the back called out, triggering laughter among many of his peers.
"Tony, that was very rude. You need to be kinder to your classmates or I will talk with your parents." Ms. Berkley chastised the boisterous student before redirecting her focus to Rayne.
"We are going to learn the basics of writing, spelling, math, and music!" She attempted a smile, yet noticed Rayne's disposition darkening noticeably.
"This class is useless to me then. I know all of that. I want to learn advanced subjects that don't almost put me to sleep, especially when I have classmates who are no more evolved than the apes we call Neanderthals!" Rayne's frustration reached its zenith; under the classroom's fluctuating illumination, his eyes revealed subtle hints of concealed crimson.
"Fight me, BFG!" Once more, Tony's voice echoed from the rear.
Ms. Berkley stifled a chuckle at Rayne's inventive jab at Tony, paying no heed to Tony's vociferous protest. "Well... That's... You shouldn't speak that way about your classmates. You and I will talk with the Principal, this way we can figure something out for you, do we have a deal?" She spoke with measured restraint, the echoes of Rayne's harsh words reverberating in her mind.
Rayne gave a nod, deeming words superfluous in response.
What ensued was characteristic of a kindergarten setting: elementary spelling, rudimentary math, and then recess. Throughout these activities, Ms. Berkley frequently sought Rayne's response. Each time, she was met with his immediate, accurate answers. He would then comment on how she should engage the less attentive students, suggesting she ensure they weren't the ones disrupting his concentration with their snoring.
...
As class concluded, students burst with excitement, rushing from the room to retrieve their backpacks from the racks lining the hallway walls.
Ms. Berkley addressed Rayne, who was serenely making his way toward the exit. "Rayne, please wait a moment, I'll get my stuff and we can go talk to the principal."
Rayne acknowledged with a nod, swiftly making his way to the restroom, unaware of Tony trailing behind him.
As Rayne began using a urinal, a sudden force hit his back, thrusting him forward. His jaw collided with the metal fixture, causing immediate bleeding. Yet, his assailant, Tony, wasn't finished. Swiftly grabbing Rayne's shoulders, he hurled him against the wall, resulting in both Rayne's head and back harshly meeting its surface. With blood staining his lips, Rayne strained to identify his aggressor.
"Stop hurting me, I don't even know you!" Rayne leaned against the wall with a hint of uncertainty.
"I didn't like the way you kept making fun of me!"
Rayne's thoughts swiftly pieced everything together.
"You started it! Now you want to hurt me because you can't use that dumb brain of yours?"
"Ahh!" Tony charged towards Rayne, aiming to collide with him. Rayne awkwardly sidestepped, resulting in Tony crashing headfirst into the brick wall. Before Tony could regain his composure, Rayne seized him by the hair, forcefully driving his head against the wall multiple times.
Rayne only halted when Tony went limp, then retreated. After rinsing his bleeding mouth with water, he pressed a paper towel against it and headed outside, his thoughts reeling from the recent events.
Within him, a shadowy surge of violet fire awakened.
Rayne returned to the classroom, situated a short distance from the boys' restroom. Swiftly donning his backpack, he waited for Ms. Berkley, using the brief pause to draw steady breaths and swiftly compose himself.