*This chapter contains Extreme violence and domestic abuse*
The aroma of chlorine hit the young boys nose as he pushed the glass doors open to the community aquatic center. Around six years of age, he gripped his mother's hand tightly as they walked in. The center was loud: A multitude of activities were happening. One in particular was a swimming class for children under twelve. The boy gripped his mother's skirt as she signed him in at the front desk.
She smiled and flirted with the attendant of the pool as they made small talk. As the attendant turned to retrieve some swimming gear for the boy, his mother spun around and swatted the boys hands. He quickly let go. She glanced around before squatting down to her son.
" Stop acting like a baby!" She hissed through her teeth. She Gripped his arm. Instinctively the boy averted his eyes from his mother's.
She flicked him in the side of his head.
"Look at me when I am talking to you Rae".
The young boy raised his fearful eyes to his mother.
"I'm letting you do this because mommy needs alone time. So Behave and don't speak unless spoken to. Do you understand me?" Her voice was at a whisper leaning into Rae's ear. Her grip was still firm on his arm.
"Understand?" She gripped harder causing a twinge of pain to run up his arm.
Rae nodded his head quickly. She threw his arm, releasing him, leaving a red mark behind.
Hearing the attendants footsteps returning; his mother turned around standing up straight. Fixing her hair and clothes, plastering the all too familiar fake smile.
"We have some arm floats and goggles for the little guy here." He handed her the swim gear.
"Oh how wonderful! Isn't that nice Rae?" Her fictitious tone was a warning sign to Rae. He did as taught. Smiling as he took the items from his mother.
The attendant pointed to where Rae should go and change.
"Your mommy will come back later to pick you up!" The attendant smiled and waved to him.
"Mommy loves you sweetheart!" His mother waved too. Once again turning back to the attendant and began her flirting all over again.
Rae was more than happy to leave. He was terrified being in a new place with unfamiliar faces. Though it was better than staying home with his mother. A shiver shot down his spine.
He entered the boys locker room as instructed. There were a few kids inside already. The room echoed with their voices and laughter. Rae felt selfconcious. He chose a locker in the corner: away from the other children. He quickly and quietly changed into his swim trunks. Shutting the metal locker he heard a pair of bare feet, on the tiles of the locker room.
Turning around there was a pale boy standing there. He had a wide grin on his face. His fine features with semi long brown hair that almost caressed his face. A pair of hazel eyes looked him in the face. He wore a pair of Light blue swim trunks. His hand was extending out to Rae.
"Hello, My name is Kellen. You can call me Kel though. Who are you?"
Rae hesitantly looked at Kel's hand and then back to his face.
"Oh I'm sorry! Are you shy?" Kel lowered his hand as he leaned in questioning Rae.
Rae could see Kel was a very outspoken and kind person. He could have sworn a golden aura illuminated around him.
Rae just looked down at his hands.
"Im...Rae." He quietly answered the boy.
"What? Rae? That's a cool name!" Kel laughed in excitement. This made Rae want to hide himself more.
Kel stopped almost immediately.
"Oh sorry! I kinda get excited somtimes. My mom says I have to keep calm. I'm sorry if I scared you." He shyly smiled.
Rae timidly smiled.
"I like your smile! I think we should be friends!" Kel grabbed Rae by his hand.
"Let's go! the instructor is waiting for us!"
Rae let himself be pulled by Kel. A friend. Though the word was still foreign to him at the time; he was willing to try the whole friendship thing out. It was at that moment that the two of them became inseparable. Two souls finding comfort in one another, forming a bond with one another.
Throughout the next twelve years of their lives they attended the same school: Found they shared the same birthday: They liked the same foods and both held a deep dislike for violence and inequality amongst people.
Even more bizarre was on the first day they had met in their swimming class; Kel and Rae found they had similar birthmarks on their stomachs. Kel's mark looked like a scar from an old injury on the right side of his stomach. While Rae had what looked like a similar wound on the left side of his stomach.
~If the two of them could have chosen their futures: Then maybe things would have ended differently.~
Kel Stood on the leveled city. The once tall skyscrapers had fallen. The fires raged as far as he could see. There was no sign of life anywhere. He called out but his voice couldn't be heard. He looked to his left hand. Clutching the handle of a long, katana like, sword: it glistened with the gold and white metal, splattered with crimson blood that almost looked black. From a puddle on the ground, he saw blood splattered on his clothes and face. He wore a white tunic with a golden Sash tied around his waist. He had on white pants that hung to his knees with golden sandels. His brown hair swayed with what gentle breeze: lifting the dust from the ground. Some sounds became louder. It was the demonic screams of creatures not of his world. Looking to the right were the bodies of monsters. Some who looked like creatures out of horror stories: some who looked human with monster appendages.
He tried moving his right arm that was at his side. He wasn't able to. His entire appendage was cloaked in red blood which was dripping onto the ground.
He swiftly turned his head back to the left.
The sound of a metal item was scraping the ground as if being dragged.
A figure from the dusty clouds came closer and closer.
It was a male, around the same age as Kel. He had short dark brown hair with a tan complexion. One horn emerged from the right side of his head: long and black. He was draped in a black and red top which resembled a Jeogori. The belt was fastened tightly around his waist. Wearing long black pants that were tucked into a pair of black boots. His eyes were sharp as his eyes seemed to glow a crimson red. He held a long katana in his right hand. The grip and blade were the color of the dark night. Crimson blood was splattered onto its metal and clothing of the man. He was no man: With eyes that looked to kill: he was more monster. He swung his sword to the side as its metal slammed into the dirt: the metallic sound ringing around them.
"RAIKEL!" The man's voiced echoed between the two. His voice boomed like thunder. It held a deep disgust towards Kel. Swinging the sword back up and pointing its sharp tip straight at Kel.
"WE END THIS NOW!"
Kel's eyes widened. He watched the figure in black run towards him. The black boots kicking up the dirt behind him. Raising his right arm and left: gripping the sword, ready to pierce through Kel.
Kel went to move. His feet wouldn't budge, even the working arm with the sword would not move. It was as if his body was frozen. All he could do was watch as the figure bound closer and closer. Close enough to see the monstrous man's face.
"R-Rae?"
Then the pitch black enveloped him. Not able to see or hear: Kel looked down at his chest. Blood poured from where his heart was beating: like a river. Pain wrapped around him as he opened his mouth to scream.
Kel's body shot up out of his bed. His hands grasping around the area that was pouring blood: nothing. He felt his face as he coughed catching his breath. Broken out in a sweat he looked around. He was safely in his home. In his room, the morning sun was peeking through the curtains. Wheezing: he yanked the blankets off of him andbran to the bathroom. Clutching the sides of the sink he examined his face and upper torso in the mirror. Holding his white t-shirt up he pressed his right hand around his chest and stomach. The once real gaping wound wasn't there.
Dropping his shirt back down he continued with his deep breaths.
"That was too real this time. I actually felt the pain here" He patted the side of his stomach where his birthmark was.
"These dreams are draining me" He sighed as he stood up straight.
A light knock came from the door.
"Sweetheart? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine mom, just getting ready."
"Well alright, come to the table when you're done. I've made you a very special breakfast".
"Okay." He listened for her feet to recede.
Turning back to his reflection he let out a sigh.
"I almost forgot, it's graduation day". He smiled.
After having washed up and dressed Kel sat at the table. His father sitting in his usual spot reading the paper, his mother finishing a few odds and ends for the meal.
"I can't believe my sweet baby is graduating today!" She cooed in the kitchen.
Kel sat picking at his fish with his chopsticks; putting pieces in his mouth, chewing slowly savoring its rich flavor. He reached to the side and placed a couple bites of Kimchi in his mouth as well. He loved his mother and her cooking. His father sat across from him drinking his black coffee. His eyes not once looked away from the newspaper.
"It was only yesterday that you were my little baby. Now look at you!" She walked to the table and placed a plate in front of his father.
She walked around the table and started to fuss with Kel's hair.
"I'm still your son mom" He laughed as he allowed her to fix the cowlick on the top of his head.
"Yes but you're so big now!" She hugged him from behind.
Kel smiled and patted his mother's arm.
"I'll be home early today so don't be like this. I can accompany you to the store later too!"
"I don't deserve such a sweet and caring boy!" She squeezed tighter.
"Honey, He's nearly a man now. You should treat him as such." Kel's father spoke up. Still yet to take his eyes off the article. He poked at his food and chewed slowly.
"Oh you!" She tapped his father's shoulder and moved back to the kitchen.
"Kel, I packed some breakfast food for Rae, when you meet up with him this morning. make sure he eats alright?"
"Of course mom. And he is very thankful for you as well."
His mother sighed.
"That poor child. What's he going to do now that he is graduating? Will he really be alright?" She fiddled with the lunch box.
"You forget mom, his college is not far from mine. I'll still be able to meet up with him. you don't have to worry!"
She smiled.
"In that case be sure to still coax him over here so I can cook him his favorite foods!"
Kel laughed.
Finishing up his food he walked to the front door and slipped into his sneakers.
"Be careful." She handed him the lunch box.
"I will mom." He hugged her and waved bye as he shut the door behind him.
The weather was still a bit chilly. Spring was right around the corner, the buds on the trees were starting to sprout into a beautiful green color. The sky was a deep blue with no clouds in the sky. It was an all around nice day.
Clutching the box under his arm, Kel jogged to the normal meeting spot with Rae. The dual intersection came into view and there was Rae: He leaned against the metal guard rail with his hands in his uniform pockets.
"Rae!" Kel yelled and waved his free arm in the air.
Rae looked towards him. He smiled lightly and waved back at Kel. He stood up from his position as Kel came right up next to him.
"Hey man!" He patted Rae on his back.
"Before I forget, mom packed you a meal this morning. Make sure to eat it before class."
Handing the lunch box off Rae held it close to him.
"Your mother is so caring. thank you." He held it to his face as he practically hugged it.
Kel held a smile but it fell to a solemn expression.
"You didn't eat last night did you?"
Rae didn't say anything as he pulled his head away.
"Come on we'll be late." Rae said changing the subject. He started walking in the direction of the school.
Kel Jogged up next to him and walked at a normal pace.
"I've said it before. come live with us! It's no trouble and my parents love you like a son!"
Rae shook his head.
"I'm fine. Besides she really needs me. I'm all she has" His eyes turned expressionless as he smiled.
"Rae-!"
"I'm okay Kel!" Rae looked at his friend with anger. Kel backed off and bit his lip.
"Sorry...I was being too pushy again." He scratched his head.
"No. I'm sorry I snapped at you. You're my best friend and I know you are only trying to help." He patted Kel's back.
Before they knew it they were at school.
Sitting together in class they held their diplomas in their hands. Other students were taking pictures together, others were crying, While Kel was turned in his desk chair talking to Rae.
I can't believe we are officially college students! well more or less." He exclaimed as he clutched the paper in his hand.
Rae looked at his laid out onto the desk top. He simply nodded his head.
"You okay?" Kel tilted his head to look into his friends eyes.
"Huh? Yea I'm okay." He looked up and smiled.
"Don't fake it Rae, I k ow when you are forging your smile. what's wrong?"
Rae rested his head on his fist.
Before he could say anything the homeroom teacher came back in.
With a few shirt speeches and many photos later the bell rang.
They were officially high school graduates.
Rae and Kel left the school the same way they had done for years.
Rae handed the lunchbox back to Kel.
Kel could feel it lighter: He was glad that Rae had at least eaten today.
Rae was still a little depressed.
"How about this!" Kel stopped Rae.
"It's meet up after I take my mom to the store. We could get food at that new restaurant that opened."
Rae lifted his head and nodded. He grinned.
"Sure!"
Kel smiled back. THAT was Rae's genuine smile. The one that made Kel feel at ease letting his friend go at the end of everyday.
He watched him walk towards his apartment on the opposite street.
If Kel could have, he would have kidnapped Rae a long time ago when they were kids. He knew exactly how his mother treated him. She was nothing but a tease with any man she could get her hands on. This left her to leave Rae alone for days on end with no food in the house. It was those times where Rae was actually the happiest. He was able to eat at school and packed food from Kel's mother on days he didn't have school.
Though, Whenever his mother was at home, she treated him horribly. She would mentally and physically abuse him. He once came to elementary school with bruises on his face. He lied to the teachers saying he fell. His mother covering it up saying he was a silly and clumsy child, always hugging and doting on him when the eyes were on her.
In middle school Kel remembered he the day Rae came to school with whatvlooked like cigarette burns on his hands. The story he told was that he had burned himself while cooking. Those were the worse times.
Kel waited until his friend had completely vanished down the street before walking to his home.
---
"Thank you for coming with me today sweetheart!"
Kel and his mother had finished up the last bit of shopping. Kel carried the heavy bags as they treaded back home.
"Of course! Once I help put this stuff away I'm going to head out with Rae for our celebratory dinner!" Kel smiled.
The two of them laughed and talked the rest of the way home.
As he unpacked the items and put them away his phone rang.
Looking at the ID he saw it was Rae.
"Sorry mom. let me take this a second" Kel apologized.
"No worries honey I've got this".
Kel nodded his head as he took the call outside.
"Hey Rae what's up?"
There was nothing but silence.
"Rae?"
Kel waited a few more seconds. There was still nothing. He looked at the screen to be sure the call didn't get disconnected.
He then could hear breathing in the other end of the line.
"Rae can you hear me?"
Kel's heart started to beat a bit faster. He was starting to feel anxious.
Finally after a few minutes of coaxing there was a voice on the other end.
"Kel".
Hearing his friends voice, it sounded as if he was about to cry.
"Rae? What's the matter? Talk to me!" He pressed the phone closer to his ear.
"..."
"Where are you Rae? I'll come to you!"
"The meeting spot." Rae was able to chole. He was definitely crying.
"I'm coming! Stay there!" Kel ran back inside his house.
"Mom I have to go see Rae, it's urgent!"
"Go! go on! I have everything here. He needs you!" She shood him out.
Kel wasted no time running down his street. They had only parted ways a couple hours ago. He was concerned for Rae's well being. In the amount of years they had known one another: Rae was not one to cry about anything. This was a red alarm in Kel's head.
He turned the corner and sure enough Rae was standing in their usual meeting spot.
"Rae!" Kel yelled out to him. Near on top of him Rae turned his head.
Kel's heart could have fallen through his stomach. Rae's lip was bleeding. His cheek had begun swelling as well as a knot on his forehead. His skin was slightly turning purple and blue. He could barely open his left eye.
"RAE!" He reached out his hand and grazed his friends face. Rae flinched as his fingers came in contact with the bruises.
"Agh!"
Kel pulled back.
"shit! Come on!" He grabbed Rae by his shoulders and took him to the nearest convenient store.
He purchased what medical supplies he could. Sitting outside the store he dabbed the cuts with disinfectants. Rae flinched with every contact to his face.
"You need a hospital Rae!" He pulled his hand away and looked furiously in his friends eyes.
"No!" Rae rejected him straight away.
"No Rae! I'm serious, you need to go to the hospital now! come with me I'll-" As he grabbed his friend by the arm; Rae smacked Kel's hand away.
"No! I'm alright! It's fine!" He yelled. There was anger and desperation in Rae's eyes.
Gritting his teeth, Kel grabbed his arm again.
"You and I both know she has never hurt you to this extent anymore. enough is enough!"
"You don't understand!" Rae yanked his arm back. The two of them stood there and stared at one another.
"You're damn right I don't understand! How could I if you don't talk to me! I'm your best friend! Why won't you let me help you?!"
"She...She is just having a hard time lately. She still needs me to help-"
"Bullshit! She doesn't need you! Can't you see she doesn't even love you?!" Kel Immediately covered his own mouth with his hand. He overstepped.
Rae just stared at Kel with his empty eyes. Kel had forgotten that when Rae gets like this there really was no way to talk him down.
"I shouldn't have called you..." Rae's eyes darted back and forth looking down. He started walking briskly away.
"No! Rae wait! I didn't mean that!" Kel tried stopping him. Rae ignored him. Not slowing down or even turning his head, he walked out of view.
Kel kicked the box od bandages as he yelled with rage. He felt like a moron.
The one thing that was sensitive to Rae was 'love'. Kel could have said anything but he ended up saying, "She doesn't love you".
Kel felt like punching himself.
With all of the abuse Rae had endured: He was always cautious of what he said to him.
"I gotta go after him". He let out a long sigh.
----
Rae sat on the stairs leading up to his apartment building. The tears were flowing ever since He left Kel back at the mart. He wrapped his arms around his knees, leaning his body against the wall of the steps.
He was tired. All he wanted to do was show his mother his graduation paper. Somthing he was sure she would have been proud of. There were very few things he did that made her proud of him.
Though instead: He had gotten home that afternoon. For once his mother was propped onto the kitchen table. A cigarette was lit in her hand. He head lay on the wooden surface. Bottles of Soju were sitting empty around her. The kitchen sink was full of dishes that who knew the last time they were done. The flies were buzzing around them as well as the four bags of trash left by the door. As the door shut behind him, his mother stirred from her state and lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were dark and menacing. He long hair covered her face, She still wore the same pajamas from two days ago.
"I'm home....mom" Rae mumbled from the doorway.
She lifted her head and smiled.
"Well come here sweet boy, let me see the certificate". She calmly and softly stuck her hand out.
Rae anxiously walked inside and handed the paper to her.
Taking a drag off of her cigarette and blowing the smoke in his direction; she took a long look at it.
After some time she nodded her head. She continued nodding as she stood up and walked over to the kitchen.
"I'm impressed. You are such a smart boy" She stuck her hand in her pocket.
The small amount of approval made Rae softly smile.
"But..."
She whipped out her lighter and lit the graduation certificate on fire. pinching it by the corner she held it over the sink as the fire ate away at the paper.
"NO!" Rae leapt at his mom in an attempt to put it out.
"no...?...NO?!!" She grit her teeth as she let the paper fall on top of the dishes: turning around and smacking Rae as hard as she could across the face: causing him to tumble backwards hitting the back of his head against the table.
"You think because you've got that flimsy paper thT you can leave me too?! huh?!! Is that what you're thinking?!!" She raised he hand again and smacked him on the cheek.
"You're gonna leave me like your father did huh?!! Leave me alone to rot in this disgusting hovel?!!"
"No! Mom please I would never!" Rae cried out at her as he held her arm from swinging again.
"Bad kids need to be taught a lesson!"
She grabbed the nearby ashtray.
Rae touched his bruised face. A swelk of emotions were eating at him mentally. Anxiety, sadness and anger: they were all racing in his mind.
"Why won't she love me....why?" His voice cracked as he continued to cry.
"I wish I could just end it.....end.....her."
"You wish to end her?"
Rae jumped at the voice. Looking up there was a man dressed in odd clothing sitting with his legs crossed. He was as thin as a twig. Wearing a black, tight, fitting leotard. Or rather somthing that resembled it. He was covered from his neck to his feet in the skin tight clothes.
His hair was very long and almost silver in color. Atop the middle of his forehead was a long sharp horn which glistened silver against the street lights. His eyes were sharp, yet playful, with a teal color. His hands, which were pressed against his lips had long claws that were colored black at the fingernail tips.
He hopped down from the wall with grace and landed on one knee in front of Rae.
"My prince. If that is your command I can make your suffering end here and now!" His head was down, his right hand over his chest, just as a servant would bow to a king.
"If you permit me your highness, I can make EVERYTHING that ales you end." He looked up and smiled at Rae.
Rae stared down at the man. He was at a loss for words. It was if by some miracle this man appeared in front of him to make is dreams come true?
"Are you some sort of....angel?
The man made a disgusted face.
"I can assure you my prince, I am not one of those disgusting creatures. I am what you could call a faithful servant."
He stood up and placed his hand gently on Rae's wounded cheek. There was no pain. Rae had waited to feel a sting but there was nothing.
"As you can see my prince....I will do ANYTHING for you" He waved his hand against the wall to reveal Rae's reflection.
The wounds were gone. Rae touched his face all over. there were no more bruises, cuts or even pain.
His eyes widened.
"So my prince, Shall I cure you of ALL your suffering?" Bowing his head again.
Rae didn't know what came over him. His eyes were full of light and wonder. Almost as if all of his troubles were starting to fade away.
"Please. Take my pain away. All of it."
The man lifted his head once again. A sadistic grin plastering his face.
"As you command."
He snapped his fingers.
Wind and immense heat were raging behind Rae's back. He turned to see a roaring fire. It had engulfed the entire apartment building. All six levels of homes were being eaten by what looked like flames from hell.
Rae's eyes stared up as the flames illuminated off of his hazel eyes. The hazel turning to a crimson red.
The screams of innocent victims could be heard.
"As commanded my prince, your troubles are burning away."
He stood next to Rae.
"If you would permit me. I will take you home where you belong. your true home."
Rae's eyes shifted.
"My...true home?"
Running up the many flights of stairs; Kel had about made it to Rae when the blaze lit up the apartment building. He nearly lost his breath as he watched the flames rage. His only thought: Rae.
He ran up thr final flight as he came across Rae and a mysterious man watching the building crumble.
"Rae!" He yelled out.
Rae sloy turned and looked at Kel with his red eyes.
"Kel. I did it."
A smile appeared on Rae's face.
"All the bad things in my life are gone. I feel free".
"What are you talking about?!"
Kel ran to touch Rae.
The man appeared in a flash in front of Kel knocking him to the ground.
"Refrain from touching his highness" He hissed with a devilish smile.
Laying on his side: Kel stared up at the demonic man.
"Should I make him disappear too?" He asked Rae.
"No. He is my close friend. He would never hurt me nor I him."
"Come Kel, He is taking me to my true home, come with me."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! YOUR HOME IS BURNING BEHIND YOU!"
"And your mom.....your mom..."
Kel began to tremble.
Rae pulled his hand away and stopped smiling. Becoming expressionless.
"She was not my true home".
The man waved his claws against the wall next to him. A swirling vortex of red and purple appeared.
"Come my prince. Everyone is waiting for you". Bowing his head and motioning his hand before the portal.
Rae didn't give it a second thought. He walked up to the wall and put his hand and eventually his arm through it.
"Rae NO!" Kel raised his arm to try and stop him.
"Goodbye...Kellen."
He walked straight on through.
The man followed behind him, glaring at Kel with an immense hatred before the vortex disappeared. Leaving Kel sitting on the concrete steps.
Watching Rae's home burn to the ground.