Winter here is no joke, even if it's just approaching the chill of the wind is freezing.
"Such a beautiful pair of eyes, what a waste if the world cannot see it," I muttered looking at my reflection in the river. My eyes, they're captivating, I have the greenest orbs that sparkle resembling a jewel as if emeralds are embedded in them.
Seeing my reflection, there's no longer sign of my old self. My old long black hair, pale skin, crooked lips, and glasses are gone and replaced with slightly wavy brown-orangish hair, fair-tone skin, and pinkish lips. I completely became Sengoku.
"I think I collected enough," I said looking over my collection. I'm in the middle of gathering woods and taking a rest beside a stream. I securely tied the kindlings and the small jar of herbs I gathered and wore the carrier on my back.
Since Mom and I talk, I've been collecting firewood and herbs while Mom went to work. I tried catching some fish but it's difficult for me, It's annoying how I've been limited in doing things because of my small body. "Okay, I gathered woods and herbs. Next are nuts." I listed my chores and then head home.
I pass trees and trees seeing some squirrels above and birds in a nest, and flowers dancing along the gentle wind. The sun was brightly radiating above as light seeped through narrow spaces of leaves painting shades on my face.
The scenery felt so serene. I deeply inhale the sweet fresh air and wholeheartedly exhale it. "When did I ever feel like this in my past life?" To feel at ease, I can't seem to remember.
My previous life was dull, far from normal. Well, my life contains only three factors which are school, part-time work, and my apartment. I'm an orphan because no married couple wants to adopt a child like me, I'm not their dream child they said.
That's why, I never experienced having a family but I don't envy my classmate who had someone to attend their graduations or congratulate them on every occasion while I watch alone in the corner. To make things worse, once I've become eighteen the Head of the orphanage kicked me out on the streets leaving me with almost nothing but pennies and two pair of old clothes. I'm all on my own.
Nonetheless, I like the Mother I got, however, her love and embrace still felt strange to me, even so, I don't hate them.
"I will ask you again, where is our money?" I froze when I overhear someone talking from the bushes and flinch when the smack was heard as the other guy groans at the hit. "Talk you, piece of shit!" Another hit sounded.
"Alright, Alright, we don't want any trouble," I whisper to myself silently tip-toeing as I made my leave pretending I didn't hear anything when a branch snaps underneath my feet creating a crunchy noise that feels like death calls.
"Who's there?" The assaulter yell, I bit my lip and curse at my clumsiness. Is there any way to get me out of this trouble?
I quickly search around for something that could protect me when my eyes catch a piece of cloth and have a brilliant idea. I'm a child and I can't fight, if I run they'll catch me, so if I want to get away from this unharmed being disabled is a perfect way. Nobody pays attention to disabled people.
I wrapped the thin fabric around my eyes as I step out from my hiding pretending to be blind. "U-uhm, Hello?" I nervously utter.
"tch, just a blind kid." The old geezer across me grunted with no ounce of suspicion. It works!
Yeah, just a blind kid so don't bother and continue.
Through the rag I circle my eyes and sees a boy on the floor, he's not far from my age and he's full of wounds.
But I don't want to get involved, so I must get out of here.
The other old man harshly picks the boy up by his collar forcing his beaten body to stand, "Leave. If you don't want to get beaten up too."
"Ah- yes!" I took the opportunity and quickly face my back to them. I steal a glance in the boy's direction and he was staring at me. Messy golden blonde hair and his eyes are like sapphire.
Those blue eyes. My chest suddenly tightens for unknown reasons.
My feet cease to move before I have taken any further steps. I don't want to get in any trouble. I don't want to die here. And yet, before I could stop myself, my body already acted on its own. I turn around and dash to them.
"Let him go!!" I ran right through the old man holding the boy hitting him on his back freeing the boy as he slumped on the ground. The old man groans at the throbbing of his back while I cry at the stinging sensation on my head that I use as a weapon.
"It hurt. Damn, my head hurt." I sob while removing the rope binding the boy's wrist when I notice the other geezer glaring in my towards me. Beads of sweats forms on my forehead dripping down my face, he looks angry, really angry, and dangerous.
I hold no weapon on me, I can't protect ourselves. That's when I move backward trying to cover the boy from him I heard the chiming and remember my jar. It won't do great damage but it'll be enough. "Run at the woods the moment I throw this jar, you hear me?" I said to the boy. I never heard an answer but I hope he listens.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He calmly asked, opposite of his burning gaze.
"I don't even know too." I nervously laugh off cautious of his movement.
"You should'a just walk away. Don't ever think you can get away from this." He pulls out a gun from his pocket, however, before he could click the trigger I immediately throw the jar at him hitting him directly in the face and causing the gun to shoot above scaring the nearby birds away as I fell on my knees trembling on the deafening noise.
"You little bitch!" He screams writhing at the floor with a bloodied face. He points the gun at us again jolting me to hurriedly stand on my feet which follows the fabric to fall on my neck. Mom's word instantly flashes in my head as I tried to cover my face at the same time attempted to escape.
Another bullet was shot that stop beside me. I scream when I felt a burning pain in my left thigh as blood trail down my leg. It grazed me - a deep one. Thankfully, the bullet didn't go through me. "Shit." I saw in my peripheral that the other men earlier were back on their feet and now we're totally losing. I grip hard my wound as tears begin to form in my eyes.
We're just kids. We can't fight against adults and a gun. Is this how I'm gonna die? I should have listened to Mom not getting into trouble. I should have -
My train of thought cut the moment the boy stands before me. "Hey, what are you doing? Run away from here!"
"Cover your eyes." The boy spoke for the first time.
"Huh?" I was about to face him when his hand block me.
He held his hand out. "Dark Magic - ." A glowing red magic circle appears below the man holding the gun followed by a raven and crimson smoke that slowly comes out creating a cage around him. Is that... magic?
The man squealed as fear flashes in his entire being. "Wai- wait! You don't need to do that." He laughs nervously. "it's alright now! I no longer need that money, so calm down!" I raise my gaze and see the boy having a blank face, unbothered by the man's pleas. "Look, I'm sorry for what I did! I'm begging you, please, spare -!"
"Karma." With his last spell, countless bullet-like smoke pierces every part of the man's body, disintegrating the flesh upon contact until what's left of him are just pieces of human meat. I nearly vomit at the sight but tried my best to swallow my throat's attempt.
The boy looks at the remaining man seeing him fall on his feet furiously shaking, staring at the boy as if he was a monster, is he?
The old man was breathing heavily and unable to form a word. I look at the remains of the man earlier, I don't want to witness another killing, my body won't be able to take it.
I reach for his hand, telling him to let the man go, he's scared already that's enough. The man then realized my intention and run away screaming.