On the way home, Dawn stared out the window. The city center was bustling and vibrant, full of life. People walked along the sidewalks, either enjoying the warm evening air or heading home from work. Cars were backed up at intersections, with people quickly getting in and out. Besides the warm, lively humans, there were also dark figures lurking in the shadows. While some looked like ordinary people, others were shrouded in thick, black smoke swirling above their heads.
As Emily's car passed, the figures turned towards it, their gazes fixed on Dawn, as if sensing his presence. This was normal; Dawn had been used to it since he was a child. He used to be terrified walking home from school, with so many dark figures following him, but over time, he'd get used to it. Emily's car stopped behind others waiting at a red light. Usually, at times like this, the dark figures would approach the car, surrounding it and trying to get to Dawn. But this time, Ethan was sitting next to him. He looked around, meeting the gaze of the curious, frightening spirits with their entirely black eyes.
Dawn looked around, then looked at Ethan who was smiling at him. The man had kept the restless spirits away from him, they didn't dare to approach and only watched from a distance.
"I'm great, is it? As long as I'm around, no one will be able to get close to you." the guy said.
Dawn looked at him for a long time. Ever since he'd gotten this… ability, long ago, no one had been able to help him. No one had sat beside him while those spirits tried to disturb him. And now, this guy was here, grinning like he was saying, *I've got your back*. Dawn almost felt touched.
"Why, touched by my attention, huh?" said the man.
Dawn pursed his lips, the man was beyond help when it came to his high level of self-confidence. He turned his gaze towards the window.
Ethan chuckled.
"Hehehe this child, so cute" he poked Dawn's cheek, and Dawn brushed his hand away.
"Do not touch me"
Emily, who was sitting in the front, glanced at Dawn, who was sitting in the back. He put the groceries in the front and Dawn never wanted to sit in the front with her either. The kid had been acting weird ever since they left the house for the clinic. She didn't want to know many things, lest the kid say something that would scare her.
"So, Dawn, what do you want for dinner?" Emily asked.
Dawn was still busy batting away Ethan's playful—and persistent—hands. He glared at him, silently demanding him to stop.
"Whatever, Em, I can eat anything"
Emily thought.
Em, we're done with duck and I'm tired of fried chicken. Should we just have fried noodles? I heard there's a new restaurant near District One's alleyway, we could try that," Emily said, answering her own question since Dawn didn't respond.
"Whatever, Em"
"Seriously? Why do you always say 'whatever'? Don't you want to eat something you like? Look at you, you're so skinny! Dr. Regan said you need to eat more. I'll buy you anything you want, just tell me."
Dawn stared out the window, irritated by Ethan's persistent attempts to hold his hand.
"Anything Em, I can eat anything"
"Dawn.."
…..
Ethan followed Dawn to his room. If Dawn hadn't stopped him, he probably would have snuck into the bathroom while he showered. The ghost sat on the edge of the bed, watching Dawn emerge from the bathroom with wet hair. He stood up to greet him.
"Hey, what time is it, why are you still washing your hair, aren't you cold?"
Dawn's eyes widened as the spirit took the small towel from his hand.
"Here, let me help you dry your hair."
Dawn complied as Ethan pulled him down to sit on the bed. He helped him dry his hair with the towel. Was he being nice so he'd help him tomorrow? Dawn was increasingly bothered by him; the only way this ghost would leave his life was if he helped him solve his problem.
Ethan rubbed the small towel as gently as possible on Dawn's rather long hair, the smell of the shampoo he used was clearly visible. But, not only that, Dawn's body odor when he finished showering also made him subconsciously come closer and smell him.
"Hmm, it smells so good, what soap do you use? I haven't bathed in a long time, can ghosts bathe too?"
Dawn didn't respond, he would just treat the man as same as the other spirits he often met, there was no need to make friends with him or anything. But, how could he let the ghost touch him? Dawn held the towel in the man's hand and stopped his hand from moving.
"Just let me do it myself"
But Ethan didn't intend to let the kid take the towel from his hand.
"Hey just let me do it. Why, are you embarrassed? Not used to this treat? I guess you're used to being treated like this by your aunt, right?"
"What do you mean by that? Do you think I'm still a child?" Dawn asked annoyed.
Ethan chuckled. Dawn's face looked annoyed.
"Hehe I'm sorry, but, somehow, looking at you, I want to treat you well too, I think everyone would do the same"
Dawn fell silent. Thinking. He forgot how he came to live with his grandfather and aunt. He lost part of his childhood memories. They said he was in a coma for some time. When he woke up, he already lived with them. They cried, hugged him very tightly, and said everything would be alright, and they would look after him forever.
Dawn forgot what happened to his parents. There are some memories but they are just blurred images. Every time there is always a dream that makes him wake up in the middle of the night when it rains heavily. Piece fragments of memories about him standing in the middle of the heavy rain with thunder and lightning flashing non-stop while trying to call his mother. Walking with no way to go. Get lost and alone. He didn't know what happened.
Ethan dried his hair up to Dawn's neck and ears and fell silent when he saw the young man who looked lost in thought. He looked at Dawn's face, looked at his empty eyes for a long time until Ethan poked his cheek.
"What are you thinking about?"
Dawn was surprised, he found Ethan's face which was very close in front of his eyes.
"You.."
Ethan smiled. He really enjoyed teasing the young man, just looking at him made him forget that he was a restless spirit who demanded justice.
"Hehe, you really like daydreaming, what if I do something to you and you keep daydreaming, this is very interesting"
Dawn looked at Ethan in annoyance, he pushed away Ethan's hand on his cheek.
"Please stop Mr. Rouke, and go back to your room, I want to sleep"
Dawn threw back the blanket and got ready to sleep, instead of leaving, Ethan climbed in and lay beside him.
"This bed is big, enough for two, I want to sleep here"
"No, you can't do that, you can't sleep here, please get out of my room"
Meanwhile outside the hallway. Emily just filled the kettle with water from downstairs and headed to her room, she was sure she heard a sound from Dawn's room. The woman came closer and put her ear to the door.
"Dawn, is anyone in there with him?" Emily was about to turn the doorknob, but, she stopped, her eyes widening.
"Oh no, is there a ghost in the room? I didn't hear anything, it was nothing," Emily mumbled as she walked quickly out of Dawn's door and headed to her room.
"There is nothing. He's definitely just talking on the phone, nothing's wrong."