The small florist shop was warm and quiet, with the late afternoon sun casting a soft golden light through the windows. Elias stood behind the counter, arranging a bouquet of daisies, his movements careful but distracted. Leo entered with his usual energy, though today there was something different in the air that caught his attention.
"Leo, you're here," Elias said, looking up with a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He set the bouquet down, his fingers brushing against the petals. "I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten about me."
"No way," Leo replied, his eyes sparkling with his usual mischief. "I promised Mrs. Williams I'd finish her garden tomorrow." His gaze softened, noticing the change in Elias's expression. "What's wrong?"
Elias hesitated for a moment, his heart heavy. He knew Leo had grown up in this village, navigating these paths since he was little. But still, sending him into the valley, even if he had done it before, didn't sit well with him.
"I need you to go down into the valley for me," Elias said quietly, choosing his words carefully. "There's a flower... the Blue Moon Orchid. It grows near the old oak tree. I need you to bring it back."
Leo paused, already familiar with the path Elias spoke of. "I've been there a bunch of times. It's just the forest, right? The trees get creepy, but it's not so bad," he said, his voice confident.
Elias looked at Leo for a moment, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Leo's bravado always made him feel a bit lighter, but that didn't change the weight in his chest.
"I know you're familiar with it," Elias said, his tone softening. He stepped closer to Leo, crouching down so they were eye-level. "But the last thing I want is for you to get hurt. If anything feels off, you turn around and come straight back, okay?"
Leo gave a determined nod. "I promise, Elias. I'll be careful. You don't need to worry."
Elias placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, holding him for a moment longer than usual. "You mean everything to me, Leo. I just... don't want anything to happen to you."
Leo's heart fluttered in his chest, both from the warmth of Elias's words and the weight of the task. "I'll be back before the sun sets, I promise. And I'll bring the flower."
Elias's gaze softened, a fleeting smile crossing his face. "Thank you, Leo. I'll be waiting here."
The path down the mountain was one Leo had traveled many times. He knew every turn, every stone, every twist of the winding trail. The forest around him was familiar—sometimes dark and quiet, but never truly frightening. He could see the shadows stretch longer as the sun began to dip, but they didn't make him uneasy.
"Just a flower," Leo muttered to himself as he adjusted the strap of his satchel. "No problem. I've done this before."
As he walked, the forest seemed to breathe around him—the rustling leaves, the soft creaking of the trees, the occasional birdcall. It was peaceful, almost soothing, despite the silence that hung in the air.
He remembered his first trip down the path. Back then, every rustle of wind in the trees had made him jump, and every distant snap of a twig had set his heart racing. But now, the forest felt like an old friend, one he had come to understand and trust. Sure, it could feel a little eerie sometimes, but it was just the way the trees whispered, the way the light filtered through the leaves, casting strange shadows. Nothing he couldn't handle.
The path stretched ahead, familiar and reassuring. Leo's pace quickened as the oak tree came into view, its gnarled branches reaching out like welcoming arms. Beneath it, the Blue Moon Orchid bloomed, its pale blue petals catching the last light of the day.
Leo smiled to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "There it is," he whispered. Kneeling carefully, he reached out, his fingers brushing the delicate petals. It was as beautiful as he remembered—fragile, glowing faintly in the dusk.
The soft wind blew again, rustling the leaves above, but it didn't startle Leo this time. He plucked the flower gently, making sure not to damage its stem, and tucked it carefully into his satchel. The path back would be the same as before—simple, easy, nothing to worry about.
The sun hung low in the sky as Leo made his way down the mountain, his heart light with the satisfaction of completing his task. The Blue Moon Orchid was tucked carefully in his satchel, its delicate petals still fresh despite the journey. He couldn't wait to hand it over to Elias. It would bring a smile to his face, the kind that Leo had come to cherish.
The path ahead was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. But as Leo rounded a corner in the trail, his steps faltered. A group of boys from the village stood blocking his way. They were from wealthier families—privileged, spoiled—and they always had a way of making Leo feel small, reminding him that he didn't belong.
Garrett, the leader of the group, noticed him first. "Well, well. Look who it is," he sneered, his eyes scanning Leo with a disdainful look. "The little orphan boy. Out for a walk, are we?"
Leo's heart sank, but he kept his head down, hoping they would leave him alone. He hadn't done anything to provoke them. He just wanted to get back to the shop.
He tried to step around Garrett, but the boy stepped into his path, his face twisted into a mocking grin. "Where do you think you're going, orphan? You don't belong here."
Leo swallowed, feeling the familiar sting of their words. "I'm just going home," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He wanted to keep moving, but Garrett wasn't having it.
"You think you're something special?" Garrett continued, his voice sharp. "Just because you're out picking flowers for your precious little shopkeeper doesn't mean you matter."
Leo clenched his fists at his sides, trying to stay calm. He didn't want to fight. He never did. "I'm not bothering anyone," Leo said, taking a small step backward.
The boys laughed, and Damon, the tallest of them, stepped forward, shoving Leo back with a force that made him stumble. "You think you're better than us, huh? Just because Elias lets you work for him? You're nothing. Just an orphan trying to pretend you're part of something important."
Leo tried to steady himself, his heart hammering in his chest. "Please," he said, his voice shaking. "I just want to go home."
But they weren't done. Damon grabbed Leo's satchel, yanking it from his shoulder and tossing it aside. The rare flower, the Blue Moon Orchid, fell out, its fragile petals scattering across the dirt.
"No!" Leo cried, rushing forward to gather the petals. But Garrett stepped on the flower, grinding it into the earth beneath his boot.
"That's what you get," Garrett said, his voice full of venom. "For thinking you're worth anything. You don't belong in this world, orphan. You're just trash."
Leo's hands trembled as he reached for the flower, his fingers brushing the crushed petals. He felt the tears rising in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He couldn't let them see him cry. He couldn't let them win.
"Why do you have to do this?" Leo whispered, his voice barely audible, but it didn't matter. Garrett and his friends weren't interested in answers. They were interested in making him feel small.
Garrett shoved him again, harder this time. Leo fell to the ground, his knees scraping against the dirt. The boys circled around him, their laughter ringing in his ears.
"You don't matter," Damon spat, kicking Leo in the side. "Just go back to your little orphanage and stay there. No one cares about you."
Leo curled into a ball, trying to shield himself from the blows, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't fight back. He knew that. He wasn't strong enough.
Just as the situation seemed to be spiraling further, a voice cut through the air—loud, commanding, and unwavering.
"Enough!"
The bullies froze.
A figure appeared in the distance, stepping out from the trees with an aura of calm danger. Zane.
He was taller than any of the boys, his broad shoulders and muscular frame making him stand out in the quiet of the forest. His eyes were cold and sharp, his jaw set in a firm line. Zane had a reputation in the village, not for his wealth or his family name, but for his toughness. He was from the slums, and no one dared mess with him.
"What's going on here?" Zane's voice was low but filled with authority.
Garrett, trying to salvage some of his bravado, sneered at Zane. "This doesn't concern you, slum rat. Go back to where you came from."
Zane didn't even flinch. He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Garrett's. "You've made it my business. Leave him alone, or you'll regret it."
The tension in the air grew thick, and the bullies hesitated. They could sense the strength in Zane's presence, the unwavering confidence in his stance. Garrett, normally so full of himself, faltered.
"You're just a poor kid," Damon said weakly, glancing at Zane with fear. "What's the difference between you and him?"
"The difference," Zane said, his voice dangerous, "is that I don't stand by and watch people get bullied. Now move. You've got no reason to be here."
For a moment, the bullies exchanged uneasy looks. Then, one by one, they turned and backed away, muttering under their breath as they retreated into the woods.
Zane stood tall, watching them go, ensuring they didn't come back. Once they were out of sight, he turned to Leo, who was still sitting on the ground, trying to catch his breath.
"You good?" Zane asked, his tone softer now, but still firm.
Leo, still reeling from the encounter, nodded, though his voice wavered. "Yeah... I think so. Thanks."
Zane offered a hand to help Leo up. "Don't let people like that get to you. They're nothing. Remember that."
Leo hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. As he stood up, he glanced down at the ruined flower, feeling a pang in his chest. But Zane didn't seem to notice.
"Let's get you back to the village. You don't need to be out here alone after that," Zane said, turning to walk down the path.
Leo followed him, his heart still racing from the encounter, but a little bit lighter. Zane's presence had made him feel safe, something Leo wasn't used to. Maybe, just maybe, things would get better.
As Leo and Zane stepped through the door of the flower shop, Elias looked up from his work, his eyes immediately narrowing at the sight of Leo. The boy's clothes were torn, his face bruised, and his normally bright eyes were shadowed with a weariness Elias had never seen before. A rush of concern flooded his chest, and before he could say anything, Zane spoke up.
Hey, we're back," Zane said, his voice low but steady. His presence was imposing, and his hand was still resting lightly on Leo's shoulder, as if offering the boy the support he hadn't been able to find on his own.
Elias's heart skipped a beat. His protective instinct kicked in, and he was across the room in a flash, his gaze shifting between Leo's battered form and the older boy who accompanied him. "What happened?" Elias demanded, his voice sharp with worry.
Leo winced at the sound of Elias's voice, but he didn't flinch away. He simply shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. He didn't want Elias to worry more, but the bruises on his skin were hard to ignore. The flowers, still clutched tightly in Leo's hands, were now wilted, crushed under the weight of what he'd endured.
"It's... nothing, Elias," Leo muttered, trying to pull away from Zane's support. But Zane didn't let go, guiding him gently toward a chair. His calm demeanor and quiet confidence stood in stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside Elias.
Zane spoke before Elias could press further. "He got jumped by some of the local kids... but I made sure they left him alone."
Elias's eyes flicked to Zane, sizing him up quickly. The boy was only fifteen, but there was something about him—something that made Elias pause. It wasn't just the physical strength that radiated from him; it was the way he stood by Leo without hesitation, offering the quiet reassurance the boy desperately needed.
Elias took a breath, his worry turning into a mix of anger and relief. He couldn't believe someone had done this to Leo, but a small part of him was grateful that Zane had been there. Elias couldn't explain it, but in that moment, he trusted the older boy. Still, his protective instincts flared.
"Leo..." Elias said softly, kneeling down beside him. His voice was full of concern, but there was no anger, only the raw, heartfelt worry of someone who had come to love this boy as his own. "What happened to you?"
Leo looked up at Elias, his eyes reflecting a mixture of vulnerability and shame. But Zane was still there, steady beside him, and that made Leo feel a little braver. A little less like he'd failed.
"I'll be okay," Leo whispered, his voice barely audible. "I just... got in the way."
Elias reached out, gently cupping Leo's face, his touch tender and warm. He wasn't angry—not yet, not at Leo. He was angry at the world that had allowed this to happen to him, but right now, all that mattered was that Leo was safe.
He glanced up at Zane. "Thank you," Elias said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude. "You didn't have to help him, but... I'm glad you did."
Zane gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "I didn't want to see anyone picking on him. He didn't deserve it."
Elias took a deep breath and then helped Leo settle into a chair. Despite everything, he felt a strange sense of gratitude toward Zane. The boy might have been rough around the edges, but today, he had shown something Elias hadn't expected: care. And in that moment, Elias wasn't sure how to feel about it—but he knew he owed Zane a debt.