The boy speared the last piece of bacon with his fork, dragging it through the remaining puddle of oily goodness on his plate. The savory aroma wafted up, mingling with the lingering scents of coffee and ham that hung in the air. He popped the morsel into his mouth, savoring the final bite of his mother's cooking. The taste was comforting, a small anchor in the sea of unease that still churned within him.
As he chewed, he became aware of the gradual shift in the kitchen's atmosphere. The leisurely pace of early morning was giving way to the hurried energy that preceded the day's activities. His father glanced at his wrist device, eyebrows raising slightly at the time displayed.
"Well, I'd better get going," his father announced, standing up and straightening his tie. He drained the last of his coffee, the mug making a soft thud as he set it down on the table. "Big presentation today." He leaned down to kiss the boy's mother on the cheek, then ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "Have a good day at school, Aaron. Maybe we can talk about those dreams of yours when I get home, okay?"
Aaron nodded, a mix of appreciation and apprehension swirling in his stomach. He wanted to tell his father everything—about the nightmare, about the memories that felt so real, about the fear that had taken root in his heart. But the words stuck in his throat. He was going to deal with it himself so Instead, he forced a smile and said, "Goodbye, Dad. Take care."
As his father grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door, Aaron watched him go, a pang of guilt tightening his chest. His father paused at the doorway, giving his wife one last kiss on the cheek and his daughter a gentle pat on the head before stepping out into the morning. The sound of the door closing behind him echoed in the quiet kitchen.
Aaron's mother began clearing the table, the clatter of dishes filling the room. "Finish up, sweetie," she said, balancing a stack of plates in one hand while wiping down his sister's messy face with the other. "We need to get you ready for school."
He nodded, gulping down the last of his orange juice. The tangy flavor helped clear the lingering sleepiness from his mind, bringing the world into sharper focus. As he stood to take his plate to the sink, he caught another glimpse of the holo-screen in the living room. The news anchor was still talking, her voice a low murmur, but the ticker at the bottom of the screen caught his eye: "Breaking: The ascendants from…" He turned away, not wanting to dwell on the news.
His little sister, Autumn, babbled happily in her high chair, seemingly oblivious to the morning rush around her. As he passed by, she reached out with sticky fingers, nearly grabbing his shirt. He dodged her grasp with the ease of long practice, managing a small smile at her giggles.
"Thanks for breakfast, Mom," he said, placing his dishes in the sink.
His mother paused in her cleaning to give him a warm smile. "You're welcome, honey. Now, why don't you go up and get ready for school? Don't forget to brush your teeth, you know that people don't like stinky mouths right? Especially girls. And tidy up your hair as well," she added with a playful wink.
Taking a deep breath and shaking his head at his mother's antics, he started up the stairs. The day ahead stretched before him, a mix of routine and uncertainty. As he reached the top of the stairs, he glanced back at the kitchen, where his mother was now singing softly to his sister as she cleaned. He loved his family, but the weight of his secret—the memories of Mark's life—felt like it could become a wall between them.
Aaron stood in front of his closet, the door ajar revealing neatly hung uniforms. He reached for the crisp white shirt, the fabric cool against his fingers. As he buttoned it up, he couldn't help but notice how the starched collar seemed to press against his neck, a little tighter than usual. Perhaps it was just his imagination.
Next came the navy blue trousers, he prefers black but can't do anything as it is his school uniform. It is perfectly pressed with creases sharp enough to cut paper, courtesy of his mother. He slipped them on, adjusting the waistband and smoothing out any wrinkles.
He looped his belt through the pants, the soft clink of the buckle echoing in the quiet of his room. As he tightened it, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. The boy staring back at him looked ordinary enough—just another student preparing for a day of classes. But his eyes told a different story.
Shaking off the thought, he reached for his tie. The silky material slipped through his fingers as he looped it around his neck. His hands moved automatically, muscle memory taking over as he formed the knot. One loop, two loops, up and through—a perfect Windsor knot emerged, sitting snugly against his collar.
He slipped on his navy blazer, the school crest gleaming on the breast pocket. He straightened the lapels, brushed off an imaginary speck of dust, and took a deep breath.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, he pulled on his socks, then slipped his feet into his sneakers. The laces made a soft whisper as he tied them, double-knotting them as always to prevent any embarrassing trips during the day.
Standing up, he gave himself one last look in the mirror. The uniform was impeccable, not a hair out of place, but he still hated it. He hated anything too formal. Formality make him feel like he is shackled and unable to do anything.
With one final glance around his room, he headed for the door. The sounds of his mother and sister downstairs drifted up. He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and stepped out into the hallway.
As Aaron descended the stairs, the sounds of morning activity grew louder. His mother's voice, soft and melodious, drifted up from the kitchen, accompanied by the happy babbling of his little sister. He paused for a moment at the bottom of the stairs, taking in the scene of domestic tranquility.
His mother was bustling around the kitchen, wiping down counters and placing dishes in the sink. Her auburn hair, which had been in a neat bun earlier, was now slightly disheveled, a few strands escaping to frame her face. Despite the morning rush, she moved with a grace that spoke of years of practice in managing a household.
Autumn sat in her high chair, a rainbow of cereals scattered across the tray. She was attempting to stack them, her chubby fingers grasping at the colorful rings with determined concentration. Her face was a mess of milk and cereal, but her green eyes sparkled with joy as she noticed her big brother enter the room.
"Bah!" she exclaimed, raising her arms towards him, fingers opening and closing in a universal gesture of pick me up.
Aaron couldn't help but smile. He crossed the room, dropping his backpack by the door, and approached his sister. "My cute little monster," he said affectionately, tickling her under the chin.
She giggled, a sound of pure delight that seemed to chase away the last lingering shadows of his troubled night. Without warning, she grabbed a fistful of his perfectly knotted tie, pulling him closer.
"Careful there, sweetie," his mother said, gently prying the little girl's fingers from the tie. "Your brother needs to look neat for school."
Aaron laughed, straightening his tie. "It's okay, Mom," he said. He leaned in close to his sister, inhaling the sweet baby scent of her. "I've got a goodbye kiss for you," he whispered conspiratorially.
He planted a soft kiss on her chubby cheek, then playfully nibbled at it, making exaggerated munching sounds. "Om nom nom," he growled playfully, "I'm going to eat you up!"
Autumn squealed with laughter, her little hands pushing at his face. Her adorable antics only fueled his enthusiasm, and for a moment, everything was perfect.
'Yes, this is my life. Screw everything else,' Aaorn thoughto himself.
The boy pulled back, grinning. His sister's joy was infectious, and he found himself laughing along with her. For a moment, the weight of his secret lifted, and he felt like himself again.
"Alright, you two," his mother said, a smile in her voice. "It's time for school, honey." She handed him a brown paper bag. "I've packed your lunch. Sandwich, an orange, and I threw in a cookie for good measure."
"Thanks, Mom," he said, taking the bag and tucking it into his backpack.
His mother cupped his face in her hands, her eyes searching his. "Are you sure you're okay after last night? You know you can talk to me if something's bothering you."
"No need mom, everything is okay," he said with a bright smile.
She didn't look entirely convinced but nodded anyway. "Alright. Have a good day at school, sweetheart, but know that I am always here for you." She pulled him into a hug, her familiar scent of lavender and home enveloping him.
As he pulled away, Autumn made another grab for him. "Bye-bye," she said, her face scrunching up in an adorable attempt at a sad face.
"Bye-bye, little monster," he replied, giving her one last kiss on the forehead. "Be good for Mom, okay?"
With a final wave, he shouldered his backpack and headed for the door. As he stepped out into the morning air, he took a deep breath. The day ahead still held uncertainties, but the warmth of his family's love gave him strength. Whatever challenges he might face, he knew he had a safe haven to return to at the end of the day.