How they Met (2)

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the playground, where shadows danced among the rusted swings and weathered slides.

Zazm, with tousled hair and wide, distant eyes, wandered through the deserted park, his mind lost in the vastness of the universe. He had always felt more at home among the stars than with other children, and tonight, the emptiness of the playground mirrored the hollowness he often felt inside.

As he approached the swings, he noticed another boy, Jahanox Nova, sitting alone, his small frame hunched over, shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.

Zazm paused, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He didn't understand why anyone would cry in a place like this, but something compelled him to step closer.

"Why are you crying?" Zazm asked, his voice flat, devoid of the warmth he had seen in other kids.

Jahanox looked up, his tear-streaked face illuminated by the moonlight. His eyes, a deep shade of violet, glistened with unshed tears.

"I… I fell," he stammered, his voice trembling. "I was trying to help a cat that got stuck in a tree, and I slipped."

Zazm raised an eyebrow, a frown forming on his lips. "You fell trying to help a cat?" he asked, incredulous. "That's stupid."

Jahanox sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "I thought I could reach it. Now I'm just… worried about the cat and my parents. They'll be worried about me."

Zazm felt a flicker of annoyance at the thought of Jahanox's reckless bravery. He had never known parental love, never felt the warmth of concern that came from someone who cared.

"You should go home, then," he said, his tone blunt. "Your parents will be worried."

Jahanox looked up, his expression shifting from despair to a glimmer of hope. "Will you help me get back?"

Zazm's day was already ruined, he came here to enjoy a swing for the first time and here he was, somehow trying to console a crying boy.

Zazm hesitated, the weight of the night pressing down on him. He didn't want to be responsible for anyone else's problems, but the thought of Jahanox's parents worrying gnawed at him.

"Fine," he said, rolling his eyes. "But we should check on that cat first."

With a reluctant nod, Jahanox wiped his tears and stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes. "Okay. Let's go."

As they walked side by side, the night air was filled with the sounds of distant crickets and the rustle of leaves. Zazm felt a strange mix of irritation and obligation, as if someone had thrust this boy into his path for a reason he couldn't comprehend.

"Just so you know," Zazm said, glancing sideways at Jahanox, "next time, don't climb trees for cats. It's not worth it."

Jahanox nodded, his expression serious. "I'll remember that."

******

The two boys walked through the dimly lit streets, the moonlight casting long shadows on the pavement. Zazm led the way, his mind still clouded with thoughts, but he couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility that had settled over him. Jahanox followed closely, his earlier tears replaced by a determined glint in his eyes.

"Where did you see the cat?" Zazm asked, his tone still flat but slightly more engaged.

"Just a few steps down," Jahanox replied, pointing ahead. "It was stuck in a tree in front of the park. I thought I could help it, but then I fell."

As they approached the gate of the park, Zazm spotted the tree—a gnarled old oak with thick branches that stretched toward the sky. Perched precariously on one of the lower limbs was a small, frightened tabby cat, its wide eyes reflecting the moonlight.

"There it is!" Jahanox exclaimed, his voice a mix of relief and urgency. "I have to get it down!"

"Wait," Zazm said, holding up a hand. "You can't just climb up there again. You'll fall again, and then what?" his tone was flat but a little concerning.

Jahanox hesitated, glancing between the tree and Zazm. "But it needs help!"

Zazm sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Okay, I'll help you. But we need to be smart about this."

He scanned the area and spotted a sturdy branch that extended close to the cat. "If I can reach that branch, I might be able to coax it down."

With a nod of agreement, Jahanox watched as Zazm carefully climbed onto a lower branch, his heart racing as he balanced himself. He had never done something like this, he wasnt the type to do sports and stuff, he spent his time sitting and reading. But, now he just couldn't say 'No'.

So, he decided to do it by having a little faith in himself. He reached out, stretching his arm toward the frightened cat. "Hey," he called softly, trying to keep his voice steady. "Come here. It's okay."

The cat hesitated, its body tense, but Zazm's calm demeanor seemed to ease its fear. Slowly, it inched closer, and with a gentle nudge, Zazm managed to coax it into his hands.

"Got it!" he shouted, a rare spark of triumph lighting up his usually stoic face. His heart was beating like crazy. He had never done something like this but for some reason... 'That was fun' he thought in his mind.

Jahanox beamed, relief flooding his features. "You did it! You really did it!"

Zazm carefully climbed down, cradling the cat against his chest. "Let's get it back to the ground first," he said, his voice returning to its usual monotone. "Then we can figure out what to do next."

Once on solid ground, Jahanox gently took the cat from Zazm's arms, cradling it against his chest. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "You really helped."

"Yeah, well, it was just a cat," Zazm replied, shrugging off the compliment. "Let's get you home now..."

They walked the short distance to Jahanox's house, the weight of the cat still nestled in his arms.

As they approached the front door, Zazm felt a twinge of unease. He had never been in anyone else's home, and the thought of meeting Jahanox's parents made him uncomfortable.

Jahanox knocked on the door, and moments later, it swung open to reveal a woman with a bright smile standing there her expression a bit of worry.

"Jahanox.... Where were you... It's so late" She tighly hugged him not noticing the boy standing behind him.

Jahanox glanced at his mother, "I'm Sorry, I saw this cat stuck on a tree and fell down while trying to help it," he pointed his finger at Zazm who stood there not knowing what to do, "He helped me get the cat down and he bring me home aswell.

His mother glanced at the boy she had somehow missed. She had noticed the hint of uncomfort and eerie on his face. She went towards him and put a hand on his head, "Thanks for helping him.. what's your name?"

Zazm looked at her in a confused way. It was the first time someone actually asked him his name, "Zazm..." He spoke in a light tone barely above a whisper.

"Zazm, Alright. How about you have dinner with us, or would you like to go back? It's late your parents must be worried aswell." She spoke in a light and firm tone.

Zazm was confused but for some reason he decided not to refuse the offer, he knew that if he went home now, Miranda would be angry. "I-I'll stay" Zazm glanced at Jahanox who was now smiling at him.

"Good then.. Come in" Jahanox's mother gestured him to come in and he followed behind.

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