Crystal Trees

Cilyth rubbed on my ankle, seizing the vibration that came all the way from my very core. I could hardly keep myself from ripping it to shreds.

I was inebriated. Incapable of standing still. The heat reached every part in my body in the form of tiny pinching aches.

Many thoughts crossed my mind aimlessly until something hit.

The cold gained a sudden meaning. The veey something that made me miserable, I could have it if i was willing to steal it. I realized I would no longer live without the forbiden fruit. I was not willing to accommodate. After all, my demands were unsustainable. My path could no longer meet his.

I walked slowly towards the backyard where Aldo was. Next to him was Vivianne.

My vision blurred, and suddenly, I fazed a giant tree.

I remembered something strange. I had left Agari alone with a tall, faceless beast.

"My eyes hurt." I said with a childish tone, hoping to invoke a fatherly instinct in him.

"Are you crying?" Said Vivianne.

Her intrusion seemed to provoke strong feelings in me.

He lifted both his arms, calling for me.

I walked towards him.

"Vivianne, thank you for accompanying me. You may go." He said as I held his hands.

She hated me, even though she didn't know my heart.

"What happened, my boy." He said in a comforting tone. I couldn't help but feel foreign to it.

"I remember now, where I'm supposed to be." I said with my face buried in his chest.

" .... how come.."

"I'm sorry." If I leave him, he'll be alone like me. My chest felt tight, and something in my throat knotted.

"Are you leaving?" He said with a trembling voice. "Don't leave. This is your home."He sobbed.

He loved me.

"This is my home?" I said with a thought in mind.

"You are my son." He said, holding me tightly.

How could he love me if he didn't know my heart.

The day continued. The sun once again hid behind the hills, but this time, I could lay in bed. No fire, no blankets, no fear. A boy that was no longer hollow.

I rolled over and over, unable to stay still. The urge of crawling in her bed itched me enough to drag me all the way to her house. At her front door was a crying boy. Sitting on the dirt.

He turned his face towards the noises of the forest. He found me behind the trees. He walked towards me, and I felt a sudden chill.

A 4 year old blonde boy with his face towards me and wide glittery eyes, Held on the fabric of my pants.

"Bring her back," He pleaded.

"I can't." I responded with a cold tone.

"Then, take me with her." He cried.

The crickets chirped for a long time before I could say something.

"Take my hand." I said to him as I kneeled to his height.

He wiped his tears with his tiny hands and grasped on three of my fingers.

I walked him towards the forest where the lights of lamps couldn't reach us, nor the moonlight could slither through the tree branches. The darkness made it difficult for him to walk. Nonetheless, he continued to move forward. The cold began to bother him enough to make him tremble. He did not question me once, instead he, Held on my fingers as tightly as he could. The path began to appear clearer. The threes seemed to be covered with ice. Their leaves were crystallized and transparent. He observed in awe as we walked further for what seemed like hours. At some point, the black dirt changed into white grounded rocks. We were surrounded by giant crystal trees that reflected the moonlight in various directions.

The sun began to rise behind the trunks . With its warmth, I felt the grip of his fingers lighten. Only then did he dare to speak.

" I hope we get there soon. She'll be happy to see me." He said with a faint smile