THE PUZZLED PIECES: Broken Pieces [ON HOLD]

1|22 ♥ A game of Tango ♥

"The past will often attack the present with the pain of your memories."- Seiichi Kirima.

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Several years ago...

"¡Hola Santiago! ¡Espérame!"Hey Santiago! Wait for me! A young boy of about seven years old called out, his small legs working quickly in order to catch up with a ten year old Santiago who was already ahead of him.

"¿Por qué siempre me sigues? ¡Me estás retrasando!" Why do you always follow me around? You're slowing me down! Santiago exasperated, not halting once in his step up the mountain forest as he was already losing his patience with this strange boy who kept sticking to him like glue.

"¡Lo siento! ¡Yo-ahhh!" I'm sorry! I-ahhh! The boy slipped and fell.

Whipping his head back, Santiago accessed the situation and released an exasperated huff. "¡Mírate siendo todo torpe en este momento crítico!" Look at you being all clumsy at this critical time!

"Lo siento mucho..." I'm so sorry... The boy whimpered as he tried to get back on his feet.

"Bueno, ¿qué estás haciendo? ¡Vuelve a levantarte rápido! ¡O te dejaré atrás!" Well what are you doing? Get back up quickly! Or I'll leave you behind! Santiago threatened, his patience hanging by a thread.

"¡L-Lo estoy intentando!" I'm trying! The boy let out, almost at the verge of tears.

"¿Estás llorando?" Are you crying? Santiago let out a breath in disbelief before moving over to where the boy was on the rocky slope.

On coming close, Santiago noticed a sprain on the boy's knee as he tried standing on his feet but only ended up sitting on his bottom. Santiago then figured he slipped from one of the rocks scattered all over the sloppy forest while running to catch up.

Santiago thought the scene so pathetic his skin crawled in irritation as he watched the boy whimper in pain. After all, papa always punished him and called him weak whenever he got injuries. So seeing it on others, he thought them weak also.

Ordinarily, he should just turn back around and continue on his way. Papa always said to leave the weak ones behind because all they did was drag one down. Sides, it was the boy's own fault he fell! So Santiago didn't understand why he should feel obliged to help.

"¡Lo siento mucho! ¡Lo siento mucho! ¡Me voy a levantar ahora mismo! voy a... voy a..." I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I'm going to get up now! I'm going to... I'm going to... The boy cried out, trying his hardest to get back up on his feet but each trial got more pathetic, Santiago suddenly told the boy to shut up out of annoyance.

The practice games were about to begin and getting to the top of the mountain forest, where it was usually held, late was asking for trouble. Santiago couldn't give a damn about this pathetic weakling before him and wanted to leave. But there was something mama always told him while she cleaned up his wounds. Yes they may cause some inconvenience at that moment, but that single act of kindness could be a strength later when one needed it.

After battling with his conscience for a little while, Santiago crouched down, his back facing the boy.

The boy halted his pathetic attempts and stared at Santiago's back with wide eyes. "Qué vas a-?" What are you-?

"Bueno, ¡súbete! ¿No ves que nos estamos quedando sin tiempo? ¿O quieres correr 100 vueltas arriba y abajo de la montaña?!" Well hop on! Can't you see we're running out of time? Or do you want to run 100 laps up and down the mountain?! Santiago exasperated while clearly stating their punishment if marked last on arrival by their Maestro.