LUCIUS

Where it all began⁓

Step after step, he just kept on walking.

The rustle of dry leaves was the only thing he heard when he took careful, slow but steady steps. The little one stopped for a moment and stared at the beautiful child sleeping peacefully in his arms, totally unaware of the actual situation, and his brother wished to keep it that way for the rest of his life. 

He wanted to safeguard his baby from all the evil in this world. He wished to be a protector, a savior, a stronghold for his brother to hold onto when things got worse. At the end of the day, it's what matters the most.

It's been two days since he's had proper sleep or food to eat. His heart beats two times faster each time he hears rustling among the bushes. He just prays that he'll soon find a safe place to rest and stay. He feels tears welling up in his eyes when he remembers his mother's last words to him.

⁓

You've gotta be strong, Joonie baby, look after your brother. Mommy and Dada are going to miss you so badly. I love you both so much. The woman in bloodsoaked clothes looks at both her sons, sobbing with regret and guilt. She directs her son to flee after handing him a one-year-old child wrapped in a thick cloak to keep him warm in the cold. The toddler looks at his mother one last time, misty-eyed, and runs for his life. He can hear wails of pain from his mother, but still he runs as fast as one's legs can carry him.

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He looks up at the moon and wishes for all this to end. He just wants a happy, peaceful life for him and his brother. He continues walking in the dark. The branches of tall trees start swaying stormily. 

The forest appears to be nightmarish, and soon it begins to rain pitchforks. The kid held the baby in his arms close to his chest and started running with all his might. He ran, stopping at a tree with a huge canopy only to catch his breath. There was something else which caught his attention besides the darkness and cold surrounding him.

 He smelt smoke. The little boy looked around him in haste in order to find the source of the fumes of wood. He could see billowing smoke in the distance, so he headed for it.

He felt himself sink to his knees when he spotted the wooden cottage house. Tears streamed down his face at how happy he felt at that instant. Without wasting another moment, he ran for it like his life was dependent on it.

 He made his way up the stairs to the front porch and knocked on the door twice. Even though the place radiated warmth and love, he embraced his baby brother in fear of getting hurt by whatever was lurking behind the huge door.

                                                                                       

It was a typical day at Kim's household. The kids were busy playing the new game they had just invented, squealing and cheering. Madam Areum was occupied with baking the pie, which was claimed to be the dessert for supper that night. 

All of a sudden, they heard two hesitant knocks on the door. It caught them by surprise, as they were expecting no one right at that moment. Two of them, being the eldest amongst the kids, heard the knocks and wanted to open the door. 

"Mama! I'll get the door for you! " 

The one with pouty lips yelled out and ran to the door. He was so excited with all the adrenaline rush still present from running around the house. He reached for the knob and opened the door. The sight in front of him made his eyes widen in astonishment. There stood a toddler embracing a baby wrapped in a cloak. The state of the kid shook him the most. He had messy hair and dirt all over his face and body, as if he had walked through a storm. His eyes were filled with fear as he timidly stared at the angelic face in front of him.