New Hope

Chapter 9

Silently passing my mom's room, I listened to the soft snores and the rain sounds from her Nightsounds App, assuring me that she was fast asleep. With a can of soda tucked into my pocket, I carefully made my way out the back door, trying not to disturb the peacefulness of the night.

The yard was bathed in moonlight, the tiny specks of granite in the stony path shimmering beneath my feet. Taking a moment to breathe in the crisp air, I admired the views that surrounded my mismatched, centuries-old house. The edge of my garden seamlessly blended with the outskirts of Springcreek Forest, providing me with an easy escape whenever I needed some solitude.

The night was beautiful, with stars burning bright above the canopy of trees. Living in a valley had its perks, and the picturesque views of rolling hills and clear skies were among them. This forest stretched for miles, a natural barrier surrounding the flowing creek. Once, my family had been the guardians of this land, but now it stood as a rural scape, destined to be bought off by some greedy corporation.

Continuing my walk further into the forest, I eventually arrived at my hidden sanctuary—a small nook by the creek known only to me. This was my special place, a sacred land of untold secrets and demons. Lately, I had been coming here more often, seeking refuge and attempting to learn how to control my emotions. Nobody would find me here, and I could safely explore the depths of my hidden self.

Sitting on a mossy rock, I cracked open the soda I had brought with me and looked up at the sky. This place had witnessed countless moments of contemplation and wishes. Many times, I had sat here, yearning to be among the stars, longing to be with beings who wouldn't judge, persecute, or reject. Even through the thick layer of clouds that had settled over the valley, I could still perceive the faint glimmers of the interstellar realm.

Stars burned brightest just before they went out, I thought, drawing a parallel to hope. It was a passionate flame that fueled us, but when it turned to disappointment, that spark could be extinguished completely. I hoped that wouldn't be the case for me. I desperately wished I could trust this guy, with more than just my sexuality. There was more to me than who I was attracted to, and that wasn't what frightened me. Coming to terms with my homosexuality was a journey I was embarking on, and I knew I would get there eventually. The right time would come when I could gather the courage to reveal my true self to the people I loved.

But my true secret was much darker and far more dangerous than my sexual orientation. It was a secret I hadn't yet fully understood or accepted. Finishing the soda, I tossed the can and reminisced about the reason I had ventured out into the night in the first place—my thoughts drifting back to the faceless boy who consumed my mind.

Only, he wasn't faceless. I simply couldn't piece together the fragments yet. The surge of positive emotions coursed through my body, causing my mind and fingertips to pulse with energy. For so long, I had tried to control this hidden power through hatred and suppression, fearing an accidental outburst. But maybe, just maybe, the key to control was acceptance. Perhaps by embracing how I truly felt and focusing on the good, I could harness this power as a driving force.

My gaze fell upon the can on the forest floor, and with newfound determination, I slowly raised my hand. Thoughts of acceptance and hope flooded my mind, granting me a sense of control I had never experienced before. The can responded, levitating several feet in the air as if carried by an invisible force. This was my dark secret, my demon in the closet. I was not like everybody else, but perhaps I had finally found someone who would accept me... all of me.