Onyx

[ CH 10 ] - Liar

Jon wanted to shut his eyes to this world.

He knew this beginning like the back of his hand. Hell, he'd even boast he could recount the tale asleep, if he had to.

That wouldn't be far from where he stood now.

After all, he was there, watching as his memories played out before him, his mother's radiant smile cutting into his heart with every moment.

He didn't want to see this. Not after the countless nights he lay in bed, wishing these days would never end.

Wishing to never let time go, and to let these endless lies play on.

"Jon? Did you want to sit down on the bed with me like usual?" Her voice sliced through his thoughts. Despite the mental arguments flooding his mind, his body moved forward.

His ghostly form followed the motions of his memories, trapped in the echo of his past self's eyes.

"Yep, yep!" Jon cheered, crawling up onto the bed next to her. She smiled at him with a quiet laugh, her glistening sapphire eyes studying him before glancing at the tray of soup and bread on the table.

She gestured for it, and he blinked a few times before nodding and handing it over, placing it on her lap.

"Ah, your father's special soup." she commented, gently swirling the contents of the bowl with a wooden spoon. Chuckling, she took the hardened bread, tearing off pieces and dipping them into the broth.

"Special? I think this is the only thing Dad knows how to cook." Jon said, making her laugh as she plopped the soggy bread into her mouth.

"Oh, don't say that. Even if it's true, he still does his best." She patted his head before offering him a piece of 'flavored' bread. He quickly munched on it. "Don't tell him I said that though." Jon furiously nodded, nibbling on the bread like a mouse.

"More importantly... did you try to make friends?" She looked over to see him shake his head. "Jon, you can't stay cooped up in here with us all day. You've got to make some friends of your own. How about Shia and Kory? They seem like fun friends to have! Just don't hide from them like you usually do whenever they visit!"

"I don't wanna." Jon pouted, huffing. "I wanna stay here with you!"

"Oh... what happened to that boy who loved to go outside?" She shook her head, sighing.

"He only liked going outside to read with his mom and dad..." Jon muttered, frowning as he looked out the window next to the bed.

There, a lone tree stood, with a couple of old books propped up against it. He pushed himself over to the edge of the bed, staring at it as the smell of grass wafted into the air.

"You don't need to have us with you to talk to people outside." She replied, her voice soft as she patted his back.

"But, Dad said you might..." Jon grimaced, biting his lip as he frowned at the sky.

"Eh, he says things all the time! Your mom's strong, so don't worry, okay?"

"...Mhm..." He slowly nodded.

She offered a side-glance, feeling the tension growing in the air. Pushing out a soft sigh from her lips, she grabbed her cup of water on the tray, swiftly chugging its contents, she looked at her son. "Wanna see some magic, Jon? You always love seeing it, after all." All she got was a quiet hum in response, making her frown this time as he turned his face over.

"Alright, alright! Here we go." A quiet jumble of words filled the air as she pointed her index finger up.

They were incoherent, not a single word understandable to the boy as they came out in a rapid fire.