Own Time

Chapter 13

"What?" I asked, bewildered and surprised. Why would she want to know if we're related? "Isn't that already confirmed? And you don't even have a husband. Everyone knows you're not interested in getting married. You're going to die without anyone touching you, feared by everyone," I said, knowing the fact that she also wouldn't live long enough. I noticed Vel turn his head to the side, trying to stifle his laughter.

"You brat, and you still wonder why I treat you the way I do," she said, raising her right eyebrow.

"I mean, that's not the topic right now. What I mean is, it's impossible that we're related," I said, avoiding her piercing glare.

"Well, we'll find out now," Mother said as she carefully put me down and took a step back. I sighed and decided to just accept it; she seemed confident in what she was about to do.

"All right, what are we going to do?" I asked, moving toward her.

"Just stay there, and whatever happens, stay as still as you can, even if you want to get out," she said with a serious yet caring voice.

"What? W-what are you trying to do to me?" I asked, suddenly panicking. My hands began to shake.

"Aidan?" 

Mother called me, using my name softly for the first time. I looked at her. Despite the distance between us, I could feel her presence and see her clearly. "Fear nothing, because I will protect you and make sure nothing will hurt you. Believe in your mother." My eyes widened, and I felt a warmth spread through my heart. I closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and opened them again.

"Okay, I trust you, Mother," I said, and saw her smile slowly.

"You can do this, young master. Just remember, we are here to protect you," Vel said, his face free-spirited and encouraging.

"All right, we'll begin now. Nod if you are ready, kid," Mother said. I took another deep breath, relaxed my body, and nodded at her.

"Good, here goes," she said, raising her hand and pointing it to the floor where I stood.

My eyes widened as I saw her eyes fully turn into a sapphire gem color. Blue flames enveloped her entire hand. The flames moved toward where I stood, and I looked at her, terrified, silently asking, 'What should I do?'

"Be calm, kid. Don't move from there and try not to think about what's happening," Mother said, her tone slightly agitated, as if she were uneasy seeing me in this state. I closed my eyes and focused on calming myself, trying not to dwell on the situation.

I could feel the intense heat of the flames surrounding me, inching closer to my skin. I clenched my fists, sweat trickling down my body, and gritted my teeth, doing my best to stay calm.

..............

As I struggled not to dwell on what was happening, a familiar voice suddenly echoed nearby. Opening my eyes, I saw bald head accompanied by his family. Looking around, I recognized the surroundings as the discipline cell. I realized I was on the ground, feeling a sharp sting all over my body and noticing bruises.

'Where's Mother? Why am I here? Did I go back again?' These questions flooded my mind.

"Hey, trash! Why don't you answer us?!" shouted the eldest son, laughing mockingly as I glared back at them. 

"How dare you glare at my son," the wife said, kicking me in the stomach. I groaned, gritting my teeth against the pain.

"You all are the trash, not me!" I shouted at them, clutching my stomach. Surprise spread across their faces.

"You already know how to talk back?! You worthless trash," bald head said, stepping on my right arm. Despite the pain, I gathered my strength and pushed him away, causing him to scream as he fell onto his back. His family rushed to his aid, shocked by what had happened.

"I won't let you continue to abuse me. I've had enough!" I said, slowly standing up, still clutching my stomach. They helped the bald head to his feet and glared at me.

"Do you know what we sacrificed for you?!" he shouted angrily, pointing at me. "If it weren't for us, you should've died when you were still an infant!"

"Sacrifice for me or sacrifice me?! Don't make me laugh. Can't you be honest just for once? Just admit that you took me in because you could use me!" I retorted, out of breath and barely able to stay standing.

"You ungrateful filth!" The youngest daughter pushed me hard, causing me to crash into a pile of wood on my back. I slowly sank down, sitting on the floor.

"If we knew this is how you would show your gratitude to us, we should've left you freezing in the forest to be eaten by wild animals!" the wife shouted, glaring at me.

"The way you act shows me your parents must have wanted to throw you away, or maybe they were as useless as you. After all, blood is thicker than water," bald head insulted me, laughing. But instead of feeling hurt, I laughed like a crazy person.

"Father, she must have already lost her mind," the youngest said, holding onto her mother.

"You know, what you say to me doesn't matter anymore. I've grown beyond it. So, you're just wasting your time bringing up someone I've never seen or met before. It just shows how air-headed you are," I mocked, sensing their seething anger.

"Shut up! We can tell your body has already reached its peak. Stop wasting your breath and go to hell already!" the eldest shouted, fuming. I smirked and slowly stood up.

"No, I won't break until I go back. You've all made me realize that not everyone who claims to be good actually is. Sometimes, misunderstood individuals or even so-called monsters are the ones who make you feel safe and are actually the good people. So..." I finally stood upright, head lowered and eyes still closed.

"How fearless you are, you still manage to stand up," the bald head said angrily.

"I will make sure that I wake up. My mother is waiting for me," I declared, slowly looking up and opening my eyes.

"Monster!"