Veiled Horizons

Chapter Fifteen: Ron

Ron's parents were always arguing. He was just a child, so he didn't know much about what they were arguing about. As a child, Ron only received the attention he needed from his mother. Before he was seven, his dad left for work and never came back.

After he turned eight, he found his mother hanging from the ceiling fan in a desperate act, perhaps driven by the crushing weight of her hardships. The comfort and attention from his mother ended that day.

His aunt, his mother's sister, took him in, bringing him to her home where she lived with her husband. They had no children and seemed utterly clueless about how to care for one. His life there was a constant cycle of toil and scolding. He was merely a tool for housework, with barely a moment's respite. By the time he turned sixteen, Ron had had enough. He moved out, determined to carve out a life for himself.

Living on his own in a small, rented house, he experienced a stark contrast to his previous life. There was no one waiting for him to come home, no one demanding explanations or giving orders. What others might call loneliness, he saw as the bittersweet beauty of freedom. He reveled in the quiet, in the absence of conflict and obligation. To Ron, solitude wasn't a burden; it was a precious and liberating gift.

Yet, even in his newfound independence, shadows of his past lingered. His father's mysterious disappearance, his mother's tragic death, and the cold, unloving years with his aunt had left scars that ran deep. Ron had learned to mask his pain with a calm exterior and a sharp intellect. It was this intellect, coupled with a deep-seated desire to uncover the truth and right the wrongs of his past, that drove him to the heart of the island and into the web of Veilcraft Ascendant-a web spun by the very man who had abandoned him so many years ago.

The fire flickered back to life as Anderson lit it with trembling hands, the flames casting long, eerie shadows on the cave walls. The group stood in front of Ron who didn't decide to stand and sat there while he observed the others face with expressions a mix of confusion, shock, and unease.

Ron observed the group, knowing that they had taken his revelation in the wrong way. He couldn't blame them; the truth was a hard pill to swallow. He took a deep breath, ready to explain further.

"I didn't know about all this either," he began, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "My dad left me when I was seven, and I haven't seen him since."

Adlyn, his face stoic and eyes unwavering, shook his head slightly, causing his long hair to sway. The band he usually used to tie it back was gone, and his hair seemed even longer now, framing his intense gaze. "Hm, Ron. But I won't show any mercy just because this is your daddy's organization."

"Watch it, Fox," Bellamy warned, his voice low and grave, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Ron shook his head, dismissing the idea of pity. "I didn't say this so that you'd feel sorry for me. I hold a grudge just as you all do. I told you because I think he knows I'm here with you guys."

Zane's eyes widened, a look of confusion dawning on his face. "How can you know that?"

Ron's lips curved into a small, bitter smile as he avoided direct eye contact. "Because he tried to kill me once during this trip."

The group collectively gasped, their shock palpable, except for Adlyn, whose expression remained impassive. Zane's eyes narrowed as he connected the dots. "That night..."

"Yes," Ron continued, his voice steady. "I didn't just have a nightmare or fall from the bed. Someone hit me with something. I don't know what he used, but I remember his face." He paused, looking directly at Ed. "It was the captain of the ship."

Ed's face went pale, and he whispered, "Owen."

Ron nodded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of regret and determination. "He only left because he heard Zane coming. Otherwise, he would have finished the job."