The Dusk Paradigm | VOCALOID AU | WITH OCS

Chapter 19: Question Mark?

Fukase was at the table eating his cupcake while finishing homework. He heard the usual footsteps upstairs, his body shrieking out of habit. He watched Henry make his way in the kitchen. "Oh, y—-you enjoy the cupcake, kid?" he said with a wide smile, making it obvious he was on heroin again. Fukase came to that realization and nodded softly. "That's great." said Henry, patting Fukase's head and oh, he smelled of cigarettes and vinegar. It made his nose scrunch.

Henry felt his body leaning forward, but he caught himself on the spot. "Papa," called Fukase. Henry held onto the table and stared at him. His pupils were pinpointed. "What are you doing–-?" he asked. Henry didn't answer, he just continued his staring contest with shallow, deep breaths. Fukase couldn't realize the effects of drugs, considering he's never used them as a fucking ten-year-old. He noticed a dark dot on Henry's thumb, which would be where he injected.

Fukase got up and backed away from him. Henry didn't follow him, he just kept leaning on over the table and looking at him with a blank stare. The redhead was silently panicking as he was staring at Henry from across the room, feeling like he was gonna start dashing towards him to jumpscare him. But he just stood still. "Papa," he cried, "Papa, are you alright?"

Henry took a step closer before nodding out and losing his balance again, falling back. Fukase screamed in fear as he watched his father pass out.

-
“Mama? Mama!” he heard himself cry.
-

“Papa?! Papa, wake up!" he whined, tears streaming down his face as he kneeled next to Henry's unconscious body. "Please, please, don't die." he cried. He didn't know where Henry's phone was. He panicked, screaming. "Dad, wake up, wake up!" he cried loudly. He tried shaking him, but that didn't work. He started hyperventilating, trying to figure out what to do.

"Dad!" he cried. He got up and tried to find Henry's phone. He looked in his room and on the bed-side stable Henry's bed-side table consisted of a few things, including a framed photo of Yuna smiling. There was a box of tissues, a mini lamp, and the same heart shaped box. It was opened, exposing a needle, a spoon with tar on it, a heroin bag, and a lighter. Fukase noticed this, but searched the his drawer to finally find the phone. He made his way back downstairs and called the ambulance.

-
“999, what's your emergency?”
“M-—My dad! He passed out! He fell down on the floor and passed out!”
-
Before he knew it, Fukase found himself in Uncle Ruko and Aunty Teto's living room.

Fukase was at Teto and Ruko's house. He was sitting on the sofa, recovering from what happened a few hours ago. On his left was Ruko rocking their sleeping newborn, Una. "Will Dad really be okay? Is he-—" "Fukase, for the last time, the paramedics said he's stable." said Ruko.

He sighed. He kept overthinking the situation because of what happened with Yuna. Fukase layed down on the sofa and curled up. Teto rubbed his head. "I'm proud of you for ringing the ambulance, Fufu. You're a brave kid." she said softly. Four-year-old Rana got up from her spot and hugged Fukase.

He sighed and sat up, hugging Rana close to him. He had to stay until Henry was discharged from the hospital. Luckily, it should only be another hour or two. Ruko walked out of the kitchen with a cup of tea. "I made your favorite tea, Fukase. Will this make you feel better?" he asked. He nodded and took the tea from him, taking in a long sip. Teto stood up and stretched. "I need to talk to Ruko in private for a minute, be right back," she said, pulling Ruko into the larder, shutting the door.

"So who was gonna tell me Henry was doing heroin again? I thought he went to rehab!" she snapped, finally having the chance to talk about it. Ruko sucked air between his teeth, petting Una's head. "He did, but I guess he relapsed after Yuna died." "And we didn't know? If he were smart, he wouldn't be nodding out infront of his son."

"Teto, I understand you're frustrated. But people deal with grief differently. We went to counseling and connected with family more. Henry distanced himself." "What does that have to do with heroin? Henry is stupid. I don't think he deserves to father my nephew." she said, crossing her arms. Ruko hesitated to speak for a second.

"Teto," he said, "Henry's been struggling with drugs since he was around nineteen, rehab or no rehab." "I know. I know he's been through it all, but does that really excuse being a bad father?"

Ruko pinched his nose bridge. Teto uncrossed her arms. "I'm just stressed, okay? I love Henry but-—" "Then why'd you call him stupid?!" "Because he did some stupid shit! That's stupid." she argued. Ruko groaned. "You're right. Okay, you win. Can we just talk about this later? Fukase misses his mother, and he thinks his father is next."

Teto sighed. "I'm sorry." she whimpered, trying to hold back her tears. Ruko groaned, letting Teto open the door.

-
Rana was passed out, her head resting on Fukase's lap. He saw his aunt and shrugged. "She fell asleep." Teto chuckled, picking her up and carrying her up to her room.

Ruko let Fukase hold little Una. "Uncle Ruko, what was Papa like when he was young like me?" he questioned. Ruko laughed. "You say it like he's ancient." "He is. But what was he like?"

"Well, he was troubled. He thought he had to be this picture-perfect kid. He had really bad golden child syndrome." "What's ‘golden-child syndrome’?" he asked. "Basically a child who's expected to be good at everything. Someone who just isn't fit for mistakes. His father wanted him to be perfect." Ruko explained.

"Really?" "Yeah, he was a bully in school, too. But your mother came around and turned his life around. She showed him he'll never be perfect and that he was just brainwashed. He became alot more happier." "Really? But then why didn't he cry at Mama's funeral? Everyone else did, and he didn't cry when he left either." he asked, playing with Una's small hands. Ruko's breath hitched. "Well... it's a long story."

"Tell me!" said Fukase. His eyes widened with curiosity. Ruko bit his lip. "It's a long story," he said, "It's not really my story to tell." Fukase rolled his eyes. "Please? Just a little?" beseeched the kid. "Let's just say Henry isn't really...the one to show much emotion. Let's keep it at that." he said. Fukase sighed. "You can't tell me more?" he muttered. Una started whining, so Ruko took her from him.

"Shh, it's okay..." he whispered. Fukase layed back and relaxed himself.

He repeatedly scratched his leg. "Hey Uncle Ruko, what's so important about family anyway?" he asked. Ruko scoffed playfully and looked at Fukase. "Alot of things! Unconditional love, affection, socialising, and security." he said. "Then why did Papa ask me the same thing?" "What do you mean?" "Well, he asked me ‘What's so important about family anyway?’ after we looked at old pictures."

Fukase pat the sofa arm, waiting for a response. Ruko shrugged. "It's your father, what do you expect?" he joked, "Even since he was little, he was always sarcastic." "Oh, I see."

Teto came back downstairs. "Sorry, she woke up and I had to rock her back to bed." she told them. Ruko nodded. Fukase yawned. "I-— I think I could use a nap myself." he mumbled, resting his head on the sofa pillow. "Fufu, you know you can nap in the guest room." "No, I'm too tired to get up..." he muttered, dozing off. Teto grabbed the blanket from the armchair and covered him. She rubbed his head before starting upstairs with Ruko and Una.

Fukase turned on his back and stared at the ceiling for a minute or two before finally falling asleep.

-
The beeping sounds filled the white room. Henry had a needle in his arm, some sort of fluid washing out the heroin. He thought he saw a familiar figure. Her long red hair and that usual cheeky smile.

"Yuna...?" he said, squinting his eyes.

"No, sir." said the doctor. His vision cleared up, realizing he was hallucinating for a minute. It was just Nurse Amon. "How are you feeling?" she asked. Henry shrugged. "Sleepy." he muttered. The nurse nodded. "You're stable, you should be discharged tonight. We're gonna run some tests in a little, Dr. Mosley will be here shortly," she said, "Hang in there for a few minutes, alright?"

Henry nodded. He groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Fukase..." he mumbled. He suddenly sat up, realizing the state he was actually in. "Fukase!"