Charis

-abeowan-

abeowan (ah-bay'o whan): (n.) healer

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November 20, 2028

Abeowan Suburb

Raphael

I wipe the sweat across my forehead, looking across the horizon. I could've sworn that I saw a walking fried chicken down the road, but I know nothing could survive here in this heat. I take my ragged hoodie off, leaving me in my tattered jeans and shirt.

Despite the decrease in clothing, my vision starts to falter, most likely because of the dangerously high temperature, and I place my hand on the little girl's right shoulder for support. She stops and immediately looks at me in concern. How strange, that a little girl like her, with her white sundress and blond shoulder length hair, would go through such weather conditions just to take me to someone who might help me. Pfft, like anyone would want to help a hopeless sap like me. This girl is just wasting her time.

"I'm good. It's just the heat," I assure her, even when my vision starts to swim away. I can't waste her time any further, right?

She shakes her head, and stops in front of me. "Please kneel."

I don't know anything, but this girl is odd. Asking a grown up to kneel? Come on.

But you'll never know. I sigh, and I kneel.

She touches my forehead with her finger, and an immediate rush of chill refreshes my body. Just who is this girl...?

I blink in awe, and the girl counters with a cheeky smile. She proceeds to hold my hand in hers as we walk, and let me tell you that there is quite a size difference.

W-wait a minute...

"Um," I start. "I-I didn't get your name..."

"Aura!" she exclaims. She turns at me as she walks. "And it's nice to meet you, Raphael!"

"Wait, how'd you know my name?"

Her smile subtly falters, but before I could see it, she turns her head away. "You've met me before."

But there are no kids in Sheol, I wanted to say. Yet, I feel like she's telling the truth. Her aquamarine eyes bring a sense of familiarity that I just can't put my finger on. Her inconceivable kindness swells in my heart a feeling that I know I've felt before, yet lost when my soul went astray.

Kindness... I just thought that no one would help someone like me, yet here's Aura, little girl wonder, and her friend who she says wants to help me. I just can't wrap my head around this. The past twenty four hours have been nothing but full of harsh weather conditions, still this child manages to feed me with bread she "just found" (she brought out perfectly good bread from her pocket; unbelievable) and strengthens me when my body weakens with the touch of her finger. This child comforts me with her heart-felt hugs when my nightmares chase me down in my sleep.

Understanding. Acceptance. Love.

I never thought that these things still existed.

Brighid.

My eyes widen by a fraction at the mention of her name. I remember... Brighid. She was just like this little girl. Sweet, caring, accepting, beautiful in every aspect. Yet... I was too blind to see this. I did not deserve her. I still do not deserve her, especially after... after what I did to her.

I clench my fist. You ruined her life, you jerk!

And now, a mini-Brighid is here to help me, or at least lead me to help. Is this some kind of sick joke? Something to tell me how much of a snake I was? To tell me things I've already told myself over and over? Now that's just cruel.

It is as if... as if our daughter was haunting me. Is this a nightmare?

I never got to know if it was a boy or a girl either.

HCK! A painful lump rises in my throat and I try to cough it out. Blood splatters on the dusty asphalt and I quickly cover my mouth. I remember Aura.

"S-sorry," I manage to let out.

She waves it off. "It's fine. Hang on." Aura stands on her toes and pushes my Adam's Apple with her finger. A warm glow is emitted. My throat is cleared.

I get angry. "Stop that!" I yell and push the child's body away from me. Her eyes widen with worry. I hate that.

"Stop doing this! Why are you even doing this? I don't deserve this! I've ruined lives; families! And what did I do? I ran away. Yet you are here trying to "help" me somehow, for some unknown reason. You, a complete stranger! And a child at that! Just stop this! Just go your way and stop wasting your time on a hopeless sinner like me. Leave me here to melt in the heat! I just don't-- I don't want to ruin your life too!"

My lungs gasp for air. An intense moment of silence surrounds the two of us. With clenched fists, I stare fiercely into Aura's eyes, willing to send the message that she should just go away.

She nears me, and I prepare to take a step back. Her aquamarine orbs are glaring at me with empathy. What she does next shocks me the most, and I will never forget it.

Aura, little girl wonder, hugs me.

I still.

"I know," she rubs my back. "I know. But, you don't have to live your life suffering like this. You still got a long life ahead of you. You made a grave mistake, but you can still turn things around. You're sorry right? You're distressed about your mistake. That's motivation enough to live a life without doing that mistake again. Raphael, please listen to me." She looks up, her blond hair swept across her face. "I love you. My friend loves you. We want you to live. Please don't push us away. It hurts us to see you hurt."

I love you.

I fall to my knees. My sobs resonate within the area, yet my ears block it out. Aura continues to hug me. Her arms around me should encourage the heat, although the action wakes me up. Now I see the abandoned buildings that decorate the sides of the road, their hollowness reminding me of... myself. I see the dried up grass barely hanging on to stand. I see the sand grains and their sheen against the flaming sun.

I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. Yet, somehow, this little girl managed to stitch up the cuts in my heart and mind that have been bleeding for years and revive my senses. Somehow, this little girl made me believe her. Her signature concerned look; I know it's genuine. I don't know how I know, but maybe it's her eyes. Looking at them is like connecting our souls. And her soul, I must say, is probably the most beautiful I have ever seen.

Now, if anything, I don't want this girl and her friend's efforts to be wasted. No way. I'll repay them. I'm going to make their efforts worth it, even if it is the last thing I do.

Because, somehow, there are people who want me to live.

I can't help but be grateful.