The Prince and the Pauper: Stingue

Quiet Sonata

-Rogue-

"Mama. Your name is too hard to say. 'S-skyyy... Ski-ad-room'. See, too hard." Ryos sat on his mothers lap as she ran her ebony fingers through his raven-like hair. The two were in her bedroom, relaxing and enjoying the simplicity of their lives.

"'Skiadrum'. But sweetie, you can call me your shadow." His mother chuckled as she watched her sons red orbs widen in shock from saying her own name. He was quite an amusing one.

"My shadow, mama?" Ryos asked. He thought he already had a shadow who followed him everywhere.

"Because a shadow is always with you. And I cross my heart, I'll always be with you no matter what-"

****

It was impossible.

My shadow promised she would always be there. She's here, she's always been with me. Protecting me from everything bad that had happened and she was the reason everything's good happened.

My mother.

She swore- she crossed her heart- she would never leave me. What that man told me was a lie. That man, he had a grudge on Sting, that had to be the reason. He simply my wanted to hurt those close to Sting...

Tears, thick and heavy, ran down my face. My nose began to hurt from using my sleeve to wipe away the snot. I hadn't a clue where I had to go, but I had a vague idea. An idea where my beautiful shadow might be.

I prayed she wasn't there though...

A sprinted through the park. Pushing past people and animals as I tried to reach my destination. A few scowled and I was sure some even yelled angrily in my direction. My mind had already blocked out all unnecessary noises. Nothing mattered to me but to know the truth. These people- I couldn't hear- all I heard was ringing sound drumming in my ears and the screams racing round my mind. They were my screams- screams from the past. But I didn't know why I was screaming.

****

"Mama! Mama! Where are we going??" Tears slipped into his mouth, he wiped them away with the sleeve of his blazer. "Why did they put grandma Juvia underground? Mama! Shadow, tell me?" Ryos begged his mother to answer him.

He didn't understand why his grandma wasn't coming back. He didn't understand why his grandpa lost that fiery glint in his eyes. He didn't understand why grandpa Gray forgot his name. He thought it was a joke but... But he knew his grandpa wouldn't joke for this long. And he certainly didn't understand why his mother was packing their bags.

His mother turned and knelt in front of him. Grabbing both Ryos' arms she looked him straight into his blood red eyes. "Grandma has gone to a better place."

"I won't see her again?.... Then why are we leaving?"

"We have to leave. Grandpa will be fine alone. We'll be together. Just me and you. Us against the world. Your shadow will protect you-" his mother coughed into her hand before turning away and wiping the blood on her jacket. Ryos didn't notice.

****

I never noticed.

However that didn't mean my shadow was gone. That man was lying. He was lying. He was lying. My shadow was brave, she was strong and she was fighter. She wouldn't just leave like grandma. She promised she would stay and look after me forever. What happened to us...?

I finally reached the place where the truth lay.

A cluster of gravestones littered the ground.

My eyes scanned every single one, a sense of relief washing over me every time her name wasn't on it....

****

Her hands, soft and tender, caressed the little boys face as she watched his chest rise and fall. Ryos slept on his mothers lap, and she watched- as though it was the last time....

His eyes fluttered open.

"Mum? What's wrong?" She said nothing and simply kissed his forehead and lulled him back to sleep.

Of all the things, her biggest regret was leaving her son behind...

*****

Skiadrum.
Loving daughter and mother.
She shall be missed by all who knew her.

It was impossible.

My shadow promised she would always be there.

My knees caved in and fell. My lips trembled as the tears came rushing down once again, flowing faster than a water running down a stream. My hands shook. My heart; beating, booming; it deafened my ears. My mind completely seized functioning. I forgot to breathe... till I finally screamed.

****

His mother lay on the floor. Blood dripping from her mouth. Her skin pale and colourless as though it had been bleached repeatedly. Her once plump, pink lips, now cracked and no blood rushed around her once lively body. Her eye lids half open, exposing her honey brown eyes.

He dropped the phone after she asked him to call the emergency number. He called an ambulance due to his mother having a coughing fit. He cried when he saw the blood. She promised him she would be fine.

But then she dropped onto the floor.

And he forgot how to talk when the lady on the other end of the phone that lay on the floor asked what the emergency was.

****

My mother was dead.

I knew. I forced the memory out of my mind because it was my fault. The fault was my own. No one else could take even a bit of the blame. The one time the roles were reversed and I was supposed to save my mother, I had failed her because I couldn't speak.

She died because of me... If only I spoke...

I always wondered why I couldn't- wouldn't speak.

"Sting, help me..." I whispered.

****************************

A/N: end of chapter. Harharhar.

Loving these cliffhangers right? 😂😏😏

If you're confused. Long story short- Rogues mum- aka his shadow- is dead and his mind, in a sense, blocked out the memory and he doesn't speak cuz... Erm... He didn't speak into the phone that day... Blah blah blah.

Sayonara young ones.