Rednegne ✅

Peal 1

[이도]

I balanced myself as I walked on the narrow low wall. The area was pretty desolate as I was only aware of its existence. I slipped, but managed to catch myself in time. I didn't get along with most of the people my age as I wasn't like them. I was powerless. I couldn't understand why having powers was the make it or break it.

I arrived at the clearing then noticed someone else was there. "I thought I was the only one..." I stood quite a distance away then called out to them. "You know about this place too?" It was a guy. "Yeah." He seemed harmless, so I approached him with interest. "I'm Kim Geonhak." "Kim Youngjo." "Sane last name huh? The Kim Bros." He laughed then playfully shoved me. "So, why are you here?" "I don't fit in anywhere else." "Same here."

I looked him over then wondered why I'd never seen him before. "Are you from around here?" "No." His face looked somber. "So, how don't you fit in, Jo?" "No powers." "Hey, me too." He seemed surprised by my declaration. "Really? I thought I was the only one." "Now you're not." He seemed relieved to know he could share his struggles with me. "So, you said you aren't from around here." "I ran from home." "Why?" He looked crushed, dead even. "No need to tell. Let's just look out for each other. Kay?" "Yeah."

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We opened up more to each other as we wandered around, not really having any place to really call home. "So, why do you roam? You never told me." "My parents abandoned me." "Oh. If it's painful, we don't have to talk about it." I shook my head as I've long since come to terms with it. "After I didn't get my powers on my due date, everyone was disappointed. They still held hope. After a year, they packed up my things while they thought I was sleep. Carried me off somewhere then dumped me. Never saw them again."

"It still hurts huh?" "What?" He pointed to his face then to mine. I felt my face and noticed it was a bit wet. "Guess I am. This happened years ago anyway." "Well, since you shared, I can too. I'll try to." I looked at him as he looked close to breaking. "Just like your parents, mine also waited a year. Instead of dumping me, they beat me." "Oh...I'm sorry..." He shook his head as he trembled like a leaf. "They made up the stupidest reasons for beating me. Most of the time it was the excuse 'to awaken your powers'. Bullshit..."

I pulled him closer in hopes of offering some form of comfort. "Well, you're safe now. I hope I can help you forget such a painful life." "Just existing is doing wonders." Despite only having met a few hours ago, I felt I could trust him with my life.

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I offered him half of my pb&j then noticed he didn't take it. "Don't like it?" "I don't like peanut butter." "Oh. Sorry." I moved to make another then felt something hold me back. "I can just take it off. Don't bother making another." "Sure?" He nodded then took the jelly part. "So, this is my place. It's not much, but you're pretty much welcome to stay here." "Really?" "Yeah." "Thank you." It was a long since abandoned home that I've slowly fixed up over time. Water and electricity were still a main concern. "So, since there's no water nor electricity, how do you wash? How do you find your way at night?" He asked questions in rapid fire, making it difficult to keep up.

A knock was heard and startled us as we didn't expect visitors in our lifetime. "Maybe they found me..." I opened the door and was face to face with three well dressed men with varying heights. "H-" "I'm not interested." I closed the door then locked it. "Who was it?" "Those religious preachers." "Ah, them? I hate them." "Well, jokes on you, we don't preach religion." I quickly looked back and saw the three of them standing not too far away. "How did you...?" "Keon busted your door down. Might wanna get that fixed." I looked at Youngjo who was just as lost as I was.