Duck Walks (ForthBeam Stories)

Childhood Sweethearts ~Part 2

I am not Tae. 
From now on, he gave himself a new name: Forth to signify his burning desire to go on. 

Just like that, Dan got himself a new apprentice under his care and focused on his training. An apprentice who within 3 months is able to surpass the newly recruited 20year olds. 

Every day, the kids in the orphanage would find the dark silhouette sit by doing push-ups or squeezing over a ball or climbing trees. They would admire that person from far, look at that kid transform into a presence who can't be resisted. 

They all know of his existence. Who wouldn't?  Everyone shivered to stay within a few meters in his range. They scatter with one single glare from him and shudder if they have to breathe the same air as his. 

They fear him. More importantly, they respect him too. 

Being a little nobody means to open access for bullies. But, with him there, nobody dared touch them. Those few who did got their share of hell - their bodies were beaten black and blue without any evidence as to who was the preceptor. Everyone knew, secretly but no one dared. They all like to be... alive. 

Still, not one person knew who he is. Not even his real name. Dan never called him by his name. In fact, they don't talk. At least not in front of them. Maybe, they talk during their training but they don't know. And, they have never seen him talk with anybody else too. The head's wife, aunt Grace would talk to him now and then. The most he would respond with is the subtle nod here and there.

That's how he got his new name. The 'Silent Knight'. 

Slowly, even without his knowledge, he rose to great ranks and soon was named the 'Silent Killer' within the gossip rings because he is personally being trained by their head Dan and he gave off an appearance darker than the midnight gloom which can slash open a person to their last breath. 

Or in short, SK

And the days pass on and two years go by. He is 10 years old. Still without any friends or a soul to talk to.

One fine afternoon, he is called into Dan's room and surprisingly, Grace is there too. 

He bows before both of them to show his respect but doesn't speak a word. 

It is Grace who speaks first. "We want to introduce you to someone," she sighs and looks at Dan. 

"I want you to guide this child, take him. He is now your responsibility," he says as he pushes forward a small light weighted pale boy forward from behind Grace's back into his direction. 

That boy trips over and almost lands flat before he is pulled up and dragged into a chest broader than his, a hand wrapping securely around his tiny waist. 

"What is the meaning of this?" Forth frowns. 

"Just what I said. Consider this one of your missions." 

"Not interested," he barks but still gently hands over the frozen boy in his hands to Grace. He turns to walk out of the door. 

"You will be. Once you know your mother is who took great pains to send this boy over here." 

His mother. 
Those words halt him. 

"Say it again!"

"You heard it right. Your mother is who sent this boy here."

Forth stops and looks at the boy who is engulfed in the arms of Grace. His beautiful big almond eyes blinking at him and head tilted to a side as he was also looking at him.