Engraved in Flesh

The First Drop

Mook has been stuck in America for a full year now, but it felt like longer. He usually spent his days with Aru, helping out with chores around both houses, and occasionally running errands for Mrs. Kim. He enjoyed life there with the Kim family and Xena, it was peaceful and calming. The locals seemed to have also accepted him into their daily lives.

He and Aru were currently at one of his favorite places, the public library, where a man named Dicarius worked. Mrs. Kim traveled to another city to stay with her sickly mother for a few days, so Aru was all alone. Xena was busier these days, trying to find ways to contact her parents, but Aru knew that she had ran into her soulmate.

"Hey Mook, look at Dicarius. Is he talking to that crow outside the window?"

Dicarius had served in the military, but was able to return home once he was injured during gunfire across seas. He was an interesting man who was able to discover Mook's secret within the first few library visits. Dicarius promised not to say a word about Mook as long as he continued to come with Aru to visit him. The library didn't get many visitors anymore, and he grew lonely.

"Mook, find anything interesting?"

Dicarius appeared from behind a shelf, startling Mook and Aru as they scanned the books on the shelves. He was a tall man with dark hair. He wore black slacks, shoes, a white button up, and suspenders. On certain days he could be see wearing a black coat and a newsboy cap when he'd help the younger boys with the newspapers.

"I'm still looking around, sir. I'll let you know when I've found something."

"Dica, I did find something a few aisles down the right."

"Well, lead the way. Mook, you keep looking."

Mook smiled as he watched Aru and Dicarius walk out of the aisle. He hummed a tune he heard on the radio and continued to scan the books in the aisles. He froze in place when his eyes laid on the spine of one book in particular. He felt his breath quicken as he read the title.

Deadly Monsters: Sea Serpents and Their Lies

Mook gulped as his fingertips touched the spine, only for him to yank them away as if it were cursed. He didn't feel right anymore. Something felt off to him. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Mook's head began to throb in pain. He felt himself fall to his knees as the air in his lungs began to quickly leave him.

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"Mook, what are you doing?! Stop it, just stay calm!"

"Get the villagers away from him, quickly!"

"Mook, look at me. I'm not going to let them hurt you, brother."

"Gang Ho, he's not thinking straight! Get away from him!"

"Please, no, he isn't a monster!"

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Mook's eyes shot open in an instant. He felt tears fall down his face as he blinked. A wrenching feeling formed in his stomach as he stood to his feet.

"Mook! Look at this!"

He felt a lump in his throat as he heard Aru's voice. He couldn't let her see him like this, he looked so pathetic and weak. Freaking out as he heard her footstep get louder by the second, he bolted out of the library. He didn't know why he did it, but his body just ran before his mind could react to the situation.

He finally stopped running when he came across a secluded area under a bridge. He slipped a bit, causing his hand to fall into the water. Terrified, he yanked out his transforming hand and began to try and dry it as quickly as possible. He stayed there for the rest of the day to try and calm himself down.

It was night when he went to Aru's house. He hesitated for a bit, but he eventually brought himself to knock on the door. It slowly began to open a few minutes later, revealing the small frame of his soulmate. Her eyes watered up before she threw her arms around Mook's neck and hugged him with all her might. Mook's eyes widened in surprise as he hesitantly held her.

"Mook! Where were you?! I was so worried! I looked everywhere for you! And you didn't reply to the messages that I wrote. Why didn't you reply? I was so scared that I would never see you again!"

His heart felt heavy. He tightened his grip on her and held her closer, burying his face on the top of her head. His voice broke as he spoke to her.

"I...I'm so sorry...Aru, I'm so sorry..."

He felt her pull away, but he wouldn't raise his head. He felt her soft hand gently hold his face, slightly raising it a little higher. He saw Aru's eyes slightly widen before softening up. She moved her thumb across his cheek, causing him to realize that he was crying. Panicked that she'd find him weak, he tried to pull away from her. Aru tightened her grip and pulled him closer. She connected their foreheads and Mook instantly calmed down.

"Mook...tell me what's wrong. I'm here for you, but you need to let me know what's on your mind."

He raised his head, his eyes meeting hers. She stared at him with a sincere look, causing his heart to swell even more than he thought was possible. She was everything that he didn't deserve, but what he needed. She was perfect in every way. He wanted to thank her for everything, but words wouldn't form in his mouth.

So he kissed her, tears and all.

She squeaked in surprise, but soon returned the kiss. They continued to kiss until a neighbor brought them back to reality by reminding them they were outside. The two went inside, faces flushed, and went up the stairs.

They shared a bed that night. It had been almost three hours since Mook showed up in tears, but he was still awake. He held a sleeping Aru in his arms, watching her with love in his eyes.

And in that moment, everything was perfect.