yellow star || 2jae

ミ★

"Jaebum."

"How do you know my name?"

"It's so bright out, we can definitely look at the fish today."

"I can't see... who are you?"

"Hold my hand tighter, that way I can show you the fish...

Jaebum gasped, jumping straight up into a sitting position. He clutched his chest, where underneath his racing heart beat. It was already day, the sun beating down onto the grassy hills with yellow rays of light.

He threw the blankets off of him and jumped out of bed, desperately looking around for shoes. He dropped to the floor and looked underneath his bed, finding a pair of worn out black converse. He grabbed them quickly, slid them on halfway and raced out of his room.

"Oh, good morning, Jaebum. I made break-"

"I'm skipping breakfast today, ma. I'll be back before lunch." He kissed his mom on the cheek, surprising her. She sighed with a smile as he grabbed an apple from the counter.

"Grab some bread from your uncles' on your way back!" She shouted as he stumbled out the front door.

I will see it today...

Jogging down the hill from his house and onto a sandy trail, he can see the station and small homes of the townspeople. And a little farther back into view, he could see the beach. After a few minutes of running, the sandy trail turned into a large gravel road, the main road.

People had set up their carts and goodies on the sides, different scents filled Jaebum's nose. As he jogged through, some people said good morning, and some yelled over the others about their cheaper prices and better deals.

"There he goes again... gosh. Already training at such a young age." An elderly lady whispered to another.

"He'll make a great knight, and he'll make our town proud again. Just like his father..." Both nodded in agreement, their eyes lingering on Jaebum as he passed through the market.

"Will you old hags stop gossiping and help with the fish? I need them diced nicely for the King today." A man grumbled, dropping a basket of fish in front of them. "Right right.."

Jaebum stopped following the road and ran straight ahead, down yet another hill. The hill was steep and the tall grass grabbed at his feet.

In the midst of almost falling down the hill, he stops to catch his breath. With his hands on his knees, he slows his breath to a normal pace. Looking straight ahead, he can see blue waves washing onto white sand.

Seagulls flew towards the sight, their shadows displayed on the hills, passing Jaebum. He ran after them, not wanting to waste any time.

I'll see it this time. I will.

Once in a while, if he was lucky, Jaebum would get dreams. Of course dreams were common, there was just a certain dream that made Jaebum.. question.

In his dreams, a bright yellow light would lead Jaebum to the ocean. He calls the light his "star". The star wakes him up from his sleep, and leads him through the pitch black night.

During the walk to the beach, Jaebum tries to converse with the star. Though the star usually never answers, Jaebum already knows what it's voice sounds like.

Sometimes the star calls to him.

To him, these dreams feel almost too real. And because the dreams always stop when they get to the beach, he feels as though there is something more. Curiosity gets the best of him, and as soon as he wakes up, he races to the ocean.

He doesn't know why. Maybe a hope that he'll see his star? Or what the star wants to show him?

His heart aches after every dream. And that sheer feeling drives him to search, day after another. Hoping that something shows up.

He finally makes it to the beach, beads of sweat forming on the back of his neck. The sound of waves crashing against sand brings nostalgia. He walks closer to the water, breathing in the familiar smell.

The sun beats down, its rays reflecting off the white sand. Jaebum ignores the heat as he stares far past the ocean, he looks for another place, land.. something.

Nothing.

He looks from either side, straining his eyes to search as far as possible. No star.. no voice.. absolutely nothing.

"Of course, of course. What did I expect?" He laughs dryly, letting his body pull him down onto the sand. He stares above at the empty blue sky, a last string of hope in him.

"Nothing." He mumbles, "It really is just a dream..." He covers his eyes with his arm, and finally realizes that he's still holding the apple. He lifts his arm up, eyes closed, and bites into it.

After a few minutes of eating, he hears the sound of papers falling. He opens his eyes and lets them adjust to the light, before focusing on the light green papers that flutter above him.

He abruptly sits up, dropping the core of the apple onto the sand.

"The king has made a statement! All boys at age 16 and older shall enter knight training, please collect your belongings and-" A distant voice rang, the paper boy.

With furrowed eyebrows, Jaebum picks a paper up from off the ground, scanning over the contents with shock.

King Sulivan's Order:
In towns C, D and Z, all boys that have turned 16 shall report to military service. All will be expected, unless physically incapable.

WAR DECLARED ON SULIVANIA:
war crafts other than Sulivans shall be reported immediately, please altert officials...

"Mom.."