Sanctuary (Karma Akabane x OC)

"You're a part of Class 3-E!"

"I don't wanna go Mumma!"

"But honey, we must.. there's no other way."

Despite the trembling hand on my wrist, her smile was just that of a compassionate soul.

I was an ungrateful child.

"NO! NO! NO! NO!"

"Darling wait-"

I'd somehow released myself from her hold, running back to the room we used to sleep in with my immature temper tantrum. It'd always been just as bare, with only a plain white futon laid out on the wooden flooring, a small lamp placed beside it and a couple of toys scattered around.

I used to believe I lived in a fairy tale, just like in the books she used to read.

Travelling from place to place; each one a new chapter in our own adventure book.

'Me and Mum against the world' we'd call it.

However, this time.. I'd become attached.

I'd grown to love that brown stain on the ceiling that was shaped into a heart.

When the romantic classical music played through the thin walls every Saturday evening.

The rotten wooden window that gave us a clear view of the shining stars.

The old lady that smelt like a bunch of roses every time we passed silently in the hallway.

It'd all become a familiar pleasantry to me, regardless of the grim circumstances that my young mind couldn't comprehend.

It was unfair to me.

"Yumeno sweetie, what's upsetting you?"

Her voice was filled with concern, seemingly forgetting the previous urgency.

Graced with a pair of illuminating golden doe eyes and raven hair that draped over her shoulders elegantly, she was breathtakingly captivating.

Not only had Mum always been enchanting to the eye, she was exceptionally intelligent.

No matter what, she'd always know what to do and how to do it.

Her only weakness was me.

"Why do we have to go?"

She had hesitated in that moment, giving her thoughts a second to gather.

It was a question I had never felt the need to ask, as at that point, moving had felt like just another part of life.

She'd sat down beside me, rubbing my open palm with her delicate, long fingers in a circular motion, a somewhat signature move of hers that would soothe me instantaneously.

"There was once someone I loved very much, someone that I still love very much."

She had seemed distant, as if the memories were replaying as she spoke.

"But overtime, I realised that he was developing into something beyond my reach."

"I knew I had to leave when I found out that I was having you."

"I had to give you a chance to live a happier, safer life."

I'd felt a warm dampness on my skin as Mum let the mask slip just a bit, for the first time.

"I do know that somewhere, deep down inside, he returns my feelings."

The ominous ring of the doorbell cut through the atmosphere like a sharpened knife.