Excelium III: End Point

Kabanata 6

It was a peaceful morning, unlike any other. The weather was warm, the breeze is gentle like a mother's touch, and the music of the surroundings seemed to be a lullaby for a sleeping child.

A boy, sitting under the shade of a tree, bore witness for the peace that day could offer. With an open book on his lap, his kind eyes trailed every letter without leaving behind a single detail he could see. The movements of his fingers are more elegant than a woman's as he simply turn the thin page. A smile gracefully showed on his lips.

"Is it really that fun?" his startled eyes gazed at the young black-haired boy who's apparently standing in front of him without him noticing. The boy's eyebrow raised as he slightly protrude his lips in doubt. "How can you read without pictures? Are you stupid?"

The sitting boy awkwardly smile as he answer the strange boy's question. "Actually.. it's really not that boring if you--"

Naputol ang kaniyang mga salita noong nagtungo sa kaniyang gilid ang kaedad na bata at umupo. Pumikit ito habang nakasandal ang ulo sa puno. Tinitigan niya lamang ang mukha nito. His cream-colored eyes then stared at the shackles on the boy's pale wrists. Oh, he's the kid everyone's talking about... Levine, was it?

"So? Why are you wasting your time doing some boring things?" iniangat ng batang lalaki ang kaniyang tingin sa nakapikit pa ring mga mata nito. Levine's eyelids slowly revealed his violet orbs before he gave the boy with soft features a sideways glance. "The others are playing over there. They're having a lot of fun."

They could hear the laughter and shrieks of playing kids from afar. Mukhang nagsasaya ang mga ito habang naglalaro ng habulan. Enjoying their youth and the sunny day they can only describe as a great day to play.

The cream-haired lad's eyes softened. Naiilang na naglabas ng mahinang tawa ang batang lalaki habang kaniyang ibinababa ang tingin sa nakabuklat na libro. "I.. don't get along with them well," a solemn smile displayed itself. "My father also couldn't approve my interaction with the other kids so they're scared to approach someone like me. Ah," iniangat niya ang kaniyang tingin noong maalala ang isang bagay. "My name is--"

"Yan Haines, right?" pinutol nito ang kaniyang mga salita. His violet eyes seemed sharp for a young boy. "Everyone in school knows about you. Your father is a colonel and your mother is an owner of the high-end boutique downtown, correct? Your informations are leaking everywhere."

"I-Is that so..?"

Namayani ang nakakailang na katahimikan sa kanilang pagitan pagkatapos ng maikling usapan na iyon. Ibinalik ni Yan ang kaniyang atensyon sa libro ngunit hindi niya magawang intindihin ang mga salita dahil sa presensya ng batang lalaki. He can also hear the rattling of his chains whenever he moves. It was somewhat unpleasant to hear.