Is This Enough ||MxM || Lgbtq+

Chapter 4

This chapter delves deep into Vinnie's past and where he came from before discovering Leonardo.

[A week ago]

Vinnie's P.O.V.

I vented my fury by smashing the wood into little bits. The heaviness of the past settled upon me like a thick blanket. A package arrived earlier in the day, containing a small, innocuous box that held within it a reel of my family's memories.

Family was everything to me, and the mere thought of them brought tears to my eyes. Although I had come to terms with the constant hustle, the letter sent me plunging back into the darkest corners of my mind, stirring up a storm of doubts and fears.

Don't be naïve in thinking everyone is as honest and trustworthy as you are. You can't hide forever. <3

Despite only informing a single person of my whereabouts, somebody else managed to find me. I rushed through my small stash of plain brown logs, knowing I'd run out soon, so I pushed myself to gather more. As I ventured further in search of supplies, I stumbled upon an unconscious figure, weak and trapped in a strange contraption.

With a captivating air about him, his brown sun-kissed skin was smooth and supple. His dark hair was styled in cornrows. He had eyes that were a deep, intense shade of brown, with eyebrows that had a gentle, refined arch. His clothing, though slightly tattered, was of a high quality and pressed. His V-neck shirt revealed a few of the alluring tattoos that decorated his body.

I tossed the logs to the floor and popped open the pod, hoping to uncover any details about the man. Finally, success! I discovered an ID card on him. My gaze raced across the card and the details came to light - Leonardo Brown, 27 years old, born on January 5th. As I continued reading, I was astounded to see the words 'Residency: ACRIMA, SAXET' standing out. I felt my heart race. Could this be the answer to the letter I had received? No, it couldn't be.

Acrima had branded me an outlaw, putting me in a precarious position. I tucked his identification card into my pocket, hoping to keep myself out of this mess. Starting to walk away, the sky darkened, and the wind began to gust.

A fierce storm was on the horizon, and my conscience, though annoying, couldn't let me abandon this stranger, battered and out cold. I was unsure of who he was or if he was connected to me, but I knew I couldn't leave him out there alone. I hoisted the man onto my shoulders. Bye, bye solitude.

All around me the woods seemed to teem with life; the chirps and chitters of insects, and the cries of birds filled the air. The canopy of lush, green trees above me seemed to be reaching up to the heavens, like a veil of secrecy. The forest was left unscathed by the nuclear destruction that had struck Acrima and the surrounding areas. Constructed from golden-hued pine my cabin had enormous windows allowing ample sunlight to enter, making it a gorgeous home.

The second floor was much more spacious than the first, crowned with a striking triangular roof. Nestled in the serene forest, it was isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city. Inside, the clothes were strewn across both floors and despite the musty scent of sweat and spoiled food that permeated the air, I loved it; it was my own little paradise. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

As I cradled Leonardo in my arms, the warmth of his body on my chest made the appearance of goosebumps on my skin. I fumbled around with the keys, but finally managed to get it in the lock. Climbing the creaky stairs, I made my way to the spare room and laid him on the bed. I gingerly removed his shoes and tucked him in with the comforter.

I shut the extra bedroom door with a definitive click and meandered down to the living room. Slouching into my shabby couch, I switched on the television with an absent-minded flick of the remote. I noticed a package I had not yet opened. I ripped away the wrapping and found a USB flash drive inside.

Holding a relic from the past, an object forgotten in the bustling, high-tech atmosphere of 2050. With a deep breath, I took in the sight of my loved ones. The cozy room was suffused with a warm, gentle light emanating from my laptop screen, illuminating the faces of everyone I held dear.
The warmth of the hugs we once shared, the laughter that filled our conversations, the moments of pure joy all of it seemed so distant now.

Tears of sorrow and longing welled in my eyes as I watched it, the memories of everything taken from me still too fresh, too raw to bear.
As the reel played on, the memories flowed like a river. It was a summer's day in our old vacation cabin, nestled in the woods. We were gathered around a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, and sharing stories. My father, a sturdy man with a hearty laugh, was teaching me how to play the guitar, his compelling, jade-green eyes were embedded in an ageless terra-cotta brown face.

My mother's kind disposition was evident in her gentle smile, her ivory complexion adorned with a myriad of small spots across her nose and cheekbones. My brothers running around in pursuit of fireflies, their cheerful giggles reverberating through the air.

The small town of CrowWind held a special place in my heart, unlike any other. With its majestic waterfalls and enchanting cherry blossom trees, it was a true utopia, an unrivaled haven of beauty. Yet, beneath its serene exterior, my late grandfather had faced the harsh reality of living in a place where people of similar backgrounds were few and far.

As a tribute to the remarkable talent of some of Brazil's most esteemed footballers, my grandfather and father chose my name from the roster of their idols, forever linking me to the legacy of greatness.

As one of the few individuals in my class who identified as a different ethnicity, I was often simply referred to as 'Vinnie.' My full name, Vinicius Gabriel dos Santos-Grey, was deemed too long for most to bother with, and I frequently overheard people making comments about its length.

It kept going, and the images playing out in front of me began to take a more dismal turn. The night I saw had etched itself into my consciousness, and I had no idea it had been documented. I observed my mother's jovial expression change to one of fear. The door of our cabin burst open, and a group of masked men barged in. Cowering in the closet, I was terrified to make the slightest noise. My parents did their best to protect us, begging for compassion.

Mercy didn't exist that evening. My pureness was exchanged for brutality. The men were unmerciful, and I could do nothing but gawk as they hurt them before me. My heart raced in my chest as I tried to muffle my cries, begging that they wouldn't find me. I heard their wicked laughter and their intimidations as they explored the cabin.

Thinking they were gone; I left the closet, not knowing one of the men lingered. It resembled a frightening film, and I was aware of the conclusion. The perspective switched to his camera. He dragged me outside to the woods and threw me on the ground.

The man walked towards me; each step more determined than the last. His hand clutched a knife, and a shaky phone in the other. I felt a big rock behind me. Just as the man was close, I threw the stone towards his temple with all my might. The man fell to the floor, his knife crashing down beside him. His phone managed to record me thrusting the weapon into his chest.

As I shut my laptop, the room enveloped me in a shroud of darkness. Swamping by an onslaught of emotion, and I felt tears stinging my cheeks. I made my way out of the dark, dismal room, my mind clouded with the bittersweet nostalgia of something that had been, but was no longer. Forever embedded in my heart were the memories of the family I had lost, and living in a cabin would always remind me of them.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think!