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IN THE OPEN BACKYARD a young boy flinched at the sound of the gate, timidly glancing up from his seat on the grass at the cause of the noise. He froze at the sight of another young man his age, one of his hands still outstretched towards the snarling Zoura he was trying to befriend as he stared wide eyed.

"You..." the stranger hissed, "It's all your fault!" The newcomer trembled, his hands curling up from his sides to his chest. Dark brown locks brushed his eyelids before he looked up, revealing tear filled eyes.

N stood up and brushed his hands on the pants of his shorts. "Excuse me, but what did I do?" N asked politely. However the sage haired child didn't receive an answer and let out a small screech as the other boy shoved him.

The pair tumbled down onto the grass, rolling a few times before the stranger ultimately took the dominant position. The brunet proved to be stronger than him despite being an inch or so shorter, sitting atop of N. From behind them, the Zorua snickered before escaping up a nearby tree to watch.

"You're..." he mumbled. "You're the reason that my mom cries every night!" His attacker's voice wavered—there was a vulnerable and broken tinge to it that a thirteen-year-old shouldn't have had.

Small inexperienced fists connected with N's face and chest, causing tears to well up in his eyes as he let out pitiful whimpers. In spite of the fact he was being attacked, he never shut his eyes or shielded away in fear of a blow.

"Tch. Why won't you fight back?" the boy asked breathlessly, his arms slumping to his sides when he tired. He dragged his hand sloppily across his face to dry his tears. When he was done, his chocolate colored eyes meet N's pair of stone gray ones. "You're alive, do something with that."

"What do you think you're doing?" Their staring contest was interrupted a man in a light gray suit. He was young and well defined, escorting an older gentleman from the mansion like home that matched the others in the area.

The bodyguard hurried over, pulling the boys apart from each other. "Young master, are you alright?" When he received a small nod he turned to the brunet to ask him again. "What do you think you're doing?"

"N, get up," the other elder man hissed, arriving at the scene last having been trailing behind at a more leisurely pace.

His uncle possessed similar features to the young minor—it could be seen in the sloping nose and the piercing grey eyes, and if you disregarded the fading hair intertwined with a few grey strands. When the boy didn't move immediately he yanked N up by the arm, lifting him off of the ground before dropping the child on his feet. N stumbled but regained his footing, bashfully fixing his posture before he could be scolded for that too.

The bodyguard knelt down, gently holding the other boy's small hands from flying towards anyone. "Now, what's your name? You're Ava's child, aren't you?"

"Black." The boy nodded in confirmation at his mother's name and leaned forward when the man moved towards his ear, mouth poised to say something. "I know you're upset, but this isn't something a child can—"

"Ario, did I give you permission to speak? Don't say anything unnecessary to the child, no matter how innocently stupid he is. He shouldn't have done that, or even come here," Ghetsis sneered. "But if he's that woman's child... I guess we'll need to have a little chat again. I'm free right the the moment, so why not now? Get the car ready, Ario."

The broad man ducked his head in apology and retreated back towards the house. At one point he hesitated, turning around to look at the group, but was only met with the glare of his superior. He hurried up after that and pulled the car around the property front minutes later for the assemble to board.

"You remember how to get there, yes?" The older man smirked, glancing halfheartedly at the scenery outside.

"Of course sir."

• • •

IT WASN'T A LUXURIOUS HOME, more on the humble and worn side with its unkempt front. A tired looking young woman answered the door, her long curly brown hair a tangled mess down her back. Her eyes widened in shock and fear at the appearance of Ghetsis, taking a step back from the door and putting her hand on the handle.

"Hello Miss Ava, isn't it a pleasure for us to meet again? It has been a while since I was gifted with your presence," he purred, reaching for her free hand and pressing his lips to the surface of it. She trembled, quickly ripping her hand from his grasp with pursed lips.

"W-why do you have my son? I thought we were done with our deal," she stuttered, eyes darting anxiously towards the homes of her neighbors. She beckoned Black closer and pulled him into the small house as soon as she could grasp onto his small arm.

"I think the better question is," Ghetsis hummed, "why did your son come to us, even going to the lengths of assaulting N?"

"N? Who? Black is a sweet boy, he would never even think of hurting another—" If her eyes could bulge out any further, they did as she connected the young boy hiding behind his guardian and the green locks. "You! Give me her back!"

The woman lunged at N, her hands entangling themselves into his short hair as the boy tried to backpedal. Despite his age, she was faster and she was stronger; and she had him in her grasp in a moment.

"Uncle? Uncle, what's happening?" He was teary eyed again, now pathetically batting at her like a Magikarp in defense.

"I bet that bastard didn't even tell you," she laughed, her hands wrapping around his windpipe. "She's dead because of you! If you weren't such a defect then she'd still be here. I'll repent for what I've done in Distortion, and killing you you won't make a more of a difference on my sins. But her heart can finally rest in peace."

Black's face paled from behind her. "Mother?"

Ario stepped in and yanked her off. She screeched again and writhed in his hold, but she her actions were meaningless to an experienced bodyguard. He wrestled her arms behind her, forcing her to her knees in front of his boss.

"I regret every day for even considering your offers," Ava hissed, glaring up at Ghetsis.

The quick rise of his chest and lack of breath didn't stop N from speaking. "What do you mean this isn't my heart? What's going on?" His eyes were wild and looked around fearfully like a Pokémon ready to flee. Of course, he didn't have anywhere to go.

Ava screamed and lunged at Ghetsis but was only yanked back to the ground by the guard's firm hold. As if defeated, she slouched there panting and her head down.

"Sir, I think we should leave soon. The neighbors may come and investigate," Ario said worriedly, glancing around.

Most families should have been out: parents at work, children at school, grandparents doing whatever miscellaneous errands they needed—after all, it was a low class neighborhood where people were struggling to stay afloat. But there are eyes everywhere.

"It was my fault, I should have known she would have reacted this way. It must have slipped my mind since she always came past his bedtime." Ghetsis sighed. He lifted her chin with the toe of his shoe to look at him. "Didn't you, you dirty whore?"

The defeat on Ava's face contorted to fury as she mustered the strength to lunge at him one more time. Ario was taken by surprise and she slipped from his grasp. Then she was already taking the step to swing at the man that had so mercilessly ruined her life.

Ghetsis slammed his fist into her head and she crumpled to the ground. She was a flower, wilted, worn, battered and bruised by life and people that she didn't deserve—and flowers can only survive so much. "Let's go. I'll call someone else to clean up after we leave," he said nonchalantly, pulling out his phone as he strolled back to their vehicle.

Black shot towards her, the horrified look on his face gone as he began to cry. "Mom! I'm sorry, I didn't mean what I said or to do what I did. You're just resting right? I'll get the bandages and we'll go inside and—get up, please get up, please don't leave me like her..."

"Uncle! Why won't you tell me what's happening?" He glanced back and forth between the two halves of a scene, unsure of what to do: help Black, who was sobbing over the body of his motionless mother, or follow the retreating back of his uncle who carried all of the power over him.

Somehow, his feet lead him back to his uncle.

« The word naivety comes to mind. »

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