Withered - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

"Why are you crying?"
I stop myself from weeping and wipe my tears after hearing a low voice. I look up and see a smiling boy in front of me. At first glance, he's better to be a walking cub or the son of the bean as he's very tin. Wearing an orange jacket with blue shorts and a beanie cap. He looks like a kindergarten with his backpack, definitely younger than me. He then climbs over the bench and sits beside me in the park.
He stares at me, maybe waiting for me to speak up. But I'm hesitant because I don't know him, so I look away instead. Besides, it's embarrassing. He just watches me crying like a lost puppy, with my little snot and puffy eyes. I sob and look down to my feet, hanging down from the bench. I smile as I catch a glimpse of my kawaii animal fleece shoes and the penguin pops up to me. But, it's a bad decision when I remember that I begged mom to buys it for me last week. My mouth twitch as my mom's image appears in my mind. My lips pursed unconsciously as I blink back tears.   Mom, Unnies, Dad...where are they? Why they don't search for me? I'm afraid. I want to go home.
I cannot see clearly as tears blinded me. Everything becomes blurry. I'm still hoping that mom will find me soon. I do what I was told, if ever I found myself separated from my family, I must stay where I was and don't follow strangers then they will come to me. I did it, but why they are not showing up. It's been hours. They are not throwing me away, are they? If that happens, wha----
"Here, I have chocolate. Do you want some?"
I forgot that this boy is still here. Why isn't he leaving? Soon, I feel a tap on my forearms. He does get on my nerves. I throw him a look, feeling my nose flared due to his annoyingly uninvited presence. I'm greeted by big almond eyes and a brown iris staring deeply back at me. My heart jumps a little. To be fair, I'm startled. It's as if, he's been observing me for some time, or as if I am something very interesting to look at. I blink, feeling myself relaxing when his eyes wink caused by the huge grin he gives me. He pushes the chocolate bar closer to me.
I wanted to decline but it's chocolate! Chocolate is lifeu. How can I refuse it? I know someone who's certainly will be delighted if some stranger just offered her candy, and without hesitancy devouring it all. I'm describing one of my beloved sisters, that food maniac becomes uncontrollable and ignorant if the topic is all about foods.
And I'm the opposite of her, I tend to wonder why and suspiciously thought the explanation. I'm that kind of kid who thinks more before acting and to my sisters, they thought that my personality is the reason I'm always left behind as I'll take time to ponder and thinks rather than acting as how my body and heart had instructed. See, I wanted to gladly accept the chocolate and thank him, that is my first instinct and impulsive act but instead, I stop myself and think. I mean who would want to give you free candy? More importantly, it's coming from a complete stranger? Unless there's a hidden intention. Intention. I recall my mommy's never-ending advice 'never take anything from a stranger may it be candy or snack. Just refuse it and stay still, if you're feeling dubious of them, then run, as fast as you could'
But mommy didn't actually point out the age range. Should I be dubious towards this boy? Wait, rather than should I, Am I feeling dubious now? I glance at the boy and squint my eyes as I gaze at the chocolate bar. Well, it could be a trap. This boy might be working under some black organization that sells child, and come approaching me with his innocent image to lure me in, who knows? The chocolate could contain poison. I should never trust a stranger despite their age. Yup, that's the right thing to do.
"Are you a bad person?" I ask, confronting the boy. Amazed by my sudden bravery. I examine his expression and he just stares blankly at me, rigid as stone. I suppose he's thinking what he should do now as I just exposed him, I smirk, proud of my own calculation. Or maybe not as his stunned face cracked by a burst of laughter. My brows raise, again, thinking of his unexpected reaction. Did I say something funny?
After a minute, he restrains himself and groans as he clutches his stomach, complaining about how it hurts his belly from laughing so hard. Irritated, I roll my eyes and look away. Why did I even talking to him? I should just ignore him in the first place. I scoff and diverts my focus on my situation, turning my head left and right, looking for my parents. When I see none of the familiar faces, I sigh heavily and back again staring at my feet, waiting for someone to find me.
I feel a nudge on my side. Knowing where it comes from, I close my eyes in annoyance. I'm already anxious and stress about my circumstances and this boy here is adding fuel to the flame. My patience is running out. I'm sure, if he pulls any unexplainable behavior and making fun of me, I'm going to push him down the bench. I have advantages since he's smaller than me, it'll be easy. I swear, I'm not rude or harsh but this boy keeps disturbing me and I won't stay still. I press my lips at the thought and slowly turn my head towards his side, my last pieces of endurance and kindness.
"Yes?" I ask between my gritted teeth.
Rather than answering, he just smiles. Now I'm convinced he's a creep. I want to leave the place, but he taps my shoulder making me face him again, hands-on guards ready to knock him down. To my surprise, he unwraps the chocolate and takes a bite, munching, and swallowing it.
"It's not poisoned," he exclaims, showing me his dimple, that I just notice exist.
It's then soon hit me that, he knows. He knows what I'm thinking back then, that's why he laughs. Gosh, I must look so tense and awkward. Seeing this in a different view, I'm that shy, unsocialized girl who just lost in a park and he's the boy in shining armor who wants to help and gives me candy to console me. And I'm here being overthinking that the food is poisonous. He must have seen through me. Good, I've embarrassed myself twice. Why did I even think there's a black organization or what? Where is it even comes from?
Did I just watch too much Conan? Ah, reminded about Conan-kun, this boy here resembles him a bit only without glasses and stupider. Considering that I have a huge crush towards Conan-kun, and this boy here looking quite similar, it'll be a shame if I treated this boy coldly. Maybe he's not a bad person after all. And no, I don't judge him and change my mind just because I suddenly realized he looks cute and a little, just a little bit handsome, no definitely not. Pfft~ it just he looks sincere.
"Let's befriend. My name is Son Chaeyoung. You can call me Chaeng" Again he smiles widely at me, placing the chocolate bar inside my palm.
I sigh and shakes my head. I should stop exaggerating things. Maybe it's because I'm too afraid and tension to the fact that I lost my way. I smile at him and offer a handshake which he accepts "Hi Chaeng, I'm Myoui Mina and sorry for earlier" I mumbled. Still ashamed. He gives me a brief nod then scoots closer.
We talk, and I tell him about me. My family moved here, to Korea a year ago due to my father's business. So, to say that I'm still not familiar with the streets is an understatement. I'd just enrolled in primary school here, the age system is quite different, hence I'm a year older than my age in Japan. Yes, I'm a proud Japanese. As a typical new student, it was hard to open myself and make friends in a short amount of time plus my reserved personality is not helping. Different than my sisters who easily socialize, I likely isolate myself. I'm still not used to the language and it thickens the barrier. I can understand but not really fluent in speaking. Perfectly honest, I want to go back to my hometown, where's my childhood friends were. No matter how good this place is, home is different.
Set that aside for now, how did I actually end up here, crying on the bench? So, my family went to the shopping mall and intended to have some quality time because my parents are usually occupied with works. When my father is on the job, we have our mother give us hugs and kisses and it goes for the other way around. We rarely have them both at the same time at home. It's Sunday, and they had free time which is quite a surprise. Me, as the youngest in the family tree, was super excited since dad promised to bring me to the arcade. When we walked past the park, I caught sight of iridescent glow of the butterfly wings. Swimming in the air. She was beautiful.
I chased after the butterfly following her as she flies to the direction guided by the sweet smells of the blooms. I was too mesmerized by her beauty, wanting to reach for her. She soon stopped and perched on the wildflower drinking deeply of the nectar. I crouched and stared at it, smiling as I turned around to call for my sisters but there was no one behind me. I realized I'm alone and I might just lost. I tried to calm myself and followed my mom's advice which to stay where I was. I sat down on the bench and wait and wait until my hope slowly fades as time passed. And, that is all. Currently, here I am telling my tragic story to this boy who's keen to listen.
"Hmm, I come with my father. I'll ask him to help you" He says before standing up and run away. I watch as his tiny legs support his quickstep then disappear from my sight.
He doesn't even let me speak. I don't want him to go and leave me here alone. Funny how I need his 'uninvited presence' now. I sigh and look down at my feet, waiting for him or anyone to find me. I start to imagine what if he doesn't come back and my parents don't found me, I'll stay up here until night and those beasty animal, ghost, will crawl and slowly eat m----
"Mina"
Eh? I look up, and there he is smiling at me. That's fast, I thought. Beside him is a man holding his small hand, wearing a casual black t-shirt and brown pants. Perhaps, it's his father. I watch as Chaengie pulls the man's hand and gesture at me. The man peeks at me and nods before he releases Chaengie's tiny hand and walks towards me. He crouches down in front, elbows on his knees "Chae said you need help. Are you lost, cherry?"
Cherry? Do I looks like che-- I shut my mouth straight and facepalms internally. I glance down to my dress, my white cherry floral printed dress. This man is the definition of a simple man. I have no doubt he is Chaengie's father. I let out a chuckle, gaining me their confusion looks. I brush it off and nods as my answer to his question earlier. The man smiles at me and offers a hand. "Come, I'll take you to the park center. And I'm not a bad person" he assured. He has the same ability as Chaengie, able to read through me. I did consider to turn down the idea since I should oblige to my mom's words, but who am I kidding? I'd break the rule by making friends with Changie who is a stranger to me a few minutes ago. And now he's no longer a stranger.
I nod and take his hand. He smiles at me and grips Changie hand's on the other side.  We walk together down the grassy field until the man abruptly stops his step causing me to bump over his hip bone. He looks down at me, giving me apologetic smiles and ruffle my hair as a form of sorry, I guess. He averts his gaze to the front where two boys are playing football. "Hyun, Tzu come." He called. The boys stop and run towards us. I on instinct slowly hide behind. I've met too many new people in a day, and it's quite overwhelming to handle.
I heard them talking to each other while I try to peeps, glancing at the two boys. Honestly, they look like the sun and moon. The first one has light orange hair, unbelievably white and wears a huge grin on his face as if he's glowing to the fullest. The second one is a bit taller, has a black pitch hair and wears a straight face, his aura screams cold and dark but somehow comforting as the night did to us. Together, they make a perfect combination. Listening to their conversation, I learn that these two boys are Chaengie's brothers. If the sun and the moon are his brothers, what that makes him? I can feel that Changie is in between. He is both light and dark. Twilight. Yes, that's him.
"Cherry, this in Dahyun, Chae's older brother and this is Tzuyu, the youngest," The man says, gently pull me to the front.
He must be serious with the cherry, I thought. I glare at Chaengie's father which he only response by a chuckle, then I avert my eyes to the boys. I smile awkwardly and introduced myself, "Hi, my name Japan, eh? Mina! My name is Myoui Mina" As soon as I said that, I regretted it. What's with the stutter? Why can't I say something cooler instead?! I sound like a wrecked robot. The boys stare at me than to their father and nod in chorus. Probably getting the answer as to why their father called me cherry instead of my name.
"Now, let's go to the park center. We need to help cherry finds her parents" The man says. I vowed that this will be the last time I'll wear this dress.
We arrived at the destination which only takes us maybe ten steps away from where we stand. I'd told my name to the receptionist unnie behind the counter and she made a public announcement using the small microphone on her desk, describing my outfit. A girl in cherry clothing. I want to burn this dress. My hair is in a single ponytail, and I'm wearing penguin shoes, she can label that one instead. I sigh and walk to the plastic chair connected to the wall. Climbing it and sits down waiting for my parents.
I eat the chocolate that Chaengie gives earlier while swinging my feet. Suddenly It's raining, I glance to the glass panel and watch as the droplets of water hitting the surface. The sky goes dark even at two in the evening and so does the temperature gets colder. I rub one hand against my forearms while silently praying there will be no thunder. I drop my eyes to the tiled floor, feeling my own heartbeat quicken as I grip the chair to stop myself from shaking. I'm about to cry, I know. I already have the heavy feeling, fear and nervous, tears are the final release. Please, please, no thun---
That's when a bolt of white lightning flashed in the grey sky, blinding me. And I know exactly what comes next, but never prepared for it. In one, two, three seconds, the loud boom of the thunder strikes. I flinch and shriek in surprise, slammed my eyes shut as tears finally fall down. Sobbing, I clutch the chocolate tightly. Soon, I feel someone by my side. I peek beside me and learn to knows that Chaeng is hugging me, wraps me with his jacket and puts my head on his shoulder.
"Are you afraid of thunder?" He asks
"Eung"
"Haha I'm here don't worry"
It's comforting, if I were to be truthful. I always have my sisters beside me, to console and accompany whenever it's raining. If everyone has their own fear, mine is thunder. But now, with my sisters' absence, I thought I'll be a crying mess but Chaengie's here making me feels homey. Maybe it's because he's small, he's very cuddly. Perhaps, I just need someone, someone to stay, to tell me everything will be fine. At this moment, that someone is this tiny bean next to me.
He brings my head to lay on his shoulder. Then we fall asleep like that. With his head on top of mine. And holding hands because it just too cold here.
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I wake up first because of voices, people murmuring and blinking lights. I'm shaking when I see my family all in front of me and my sisters are taking pictures and laughing at me, at us. I jump from my seat causing Chaengie to accidentally bumps his head on the wall, whining in pain.
"Owwww. So sweeeet~" I heard sana's unnie voice, mocking me. I groan silently, deciding to ignore Chaengie for now as I'm filled with anger. My eye narrowed to them. I stomped my feet while crossing my arms, heading towards my unnies.
"What are you talking about. You leave me remember!?" I yell. To me, it's yelling but to them, it's just a normal pitch voice of a small kid. Sometimes, I don't like my soft and hushed tone. Sana unnie looks at me boringly, raising a brow. Momo unnie who is holding a camera, fingers on the shutter button, unconsciously presses it making a white flash flickered on my face. I turn my baleful glare at her. She smiles nervously and hides behind Sana unnie. I rarely mad, but when I do my rationality replaced by the only rage. Mom suddenly jumps in, bending in front of me while I tilt my head. Mom caresses my hair then pinch my cheeks rather painfully earning a whine from me.
"Sweetie, you suddenly disappear. Where are you going? We've been searching for you for hours. Thank god we have gentlemen here helping us and that little superhero" My mom says and points at Chaeyoung while giggling at the last words.
Ah.. right...
It's me who got lost. I watch as Sana unnie peek from behind, giving me an unamused face. Now I recall everything it's my fault. I slowly drop my head, fidgeting with my finger. "I-I'm chasing a butterfly and got lost. I'm sorry mom, dad, Sana-unnie, Momo-unnie" When I lift my head, I'm met by a tight hug from Sana unnie while Momo unnie is trying to fit herself in between the hug. I chuckle and give space for her to join us. Then, there it is, the inseparable trio.
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After that, we go to a restaurant nearby. The room is huge and only a circle dining table inside, with a couch at the far left of the wall. I guess it must be a private dining room. I sit beside my dad and eat quietly while unnies seem to get along with Hyun and Tzuyu. Soon, it's desserts time, and I couldn't hide my excitement, eyeing the waiter as he walks to us with a tray on his hand. It's a hot fudge double chocolate ice cream with a strawberry on top. I'm glad it's not another cherry. I scoop the ice cream and eat happily while unnies, Hyun and Tzu are nowhere to be seen, probably playing hide and seek.
Mom keeps initiating conversation with Chaeng's father, sometimes they laugh at something I don't understand. Old people jokes, how would I know? I'm more puzzled by dad. I know he has always been a tight-lipped person same as me, but now he's unusually very quite. He doesn't even look up, only staring down at his food. I examine Chaengie's father who sits across the table. For some reason, he looks stiff. His laugh seems forced. Sometimes I caught him cautiously glancing at dad as if he's anxious and don't know what to do. Mom doesn't seem to notice this though as she keeps talking. Ahh, whatever, maybe it's just me being overthinking again. It could be nothing.
I shrug and look over Changie who concentrates on drawing something using crayons, not minding his dessert while mine is already empty. "Psst" I hiss, calling for him. He lifts his head and gives me a questioning face. I laugh awkwardly and looks down at his ice cream. "If you don't want it, mind if I...." I trail off. He smiles and nods at me.
"You can have it," he says before diverting his attention back to his drawing.
I happily jump down from the chair and walks around the table until I reach the empty seat next to him that once occupied by Tzuyu. I climb up and sits, sliding the glass bowl closer to me. I take the first scoop and bring it closer to his lips. He looks at me while I gesture him to open his mouth, not really having space to escape, he gives me a defeated look before eating it. I smile and feed myself then lean to his side, staring at his drawing. "What's that?" I asked. It's a mixture of random colors on a piece of paper but somehow harmonious. The bright, deep and earthy along with the cool, dark and warm.
"I don't know" He replies in a whisper.
I feel my own brows furrowed "You don't know what you're drawing? That's weird"
"I just do it" he shrugs.
I nod while pushing my lower lips. Sooo, I guess he's an artist. Since I don't understand what he's drawing, I'll try to understand him then. It wouldn't be that hard. He had helped me twice before and he looks approachable and kind. This will be my first time to be the one who initiates something, but I do really want to be his friend. I think he's cool.
"Hey, wanna play?" He asks, smiling at me as he packs his crayon and drawing, arrange it neatly inside his backpack. He then takes out square colorful sheets. Origami? I watch as he folds two papers into a different boat "So, what do you say?"
"Umm okay"
"Come on," He says as he pulls my hands out from the restaurant, taking the paper boat with him. I glance backward, worriedly watching my parents as we go further. I'd lost once, I don't want to be lost the second time again. I bring my eyes back to Chaengie as she drags me outside.
"Don't worry. We won't go far enough"
I heard him says, he really can read me huh? Just like what he has mentioned, we only stay a few meters away from the restaurants. He stops walking when he found a big puddle on the street. "Here, for you." He gives me one and put his boat in the puddle, formed after the rain. I smile at him who is excitedly looking at the boat floating and move as he blows it. He's still a kid but somehow mature. That's what I thought.
"How old are you Chaeng?" I crouch down beside him and slowly put my boat in the small pool of water.
"Huh? Oh, I'm 7 years old. You?" He asks, still eyeing his boat.
I smile "Call me noona I'm 2 years older than you" I always wanted a younger brother. Since I am the youngest in my family and I only have sisters, I want to have someone to look up to me and be my sports buddy. Unnies are not interested in games, so I always played alone. Wouldn't it great to have a rival to play games with on the Xbox and PS2.
"Hmm alright, Mina" He states as if what he just says is nothing.
"Noona!?" I defend, putting pressure on my voice to make me looks superior and scary, but ended up sounding like a depressed dolphin.
He turns to me and smiles cheekily "MI--NA~" he sings, pressing each syllable.
I sigh. It's useless to act tough and senior when I really am not. It just makes me look silly. I pout and use my usual voice "Chaengie you have to call me noona." He chuckles and stands while I follow his movement. His hands-on his back while he tilts his head as if he's thinking. When it seems like he finally gets the answer he's looking for, he grins and turns to me.
"Minariiiii" He yells and laughs while running away, pass by me and straight towards the restaurant. I puff my cheeks in annoyance before chasing after him. What a rude bean.
*  *  *  *
Over hours, days, months and years. I and Chaeyoungie have become a very good friend even better, a family as we treat each other like brothers and sisters. Now, with me in 6th grade, we usually meet at the park playing random things, after school or on weekends. Sana-unnie, Momo-unnie, Hyun, and Tzuyu also join us sometimes. But today, there's only two of us. Momo-unnie has a dance class, Sana-unnie is attending her friend's birthday, Hyun with his piano lesson, while Tzuyu is grounded for a week because he punched a kid in the school. I don't blame Tzuyu though, that rude kid mocked Chaengie for his small figure and timid personality. If Tzuyu was late for another second, I would be the one who had done it.
I'm sitting on a bench. The exact bench where I cried when I lost in the park. Thinking of it now, it's verrry funny and embarrassing. 'Till now, Chaeng always teases me for it. I'm here alone cause he's buying ice cream for us and tells me to wait for him here since he won't take long.  Bored, I decided to ride my bike around the park while waiting.
I want to explore the place deeper and suppose that it wouldn't hurt to go a little bit further. I follow the path through some trees until it came out along a hidden ledge near the cliff. I'm surprised to know that this place exists all the time yet I never been here. Feeling the wind blowing through my hair, I briefly close my eyes and breath in. It's satisfyingly refreshing. Not until I realize I'm going straight to the edge that's exposed, without any sort of fence or sign to alert people to the danger.
After that, there is nothing that could stop me. I'm so shock and have no idea what is happening. Slipping, then tumbling for what feels like forever, hitting trees and branches along the way. Before I know it I'm hurtling over grass, earth, and rock until the cliff slope became even steeper and I fell farther. A little later I reach the bottom, hitting my head on a small rock.
I cry in pain as I see my knees and elbow bleeding hard even my temple leaking the red liquid. It stings too much and I can't move when my whole-body ache. I'm so dizzy as if I just throw myself into a washing machine and now everything is moving in slow motion and blurry.
Gaining my energy, I push myself to sits and look up to the edge of the cliff, yelling for help. I sob harder when no one hears my scream. It's been more than half an hour already. Why there's no one passing by and I'm tired of shouting for help. My voice has weakened and become hoarse, I need water so bad. I almost give up until I heard a familiar voice calling my name.
"Mina!"
"Where are you?!"
"Minarii!!"
Chaengie. But I'd lost my voice, no sound coming out from my small mouth no matter how hard I tried to. Soon, I see him standing on the edge of the cliff, but he can't seem to notice me. I shout harder but it's useless. He walks away and disappears from my sight. I look down in despair. Why is this need to happen to me? I ask myself and cry as fear took over me.
"YAH MYOUI MINA!"
I jolt and lookup seeing Chaengie struggle to get down by sliding himself and safely arrive. I sigh in relief. Nothing could describe how happy I am at this moment which causing me to cry more due to happiness. I thought I'll be stranded here until night, eaten by predators and the next day there'll be breaking news about a tragic accident of a girl found dead in the bottom of a cliff.
"Hey, are you hurt?" Chaengie asks while kneeling in front of me. He pulls the bike off my body. I can't feel my leg anymore. It's numb. "Geez you're bleeding," he says before he takes his handkerchief. He covers my elbow with it and takes off his shirt for my knee. I stare at my injury while wincing. It stings sooooo much, I involuntary cry again.
"Hey, don't look at your wounds only look at me, so it won't hurt."
I obey and only stare at him ignoring the pain. He looks like an older brother despite being younger than me. I agree if he doesn't call me noona. Now I'm observing his face. Changie is really a good-looking boy. I hope he grows up and looks like Gong Yoo Oppa.
"Better?" He asks.
"Eung," I say, nodding while wiping the sweat forming on his temple with my thumb.
"This will never happen if you listen to me" He declares in a very cold tone. I know he's mad at me. I admit it's entirely my fault, if only I listen to him and stayed at the bench, we won't be in this position. But it's not like I want to fall from this cliff. Besides, he just comes here to save me, couldn't he console me first before nagging. I'm a mess now.
I watch him as he sighs heavily while staring at me. He scoots closer then hugs me. "Don't cry. It doesn't suit you. Shhh, It's okay. It will be fine" he hushed. Me, of course, reply to his hug. I need it so much.
Soon, he pulls away and fix my messy bang, brushing the strands of hair from covering my face "First, we must get out of here, and brings you to the hospital kay?"
I nod slowly. He smiles and stands, tilting his head upwards as he starts to scream for help. I tell him it's useless. No one will hear us.
"But there's nothing wrong in trying right? Better than do nothing. It's impossible for us to climb not to mention you're hurt" He says and continues shouting for help. But as I predicted, it just comes to no avail. He finally accepts my words and tries to climb the cliff instead, but it's too steep making it hard for him to balance himself plus the bumpy and sharp rock is not helping. He doesn't give up easily as it's our only escape but he keeps failing and getting tired as time passes.
A few hours waiting and trying. The darkness revives us. It's getting cold and I can hear crickets all the way. I see him shivering while his lip has turn purple, blowing on his hand to keep it warm. I quickly hug him, feeling guilty that we're in this situation is all because of me. I want to give him, his shirt back but he refuses and keeps convincing me his fine although his body reacts differently. He's freezing.
"M-mina le-t's try a-again" He shutters
"Alright"
This time he really pushes himself with all the energy he has left. I try to cope up with him despite the pain I feel, and my body becomes weaker and weaker. He holds my hand tightly while struggling to climb. Gripping the tree branches for support, he knows which path and where to step as he already familiarizes with the cliff. After those failed attempts, his body bleeds more and more and scratch badly because of the rock and branches that keep hitting him. I feel so bad and guilty. Although, my vision is getting blurry and dark dots are everywhere, I force myself to stay awake and follow his step.
Finally, we succeed. I smile faintly in relief. He takes a deep breath and leaves a huge sigh. He smiles at me and that is the last thing I see before everything turns black.