Chapter 3: New Home
"So kid, what's your name?"
After an awkward silence I was unsure how to answer. If this is a new chapter to my life I'd rather not be known as that name. But…'
That was then the man answered for me, seemingly misunderstanding my silence.
"Don't have a name huh. How about… Ray."
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DAE''S POV
"Don't have a name huh. How about…"
'Seems this boy doesn't want to be associated with his previous name. How about I think of one for him?'
Thinking about it, if I were to start anew, a fresh start…
"Ray."
It was a name that just came naturally.
"How does that sound? My name is Dae, while yours is Ray. We would be like the morning sun introducing a new day."
I inwardly cringed at my terrible joke but Ray seemed to enjoy it as he let out a small giggle. The first sign of real emotion behind that cold wall.
"Today's the start of change."
'For the both of us.'
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RAY'S POV
A short bit later the man named Dae left saying how he would be back with the necessary paperwork for me to be discharged and placed under his care. Watching him leave I was a mix of emotions but not the ones I'm used to.
'He left. But why does it feel so comforting?'
It was weird. I was used to people leaving me. Usually I would feel disappointed or ignore it. But something about this time was different. I knew he would come back. Looking at his back, I knew. It was someone I could trust. I smiled thinking this.
Speaking of backs… those feathers? What were they?
Looking at my back once again I could feel something akin to a force pushing against my back from the inside. I hadn't noticed this before as I was too preoccupied by the doctor asking me questions and my emotional state talking to Dae. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable. I was thinking of relieving the pressure when all of a sudden the wings magically appeared. Well… more precisely they unfolded from my back itself.
It was mystical and kinda beautiful as my skin practically morphed into these wings. It was something you would only see in those superhero movies like Hulk. Or a monster like a werewolf…
That dampened my mood real quick.
I didn't want to be seen as a monster or freak again. I wanted to be normal. I decided at that moment that I would never show these wings to anyone. Not even Dae. I didn't want my only hope to see me as more of a monster than I already appear.
With that promise in my heart I wished for the wings to disappear and as magically as they appeared, they folded and dissolved back into me. I was hit with the uncomfortable feeling again but I endured being uncomfortable for the past 16 years. If I could get a chance at a normal life I would happily sacrifice a bit of discomfort.
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A bit of time later I was with Dae in a wheelchair as he wheeled me out of my hospital room. Before leaving he gave his unconscious son a kiss on the forehead with a deep, solemn expression. I paid it little attention but something within me couldn't help but feel a little angered, if not envious.
I suppressed these thoughts as I knew it was only natural for him to still feel saddened by his son's unfortunate circumstances. But still… I couldn't help but feel that maybe I'm just a replacement child. Seemingly sensing my apprehension, Dae stopped suddenly and went around the wheelchair and kneeled down till we were eye-level. I was startled by this and as I was still in a state of shock and confusion he said to me,
"You are my son Ray Moira. I don't want you feeling as though you are a replacement. Even if you don't see me as a father or even you parent, know that I will love you as if I was. So feel free to talk to me as comfortably as you like and as a father I will listen."
Relief.
Joy.
Expectation.
I was feeling a rush of emotions. I don't know why but this man who I had known for less than a few hours had torn down the walls of my heart and soul and opened them to a new, brighter light.
The whole moment, those words, he may have not realized this but everything he said, everything he did, it healed me.
The fact he looked into my eyes with care as if I was a real person. It broke me. My eyes… which I had cursed since birth… someone was looking directly at them. And their expression wasn't that of disgust, fear, or pity but of care and compassion as if my eyes weren't of concern. Like they were… normal.
I don't know when but my face was moist. I reached up to feel tears that kept flowing. I hadn't even made a sound while letting the small streams trickle down my cheeks and into my hands as I wiped them away. I was still in a daze wiping my silent tears as he suddenly hugged me, before he stood from his kneeling position, and wheeled me out of the hospital into the street.
Even through my blurry eyes, I could tell.
The outside never looked brighter.
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DAE'S POV
As I was wheeling Ray through the hospital I couldn't help but feel as though he was somewhat sulking ever since we left his hospital room. The silence was killing me and I knew that I couldn't just let him keep sulking forever so I said the words I thought he wanted to hear the most.
The words I would've said if my son ever woke up.
Looking into his deep, bottomless eyes I spoke these words and as I did it seemed something within him broke and tears started flowing. I didn't know what else to do at that moment other than reach out to show him that I was real and I was there for him to confide in.
As I hugged him, I whispered "I love you."
I don't know if he heard me and I don't really know why I had poured my heart out for this kid. No. Not kid, but my son. It was a good feeling.
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We had arrived back at my home. It was a modest apartment. Nothing too special, just a two bedroom apartment with a kitchen and decently sized living room. Not to mention the necessities of a washing machine, bathroom, dining room. For an apartment it was quite cramped with all the stuff in it but me and my son… Isaac managed.
I led Ray to Isaac's room. Bad decision. Looking at the room it was my turn to get all emotional as I could feel tears start to form and my eyes become watery.
"I'll go prepare some food while you get adjusted."
I quickly came up with an excuse before rushing into the kitchen where I crouched under the sink to hide my sobs.
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RAY'S POV
We approached an apartment in a fairly good part of the city (Brooklynn). I never really cared about the differences between the regions of the city but coming from a particularly rough area of The Bronx, the disparity between environments was quite drastic.
Entering the apartment I was greeted to quite a sight. It wasn't small but it was compact. But I didn't mind. I had lived a compact life anyway. If anything I felt more comfortable. If he had been some rich guy I would've been more on guard, but seeing this I couldn't help but think he was being genuine.
'Who would willingly adopt a son when you're clearly not in the financial status to be able to afford it?'
He led me to where my room would be, which was his old son's room. He excused himself by saying he would prepare some food. But I noticed his eyes shining as if on the verge of tears and his hurried pace into the cover of the kitchen. I could hear him sobbing but I understood. Any mention of his son probably brought back painful memories of a hospital bed and unconscious boy.
I wanted to comfort him as he did with me but I thought I should give him some space.
'Not like I could give him any useful words of encouragement.'