The Transmutation
Destiny Calls
"While seeing them fight for their lives, why do I feel the pain of their wounds?"
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Anonymous
Please, do not worry about us, you should protect yourselves first!
Anonymous
Yes! We will manage ourselves!
Anonymous
Just follow us and speak nothing!
Anonymous
I can never risk your lives like that!
The smog that smelled of blood and gunpowder, parted into several pieces as the four of them ran through desperately. The grainy soil was moistened with blood everywhere and made a rough scratch sound when they stepped on it. Sounds were not that audible, what sounded prominent was their heavy breathing and fear filled voices that spoke sporadically.
Two men, who had an apparently matured figure, one a bit more muscular than the other, clasped the hands of the other two, who appeared comparatively younger than them, as they pulled them to wherever they were headed to. Their faces were not properly visible due to the smog, but they were scared to their lives and that was understandable.
Anonymous
Where do we go?!
Anonymous
What? Are you sure?
Anonymous
More than anything. That's the only place where they can be secured, nobody knows about that.
Everything appeared blurry but those two matured yet fear filled voices echoed everywhere. Their grip around those young ones' hands grew tighter than before as they proceeded towards their decided destination. The little stampede that they created rung like the vibrated membrane in ears.
Slowly, the background started to become a little clear, and it couldn't be less scary.
The sky was rusted brown, covered with dark gray clouds. There were wounded people lying around, their clothes drenched in blood. Some were running for their lives, trying to escape what looked like a living hell. Their cries of pain and fear pierced like slitting of throat.
There were soldiers, of course, and that was when it looked like a scene from a war. Some soldiers wore khaki uniforms with a helmet while some soldiers, who were comparatively taller and bigger were dressed in coal-black uniform. The black soldiers seemed to be more aggressive than the khaki ones as they slaughtered the latter mercilessly.
Suddenly, everything became blank. After a couple of seconds, things were again visible.
Among those four boys, one who sounded the youngest, scooted over to let the other man sit beside him, while he clenched his hands tightly. Their faces were still not properly visible.
Anonymous
Brother, I'm scared.
He was instantly pulled into a hug, provided by the one he called "brother". The older tightly held his head and kissed on his hairs roughly. He leaned his head over him while he held his younger brother on his chest.
Anonymous
We won't die, right? Brother, you promised to be with us forever.
Anonymous
Everything will be alright.
The next duo appeared a little matured, but they were equally scared. The younger leaned his head on the older's shoulder and sounds of silent weeps are unusually audible, other sounds being silent.
Anonymous
Don't worry, I trust you.
A hand gently holding another, evermore softly but having a strong grip was seen. The veins in both of their hands were prominent, which expressed how hardly they held their hands. Might be of the two older men, when one whispered those words to another.
They were in a place of what looked like a basement, but everything was made of wood, wooden floors, walls and even the ceiling. The space was really less, for which they had to sit facing each other to adjust. There was only a small window, nearly three feet wide, a few feet above their head which allowed the light to enter.
The room was darkened otherwise, dust particles and smoke entering continuously. But that didn't bother them. The younger ones deep pressed their eyes into their sockets, tears would glide on their cheek skin. The olders pretended to be stronger but let few tears pass too.
Everything was silent for some time. After few seconds, a faint sound of stampede could be heard. That slowly acquired a higher volume, it became louder as seconds passed by. Gradually the volume increased so much that the human ears might not be able to take it anymore.
Park Seonghwa
-Felix? You okay?
Lee Dabin
Oh my baby, what happened? Are you alright?
Felix, who was almost sitting at the edge of his seat, took a couple of minutes to realize that he wasn't in any kind of war, rather he was peacefully sitting inside his Mercedes. However, his mind created a numbing pressure which spread from his forehead to his shoulder region. For a reason, he was unable to move as he fixed his eyes below, trying to collect what he had just witnessed in his dream.
Dabin, his mother, grabbed Felix by his arms and shoulder and tried to shake him to bring him into consciousness. She was scared but not surprised, that wasn't the first time she saw something like that. Seonghwa, his stepdad, had his eyes on Felix through the back mirror since he was driving. He stared at Felix with anxiety and nervousness. Nonetheless, he drove evermore smoothly.
Park Seonghwa
Hey buddy... are you okay? Answer me.
Lee Felix
Huh? Y-yeah I'm f-fine...
Finally, Felix had his full consciousness back after he heard Seonghwa's loud voice. He leaned back on Dabin's arms behind his neck.
For some reasons, Felix would always come back to reality whenever Seonghwa would call him. A deep and echoing voice, that's how he would describe but the voice had a hidden authority and dominance, Felix never noticed that.
Lee Dabin
What was it this time?
Seonghwa's eyes flickered with a tint of rage at that question as he stared at Felix from the mirror.
Lee Felix
Nothing much, mom. The same old thing, some men running from something... and this time they hid somewhere... they were scared and all...
Lee Dabin
Okay... relax. Don't pressurize yourself. Just close your eyes and lay down for a bit-
Lee Felix
-no mom, if I close my eyes, they'll come again!
Felix became restless when his mom asked him to close his eyes.
Lee Dabin
Fine... fine... don't close your eyes, just look outside... see? Such beautiful view out there...
Felix calmed down a little after he leaned on his mother's shoulder and tried to look outside through the window. Dabin, while caressing her son's shoulders looked at Seonghwa. He blinked assuredly and gave a little smile, but he never moved his eyes off of Felix.
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Lee Dabin
Are you sure you don't want me to come along? Think it again, you still have time.
Lee Felix
Mom, I'm eighteen now! I can take care of myself!
Lee Dabin
Oh, really? What do you know about cooking an omelette?
Lee Felix
I-
-mom! I will learn!
Lee Dabin
Do you even know what timer to set for your delicate clothes?
In the Melbourne International Airport, when everybody was busy in attending their flights and booking cabs to travel, the Lee family was in the middle of another regular bicker.
Felix being helpless, sided with Seonghwa, who laughed casually on seeing the mom-son bicker. He side-hugged Felix whereas Dabin just rolled her eyes.
Park Seonghwa
Honey, calm down, he's telling that he'll be able to take care of himself, right? Just trust him, will you? Our Felix is all grown up now, isn't he?
Lee Dabin
Which grown up man can't answer such basics?
Park Seonghwa
Oh- even I don't know how to clean my desk, it's you who does it. But I believe he will learn everything. He has a better brain than both of us!
Lee Dabin
Yeah... that's right though. Not everyone gets the admission to Korea University.
Although she refused to believe that her son could be able to live on his own, she was extremely proud of him for being so qualified. She faked her annoyance while fixing Felix's white shirt's collar.
Lee Felix
Mom, you bet on it, I'll prove you wrong that I'm not a real man in this world.
Lee Dabin
Did you hear what your son just say?
She slowly looked at Seonghwa with fierce but sarcastic eyes, making the man hesitant.
Lee Dabin
-I swear if you guys don't stop watching too much stupid action movies, my head is going to burst with such silly promises.
Park Seonghwa
So what? You never know what our son can become in the future, don't underestimate him.
Seonghwa was filled with immense pride that he often liked to show to people. He deeply believed that Felix was someone who could turn things called "impossible" to "just a piece of cake".
Lee Dabin
My love, he is going to the Korea University to study business administration, that's it.
She pronounced each word with utmost clearance and power, creating a strong aura around. Obviously that was taken as a humor by Felix but Seonghwa surely felt weak.
Park Seonghwa
Fine, fine... as if he'll be the next Tom Cruise.
Lee Felix
Okay... guys... I think it's time for my flight and I don't want to be late on my first day!
Felix bounced on his toes and became restless as he checked his watch several times. The ambience suddenly dropped because Dabin and Seonghwa, both realized that... it was time... to let go of their baby.
Dabin stepped closer only to look at her son's face, with moistened heart eyes. She caressed his face which calmed Felix down.
Lee Dabin
You're grown up, huh? Take care of yourself, baby. I'm not going to be there with you, but I trust you more than anything.
Lee Felix
Yes, I will momma... don't cry what the-
He hugged his mom the moment he saw tears trying to escape her eyes. He patted her head, trying to assure her that her decision was never wrong. Dabin held on to his shirt, not wanting to let him go.
Felix looked at Seonghwa, who had little emotion on his face. He knew his dad, he wasn't going to show his weakness like his mom.
Lee Felix
Dad... I'll miss you too.
Park Seonghwa
Wait... I didn't even say-
Before he could complete his sentence, Felix had already stretched his arm, calling Seonghwa to join in the group hug. He exhaled a deep breath and hugged Felix tightly.
That was it, that was something Felix would die to get. He had always loved hugs, especially when he had group hugs like that. It was like warm feathers trying to protect him from the cold world outside. A shield that he could trust upon. He suddenly felt a hollow in his chest... what was he going to do without them in South Korea?
Lee Dabin
Okay... enough of all this cries. Felix, I know you'll ace your studies. Just be calm, okay? And you know baby, we are always there for you.
Lee Felix
Yeah, mom... I love you.
Dabin was a strong woman. If she had the power and strength to gather herself and move on from her husband's sudden unnatural death, she can face anything in this world, that's what she said to herself at that moment.
She had never been happier than the second Felix had accepted Seonghwa, a man who built her back with her broken pieces, as his father. Every time they played football together, went to fishing and buying antiques from pawn shops or went to shopping just for themselves, Dabin never wanted to interfere between them. It was like a treat to her eyes, antibiotic fighting against the toxic bacteria in her.
She rubbed off her tears while Felix grabbed his luggage and bid farewell to them.
Lee Felix
Bye guys, I'll call you when I reach!
Seonghwa called him back with such deep voice that both Dabin and Felix looked at him with concerned eyes. Dabin again had her heart eyes at Seonghwa who walked to Felix, creating a distance from her.
Felix had a big smile on his face. Seonghwa was his best friend before he became his father. Although he refused to accept him during early times but sooner, he realized that Seonghwa was the only one who could hug him even before he cried, the one who would joke about the people who would bully him instead of getting angry, giving him enough confidence, who would understand his heart just like a same-aged fellow. He found his comfort zone in him. He admired him with whole heart, he loved him, to such a level that he would pick him over his mother.
Park Seonghwa
I need you to listen to what I say... very carefully.
Seonghwa was dead serious and Felix felt nervous. It was a rare scene to watch him be so serious with Felix.
But what Felix refused to notice were Seonghwa's blazing golden pupils. They were fierce, trying to penetrate though one's soul. As if, they could end someone's life if they wanted to. And the most strange thing, Seonghwa never had golden eyes.
Park Seonghwa
Going to South Korea, being in the Korea University is your destiny, Felix. You are definitely made to be there, it was decided long back. So, don't even try escaping from there because your life depends on it.
Park Seonghwa
There will be times when you'd feel like to run away because things will actually choke you, but you have to stay there. At any cost.
Park Seonghwa
There's no way out once you enter there. Because that's your call, that's where you were written to be.
Park Seonghwa
Do you get me... Lee Felix?
All the time Seonghwa had grabbed Felix by his shoulders and the latter didn't realize how strong and tight the grip was. Because he couldn't sense anything else other than the deep and hypnotizing voice of his stepdad.
He could only listen to his voice, the world became inaudible to him. Seonghwa wasn't in the state he would normally be in. He was dead determined to make Felix stay in the university no matter what.
Both of them stared at each other for a long time and that bothered Dabin. She was concerned for the first time.
Seonghwa's iris glowed in the sunlight, dominating the light brown pupils of Felix.
Suddenly, there was an announcement made of some flight to arrive in the airport and requested the respective passengers to be ready for the flight.
That was what awakened Felix from a different dimension that he was lost in. He stumbled but Seonghwa still had his grip on him.
Lee Felix
Uh... I... I need to go... dad...
Park Seonghwa
I'll miss you so much.
Seonghwa had normal chestnut brown eyes, filled with emotion which made Felix weak. He hugged him for the last time.
Seonghwa hugged him back, he looked at his fingers brushing Felix's hairs so delicately. But his lips formed a slight smirk.
Lee Felix
I'll call you...
That was the last sentence, the last memory he would be taking with him to South Korea.
Dabin waved from afar while Seonghwa just smiled. Felix didn't look back anymore, for he knew he wouldn't be able to hold it anymore if he did.
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