Lost in the Night: Distance Buried from Within

Jaiden walked through the rainy night, each step bearing the weight of sadness in his eyes. Every drop of rain, like his wounds and bruises, carried the storm within him as he made his way home.

As he approached the door, a slap greeted him. He saw the cold stares of his two brothers and the hurt look on his mom’s face.

He flinched, hurt by the sudden action. Holding his right cheek, she shouted at him, her eyes filled with tears and rage, demanding to know where his sister was.

He was confused, but still, he answered while stuttering.

"W-we encountered a thug, b-but I told her to run and ask for help, but she didn't come back. I-I thought she went home."

"You thought?!" she yelled. "It’s your fault she's missing in the first place! Why didn’t you search for her instead of going home?"

He was hurt, but he stayed silent. His eyes betrayed a hint of defeat and tears.

His mom saw the tears in his eyes. She calmed down and took in the state of her son.

She stopped shouting, feeling guilty, but pushed the thought aside and spoke with slight anger.

"I told you to never approach her. She's always in danger when she's with you."

His mom turned her back on him. Coincidentally, her phone rang, informing her that they had found her daughter, which put her mind at ease.

After a minute, she spoke.

"From now on, you're going to transfer schools. You're not allowed to approach her or talk to her."

After saying those words, his mom exited the house, on her way to his sister.

At the end of the chaos, he found eyes staring at him with pity and hatred.

As he looked up to meet theirs, they scattered and ignored him, as if nothing had happened.

The pain, humiliation, and misunderstanding grew and grew until no words could form.

Dislike and hatred were visible in his family's eyes, and the bond they once had was breaking and disappearing into the cold, empty air.

How could he tell them that he didn’t try to approach his sister and put her in danger?

How could he explain his side when they weren’t trying to understand him?

How could he find the courage to say those words when the same blood flows through their veins, yet he felt so distant?

Years went by like that, with no one to call or lean on.

Instead of voicing those words on the tip of his tongue, he chose to bury them in a deep void, where no one could hear or see.

He found his way into the attic, a place of solitude yet comfort. No family left to share a moment with, and no uncomfortable stares to suffocate the room.

He chose to distance himself from them because he knew his family had begun to consider kicking him out of the Gunderson family.

He slept in a dark and empty room, the cold wind drying his tears and brushing against his skin. He was too tired, yet his mind was occupied by the loud screams of his thoughts, keeping him awake as always until midnight.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***