Revenge (1)

In the middle of his desperate sprint, Aiden couldn't help but ask himself, "Why am I running?"

A realization hit him hard, and he mumbled to himself, "That's right, it's not the first time I ran away like a coward." Aiden knew he wasn't cut out for bravery; he wasn't used to facing challenges head-on.

As he continued his lonely run through the dark unknown, the heaviness of his own shortcomings weighed him down. The echoes of his past mistakes and insecurities became louder than his footsteps, merging with the oppressive darkness around him.

Unable to contain the flood of emotions, Aiden's tears began to flow. His voice trembled with genuine vulnerability as he confessed, "I am sorry. I don't know what I should do." Each tear seemed to carry the weight of unspoken fears and uncertainties, creating an emotional picture of a young soul grappling with challenges beyond his understanding.

So, Aiden went to a place where he thought he might find answers.

"Grandma, are you here?" he asked, gently pushing open the front door of the old-fashioned house. It was his grandparents' home from his mother's side.

Aiden's mother married his father only for his wealth, hoping to give her future child a better life than she had growing up poor. However, her pursuit of fortune led her to spend less time with Aiden and her own parents. Aiden, in turn, regularly visited his grandparents, knowing that his parents' visits were more about checking in than genuine connection.

His grandmother was a sweet old woman who had suffered an accident that paralyzed her legs.

His grandfather was an old man who unfortunately suffered dementia from old age.

Within the walls of this old-fashioned house, filled with vintage charm and well-preserved relics of the past, Aiden sought refuge. It wasn't a falling-apart structure but rather a haven where the essence of family endured. His grandparents became the pillars of support, the only family he could turn to for guidance and understanding. In those moments, the creaking floorboards and the nostalgic scent of the aged furniture were a comforting embrace, a testament to the enduring bonds that transcended time.

"Aiden, is that you?" called out the old woman upon hearing Aiden's arrival. She shuffled into the room to greet him.

"Huh?" Aiden replied, noticing something peculiar about his grandma.

"Aiden, you finally visited," she exclaimed, rushing toward him and embracing him.

To Aiden's surprise, his grandma now had fully functional legs. Confused by this unexpected change, he decided to postpone his questions and simply hugged his grandma tightly.

Throughout his strict training, Aiden hadn't visited even once, leaving his grandmother longing for his company.

"I am sorry," he expressed, a tinge of regret in his voice.

Aiden settled into the comfortable chair in the cosy living room, the warm glow of the fireplace casting a soft light on the worn but well-loved furniture. His grandpa, perched in his favourite chair, absentmindedly sipped on his drink, lost in contemplation as he peered out of the window.

His observant grandma, her eyes reflecting a lifetime of experiences, caught on to the subtle nuances of Aiden's demeanour. With genuine concern, she inquired, "Aiden, is there something troubling you?"

Aiden, torn between the desire to share his worries and not burden his beloved grandma, hesitated. "It's nothing, Grandma. I just wanted to see you," he finally admitted, a faint smile attempting to mask the shadows in his eyes.

"It's fine, Aiden. You can ask for anything whenever you want," the old woman reassured, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. "Wait, it's not a problem with a girl, right?"

Aiden's eyes welled up with tears as he shook his head. The weight of unspoken troubles seemed to find release in his tears.

"Ahh sigh," sighed the old woman, a mix of understanding and sympathy in her expression. "I understand. No girlfriend this year too." She placed a gentle hand on Aiden's shoulder, offering comfort in the midst of his emotional turmoil.

"The eternal struggle continues," Aiden quipped as tears streamed down his face, the absurdity of the situation dawning on him.

The room then got silent.

"Am I a loser?"

Asked Aiden as he put his head down.

The old woman softened her expression, her anger giving way to compassion. She gently placed a wrinkled hand on Aiden's shoulder and said, "Oh, my dear Aiden, who put such thoughts in your head? You are not a loser. You are a young soul still finding his way in this vast world."

Aiden looked up at his grandmother, his eyes filled with self-doubt. "But Grandma, I keep messing things up. I disappoint everyone, including myself."

The wise woman smiled tenderly, "We all make mistakes, my love. It's a part of being human. You're not defined by your missteps; you're defined by how you rise after falling. And you, my dear, have the strength within you to rise and shine."

Aiden sighed, "But I'm lazy, and I give up too easily. Maybe I'm just not good enough."

The grandmother shook her head, "You are more than good enough, Aiden. You are smart and capable. Laziness and setbacks are not a reflection of your worth. They are challenges to overcome, lessons to learn. You are still growing, still learning, and that's perfectly okay."

Aiden looked deep into his grandmother's eyes, searching for reassurance. "What if I make the wrong choices? What if I disappoint you too?"

The old woman chuckled softly, "Oh, my sweet child, life is a series of choices. Sometimes we make the right ones, and sometimes we don't. But that doesn't make you a loser. It makes you human. I believe in you, and I will always be here for you, no matter what path you choose. Even if you make mistakes, I'll be by your side, helping you navigate through them."

Aiden felt a warmth in his heart, a reassurance that, no matter what, he had someone who believed in him. With a newfound strength, he smiled and hugged his grandmother tightly.

"By the way, grandma, what happened to your legs?" Aiden inquired.

"Finally!" exclaimed the grandma, a smile brightening her face. "I know it looks weird, but a young, handsome man (not as handsome as you) cured my legs. It was like magic."

"He was also so sweet and polite. Once, he saw me with his friend while I was shopping and asked me about my health. After a few hours, he cured my legs with something like magic," she continued, her voice filled with awe.

The old woman paused for a moment, noticing Aiden's confused expression. "Ah, please don't take this old woman's words as fact. It may be my eyes playing a trick on me, but I only know that it was a miracle," she added, gazing at her legs.

AFTER AN HOUR

"I hope you like it; this is your mother's room," said the old woman as she led Aiden into what used to be his mother's room, handing him a blanket adorned with the image of Josh Bush.

The room was a curious spectacle, adorned with American flags and posters featuring old U.S. presidents.

'What on earth was my mother's hobby?' Aiden pondered, feeling a bit unnerved by the unusual decor.

"Alright, Aiden, good night."

The old woman turned off the lights and left Aiden alone in the room.

"Please don't leave..." Aiden uttered, tightly grabbing the sheets of the blanket.

"*sigh* I'll think about it tomorrow," Aiden sighed nervously as he hugged a plushie of Abraham Lincoln, the odd surroundings making him more uneasy than ever.

IN THE NEXT MORNING

Aiden found himself standing in front of his school, the uniform feeling heavier than usual. He took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling his lungs, before he tightened his grip on the handle of his backpack.

"After school, I'll have to tell Miss Aria that I won't be able to help her."

Aiden mumbled to himself, his eyes fixed on the pavement beneath his feet. The weight of disappointment lingered in his words.

"I'm not a hero like her or her teacher; it's better not to waste her time anymore."

A hint of sadness clouded his expression as he wrestled with the decision.

With a sigh, Aiden reluctantly began his approach towards the school, uncertainty casting a shadow over his thoughts.

AT THIS TIME IN AIDEN'S GRANDPARENT'S HOUSE

"I'm back! Can you help me with the groceries?" the old woman cheerfully called out as she stepped into the house, attempting to close the door behind her. However, a sudden force halted the door from closing.

*bang*

Startled, the old woman turned to see a young man with an unsettling aura. His tall and handsome figure, coupled with white hair, sent shivers down her spine. The recognition struck – he was the one who had healed her legs.

"You are..."

The man interrupted her thoughts, a creepy smile playing on his lips. "Forgive my impoliteness, but do you have any connection with someone named Aiden?"