Troubled Bonds

Kan felt the sharp sting on his cheeks as he touched the swollen skin, his fingers tracing the contours of the bruises that marred his face. The blood on his lips had dried, leaving a faint taste of iron. Despite the physical pain, it was the emotional turmoil that weighed heavily on him as he walked with a gloomy look on his face.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as he replayed the events of the night. The encounter with the strange man who had exhibited supernatural abilities left him baffled and vulnerable. It was an alien experience, one that shook him to the core. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that such extraordinary powers existed in this new world.

"Day one outside this world and let's run over the things that have already happened to you, Kan," he muttered to himself, trying to make sense of it all. "First, you got stopped by a cop, then you saw mother and father with some other people and they acted as though it was normal."

The memory of witnessing his parents with other partners brought a surge of anger and confusion. His world had been turned upside down, and he felt like an outsider in his own family.

"Then you tried to be a hero, and what happened? Oh yeah, a crazy man who could fly!! Beat the pulp out of you and forced you to say a sickening nursery rhyme!!" Kan continued, his frustration evident in his tone.

The score in this new world seemed imbalanced, and he felt like he was losing in every aspect. "So far, the scores remain. New world -1, Kanakan - 0," he mused bitterly.

As he approached the clothing store, memories of his time with Aunt Layla resurfaced. He remembered how they laughed and shared stories while trying on different outfits. Now, it all felt distant, overshadowed by the strange events of the night.

He noticed the store was already closed, and the realization of how much time had passed hit him like a punch to the gut. "Ahh.. I totally lost track of time!! I was just going to go off for a little. She should be dead worried!!" Kan thought, feeling guilty for making Aunt Layla fret over him.

Kan retraced his steps, guided by his mental map of the city. As he passed by the store and the building next to it, he heard a familiar voice calling out his name.

"Kanakan?!" It was Aunt Layla, sitting on a street bench across the road. His heart sank, knowing he had caused her unnecessary worry.

He crossed the road to meet her, trying to come up with excuses, but words failed him. "Where did you go?! I was worried sick. Your mother and father are going to be so mad at me by the time we arrive home, and they are already there!!" Aunt Layla's initial anger turned into concern as she noticed his bruised face and blood-stained shirt.

Kan remained silent, feeling torn between protecting Aunt Layla and avoiding the truth. He didn't want to burden her with the strange and dangerous reality he had stumbled upon.

"What are the odds she would buy it anyway? It's just best I allow it to die down and make up some other excuse," Kan thought, deciding to keep the truth to himself.

As they walked home together, Aunt Layla continued to ask questions, her worry evident in her voice. But Kan's silence only added to her concern.

Finally, they reached their apartment, and Kan felt a sense of relief. However, his relief was short-lived as his mother, Becca, opened the door. Aunt Layla immediately started apologizing, but Becca's anger was palpable.

"I'm quite honestly disappointed, Layla. All I asked was that you watched him for one day while I go to work. What did you do? You chose to escort him to the club and hide behind the corner like we wouldn't notice?!!" Becca's voice was stern, and Kan could see something beginning to happen around her head.

His mother's ears, like those of an elf, grew slightly, a sign of her agitation. Kan couldn't help but marvel at this display of otherworldly traits, even amidst the tense situation.

Kan felt guilty as Aunt Layla tried to defend herself, but he knew he couldn't reveal the truth about the night's events. He remained silent, standing behind Aunt Layla, feeling torn between the truth and protecting her.

"You must be enjoying all of this. He won't come and quell the situation now so that eyes don't stray his way," Kan thought with disappointment.

Amidst the argument, Becca noticed the bloodstains on Kan's shirt and immediately shifted her focus. Concern replaced her anger as she asked about his injuries. Kan stayed silent, unable to come up with a plausible excuse.

As the argument escalated, Kan decided to speak up, unable to bear the lies any longer. "I should be apologizing for what? Ruining your 'work' or your time with your husbands? Well then, I'm sorry, mother!!" he said, his voice tinged with shame and embarrassment.

Before he could walk away, Becca swiftly moved in front of him, blocking his path. Her speed surprised him, but he tried not to show it. His anger at her actions and her unapologetic behavior took precedence over everything else.

"I sense a bit of ungratefulness coming from you. The things we do, they are all for you. And in case you might not have noticed, we are... "Becca was stopped midway and kan took over.

" Elves? Yeah, I figured that out already. But it doesn't excuse plain cheating! I mean, you two are married, aren't you? What are you doing with other people?!" Kan questioned, his voice shaking with emotion.

Becca seemed unfazed by his accusations, explaining that marriage between elves was not one-dimensional and that they were allowed to be with other partners.

"What is cheating even?!!" Becca asked like she was totally alien to this word. "It's within the rules to have as many partner one wanted," Becca backed up her explanation.

"I see, the law approves of it.." Kan reiterated Becca's statement, but he couldn't comprehend the concept fully. The norms of this new world were so different from what he had known.

With Becca's parting words, Kan felt a mix of confusion and frustration. "Amongst all my children, you remain the strangest one. Your strange ideas would only put you into trouble. I hope you learn to tame them; we can't afford to be called to your school if you are reportedly or found wanting," Becca said before leaving.

"I'm sorry, school?!" Kan asked but was left in the air with no explanation whatsoever.

Kan stood there, dumbfounded by the day's events and his mother's words. The idea of elves, their laws, and their relationships weighed heavily on his mind. He felt like an outsider in this strange world, struggling to understand his place in it.

In his room, Kan collapsed onto his bed, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. As he closed his eyes, the events of the day replayed in his mind, leaving him wondering how he would navigate this new world with its complexities and unknown dangers.

*Author's note*

Thanks for reading everyone !!

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