Mark laid on his bed staring at the ceiling lost in thoughts. It has been days since his recovery but his grandmother still insisted that he needs to rest. 'Even a dog have freedom that me' is what he always thought to himself. He doesn't know why his grandmother keeps him like a porcelain doll that is meant to be only a display. His door opens and a young figure suddenly appeared,
"Hey, why are you still in bed?" James asked. Fortunately, he was there to listen to Mark's frustration.
"Because 'I'm still sick'..." He replied with no amusement as he sat up on his bed. "Dang, you're really an hostage." Mark frowned more at that. He does not want to be treated as an hostage. The summer was already over and autumn was already peeking around the corner, "If this continues, you're most likely to get sick again because of the cold wind, ya know?" He was right and Mark knows it. His lungs was still weak to handle the cold it might even give up by the time he breaths the cold around him. "It's not me who wanted this. Grandma is being overprotective that even going outside looks like a threat to me..." Mark sighed and then plopped down to his bed and continued staring at the ceiling like he did earlier.
James too lay down besides the boy, staring at the ceiling then back to Mark. Both were silent that you can hear the wind came inside from the open window, blowing the yellow curtains along with the papers on Mark's mini table. "Everything tried sneaking out?" James suddenly asked to which shocked the boy, "No. That's absurd!" Mark stared at the other like he lost his mind but James just snickers at the look,
"You can't grow normally if you haven't done anything dangerous... Or you wanna be known as a soft boy?" He talked back jokingly. Mark thought about his words. Honestly speaking, he do wants to sneak out and have a taste of the outside world like James said but there's a fear growing inside him with his mind making up the worst case scenarios every time he thinks. "Wow, you really are a baby." That broke his moment of silence and Mark was dumbfounded and defensive "I am not a baby!" He argued back, "Yeah you are! You can't go out without permission! Baaabbyyy!" James kept teasing to the point Mark's face is red from embarrassment and anger.
"I... I can sneak out! I bet you I can go out without anyone knowing! Like I'm invisible!" Mark retorted before he can even process his words even though he knows what he is saying are bluff. "Oh yeah? Prove it!" James was enjoying this for you can see a smug smile painted on his face because he knows that Mark has no guts to do it.
****
[A few minutes later]
"I told you I'm just teasing you! Don't you dare do it!" James said whisperingly towards the boy who's hanging completely from his window while he watched under, arms stretched like he was ready to catch the boy at any moment. Even though James kept begging him to stop and make his way back inside, Mark's stubborn nature won taking control over his whole body, "No! I'm gonna prove it to you that I can!" But in reality, it was actually a little bit far from sneaking out because no one was home and only the two of them are there.
"Fine! You win! You already proved it so now climb back I beg you!!!" James was now yelling with fear as he saw Mark's weak arms now shaking like it was ready to give up. "...Really?" Mark answered as he looked down while an unshed tear was in his eyes due to fear.
"Is that what really matters right now!? Climb. Back. Up!" But it was too late, the frail boy's arms gave up and let go "MARK!" he shouted as Mark falls. Fortunately, he went landing on top of James but the impact has almost took all of the air from his body leaving him in a state of shock. James carefully sat up while guiding the other up who is now crying silently, "Hey, it's okay. At least you finally left your cave though..." He wiped his tears and they both stood up. "Don't worry, we'll take the gate instead of jumping on top of one..."
"...You mean sneaking out involves climbing...?" He asked while they're walking and James slowly nodded. "Well... That's what I do sometimes..."
"Why?" The golden boy asked one more time. "Uhh... My uncle was kinda mean... He would beat me if he found out I snuck out." Mark looks at him with worry and pity. James saw it and pushed the other's face away with his hand, "Quit that look. I hate it." He opened the gate and for the first time, Mark set his bare foot out and felt the solid road right under which washed away the fear and was replaced by excitement. "I'm out... I'm out! I'm finally outside!" He said with glee while laughing in joy, "That's actually so fun!"
"Glad you enjoyed it." James said with a faint smile, "Though, where do you wanna go?" The golden boy doesn't need to think. He answered immediately, "Let's explore the whole town!" He kept pulling his arm out and he looks like a excited puppy at the sight, "Yes, yes. Let's go then!" James, along with Mark, walked around the neighborhood first where people kept looking at the unfamiliar boy with the burden kid. Even the dogs were staring by the beauty. James was uncomfortable by the staring but the other was oblivious at it for it was his first time outside but James swear he could hear everyone whispering to one another,
"Who's that boy...?"
"No way... Is that–"
"Why is a handsome boy is hanging out with him? Don't tell me they don't know each other..."
"He was an angel from above..! Bless the god from heaven!"
"Is he our saviour..?"
James was getting more and more uncomfortable by the comments. He knows that this boy was like any other normal kid but they worship him like his the saviour when it's the end of the world. He thinks that people are too gullible and a believer at anything they say unusual.
The girls are practically drooling as they saw him and elderlies were praying so James decided it was best to stay away, "...How about we go somewhere else?" He asked to which makes Mark immediately agree. He is practically enjoying exploring the whole neighborhood and likes to see more. Eventually, James dragged him to the only place he knows. The Luntian restaurant. Mr. Dela Cruz was shock at first but after finding out that Mark was actually a friend, the shock was replaced with a friendly face.
"So you're the young Rosewood, huh? Quite a look that you got there kiddo." He said as he ruffles his golden hair that is already messy. "I must say, you're actually more healthy than what they always speak about you."
"That's because I am...!" Mark says shyly with a hint of proudness as he face the muscular man in front of them. "Mark, this is Mr. Dela Cruz. He makes good foods." James introduced him simply. "What brings you guys here?" The old man asked. "I'm just showing him around." "With his guardian's permission?"
"..."
Neither one of them speak at the question as they refused to meet the man's gaze. "..." Mr. Dela Cruz asked again, "...With his guardian's permission.... Right?"
"Alright, we snuck out! But it's because they're been caging him for too long, okay!" James confessed, "He wanted to go out and explore and I want him to!" Mark nodded in agreement and guilt besides him "But that doesn't mean you're gonna sneak him out. What if something happens to him?" Mr. Dela Cruz sighed as he stared at the boys. "Don't blame him, mister. I'm the one who wanted to do it..." The young boy said with wide eyes and guilty looking face. James swore he can see a bright radiance on him as Mark makes that pleading face.
Mr. Dela Cruz tried to protest but with that look? There's nothing you can do but just sigh and agree. "Listen... I know you wanted to explore, kiddo. I mean, you've been inside your room for god knows how long but you need to go home soon. Your grandma must be worried sick too."
Mark pouted and his eyes became watery, "You're right... I guess I should go home now..." James don't know whether he was actually or is genuinely disappointed. He looks so pitiful and angelic you can't even stay mad at him. "...Alright..." Mr. Dela Cruz finally give up and sighed one more time. "How about you guys stay here for a couple of minutes then go home?" With that, Mark immediately smiled brightly and his energy were back it's actually surprising.
"Yay! Thank you, Mr. Dela Cruz!" He said with that heart shaped smile and cute dimples it makes him look like a miracle from heaven, "...No problem, little one...!" The sight was absolutely comical to James but he didn't say any thing more and just watched the sight. "You hear that, James? We can play for a while here!"
"Only for a couple of minutes though... Then we head back before your grandma finds out."
****
The elderly woman was just heading home after she bought her groceries when she noticed that some people were speaking quietly to one another while some even giving glances at her. Mr. Burke however, spotted her and then immediately sparks a conversation, "Hey, Mrs. Rosewood! Quite a grocery you got there!"
Mrs. Rosewood frowned with her glasses as she saw the man, "Cut to the chase, young man. What do you want?" She said, "Woah! You don't need to be all angry! It's not the end of the world, y'know?"
Still, that doesn't amuse the old woman and Mr. Burke finally gave up, "Alright, alright... I'll say it. You didn't tell us you have such a magnificent grandson." Mrs. Rosewood raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean? William? Goodness, that boy does nothing but laze all day!" Mr. Burke shook his head when he heard the wrong name. "I ain't talking about that lad! I'm talking about that sick young boy! Man, when we saw him, I thought he was an angel from heaven! Why didn't you tell us that he's actually good-looking?"
Mrs. Rosewood goes silent at the other's words. "You saw my grandson...? On his window, right?" Again, Mr. Burke shook his head and spoke, "Nah, I saw him walking with the troublesome boy. I think he was kidnapping him though."
Just then, James and Mark showed up but tried to hide. Unfortunately, Mrs. Rosewood spotted them and yelled, "YOUNG MAN, GET YOUR ASS IN HERE!"
She chased after them, leaving Mr. Burke there standing all alone. "Well, I guess have a nice day?"