Author's Note: I made up this story by myself; I won't exactly give you a full summary unless people want me to. It's going to be a long story! Have fun reading!

Copyrighted: Sleets

Numbed

"I've become so numb I can't feel you there.
I've become so tired, so much more aware."
Numb by Linkin Park

"Rancor! Fetch me the car keys would you?"

The boy who was sitting hunched over the dining table looked up. His face was expressionless, but his unique green eyes burned fiercely. He bowed his head, his hair hiding his face again as he half-snatched, half-dragged the keys off the table and walked over to his mother.

Rancor's mother, a tall woman with short clean-cut hair grabbed the keys. "Now be a good boy and stay at home okay? If any stranger wants to come inside, say Mommy doesn't give the permission okay?"

Rancor clenched his fist silently. This woman was not his blood mother. His real mother is in heaven, or so he believed, watching over him. His father joined her not long ago. They must be happy in the sky, enjoying freedom and perhaps a cup of heavenly coffee each morning. What about him?

He gritted his teeth. "Yes."

"Yes who?" His stepmother raised one eyebrow questioningly.

"Yes, mom."

The woman nodded in satisfaction. "Goodnight and don't let the bed bugs bite!"

Rancor focused his eyes on a spider crawling on his shirt, trying to pretend he did not hear the mock in the voice.

As soon as the car drove off, he relaxed, letting himself drop backwards onto the couch. A gentle breeze swept inside the house, cooling him briefly. Soon, he drifted off into a dreamless sleep, the wind continuously ruffling his dark hair.

A blaring wail of an alarm woke Rancor up.

Blinking the sleep out of his eyes, he looked out of the window. The distinctive colors of a police car loomed nearer, and he ran out to see what's happened.

To his surprise, the car stopped outside. The police who stepped out was not even taller than him, with a gruff looking face. Rancor peered at the tag on his shirt. Mr. Clumps.

Mr. Clumps narrowed his pale blue eyes. "Rancor?"

Rancor nodded. He could understand how some people couldn't register his name; he was named by his stepmother, who was his mother's 'friend'. His poor mother didn't get to see what kind of 'friend' she had; a 'friend' who only wants her fortune.

The police looked solemn. Rancor could guess what's coming up. It was this kind of scene he often saw in the television. The moody atmosphere. The feeling of death.

"I'm sorry, Rancor. Your step parents got involved in an accident. They were killed instantly."

Rancor stared at the police for a long time, his eyes revealing nothing. Rain began to fall, as if Heaven was mourning for the lost souls-no, him. Those people who were once his 'parents' did not deserve mourning from anyone.

Mr. Clumps was looking irritated, occasionally shaking the rain off his hair. "So, aren't you supposed to be wailing?"

Rancor broke eye contact and turned his head away. "I don't waste my breath. If they're gone, they're gone."

Mr. Clumps raised one eyebrow. This was the first case he's seen. A boy who lost everything he had didn't even look like he cared. "Are you aware of what's going to happen to you?"

"No," Rancor replied frankly, gazing at the police. "But I can see you're dying to tell me."

Mr. Clumps ignored his tone. "You are not supposed to have any relatives, but it seems you do. A far away relative, according to the police department. You will be sent there." The officer began to walk away, his boots splashing the puddles.

"Wait!" Rancor took a step forward. "May I know where I will be sent to?"

A smile played at Mr. Clumps' lips. At least this boy showed a little concern. "North Atlanta."

He moved away, his feet making thumping noises against the ground. He got inside his car and drove off, leaving Rancor standing in the rain.

Rancor stayed where he was for a while. For the first time in his life, he felt extremely alone and worse still, afraid. With a sick jolt, he realized he was wishing his step parents were still here. He let the pouring rain fall on his face for a moment, feeling them slid off his face and onto his body. Then, flicking his hair away, he headed back towards the house, prepared to pack.

Rancor had lost everything in an hour, but it didn't matter to him anymore.

Everything had numbed him of all emotions.