Through the darkness
Candlemon and Salamon
Midday in small Digmon town. Streets were full of Digimons. They were running down the streets or just taking a walk. Baby Digimons were playing while the older ones were talking to the acquaintances they met. Everyone were friendly and in good mood. Well... not quite everyone. Candlemon definitely wasn't in a good mood.
That candle-like Digimon, was standing at the corner of the street and looking the other Digimons. Especially the baby Digimons with their parents.
"That's not fair" he thought. "Why all kids except me have nice parents who don't beat them everyday."
He had bruises all over his body. Some of them were still fresh. About few hours. But Candlemon didn't mind it. That was so usual thing that he gets used to it. Still, he was depressed. Not because of beating or being without food for whole day. The thing that saddened him the most was that no one tried to see that's something wrong with him. No one ever asked him why he always has bruises and scars on his body. No one ever asked him why he looks like he didn't eat anything for days. No one didn't care.
Then, two Digimons with their kids passed right next to him. They were all laughing. Candlemon never see his parents laughing. Well, he himself was never laughing. Not even once.
While watching that family walking by, he felt painful feeling in his stomach. He felt anger, sorrow and jealousy, all in once. Because... it just wasn't fair.
Again, he felt the pain in the stomach. Only this time, it was caused by his feelings but a hunger. His stomach rumbles.
"I wish I could get something to eat" Candlemon though.
That was easier to wish that make it come true. He didn't have any money to buy something. He also couldn't go home for some food. During the day, he tried to be out of house how much that was possible. Besides, his father always sped all money on alcohol so there's no anything left for food.
Luckily, Candlemon was resourceful. In situation like this, he went to forest near the town to get some berries or something else that he could eat.
Without much of thinking, he moves towards the forest.
...
Forest was silent and peaceful and that Candlemon liked the most. Most Digimons of his age would be afraid of going so deep in forest but he felt completely safe here. Now, he only needs to find some bush with berries. And that sometimes could be difficult.
He was looking for it for about fifteen minutes when he finally found one. Berries weren't so good taste but when you haven't eaten anything for whole day, that's fine, too.
While he was eating, Candlemon heard some rustling near by. He looks around himself. There was nothing there.
Then something rustles, again. Only this time louder. Candlemon start to feel nervous. He couldn't figure out where it comes from but he felt that it was getting closer. It didn't seem that it was coming from bushes. More like from above.
Suddenly, Candlemon heard a sound of breaking branch right above his head. Before he reacted… BOOM!
Something hit him in the head so hard that he fell on the ground.
"Ouch, that hurts" he said rubbing the painful spot.
"Yeah, tell me about that" a girl voice response.
"Ha?" Candlemon turned his head.
Right next to him was lying cute little puppy-like Digimon. She was rubbing her head, too, so Candlemon concluded that she fell from the tree, straight on his head. Who think that so small rookie Digimon could have so hard head?
She removed her paw from her head and looked at Candlemon. She had beautiful blue eyes.
"Hi" she said after she studied him for few moments.
"Hi" he greets her back. He didn't remember when last time someone said hello to him. "Are you okay?" he asked her, "That wasn't really nice fall."
"I'm fine. The landing wasn't so good but I'm okay" she smiled. Now she looked even more cutter when she was smiling.
"What were you doing up there, anyway?"
She blushed a bit "Umm… well… I was watching you. Not spying or anything like that. I was alone for long time and didn't see any other Digimon so I got curious. I've never seen any Digmon of my age."
Candlemon got confused. "You didn't see any other kids?"
"No, I didn't." Then her stomach loudly rumbles and she looked down.
"You are hungry?" Candlemon asked her.
She nodded: "A bit."
He picks some berries and gives it to her. "Here you go. They are not very tasty but at least they are eatable."
"Thanks" she smiled again. "Hey, I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Salamon."
"I'm Candlemon."
"Nice name" she said.
Candlemon felt weird. There was something strange about that Salamon. Except she was nice to him, she also makes him feel… warm inside. But what was that feeling?
"So" Candlemon started a conversation "You aren't from here?"
"No. I came here this morning."
"You are some kind of traveler or something?"
"Well, sort of." Salamon said. "I'm not traveling for fun. I'm looking for someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
"Umm… I don't know. But I'm sure that she's somewhere waiting for me."
Candlemon got confused "She?"
"Well, somehow I know she's female" she said.
"How can you know that? And how can you search for someone and not know who are you searching for?"
"I don't know. I'm just feeling that. And… maybe this sounds crazy, but I really believe my feelings."
Now, Candlemon was even more confused. "You can't feel things like that. You can feel cold, pain or sadness but not is it someone there that you have to find. That just doesn't make any sense."
Salamon was looking him straight into his eyes.
"What?" he asked after few moments.
"Why did you say that?" She leaned head to the side. "Why did you say that you can feel cold, pain and sadness? Why did you choose those words?"
"Umm…" Candlemon looked down. He said that because that were the feelings he had felt most of time. But he really wasn't in mood to explain all that to Salamon.
She looked concerned at him "Are you ok? What's wrong?"
"Nothing" he answered without looking at her.
"Does this have anything to do with those scars you have?"
He didn't answer.
"Oh, I understand" she said.
Candlemon felt Salamon's paw on his face. It was so warm and gentle. He finally looked at her. There were compassion and worry in her look.
"Does it hurts?" she asked.
"No, I get use to it." Deep inside of him, it did hurt. Very bad.
"Who did that to you?"
"My parents."
"But why?"
Candlemon shrugged his shoulders "I don't know. Probably to get rid of their frustrations."
"But that is terrible! I mean, I never met my parents, but how much I heard, parents care about their children, not beat them."
He nodded: "Yeah, most of them."
They were sitting there in silent for some time. They both didn't know what to say. But when you are in a company of person that can understands you perfectly, there's no need for unnecessary talking.
"So" Salamon said after some time "wanna play tag?
...
This was firs time that Candlemon play tag. And it was funny. He was never so laughing in his whole life.
"Try to catch me, slow one!" Salamon teased him.
"It's easy for you to say. You have four legs and I have only one. Besides, when did you last time saw candle running fast?" Candlemon joked back.
They were playing for about whole hour without rest so they both were tired. Salamon couldn't run anymore so she stopped forgetting about Candlemon who was running one meter behind her. He couldn't slow down so he collides with her and they both fell on the ground.
"Sorry" he apologies.
"It's okay" she said while they were getting up.
The sun was going down behind the mountain. Now they realised how much time passed while they were playing.
Candlemon look at Salamon "I have to go home."
"You can't stay any longer?"
He shook his head "No, I'm already in trouble so if I come back home late, it might be even worse. But don't worry. I'll come back here tomorrow."
Salamon sigh sadly "You know… I can't wait till tomorrow. I have to go and find that person I told you about. I'm sorry, Candlemon, but this is really important to me."
Candlemon understand. He get use to be pointless.
"It's okay. I understand that you want to find this person and I have no right to force you to stay" he said "Besides, I get use to be left behind and forgot after some time."
"I won't forget you!" she said loudly.
He looked at her surprised "You won't?"
"No, I won't. I promise you that." With saying that, she lean her head on Candlemon shoulder like she wanted to hug him. He put his arms around her and they stayed like that for few minutes. It was so nice feeling. Unfortunately, it couldn't last broke apart.
"Farewell, Salamon."
"Farewell, Candlemon."
And they both left, each on his side. Not one of them did turn around. Because if they did… they wouldn't be able to leave the other one anymore.
...
That night, Candlemon was lying in his bed. He was beaten just like he expect. Now, he was trying to fall asleep but he couldn't because his parents were arguing about something in the room next to his. His father was drunk again what make him even more aggressive. They were both yelling so loud that Candlemon covered his face with a blanket. Then he heard screaming. Painful screaming. And sounds of punching. They were fighting! They were always arguing but never physically fighting.
It was getting worse.
Candlemon couldn't stand it anymore. He get out of the bed and run to the window. Before he jump out, Candlemon look back for a second.
"I won't came back… never again…"
