"Mommy! Mommy!" a young girl, maybe around thirteen or fifteen, called to her mother. She ran through the hustle bustle of the morning market while pulling a boy with her, ignoring the exasperated look aimed at her from the crowd and the worry etched on her mother's face.
"Look!" She said before her mother could utter a word. She pulled the boy to her side. A proud and happy smile on her lips. Her eyes glimmered like a pair of jaspers under the sun. "I found Pierro!"
"Hello, ma'am," greeted Pierro. He looked abashed, but there was no argument for his happiness.
The mother leaned down on them. Her eyes were also glimmering with happiness. "Really?"
The girl bobbed her head so hard. "I heard his voice in my head. Its's him!"
The girl babbled to her mother of how she found her soulmate, the half of her soul. Pierro quipped here and there, giving his opinion. The mother listened enthusiastically. However, they did not notice a pair of sky blue eyes watching them with envy from above.
The owner of those blue eyes bit his lips hard. He could taste the coppery taste of blood filling his mouth. His chest burnt with anger and envy as he gazed on the people below. Flickers of orange and purple flames licked his clenched fists.
"Lucio." A sharp voice called the boy from the earpiece on his ear.
The boy, Lucio, sent a hateful glare on the newly reunited pair and took a step back from the roof. He pressed a button on the side of the earpiece. "Yes?" said Lucio between his gritted teeth.
The person on the other side went quiet. The silence drew between them for a moment as if judging Lucio for his attitude. Lucio's hand twitched from the sudden pressure from the other side of the call. His eyes went wild, jumping from side to side, waiting for something to jump at him.
"Do you have it?"
Lucio took a deep breath to calm himself. "Yes."
"Good. Meet me at the checkpoint." With that last word, the call ended.
Lucio let go his breath, he unknowingly held. He walked to the side of the roof and smoothly slid down to the alley below. He patted down his dirty pants and fixed the collar of his gray jacket. He walked out the alley like it was the most natural thing. He sauntered among the crowd and left.
A moment later, Lucio entered a small bakery, a bit run down on some part just like the rest of the neighbourhood. He opened and the scent of fresh bread hit his nose. Buttery and warm. He eyeballed the displayed freshly baked breads and pastries with hunger. He walked to the display case, eyes scanning on each piece of the bread. Till he found what he wanted. Crisp almonds on a buttery pastry and glazed with sugar. His mouth watered, imagining the warmth of the delicious treat. He looked at the baker. "Two almond pastry sticks, please."
While the baker wrapped his order, Lucio pulled out some cash and a small wrapped bauble from his pocket. He paid his treats and slipped the bauble to the baker. "Thanks! And, tell Sergio I said hi," chirped Lucio. He picked and bit the stick, filling his mouth with sweet and buttery almond taste. He nodded at the baker and left.
Lucio looked at the waning autumn sun on the far west. A pang bloomed in his heart. He could not forget the scene at the market. The happy couple. He stomped the ground as he passed the giggly and blissful people around him, those who received the blessing to share mind with their soulmate. He harshly bit on the pastry, no longer tasting the sweet almond, only ashes.
He sat on a rickety bench, watching others walk aimlessly around him, enjoying the warmth of summer, or maybe the knowledge that they had someone to be with. Lucio sighed and looked at the sky. The birds were flying back to their home. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, forcing his body to relax, to meditate.
He opened his eyes and saw the same view for the last ten years of his life. Ankle deep crystal blue water and clear blue sky. His mindscape. He raised his hand. It lit up with orange and purple flames. He breathed out and let his flames spread out, trying, hoping for someone, anyone to reach out. But found nothing. He hunched on himself, eyes glazed with unshed tears. He clenched his chest, trying to stop the pain and disappointment, but to no avail. He gritted his teeth and turned around, returning to the real world.
"Any luck?"
Lucio looked to his side and shrugged.
The man beside him, Diego, patted his head. "You'll going to meet them. Someday."
"When?" asked Lucio, bitterly. "I have waited ten years. And, nothing."
Diego winced at the bitterness. "Maybe, they haven't been born."
"Right," drawled Lucio. He looked at his clenched fists on his lap. He opened them and looked at them.
Diego looked around him in panic. A couple walking around. A man walking his dog. Kids playing around. He grimaced. He looked back at Lucio's hunched figure and raised his hand. He patted his shoulder. It was awkward. A huge scarred man trying to comfort a small child.
Lucio looked at Diego, still hunched. A deadpan look on his face. "What are you doing?"
Diego slowly pulled his hand and tugged his collar. He cleared his throat and looked at Lucio's still deadpan face. He laughed, a 'ha-ha-ha' like a crow cackle. "So, ah, you did a great job on your task," stated Diego, hurriedly.
Lucio raised an eyebrow. He huffed and looked at the park. "I know."
Diego breathed with relief. He rubbed his left arm, as if patting himself for a good job. "However, you shouldn't get distracted," added Diego, reminding Lucio of his people watching. "You could get killed."
Lucio's shoulder sagged in disappointment. "I know."
Diego beamed and slapped Lucio's back, almost sending tumbled down on the ground. "Great! So, how's life?"
Lucio sent Diego a leery look. Yet, the beaming smile on Diego's face refused to go away. Lucio huffed and looked back at the park, watching some squirrels scurrying around. "Same old. At least, I had something to do."
The smile on Diego's face slowly faded away. He briskly turned around to his side. "How can a kid be so jaded?" mumbled Diego under his breath.
"How can an old man be so cheerful?" quipped Lucio back.
Diego slowly turned around and faced Lucio's pointed look. He tugged his collar and gave an apologetic smile. He broke eye contact, first, and swiveled around, trying to find something to distract Lucio. He found a black car coming towards them. He immediately stood up. "Our ride is here!"
Diego marched towards the car to get away from Lucio's gaze. Yet, the car drove past him. Diego turned around and looked at the car as it stopped in front of Lucio. He spluttered about the indignity.
Lucio brushed away some leftover crumbs on his laps and stood up. He opened the car's door. Before he entered, he looked at Diego, still spluttering. He quirked an eyebrow and smirked. "Have fun walking," mocked Lucio. He entered the car and ordered the driver to go. The smirk stayed on his lips as he heard Diego angry screaming.
"Young master."
Lucio looked at the driver and nodded. "Sebastian."
Sebastian looked at Lucio through the rear mirror and chuckled. "Have fun?"
Lucio tensed. His eyes guarded. He crossed his arms on his chest. "I believe so."
Sebastian hummed and flicked his finger on the stereo, turning it on. A gentle guitar filled the car. Lucio rested his head on the headrest and closed his eyes. The hard edges on his face fade away. For once, he finally looked like a child he was.
It was not the gentle and beautiful melody playing on stereo nor was the cool air coming out the AC that brought such peace to Lucio. It was what no normal human could hear and see. Others might only feel the cool air or hear the gentle melody. Lucio felt more than those.
With his eyes closed, Lucio could hear the music of Sebastian's flame. The sound of his soul. A gentle piano, a charming saxophone, and a rich bass. Yet, there was another sound accompanying it. The sound of showering rain. A jazz band playing in the middle of the night with the rain thrumming off the coble stones. Enchanting, but dark and sharp. A warning to those who posed danger to his ward.
A small content smile bloomed on Lucio's lips. His fingers were tapping on his arm, making out the beats of the song, while his voice hummed the melody. Thankful for the gentle rain washing away his pain. He opened his eyes, full of glee and playfulness. Giggles escaped from his lips. Orange and purple flames danced around his head. A crown.
Sebastian looked at Lucio's reflection and let out a smile, never reaching his eyes. Those green eyes mourned the loss of innocence. How the darkness of their world had stripped the purity of childhood. He turned his eyes away. He breathed. Embers of blue came alive in the car, flying lazily like fireflies in the night. Washing away the dark. Returning the sense of wonder.
A huge smile split on Lucio's face. He cupped his hands, catching an ember of blue flame, closed his hands, and took it close to his ear, like one did to a conch shell. He let out a content smile. His shoulder relaxed as if a burden was taken away from him. The music became gentler, more akin to a lullaby. Suddenly, the blue ember burst into a huge flame. Lucio yelped, not from the heat, but surprise. The flame was cold on his skin like being hit by a water balloon.
Lucio glared at Sebastian. He knew, oh, how he knew Sebastian was laughing at him. "You purposely did it," gritted Lucio.
"I don't know what you're talking about, young master." The was monotone, flat, but the eyes were light up with mirth. A small tug on the lips.
Lucio sent daggers at Sebastian with his eyes. "The flame."
"Ah," said Sebastian, inciting more anger in Lucio. "Old age makes it harder for me to control my flame."
Lucio glared harder. His lips raised in a snarl. However, before he could say or do anything, the car stopped. "We're here," said Sebastian. "Master and Madame are waiting for you."
"I'm not done with you," hissed Lucio like an agitated cat before he walked out of the car.
Lucio entered his home, the home of Hydra famiglia , with a grumble, ignoring the fond looks from his famiglia. He walked past the grand reception, a beautiful tapestry, climbed the staircase, and opened the double oak doors. Lucio raised his head and pouted. There was no one in the family room. He walked out and looked around, trying to find someone to ask.
Lucio's grumbles became louder and louder the more he searched. He glared at one of the marble statues in the hall. The gaze and smile felt like it was mocking him. Lucio kicked the base of the statue. Fool . He yelped and jumped from the pain. He held his foot and glared at the statue, blaming it for his misfortune.
"That's why one does not kick a god."
Lucio turned to his left. He put his foot down and crossed his arms. A pout on his lips. "It's a dead thing."
Hector titled his head. "Is it?" asked Hector as he walked towards Lucio with hands clasped on his back. "Is it not taken from the image of a powerful and respected god?" He looked at Lucio, not like a disapproving man, but a patient teacher to a misbehaving student.
"It's a myth," argued Lucio.
"Every myth has a grain of truth in it." Hector looked at the statue, the sculpture of Apollo. "To you, they don't exist. But, to many, they do." Hector looked at Lucio's squirming figure. "Their stories built the base of our civilization. We learn from their mistakes and successes." His choice of words implied that he was not talking about the sculpture, but something else, something bigger. He smiled and patted Lucio's head. "One day, your story will inspire many just like them."
Lucio furrowed his eyebrow and bit his lips. Downcast eyes. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
Lucio uncrossed his arms and fiddled with his shirt. "For disrespecting, uhm." He raised his head and looked at Hector with knitted brows. "Our... history?"
Hector caressed Lucio's cheek. "You still have time to learn. I am blessed to watch you grow."
"Uh, okay?" Lucio looked at the hand on his cheek and back at Hector's gentle smile. A huge, too huge smile on Lucio's face. His eyes wandered from side to side looking for something. A way for an escape, maybe, or distraction.
"Your parents are in the garden."
Lucio immediately took a few steps back, getting away from Hector. "Thanks," he said as he ran to the garden.
The sharp scent of autumn flowers hit his nose, first, before he could even see the garden. He walked through the open doors and his view was invaded with the color green. He almost crashed on the vibrant green hedges. Luckily, he managed to stop a few inches away from the hedges. Lucio took a step back and looked around. A dumbfounded look on his face.
Lucio plodded around. He took the view around in a wary and fascinated look. Vibrant green hedges, orange pines, copper oaks, white lantana shrubs, pink sweet alyssums, and blue hydrangeas fenced the garden from the outside. Orange marigolds, purple asters, toad lilies, yellow chrysanthemums, and red amaranthus filled the garden with autumn's scent. In some parts of the garden, statues of maiden holding vases, musical instruments, books, or flowers stood proudly.
A shiver went down on his spine. Lucio looked at the stone path with distrust like one with an enemy. Without breaking eye contact, he squatted and picked random pebbles. He stood up and tossed the pebbles one at a time at the path, like skipping stones on water. Well , nothing happened.
Lucio squinted his eyes. He wiped his sweaty palms on the side of his pants. He took a deep breath and tip-toed the path towards the white gazebo looking at the blue ocean from the mouth of a cliff. A gentle yet playful song hit his ears, first. One might think it as classical, but there is a hint of pop hiding in the note. The closer he got, the louder the music. There, Gabriel and Marissa, his parents, danced together. Their eyes glimmered with unsaid conservation. Their flames entwined creating a beautiful harmony.
Lucio sat on the bench with elbows firmly placed on his thighs and wrists, hands clasped together hanging between his knees. He watched his parents dance with a wistful smile. He could see himself in Gabriel's place dancing with half of his soul. His beloved soulmate. If he had one .
Suddenly, two different hands pulled Lucio out of his musing. His parents. Their laughs and smiles were infectious. Their flame tugged his into one harmony. A laughter bubbled in his chest. They danced and laughed. Their soul songs encompassed the garden for those who could hear it.
Lucio slumped on the grass. He raised his head to the night sky with a huge smile. His ebony lock clung to his wet skin. He yelped as a strong arm pulled him down to the ground. Yet, his head never touched the ground. It landed on his father's stomach. His father's huge and warm hand settled on top of his head. His mother's soft chuckled caressed his ears as another warm body laid beside him. His mother's arm landed across his chest. He let out a shuddering breath. Just like that, a heavy burden was taken away from his chest. He was home.
"How was your day?"
Lucio turned to his left, looking at Marissa's warm honey eyes. "It was okay."
A soft clap landed on his head. Lucio looked up to his right. Gabriel looked at him with a raised eyebrow. His sky blue eyes sent his skepticism to Lucio.
Lucio looked at the night sky. He wrung his hands on his stomach. "I." He licked his dried lips. "A girl found her half."
He closed his eyes, refusing to see the pity in his parents' eyes.
"Twelve years."
The deep baritone sent vibrations to his ears. Lucio opened his eyes and looked at Gabriel.
"It took your grandfather twelve years to hear your grandmother's voice," pointed Gabriel.
"Really?" Marissa turned to her stomach with her head supported by hands. "Huh? Now, if you think about it. She looked younger than him in pictures."
"So?" asked Lucio.
Gabriel grimaced. "Let's just say, my dad's side of the family has a habit of having soulmates many years younger than them."
"You don't," pointed Marissa.
"I don't." Gabriel pushed himself and Lucio to a sitting position. "But, you take after him more than me," said him to Lucio.
"He does?"
"I do?"
Gabriel threw a pointed look at them. "In temperament and look, yes, but not in colour." He looked to his side and mumbled to himself. "It feels like he came back to haunt me."
"Does." Lucio looked at his lap. "Does that mean I won't see them for a long time?" He looked up with teary eyes. "What if I won't hear them until I'm old like you?"
Marissa caressed Lucio's cheek and smiled. "You'll be their protector."
"But, I don't want to be their protector! I want, I want to be just like you."
Marissa looked at Gabriel with furrowed eyebrows and lip between her teeth. Her husband looked at Lucio with a look every new parent shared when they faced a problem they did not know how to deal with. Marissa threw a glare at him and looked back at Lucio. "Sometimes, life can be unfair. We cannot have everything we want."
"But," said Lucio with a gasp of air, "but, Dad said I can have everything I want. Why can't I have this? I want my soulmate!"
Marissa glared at Gabriel. Her brown eyes promised retribution if he did not fix this.
Gabriel winced. He looked at Lucio and licked his lips. "Well, Lucio," called Gabriel, "I meant you can have anything you want as long it's reasonable."
"Soulmate IS reasonable."
"Yes, it is," agreed Gabriel. "But, soulmate is not something we can have with a little hard work. It means as a… surprise! Yes, as a surprise."
Lucio crossed his arms and glared at Gabriel. "I don't want a surprise!"
"Surprise is fun," coaxed Gabriel.
"No!" yelled Lucio as he slammed his hands on the ground. "Surprise is not fun! It's annoying. You don't know when it's come. You just have to roll with it and accept it. I hate it!"
"No need to raise your voice!" reprimanded Gabriel.
Lucio flinched from the sharp reprimand. "Sorry," he mumbled.
Gabriel sighed. He rubbed his face. He looked at Lucio with sadness in his eyes. A soft smile on his lips. "Your mother is right. Life is unfair." He caressed Lucio's head, from top to his chin. He pulled Lucio's chin up. "No matter how much we worked for it, we won't have it or it will be taken from us."
"It's cruel," whispered Lucio. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her lips wobbled.
Marissa pulled Lucio to her chest and caressed his head. Lucio clung to her chest, seeking comfort in his mother's embrace. "Yes," said Marissa, "But, life can be kind. It gives us chances to have something, to meet new people." She looked at Gabriel and smiled, full of love and adoration.
Gabriel returned the smile and look. He held one of Marissa's hands and kissed her wrist. "To feel love," he continued.
Lucio gazed at his parents with wistful eyes and unshed tears. Her heart clenched till he could not breathe. Yet, a small and soft smile grazed his lips. "But, I want to be just like you," blurted him.
"Just like us?" asked Gabriel for clarification.
Lucio looked at his lap, refusing to meet their eyes. "I," stammered Lucio as he licked his lips, "I want to be happy and loved."
Gabriel sucked a deep breath as if he just received a sudden punch in the gut. He looked at Marissa, who covered her mouth with her hands. She looked at their son with grief and understanding.
Gabriel gritted his teeth and turned to Lucio. He thrusted his arms and pulled his son to his bone breaking embrace. He tucked him under his chin and a hand caressing the back of his head. "You are loved," as those words slipped from his lips, Lucio tried to push Gabriel. "No. Listen," pleaded Gabriel. "You have us, your mom and me. We love you more than anything."
"It's different!"
"How?"
Tears slowly trickled down from Lucio's eyes. "Soulmates are special. It's like I won't be alone. I have someone just for… me."
"Oh, sweetheart," called Marissa. Her voice was heavy and grim. "No. Soulmates do not work like that."
Lucio turned to his mother. "Why not?" he demanded.
Marissa bit her lips and traded looks with her husband. She looked back at Lucio and took a deep breath. Her gaze was gentle, yet firm at the same time. "Do you think Zio Theo is unhappy or alone?"
Lucio curled his eyebrows. "No?"
"How about Zia Helen?"
"Of course not!" Snapped Lucio. "What do they have with me?!"
Gabriel looked at Marissa, wide eyed. His shoulder went slack as an understanding hit him. He looked at his son. "Helen lost her mate from sickness."
"Theo hates his mate," added Marissa.
Words escaped Lucio. His eyes were wide in shock. Mouth ajar. "But, but, how about… they're married!"
"Yes," agreed Gabriel.
Marissa clasped her hands together on her lap. "Do you think they're unhappy?"
"I, I don't," Lucio looked at his mother and the space between them. Lip between his teeth. Eyebrows curled. He looked back at his mother's unwavering eyes. "No."
"Are they alone?" asked Gabriel.
Lucio looked at his father. Mouth dried and tasted like sandpaper. "No." Tears brimmed in his eyes. "They're happy."
Gabriel smiled and tucked Lucio under his chin. "So will you."
Lucio curled in his father's embrace. Clinging to Gabriel's chest. Relief tears fell from his eyes as a seed of hope planted in his heart. He hid his face in his father's chest. Listening to the steady heartbeats. Gabriel's soothing hand caressed his hair. The warmth. The soul song. They sang the same thing. Home, love, and safety.
The sound of the world seemed far from him. Eyes heavy. Mind free from the turmoil of a missing soul. Body exhausted from stress. Slowly pulling him to sleep. A jostle startled him, yet he could not bring an inch of care. Content and safe in his father's arms. Lucio welcomed the embrace of sleep.
