A New Home

Images of people, many people. At first there was only one, soon there were town guards.

Images of the sky and soon a ceiling. A dream of nurses grabbing bandages and holding bloody shards of glass. Familiar faces, then familiar surroundings. All a dream. Or was it a memory?

Avren awoke confused, slowly returning to conscious thought. His eyes running loose across the room, studying, probing. He came to the conclusion that he was at his Auntie Sherry's house because he remembers sleeping in this room once before, but why? When did he get here? How did he get here? How long has he been sleeping in this bed? All of these questions ran through Avren's mind like a title wave.

He looked down at his hands and saw white bandages wrapped around the palms of his hand. That sparked the memories of the dream that he had, he can faintly remember it, only images torn from the scrapbook of his mind. So it wasn't a dream. Getting out of bed, slowly and cautiously, he walked towards the window and looked outside.

He looked down at the town with curious eyes, since he was on the second or third floor of the house, and saw two town guards just outside of the house that he was in, they were talking to someone who looked familiar to Avren. Once she turned her head Avren immediately knew who it was.

It was his Aunt Sherry. She was in her late thirties and sported red hair and a grey blouse as well as blue dress bottom. She may have been old, but she had a good figure. Walking back to the house she wore a sad face, nearly crying almost. Avren heard the door open and shut and he decided that he should return to his bed. Running quietly to his bed he threw the covers overtop of him and pretended to sleep. He heard someone approach the door, it then began to creep as someone entered the room slowly.

"Avren," asked his Aunt barely holding back the tears, "Are you awake?"

Avren didn't answer her, he was too nervous and did not wish to visit the pain of his loss, not yet. Sherry thought that he was still sleeping so she let him rest, returning to the floor underneath Avren he turned over and looked at the door. Wondering when she would come back to check on Avren, when he would have to divulge the events that took place at his home.

He tried not to remember that awful time, he was still in shock which had a sort of amnesia effect. Of course he would remember the events if something sparked his memory, like his Aunt talking to him about it. To get the subject off of his mind he got up and searched through the closet.

He rummaged through clothes, clocks, saucers, all sorts of junk. This must be a spare closet thought Avren. He kept on snooping, looking for anything of interest. He then came across a peculiar music box. It was a dark shade of brown with a gold plate with the words To a loving daughter engraved on the plate. He opened it up and it began to play.

The song was beautiful, it made Avren feel very emotional, it nearly brought him to tears. The song sounded some what familiar, but he could not remember ever hearing such a song. Perhaps this is from his childhood.

"Do you like it?" asked his Auntie Sherry.

Avren's head jerked around like an owl, he dropped the music box in shock wondering how long his Aunt had been there watching him.

"I...was just..." said Avren

"You mustn't worry about it," said his Aunt walking over to Avren's bed, "Do you like it?"

"Yes, very much so." said Avren bending down to pick up the music box.

"Come sit with me, Avren." requested Sherry.

Avren listened and slowly walked over to the bed with heavy steps of sorrow, for he thinks that he knows who's music box this is. He hopped up on the bed, next to his Aunt with his face looking down at the music box.

"You know that used to belong to your mother." stated Sherry.

A sense of shock ran through Avren, his eyes widened and filled with tears as he slowly raised his head to look upon his Aunties face. Her eyes two became watered down pearls. "So this isn't yours, then why do you have it?" asked Avren.

"-sigh- Your mother gave it to me when she left, she said Whenever you miss me just play this song and the pain will go away, looks like I'll be playing it a lot more now," said Sherry with a tear running down her cheek, "When you mother was a child, a baby, our mother would play this song, your grandmother, Avren."

"When did my mother leave, and why?" asked Avren.

"Well your mother was seventeen at the time and she had gotten a job as the chef for the mayor of Bowerstone, her cooking classes certainly paid off. She was always fond of cooking. But I'm getting off topic, sorry. I was twelve of thirteen im not sure, but I was sad. So she walked up to me and gave me her music box." said Sherry.

Avren slowly began to cry, he hugged his Aunt and asked, "Why, why was my mother and father killed. This doesn't make any sense!" screamed Avren in an upset tone.

"I'm not sure why, but they did not die in vain. They sacrificed their lives so that you could live. You mustn't throw this last gift of theirs that they have given you away needlessly. Become something great, Avren." sobbed Sherry.

Auntie Sherry embraced Avren, attempting to comfort him and herself at the same time. It is hard to lose those that you love, to let them go, to see them leave forever and always. Not knowing if you are going to see them again, it's a scary thought. But you must move on, don't mourn their death, celebrate their life. Remember the good times, never the bad. Avren began to realize this, and once he did he stopped crying.

He looked up at his Auntie Sherry's face and saw red eyes, drenched in pain and sadness. Avren probably looked the same, he sniffed and asked, "So where is Uncle Ron and cousin Luke?" asked Avren.

"Your uncle is at work and Luke is at school, which reminds me. You will be going to school now, hey," said is Auntie Sherry, "Now I know that you have only been home schooled up to this point, but I'm sure that you will be fine. You're a smart boy Avren, plus you've got your cousin Luke to look out for you."

Avren stared into Sherry's eyes, he saw lustful pools of blue emotion. He felt that everything was going to be alright. "I'm so glad that I have a good family." stated Avren, actually bearing a smile.

"Well you should be proud, you're a Hawkman. Nothing to be ashamed of that now is there?" asked Sherry.

"Avren Hawkmen, a hero." said Avren proudly with his chin up high.

"That a' boy! Now get some rest, you have been through a great deal." said Sherry.

Avren pondered, and forgot to ask some important questions to fill in the gaps from when he first arrived until now. "How long have I been here for?" asked Avren.

His Aunt then stood up and headed for the door, "Well...you've been lying in that bed for a day and a half. So you weren't gone for to long, fortunately you'll be conscious for the funeral."

Avren's eyes widened, "A...funeral.."

"Yes, of course. We have to pay our last respects and say our final farewells." said Sherry continuing down the stairs.

Avren lied back on the bed with his hands tucked behind his head. A funeral? He wondered what a funeral actually was, of course his aunt told him that they say their good-bye's, but how do they do it? He has never been to funeral before. What actually takes place at a funeral? Avren wouldn't know he had never gone to one before. How do they pay a tribute to the deceased, and how would that be a good-bye? You can't say good-bye to someone who is already dead.

Avren turned over side-ways and put his hand underneath his pillow and had his hand hug it tightly. He began to think about his parents, tears immediately began to start up. Every time he thinks about them he gets a lump in his throat and he begins to tear up. He wasn't over his parents death, not yet. But who would be, he is merely a child and still needs support from his parents. But now he shall get it from his Aunt and Uncle and with someone his own age thrown into the mix would certainly be interesting. It would be like having a brother, even though Avren never had a brother since he was an only child.

How would that be like, someone else to blame stuff on would be nice. Also to have someone to relate to and have fun with, Avren would always play by himself and make up his own games. Now he can play tag and all those other games that he has played with his parents once before. His parents...

Avren couldn't hold it in any longer. He let lose all of his emotion, all of his pain, suffering, and lose...he just let it go. He uncontrollably cried into the pillow. Borrowing his face into the pillow he placed all of his sadness. He threw it all into the pillow, tear after tear after muffled cry. The pillow became wet in the middle and left a big dark spot. After he settled down a bit he turned the pillow over and closed his red eyes. He slowly drifted to sleep, into a land where he can make his own.

When Avren awoke from his nap it was late in the evening and her heard people talking downstairs, so he got up and went to go investigate. He continued through the door and took two steps on the staircase before he sat at the top of the stairs and watched his family feast together and enjoy each others company. He wanted to go down there, but he was a little nervous. Why on earth should I be nervous? Thought Avren. Perhaps it's because he hasn't seen them in years, but their his family...his new home.

He continued down the staircase quietly, but his stomach soon quelled the silence with a loud rumble. Avren's aunt, uncle, and cousin all jerked their heads to the direction of the noise.

"Oh, 'ello Avren. Come down and pop a squat why don't ya. I know that your hungry." said Uncle Ron.

"Hey, Avren!" said his cousin, "Come sit by me, eh?"

Avren approached the dinner table, with weary eyes and a vacant expression. Everyone looked at each other concernedly as Avren took a chair and sat next to Luke. Sherry poured him a bowl of stew and told Avren to eat up. He had to eat, he needed the food to recover from his devastating experience.

Avren stared blankly at the questionable meal that was put before him, he was never a big fan of stew it always made him feel groggy. "I now I can't cook like your mother did, but you have to eat." said Sherry.

"Come on mi'boy you have to eat something, you need the nourishment." sated Ron.

Avren looked upon his uncle's face. He was man of at least 40, a few wrinkles managed to settle upon his face and the top of his head was bald. His red hair encompassed the sides of his head with a reddish glow. Like all of the family he had noticeably red hair, he guesses that it was trait of theirs.

"Will you at least try it, it really isn't half bad." added Luke.

Avren now studied his cousins face, it's been so long since he has seen his relatives. The last time he remembers being here was when he was seven and it was christmas. His face has changed, he had somewhat long hair. His bangs hit his eyebrows and the sides of his face were covered in red hair. His eyes were brown and his skin complection was a bit pale.

Avren took his spoon and shoved it into the stew, he picked out some beats, carrots, and meat. Drawing the spoon closer to his mouth the aroma grew stronger. He took a small taste, then put the whole head of the spoon in his mouth. Luke was right, it wasn't half bad.

"There ya go lad, now we just need him to start talking." stated Ron.

"Don't worry about that, he was talking to me earlier in the day." said Sherry

Avren then recalled the conversation. He forgot to ask her what the song from the music box was called.

"Auntie Sherry, what was that song called?" asked Avren.

"It is called Lilium, Avren. It is truly a beautiful song isn't it." replied Sherry.

Avren remembered the song and played it in his head, the melody made him feel good but sad at the same time. It was an undescribable feeling. A feeling that cannot be described by mere words alone. Avren then was alerted to the stew before him, he had better eat it before it becomes cold and tastless.

"So you will be going to school with me tomorrow, right Avren?" asked Luke.

"I...I..guess that I have to now don't I." stated Avren.

"Well don't worry, I'll make sure you get a seat right next to me." said Luke trying to comfort Avren and make him feel like apart of the family.

"Yes, but I have never been to school before. I mean I have been home schooled, but what if the work is a lot harder there?" asked Avren

"Meh, don't worry about it. If you have any questions, just ask me, alright?" asked Luke, putting his hand on Avren's shoulder attempting to comfort him.

The sun rose cutting the line between earth and sky, making it official that a new day has finally come. And all the children prepare for yet another day of school, but for Avren this is a totally new experience. He doesn't really know what goes on inside a classroom, he didn't really feel like asking his cousin either because he was too embarrassed. He didn't want his cousin to know the he was uneducated in anyway. He wanted to be known amongst his family for being intelligent. Unfortunately this wasn't true.

Avren opened up his crusty eyes and rubbed them profusely until he was able to see again, he got up slowly and drew back the curtains only to be blinded by the bright light. Shielding his eyes he slowly adjusted to the light and once he was able to look out upon the city without having to squint he walked downstairs wearing his blanket as a coat.

Dragging the blanket behind him he approached the kitchen table, but no one was in sight. He guessed that they were maybe still sleeping, but to his surprise he founded a trace of bacon fumes in the air. His Aunt must be cooking right now and everyone will be up soon.

And just as Avren had thought everyone was just waking up. Luke, still in his pajamas, walked down stares with lethargy filled eyes, knowing that there was another painfully boring day of school ahead of him. But soon that sadness was replaced by hunger once he smelt the aroma of breakfast.

"Oi, your cooking bacon n' eggs, mom?" asked Luke.

Sherry then poked her head out of the kitchen and spoke to Luke, "Yes, dear. It will be ready fairly soon, is your father up yet?"

"No. He's probably still snoring, as usual." said Luke rolling his eyes.

"Ug. Could you go wake him up for me?" asked Sherry politely.

"No need dear," said Ron coming down the stairs, "I'm awake, I'm awake, so were having bacon and eggs, eh?"

"Yes, dear." said Sherry getting back to preparing the morning meal.

Avren, Luke, and Ron waited patiently at the table for breakfast. As their hunger hit its peak, Sherry came into the room with four plates of classic breakfast. The other three looked a the plates with their jaws open and drooling profusely.

"So, Avren. Is this going to be your first day of school here?" asked Ron, loking down at his plate cutting eggs.

"Ya, im a bit nervous." answered Avrern.

"Well you should be. You haven't anything on but your shorts, go get changed before your late."said Ron warning Avren that he only had about 10 minutes till school and he wasn't even finished eating.

Avren didn't say a word, he just ran up the stairs in a panic 'Oh crap! I can't be late of the first day, ugh!' he thought to himself racing up the stairs to grab his usual wear. He practically flew down the stair, jumping over the last few steps.

"All right, where's...my...backpack..."said Avren in between breaths.

"It's right by the porch, now hurry up and finish your breakfast you've got about five or four minutes." said Sherry hurrying Avren to the table, "Well, I was going to give a nice outfit to wear but seeing as there is not enough time..." she continued.

Outfit? What's wrong with the clothes that im wearing now, they seem fine. Ah whatever, thought Avren wolfing down the rest of the splendid meal. Luke was at the door putting on his shoes and beckoning Avren to hurry up. With a piece of toast in his mouth and his backpack on hi shoulder he was out the door.

"Aw no! Were gonna be late, Avren. We have to run to get there on time!" stated luke.

"Hmph We hmph run!" mumbled Avren with a piece of toast caught in the chambers of his mouth, keeping him from being able to speak properly

"What? Whatever just run!" replied Luke with an eyebrow raised, attempting to decipher the words that Avren was attempting to say.

Avren roughly swallowed the toast and began to speak normally again, "How far is this school?"

"Don't worry, we should get there a couple of seconds before the bell rings." said Luke, trying to reassure his cousin and himself.

Avren wondered what 'real' school was like, considering how many textbooks he had in his backpack it looked like he was going to learn slot. Avren wasn't really afraid of who was at the school, but of what he had to learn, if he couldn't understand they would make a mockery out of him.

"Avren? Hey, the school is over here?" called Luke beckoning him to come over to the tall building next to him.

"Oh, sorry." said Avren, realizing that not only his mind had drifted away, but so did he.

Arriving at the tall brown building, almost church-like, he noticed that on the other side of the window were a lot of happy children talking with each other. This brought some relief to himself, seeing as how their having a good time why can't he.

Just as he began to feel more comfortable around the school, a few of the kids walked up to Avren. There were three of them, one was pretty tall compared to Avren he looked like he was almost six feet tall but he was pretty scrawny, the other one was short and kinda chubby and a bit of a greaseball, and the third one seemed to be the leader of the group, he was of Average height but looked muscular.

"Oi, looky 'ere boys. We got us a new punching bag, hehehe." stated the leader, who you'll son find out that his name is Griz.

"Who are you?" asked Avren with an eyebrow raised, not taking a liking to his new found classmate.

'Me, oh im no one special, me names Griz." he said so holding his hand out, seems he wants Avren to give him a gentlemen's greeting.

"Umm, it's nice to...meet you." said Avren reaching out his hand, confused with the way Griz was acting.

The moment Avren's hand touched Griz, his two friends wore a grim smile. Griz pulled Avren close towards him and kneed him in the stomach.

"There we go, mate. That's our initiation into here, come on get up we all had to go through it to." stated Griz.

Avren got up with a pain in his stomach, confused about what had just happened. Shaking it off he got back up.

"Sorry, but for real this time." Griz said holding out his hand again.

Cautiously Avren decided to forget the past incident and grasp a hold of his hand again, but this time...he actually shook his hand. Maybe Avren was all wrong about this guy. And just as his thoughts became conclusive about Griz his two friends, Chubbs and Slick, come from behind and gave Avren a nasty wedgie causing Avren to yelp.

"Hahaha, you actually thought I'd be friends with you that easily?" asked Griz with a quizzical expression laid out on his smug face.

"Who said I'd even want to be your friend, watcha do to these guys, pay 'em?" growled Avren.

"Ha! You're a funny guy, aint'cha." replied Griz with a large grin, hiding his anger towards the boy.

"Im just full of jokes." stated Avren.

"Well, I think your just full of Shi-," stated Griz noticing the teacher sneak up behind him, "oh 'ello Mr. Delmur."

"Good evening boys, better get to class don't want to be late," stated Mr. Delmur looking at the unfamiliar face, "And you are?"

"M-m-my name is Avren." stated Avren sounding nervous.

"Oh, yes. Your related to Luke aren't you? Yes, well come on." stated the teacher signaling him to follow him into the school.

Avren gloomily drag himself up the steps of the unforgiving school and found several children grouped in several locations. He soon spotted his cousin speaking to another child, so he decided to go introduce himself 'Better now than never' (A/N: When you see stuff in italics and ' ' that is the characters thought)

Avren did not mean to interrupt the conversation that Luke and his friend was having, but he thought that now would be a good time, you know, before class begins. "Hello, my name is Avren. And you are?"

"Oh, so you are the new kid, eh? My name is Erik." he replied, reaching out his hand.

Avren, being a bit skeptical from previous occasions, consulted himself as to wether or not to shake the boys hand. But seeing as how Luke is acting friendly towards the boy he might as well.

"Much different than last time." whispered Avren.

"What?" asked Erik raising an eyebrow.

"He's talking about Griz and his group." said Luke in a disgusted tone, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh those Arse heads, don't worry about them. Just ignore them if they try to start stuff." stated Erik, trying to bring Avren at ease.

"Well, I appreciate it. Im new here so..." stated Avren beginning to rub his neck nervously.

"Ha Ha Ha, you don't need to be shy around me. I talk to complete strangers all the time, like as if I've known them for a long time. I'm really social, you know?" replied Eric, acting very casual around Avren.

...and so the boy will learn. And the chronicles of Avren's school life will begin.

A/N: Chapter 2 is up OMG!!! Ya I know I've been away from the writing scene for a long time now but I have finally returned. I'm telling you guys this now, I will never stop writing this story. Oh and giving you a heads up on the future chapters, there going to do a lot with Avren growing up and learning as well as making a few friends and some enemies. Ya I know it will be a little boring but I will try and make it as exciting as possible. It will probly be 2 and a half chapters. So ya next chapter is called...School Days!