.
Coming back was easier than what he expected. Although he really didn't know what he was expecting… more people with guns shooting at him? Another near-death encounter? Nothing of the sort happened while travelling inside his – beautiful- home country. And, seeing as fate had some kind of obvious fixation with him and his plans - modifying them into whatever it wanted- it was a pleasant surprise to have such an eventless journey.
It was sad in some way, but he was human once more, he shouldn't be afraid of fellow humans, not anymore.
And yet, he couldn't help but feeling uncomfortable surrounded by them; every time he saw a police or someone similar to Providence agents a cold chill travelled through his back and phantom pains made his vision go black for a second; he knew it was all inside his mind, yet he couldn't push the growing discomfort inside his body, or the fear hiding just beneath the surface.
With a deep breath, he stopped trembling thoughts from being darker, and got off the bus into the city.
Iași, known as the Cultural capital of Romania, was his home city. It was slightly different from how he remembered it; a little more technological, with some shops and bars in places that weren't before although, luckily, it all was practically the same. The same kind of people, the same gypsy air and, some, with looks that screamed mischief and playfulness, looks he was glad hadn't disappeared.
A small smile made its way into his still somber face. He was finally at home.
He found his parents in the same cozy house they'd always lived in, his siblings living their lives elsewhere. Strangely, he missed them, not because they'd been the most united, but because it was family he hadn't seen for such a long time. When he arrived, he spent about five minutes standing in front of the entrance door, preparing himself for the encounter with his parents and the- positive- emotional outcome.
His mom opened the door, and he instantly found in the middle of a teary hug which he tenderly replied, six years of accumulated tension were released from his shoulders.
No words were exchanged for a few minutes, and they talked after the woman had examined his son's face for what it seemed an eternity, like she'd done plenty of times before. His dark eyes spoke of regret, pained memories and happiness, all at once. And his mom, just by looking into the other's orbs, knew.
"I really missed you", he managed to say after a while.
With tears in her eyes, she replied still clinging at him, afraid of letting him go once again,
"I know"
.
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Next chapter will have more action... at least a little less of angst ( I hope).
Check out the city in Google maps if you can, it's a nice one, they even have an extremely beautiful Botany Garden :)
Reviews are much appreciated! :)
