The storm grew strong as time goes on that everyone in the small town of Bamboo Grove was already inside the warm and safety of their homes, children watching from the windows witness wondrous wonders of this natural phenomenon as this is intriguing to their young minds however to others who fear the loud hair rising sound of thunder booming, hid under their blankets like a crab going into it shell when danger approaches.
All is well this is a regular Friday evening for the citizens all except the young pooh bear who just made refuge sitting next to a dumpster in a dark back alley where luckily the pharmacy roof was large enough that it would shield his head from the falling rain.
He sighs briefly, pulling his legs closer to his chest as streams of eyeballs juice steamed down his face, willing not to crease while staring at the fond memory of the day he entered his grandmother's life. Even though he doesn't remember it fully since Mimi has told him about that day he could help imagine the whole event.
Mimi rocking in her old comfy recliner enjoying some of her old jasmine tea in her homemade mug while watching late night politics on the country revenue. Her eyes became weary as she had been up since seven and slumber sounded appealing if it wasnt for a loud knocking on her door that made her jump out of dreamland.
Ugh who the hell is knocking on my damn door this late. She huffed, jumped out her chair to walk over the front door and slid the door to see the unwanted visitor that came to her property unnoticed. She glanced from the left and right seeing that no one was there even though it was pitch black outside with the sound of the wind howling tiny snowflakes on her house.
Assholes." She muttered thinking it was some kids playing a trick on her, but unfortunately that was not the case and something was just below her nose. She was about to head back inside when suddenly she heard light crying on her pouch that made her jump. She recognized that sound all too well from those eighteen years of changing diapers and passive aggressive scolding.
She looked down and gasped as she was correct, a newborn pooh bear cub in a woven basket wrapped loosely in red velvet covering, staring intensely at the old woman with his teary beautiful blue shimmering eyes properly wondering if she was his mother.
She frowned when he started whimpering and took no hesitation to pick up the little angel in her arms who felt very light in weight, which triggered her brain to shut the door and rush over to the kitchen.
As a respected retired pediatric physician, she knew that it wasn't normal for this newborn to be this underweight and wanted to fully examine him first, but decided to remove that last as she needed to calm him down with a nice warm bottle of milk.
"Ok ok mister am trying to find you something to suck on, be patient. She let him suck on her finger for a little, as she scattered her free hand through her refrigerator a moment until pulling out what she was looking for in aAh ha.
Well, I guess Cherry doesnt mind if I use her breast milk for this impatient bundle of joy.She shrugged her shoulders and put a metal pot of water on the stove with the bottle and turned it on.
It took a few minutes until the pot started warming up with steam escaping from it; and turned off the eye to pick it up with a pair of tongs to carry it to the wailing baby on the coach with the blanket that was covering speared out under him. She drizzled some of the milk on her arm, to check if it wasn't too hot, luckily it was not and gave it to him which hed instantly stop waning as the taste of food was entering his stomach..finally.
There you go now, you have some food entering you, let check you out for a bit. Mimi cooed and used both her index and pointing fingers on the baby's neck to feel his pulse, it was normal for her liking, yet slightly elevated from him, screaming his head off like she was trying to kill him.
Even though his pulse was normal, she still wanted to auscultate his vital signs with her new stethoscope that one of her friends gifted to her. She places the diaphragm gently on above his ribcage to listen for a moment then lower it from left to right to compare each heart sounds for any mummers, she smiles when she can't hear any.
Mhmm for a small guy out in the elements, your heartbeat sounds normal.The little one belched after finishing his bottle, and yawned to signal her that he was about to head off to dreamland which was fine for the old woman as she must rather him quiet, as she continued his examination on his lungs and any visible bruises or any sign of abuses marking on his body.
She couldnt be too careful since it already child abuse to abanded a child on the streets like there nothing, but an obstacle to your mistake to wear a condom, or the most affected way to not produce a baby is abstinence, which is somthing very simple that anyone can do, but choose not to which always piss her off from such ignorance.
She put her medical instrument on her neck after she was done, then removed the thermometer from his armpit when it started beeping and looked at it to find out he didn't have a fever.
"No fever, that good even though your parents left you on my doorstep in close to freezing temperature, they weren't too shitty to give you a blanket." She chuckled lightheartedly, swaddling the babys body into the red blanket he was in when he was brought to her and carrying him to her recliner with the note she found on his baby carriage as she was busy changing his stinky diaper while waiting for his dinner.
She sighs heavily, her butt feeling the soft cushion of her chair, rocking gently to help the infant sleep while she reads the thirty syllables paper. To her surprised this child she was cradling was her absent sons kid Takshi and his partner who she can't pronounce without sounding offensive, decided to give up their parental rights to her, so she can rise their son because they can't handle the responsibility of raising a child and regretted having him or something more stupid, and repulsive with saying that.
Normally she would be furious when reading this lazy piece of garbage excuse of chicken out of their responsibility that they've committed to, however this is her son she's talking about, so being a father is out of the picture. She looked down at the now sleeping cub, who was sucking on his thumb while snuggling up to her breasts like a comfy pillow to his liking. She smiled then chuckled since she'd thought it was adorable and wholesome for something this sweet, and innocent not to be loved by anyone, it's sucks that one day when he grows up he'd be wondering why didn't his parents love him which will mess up his perspective of this bipolar earth theyd called home.
Of course, it's her choice between her giving him up for adoption to another family that could love him, or she will be his caregiver until he turns eighteen, but either way he is not going to get that much love he deserves. She pondered for a moment, thinking these discussions clearly before making a statement that will affect her young grandson's life. She took a breathe and exhaled slowly still keeping that smile on her face while gently stroking his head before saying--
I don't know what will happen in your life, but I promise to take care and love you just as I once did to your father, and remind you after the years you grow that you matter Archer, you matter to me and whoever you let your heart choose to be in your life. Just remember this one saying if you ever get what I am trying to say is if you cant find me always know that I am just a couple feet away, and youll find.. me.
His daydream was cut off since remembering her saying that to him was too much, knowing the situation he was in. He wonders how come none of his friends' parents or them general are searching for him, who knows they must be giving up.
Some cases he thought the people that walk passed him would ask him if he is homeless, which is not fully wrong, unfortunately no bother today him this type of jester rather show harshness and utter shabby like now a 20ish rabbit women in all black dress and leather brown boots came out the pharmacy in a rush that she tripped on the stairwell, causing her to dropped a pill bottle of some sort that rolled over all the way over to his feet.
Ace noticed it and picked it up, reading the title without meaning to and sighing realizing it was a drug that terminates a woman's pregnancy such as abortion pills.
"Hey maam ..you drop this."Before Ace could give her back the bottle the woman screamed and beat him on the head with her purse that must have heavy bricks in it that made him fall on his hands.
"Prevert! Luckily I didn't call the police on you hmph!"Äce heard her tapping of her heels leaving in the other direction, before returning back to his spot to whimper.
"Mimi..where are you."
"Life isn't fair right dear..sweet…child." A calm feminine voice could be heard through the heavy sound of rain that he heard and lifted his head to see who.
Who is there? Show yourself! She chuckled wickedly as they found his little command amusing, and a sound of steel scraping can be heard as they approached with little sparks of yellow then orange to slightly show their present not by much as the pure darkness of the ally hid them. It wasnt until the last thunder crackle and lighting flash showing their mad red glowing eyes that stared directly into the highly fearful blue eyes of Ace.
So youre a pooh bear right? I thought your kind prefers to be in groups or something like that? She asked which Ace didn't answer right away as he was fixated on her attire. She wore a dark color long cloak that ran down to her brown forearms with golden arm straps. She also had black baggy pants with twin sickle blades on each side and a hoodie that covered her head.
Uhh..not usual..why you ask?
Just to start a conversation you of course, I witness the dishonorable of that woman has done to you, wondering if you allow me to punish her. Ace watched how she was quick to grabbed her sickles in an intimidating but playful manner, by twirling her weapons like batons though her fingers before cashing them together.
Nah!..I mean just let her go there no point in that.
Mhmm.. very well kuma, but what caused a young cub like you to be out here this late in the corrupted part of thai town? You should know it's dangerous to be out. She pulled out a cigarette that was already listed then put one foot on the brick wall and put it to her lips. The thick dark puffs of smoke made Ace into a coughing fit and fanned it away from himself before answering her question.
I know that its..j.just..life is killing me. I..I just want my grandmother.
Mhmm dont we all want comfort from our elders, but in life you wouldn't have that desirable show of unconditional, endearment, and safety, once you witness the hell this world may behold.
She huffed other puff of smoke and flicked it then moved quickly in front of Ace, who quickly became on his feet in a very uncomfortable manner that he couldn't say anything about, as she was mery towering him and stronger from the sight intense pressure she put on his shoulder to pinned him to the brick wall while staring at him with those red eyes that describe damnation.
Hey, I may not the no usually do this, but if youre up to trust me I can show you where your beloved grandmother is.
YOU DO!..I mean you do? He asked, remaining in disbelief that someone he just met knows the location of his missing grandmother.
Of course! I know where she is, and luckily for you she is close; unlike, your friends that didn't bother to assist in helping you search for her right?
Yeah.
He pulled out the photo of him and the gang eating these mooncakes when they were 8 years old with his eyes fixated on young Peggy, who had her arm around his side looking at him with amusement and happiness in her beautiful bamboo eyes that seemed to enjoy being in his presence. To his younger mind this was the only evidence that he wasn't a burden to girls his own age, and now he doesn't know.
"So kuma, what is your final decision?
She asked again, her arms folded against her chest strangely still patient with him, as he kept stuttering for an answer for a whole entire minute before coming to a conclusion. He sighs deeply and slowly nods his head.
"Okay, take me to her, please?"
Good choice, you wouldn't regret it, young one. Now follow me northway. She introduced by walking farther down the back alley which he nodded, and followed behind her; while casually looking behind him for anyone following.
Minutes felt like forever in this long unsettling walk down the alley where everything was not friendly for any teenager, like himself to witness. The pungent aroma of steaming hot garbage, intoxicated the breathable air around them, but didn't affect his mysterious glide, that actually was fond of it.
The squeaking of rodents could be heard; especially to his discomfort hoping none of their tiny bodies scattered across his shoes would make his stomach churned.
"Are we there yet?" He asked once to the mysterious woman in front, suddenly paused in the middle of the path. She slowly lowered her head to his level, with a finger to her lips.
"Shh! patience, young one, we're nearly there to the location of your grandmother. Just occupy your mind in the present time." He frowned disappointedly at her answer then took a moment to think it over before letting off a heavy sigh.
"Ok, miss black hoodie."
Black..hoodie? She asked him confusedly
"Oh I-I didn't mean it!! ..t-to call you that offensively.. I just." He blushed and tried to apologize that he thought was an ignorant question, but to his surprise she didnt saything, but let out a very soft chuckle that he would hear from a nice older woman.
"Oh dear sweet child..your unintentionally insult doesn't harm me, but I wonder if you're afraid of asking for my name?"
"What do you mean about that?" He raised an eyebrow. "I do want to know your name since you're helping me."
"Very well my name is Yi..Yi from the Yoki clan of the east, and kumas name is..?
Archer miss Yi, or second thought call me Ace, if you don't mind. Yi chuckled at his statement, and patted her gloved hand on his head, and continued walking down to the path in more pleasing matter, as talking to her make him feel safe and ;somewhat,
feels she understands how Mimi means to him, unlike his friends who probably still worry about their own lives to help him. No, they made their decision and cannot force anyone to do something that you want, he thought.
Almost a several minutes later they reach their destination from where Yi puts her hand, to halt in his place like a police officer when just a meter away shows an old town house that he would see on the poorest side of the town where homeless people hang out and stay like their real home.
"Once you enter this door, you will see your grandmother safe and healed from the fire, Ace. Just open the door and embrace what is coming to you." She handed him a key to open the door in his palms.
You sure about this Yi? That she'd be there.
"A wise master of wisdom once said, if you believe with all your heart, the universe will give you your greatest desires."
Ace sigh, glancing at the golden key, then place it to the center of his chest more precisely above his heart to hope that ones he unlock this door there will be her, in that usually red cherry robe that have a strong scent of jasmine and sassy comedic attitude that always bring joy to life when things don't go right.
He opened his eyes, and proceeded to twist the locket slowly before pushing the door that made a low creaking sound then walked in. Inside was not held inspected, from the flickering lightbulb on the ceiling, the furniture not in good shape with the coach ripped to pieces like a cat got hold of it, and the water dripping on the ground which was the cherry on top of this disgusting household.
"Ok..Yi where is she?" Aces heart sank, his fancy wasn't there as he hoped.
"Perhaps, she is up on the second floor resting, do you go check while I bring some tea and sashimi."
That sounds cool, but make sure the sashimi has no meat since we're vegetarian, and that sweet honey wasabi. Ace asked her politely then hurried to the stairs while leaving YI to herself to get the food.
As the pooh bear reached the top floor he noticed that the upper flooring wasn't too bad compared to downstairs with the only difference being a very dark and drafty hallway. He gulped, and remembered he had another glow stick in backpack then used that to glide him. This reminded him of yesterday when he woke up in the middle of the night from the damn nightmare of his potentially death; by that crazy deer lady that tried to kill him for no reason, like he still wanted to know what happened to him next.
He finally reached the end of the hallway toward a dark colored wooden door after a few occurrences of him almost pissing himself from hearing the sound of thunder, but overall the emotion was temporary when knowing he was just a doorway from his grandmother.
Ace took a deep breath and crossed his fingers then opened the door carefully before planting his foot on the creaking wooden plank.
"Hello?.. Mimi, are you in there?" Ace slowly walked inside the room, making sure nothing tried to jump him in this small semi dark room, by the lantern that kept presenting anything that came to his vision, except the bed he came upon that seemed like someone was in it, possibly sleeping.
"Mimi, are you napping? Hehe I can recognize your snoring from a mile away."
Ace giggled, remembering the times he would think there was a monster down the hallway but really it was her. Usually this is the time shéd would wake up and complain about why he was waking her up, but not just her whale-like snoring.
"Uhh Mimi ..time to get up.. Fine then I guess I'll put the covers on then." Ace didn't hear her argue against his little threat, and proceeded to tug the white blanket until it was fully off the bed and on the ground.
Instead of her demanding him to make her coffee, his blue eyes opened widely as his mouth agape with no words escaping it.
No words could describe what he is seeing, except the feeling he is becoming more and more farther from the one he desires. He picked a black voice recorder that someone had been recondering for for years, and the only pictures of him were scattered all over the surface of the sheets, specifically the one where he was on her porch as a baby, other with Peggy and Tj and some with him enjoying a pot of honey in his room.
"What..the.. hell!"
I guess you'd found my secret Ace, good job.
He nearly jumped out his body, when the door suddenly closed shut and saw Yi standing in front of it, with her sickles in her hands. Her red eyes glowed even more as lightning flashed across the window. The whole atmosphere surrounding him shifted as his fur rose up and the feeling wanted to escape seemed impenetrable, his breathing became more heavier when hearing her monstrous laughter, the one that would erase all his childhood memories away in exchange for fear.
"Haha! you ..you out of all people should know something nefarious was bound to happen, but no your desires to find your beloved grandmother brainwash you, severely."
"But..but., I -t- t-thought I could trust you Yi."
"Bullshit! foolish child, your native nature brought you here, I only committed to it because it was very amusing to the soul." She slowly approached him with her weapons scraping on the floor to press him up the wall, but Ace knew what she was trying to do and maneuver under her legs then quickly tried to open the door but unfortunately she grabbed frimley by his shirt.
"Where do you think you are going, little one?" She said, with a creepy smile foaming across her face; before, tossing him up to the wall with a loud crash when he made an impact and fell back onto the bed. He didn't have much time to groan in pain but screamed as she jumped onto him with her hand pinning his arms to his side.
LET GO OF ME PLEASEE!! The young pooh bear tried to set himself free but couldn't. Every time he would struggle in her strong grip it would become more unbearable; like a snake constricting around its prey with no content of releasing.Yi found it very assuming to see her prey in distress like music to her ears.
No.. No ..no Ace, I will not stop since I just began, and there is no turning back from that, right kuma? She started to tie his arms to the frame of the bed with her knee pressed down on his chest with some ripped of fabric in her pocket.
It took just a few minutes when her labor was done. She sat down on his legs while Ace managed to kick her off.
Somehow, she didn't get mad at him for hitting her, but the total opposite. She started chuckling for merely a second then laughing hysterically and stared at him with a grin before the glow stick that kept the room bright, died. The whole entire room went black, and deadly quiet that only the sound of a pin drop can be heard. The only sound of his quick heavy breathing of the upcoming terror that lures in the darkness, waiting patiently to pounce.
He'd tried to calm himself down, so he would be able to hear any sudden movements to know she was near. He thought about the good times with his grandmama, like the time he helped her make a bunch of egg custard with lychee nuts frosting and got to eat one of them after selling them to a client. Having an honest conversation with her outside on the porch while she has a cigar to smoke as she listens to his problems.
These simple things to remember always brighten his mood, but in this case not so much. His breathing has slowed down for a moment since it was working, but not for long term. His heart started beating hard against his ribcage when hearing her laughter again like she was taunting, and without saying anything he felt something crawling on him to his face. He knew her for damn sure those big red eyes stared down deep into his soul like he saw his own damnation within these cold dead pupils of a demon.
There was nothing he could do at this moment, there was no one to yell for help and no friends to witness his death which he didn't care about, knowing that Mimi is probably dead like he is about to be, is more pleasing than this. He started tearing up.
Please..stop.. am done fighting.. just kill me and ended it all for me.
"Foolish kuma, I didn't say I was going to kill you, I just want to make you remember this moment for the rest of your years on this earth,hehe." Her laughter was the last thing he heard before blacking out when she pulled down his pants and pursued her actual intentions on his tired body.
"Good night, Archer, hehe!"
