Chapter 9

❄ Sealed Memories ❄

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As the rain poured outside, 8-year-old Rime had trembled in his bed, tears soaking his pillow. The sound of droplets hitting the roof had only seemed to amplify the loneliness he had felt. Suddenly, the door had creaked open, and his father had appeared in the doorway, concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay, son?" Mr. Kruger had asked.

Rime had held out his hands, tears streaming down his face. "It hurts, Dad. It hurts so much," he had whimpered.

Mr. Kruger's face had paled as he had seen the frostbite on Rime's fingers and the scar tissue on his legs. He had known his son had been manifesting his gift, but his body couldn't handle it.

"Where's Mom?" Rime had cried. "I want to see her."

Mr. Kruger's heart had broken as he had replied, "I'm sorry, son. Mom's gone. I told you and your sister she was sick and passed away two days ago.”

"Liar!" Rime had screamed. "Why do you keep lying? I don't believe you, I want to see mom now!"

Rime's body had grown colder and colder as his tears had fallen. The frostbite had spread, and Mr. Kruger had known he had to act fast. He had wrapped Rime in a blanket and had rushed outside into the pouring rain, Mia still sound asleep in her bed.

Mr. Kruger had driven recklessly, his mind racing. He hadn't been able to take Rime to the hospital because he might have been arrested, and they might not have known what was going on with his son. Instead, he had turned to an old friend.

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Eventually, they arrived at a hunting lodge in a remote and isolated area. Mr. Kruger had knocked on the door, holding Rime in his arms. A massive black man with brown hair and a lab coat had opened the door and had towered over Mr. Kruger.

The man had taunted Mr. Kruger, saying, "You must have big balls to come to my house holding a sick child, Cronus," and chuckling.

Mr. Kruger had held Rime in his arms and begged, "I know, but you're the only person I can turn to, Kuro Enzo!"

Kuro Enzo had examined Rime's frostbitten hands and scarred legs, then asked, "And why should I help you?" as he folded his arms across his chest. Cronus had pleaded, his voice shaking, "Please, Enzo, I know I am a horrible person and there is nothing I can do to atone for my sins... But my son. He needs help, and I have nowhere else to turn to."

Kuro Enzo had let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "You know i fucking hate having to look at your pathetic face. You look like a pile of fucking dog shit." He had said, spitting on Cronus' face.

Cronus had wiped the spit off his face and said, desperation creeping into his voice, "I know, but I can't just let my son die. Please, Enzo, I'll do anything."

Kuro Enzo had looked at him skeptically. "Anything? Right," he had repeated, his eyes narrowing.

Cronus had nodded. "Anything. Just name it."

Kuro Enzo's expression had softened slightly. "Fine," he had said, his voice low. "But you owe me. And if the Vindicta finds out about this, we're both dead."

Cronus nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Enzo."

Kuro Enzo had motioned towards the door. "Get in, he is getting even weaker due to my passive ability. Get him to my lab, it's in the basement."

As Cronus had carried Rime towards the house, Kuro Enzo had dug into his pocket and provided a pill to Rime, his voice was gentle but urgent, "Here, take this. It will ease your pain and help you rest."

Rime had weakly looked up at Kuro Enzo, barely able to see him as he tried to maintain consciousness. "Thank yo-," he had whispered before drifting off to sleep.