Nox

"Nox, c'mere. I want to show you something" my mother called out from the garden. Her voice was soft and sweet, but still loud enough to be heard from me who was inside and still putting my green and black slippers on. I ran out, going as fast as my little legs would allow me and climbed up the two brick steps until I see the garden of our terraced house.

It wasn't the biggest garden or the greatest, but it was something she, and I, had been working on. Underneath me, ahead for 4 meters and the pathway that lead to this was stone tiles while the steps to the elevated back end of the garden was just 5 red bricks placed next to each other with cement. Covering the edges of the garden was the soil and all the plants we were still growing.

Many of them were still young, like me, so she made sure to water them, check for any that may have died and then she'd turn her attention to me. Educating me on what to do, why they need water and how long they could take. At the end of the garden was two trees, a short apple tree and a large cherry tree. The cherry trees braches spread all over and when it bore fruit, it was a great snack.

My mother, who didn't look a day older then in her early twenties, had light brown skin, soft to the touch with long silky black hair that would reach to the middle of her back if she wasn't tying it up for gardening like right now. She stood at 168cm and has cherry red lips. She turned to me when I came running in and I saw her brown eyes, eyes that reminded me of the very earth she was taking care of.

I kneeled down beside her next to one of the 3 plant beds we had, it was originally flower beds but we changed their purpose to meet what she needed and I wanted. In it was the carrots that I was growing and she pulled one out, large and orange and covered in dirt but it grew!

She looked at me with a genuine smile before looking down at the rest of them. "6 years old and already a little farmer, I'm so proud of you." Her words bought a smile and I nodded, bringing the rest in the bed out and while they all ranged in size, I was still proud of the work we had done.

She looked up and I set the carrots in the metallic bowl she bought with her before joining her to look towards the grey and dull sky, only darkening as the day went on.

"Nox." She looked at me as she began speaking, her voice low but not yet a whisper, "some of the plants fail grow anything, some of us have bad days, but you know son." She lifted one last carrot that I hadn't seen, a baby sized one no bigger then my palm. " We're like plants, we can't enjoy the sun and we can't grow without the rain. We take the bad and try again tomorrow, " she handed me the baby carrot that I had forgotten " just remember that, ok? "

I looked at her in what I would imagine would to be a serious face, though I don't know m what it really looked like because she ended up laughing at the face I made. Her words of wisdom remained in my thoughts though and I kept it locked up, knowing it was good advice.

She ruffled my hair getting done of the dirt in it before standing and holding the bowl. I helped her finish up with the watering, giving them plant feed and such before heading in. I followed in her footsteps as we headed towards the garden door and her sudden stop made me hit my head into her lower back, then look up at her.

"I'm sorry I almost Forgot!" Her voice was a squealed and was fairly loud until she looked at me again. "Son! What do you want for your birthday!"

Birthday..? I'd forgotten all about it til now, mostly enjoying school spending time at home doing whatever chores my parents did, so I didn't know how to answer.

" I don't know yet. Maybe a fantasy book or manga? They aren't popular in school.. but I still love the stories they tell." I looked up at her with a grin that would stretch from one ear of my small face to the other.

"Alright, I'll look into some. You go in and clean yourself up, dirty boi." She placed her hand on my back and lead me in, taking me to the bathroom and left me to wash as she got me my clothes.

My body was small, maybe 114cm? wait is it weird that I'm describing my body to my self? And it was a creamy white colour, though my arms and legs were more tanned and a light shade of brown. My hair was short too, a buzz cut with my black hair and eyes brown.

She bought the clothes in and helped me finish up, before she sent me to my room with the tablet they got me last year. They said it was limited edition. So much so that it wasn't out yet and I loved it. Using it to watch videos about dinosaurs and dragons. Or read stories/manwha and adventurers and their fantasy world, the stories were great, with a main character that was over powered! It told stories of how they saved the world, how many people lived up to the hero's and I'm thankful for being able to read it and people like Dabu who made great work like SL.

The morning passed and after I finished reading it was already afternoon, time for lunch and right on time, my father called me to eat. I ran down the wooden stairs, holding onto the white painted hand railing so that I didn't fall like I used to when running for the food.

Our house was nothing special, a terraced house in England, with 3 bedrooms upstairs, an attic that I've never been to, a basement I've never been to and then the usual, sitting room, front room, kitchen and bathroom.

My brother and sister weren't home, probably out for school or with friends, leaving the house quiet. Everything was a blur as I ran to father and then I stopped at the sitting room, noticing the wooden floor boards creaking, he was sat with two plates of buttered toast, two cups of tea and some biscuits. I went and sat, smile on my face as I indulged in the feast before my eyes.

The room was a moderately sized one, not too big but not small either, with 3 cream walls and one wall with a floral wall paper design, a cream color with purple flowers. The wallpaper wall had the tv mounted to it and as father watched the news I just looked around the room, thinking of nothing in particular. I looked back, opposite from the tv to see the large mirror, mother would often use it. Before we get out she'd get one last look at herself to make sure everything's perfect.

"Nox, you busy after lunch?" His words pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked around confused for a slight second, meeting his hazel eyes for a split second.

"No father." I finished the last bite of the golden toast in my hand before holding the white cup in both of my small hands.

"Good", he sighed before getting up with his tea, "I've got a lot to teach you, come to me after you've rested a little. Alright?"

" Am I going to learn another skill! Like gardening with mother? " My voice came out more excited then I meant for it, but it was largely because I thought of these as both essential skills and like the manwha I'd read. Where the MC levels up with new skills.

Maybe if I learn these I'll level up too!

"Of course son. Some fighting, since you seem to love to get beaten by your older brother. Maintaining the house, like cleaning your dishes and you can help me with the car. If you'd like. I don't want to force you of course. "

His tone made it seem genuine and I couldn't help but smile as I drank the tea. " Of course I'll join father." He stood tall, at 184cm, and was a role model. Aside from the rest of my family ofc. And uncle Anton was too.

I remember father encouraging me to get a buzz cut and saying he would get one too if I did. I didn't believe it and called his bluff but he really did. It made him look like a soldier, with his short black buzz cut hair, light skin with warm undertones, a muscular build that fit his lean physique, he was a great dad and great person. Thinking of it made me smile all over again, I couldn't help it.

He notices the smile and ruffled my hair with his clean hand. "Keep smiling for your old man, when you do. No number of sun sets could better do it justice. You kids really do have your mother's genes with how perfect you are." With that he left to clean his dishes, leaving me to smile and finish my drink.

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Evening had already come and father finished checking the tire pressure for his car, the last thing on his list to teach and show me. He smiled at me at the end and sent me off to wash up so I headed back inside, waddling because of the wedgie from my underwear.

Cleaning my hands and face took no longer then a minute but within that minute my ogre brother and rat sister seemed to have already come home and started on dinner while mother and father spoke in the sitting room.

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My brother, the ogre, who was 20 and probably 176cm was cutting the onions. His brown eyes met mine and he glared daggers at me. I walked past slapping his buzz cut hair, which he got with me and father. He wasn't fit and peak physical condition like father but he wasn't fat either, being more along the lines of what most would call average. But he wore a t-shirt from a manga that started 10 years ago, reading "pirate king Luffy." He was a good brother but he fought me like an ogre from the webcomics, picking me up and yeeting me onto the bed.

He ignored the slap, focusing on his watering eyes from the onions and I walked past my sister who stuck her leg out by "accident". To play my part though, I fell and laid on my back looking up at her, pretending to be angry, trying to make my face look red.

"You rat, why'd you trip me up like that."

She looked down on me, being 171cm and all, her hazel eyes met my own brown set and her mix of creamy white and brown skin shined under the kitchen lights, which were blocked out from her hair tied up in a bun. She laughed and kicked me gently before getting back to cooking, ignoring me and my question.

I got up and slapped the back of her head too, before looking at the kitchen, with it's black counter, countless drawers and cupboards that held a range of things from pots and pans, to spices, cups, medicines. Then the white stove where brother was working, lit up, and he put the pot down, and head to the grey fridge.

I wonder what they're making.. i could feel my stomach grumble in anticipation. But before I would get more hungry, sister rat pulled me up and told me to either help them cook or "skidaddle" as she'd say it. So I chose the former.

We apparently made curry, a staple of Asian cuisine and it was because she learnt it in school recently and honestly, I had no complaints. It was delicious and filled me up, with ingredients that I could source from the garden too if we needed to.

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Time went by as a blur over the next couple months, where everything seemed fine, with me focusing on school and spending what time I could with my family. I wasn't popular in school and stuck to myself, in class where I'd be isolated and couldn't work with others. In the playground where I wasn't allowed to sit with anyone, in pe (physical education) where no one would want me in their team. I got used to it though. When I was home I'd be with uncle Anton whenever he'd visit or read my stories, manga, webtoons, draw and just pass the time.

I could've told my parents about my school life and how hard it was but I didn't want to bother them with it and every parents evening (an event where parents meet teachers to see how their child is doing in school) the teacher would lie about how our I am and how great I am as a student.

My father would often take me to football games on weekends to watch a club called the "Birmingham Lions" or he'd take me to the park. Aside from the self defense and other lessons he taught me, this was the only quality time we got together as father and son. Mother and son would generally be our gardening where she'd teach me lots, from nature to science. My sister would talk to me about school whenever she was bothered and my brother would listen to me rant about the future and how it was exciting but scary.

March 23rd 2009

Recently I couldn't help but notice my parents odd behavior. It wasn't only them but my siblings too. How the was no more gardening or self defense the past 3 weeks, no football matches. My siblings wouldn't talk or rant either, I didn't want to bring it up though thinking there was issues they I shouldn't get involved in. So I went to school as usual.

The classroom was depressing, with everyone sat in groups of 5-6's and me sat by myself at the back. The floor was wooden floor boards, the 3 walls were painted white with the fourth having a window. One week with a projector and whiteboard, one with pictures of us and stars next to our names it we did well - I'd often have one of the lowest, along with a guy in my class who was popular called Adam- and the last wall had the door that led to the corridor.

It hit 12pm when uncle came to visit me in school, collect me and take me home. He dressed in a navy blue suit, white shirt and an ivory tie. He's olive skin bright under the schools light, emphasizing his beautiful skin, despite being in his 20's, he had no acne. His mustache thick and curling on either end like that man from the crisp cans.

He walked with a certain confidence, oozing class and he was one of my few idols from real life. Her was so cool infact that even the head teacher didn't say anything, just glaring daggers through the window of their office as we walked to his car.

He took me home, where my suspicions were correct. Something was off.

They had a suitcase ready for me and me, being confused asked what it was for. To which my father looked at me, kneeled down and pet my head. He explained that I need to stay with uncle for a couple days and to think of it as a free holiday. They told me the school wouldn't say anything and I looked to my uncle who was quietly stood there, watching.

I was sceptical at first but ultimately, I knew I had to go. I didn't want to cause trouble so I did. He took me on a private jet to Australia, it was a fun experience with it being my first ever holiday abroad and first time in a plane. But I didn't delude myself thinking it was normal to get a private plane, I was thankful he let me experience such a luxury but that was quickly distracted my the plane taking off and the views of the world from the sky.

How small everything seemed. How small people truly were. How insignificant we are. But how impressive it is that we managed to not only survive but create inventions like this.

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At Australia, my uncle seemed distracted from the moment we landed. Often looking over his shoulder and looking at other cars in suspicion until we got to his friends place. A man called Arthur. It was a mansion and a beautiful one. I shook the hands of the family at the game and one I assumed to be Arthur, my uncle's friend. Everyone introduced themselves but I was distracted and didn't pay attention, looking around in awe and amazement.

"Sam, say hello" a women in a maid outfit said, nudging the young girl forward. She was my height, with beautiful blue eyes, the first eyes of a different colour that I'd ever seen and it was something she, and her parents, shared. She, just like her. Mother had brunette curly hair, though hers was much shorter then the matured counterpart of hers.

Her father was similar to Anton, except he didn't have the mustache, and was clean shaven. With honey gold eyes and long black hair that went to his shoulders that made him look like the second coming of Jesus. He stood as tall as Anton and Arthur and wore casual clothes as opposed to the other twos smart attire.

Lastly Arthur, uncle Anton's best friend and the reason I didn't often get to spend much time with my uncle. I wasn't jealous, rather, I was amazed at such a man. Who stood on equal footing with my uncle. He had a sharp jaw and the same olive skin as the rest, with brown curly hair and a stubble beard and white overcoat that made him look so frickin cool!

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It was already March 30th and I was in the taxi home. Uncle Anton left me at the airport stressed and quickly sent my away with this, while he took a car elsewhere.

I got home to a quiet house, everyone except my mother sleeping. She welcomed me, hugged me and led me to my bedroom where she unpacked while I brushed my teeth. She was wearing her night gown and looked tired while she unpacked.

"Are you hungry hun? Want me to make you something?" She looked at me with her eyes closed and smile wide, trying to convince me that nothing was wrong.

everything's ok. I'm just over thinking it.

"No thanks mum, I ate on the plane. I made friends with a girl too! She's called Sam and she let me play with her toys and read her books and-"

"That's very nice to hear son," she cut me off and put the suitcase away, getting up and sitting beside me on the bed. "Make sure to tell me about it all tomorrow ok? For now you need rest, otherwise you'll mess up your body clock." As her last words left her mouth, my eyes started drifting closed and I fell asleep.

Morning came and my routine was normal, brush my teeth, do my toilet business then head downstairs for breakfast. The rest of the family welcomed me back then father continued reading the letter in his hand, his face pale Asif either scared or stressed. I tried to look at it but only saw that it was from uncle.

Nothing significant happened that day other then my parents listening to my stories of what I'd done while away. The next couple days leading to the day before my birthday were all similar to today too. Everyone acting like nothing was wrong but something clearly was.

April 1st:

I noticed that my brother came home early from university and my mum and dads strange behavior continued. No house maintenance, no big chores to do like mowing, no gardening. My sister would convince me that everything's ok and that they're planning something special, followed by her winking.

April 2nd:

A strange man came to the house. I didn't get a good look at him and how he looked, but he had a top hat and suit which had a 4 point star on the breast pocket. I wanted to listen in but could only do so from my room because it was late. No matter how much I tried though I couldn't hear anything.

April 3rd:

i fell sick, my parents spoke to my siblings before checking in on me then going out for the day. I was bedridden and a voice in my head told me to rest but I ignored it thinking it was another one of my thoughts. My parents came home late that day she checked in on me who was still sick but less so, which they credited to my siblings good care over me.

seems like my siblings are good for something.

April 4th:

I felt better today but noticed that they were still acting strange, so I thought today would be the day I confronted them.

I went downstairs to see my siblings not home and parents sat down. My mum left buttered toast and beans on the table for me before they told me they began talking.

"Nox, we'll all be out today alright? Your uncle will come later today so don't be scared and continue reading the manga your brother recommend about the pirate king. I won't spoil anything." My father said, his voice trying to hide his worry which was evident.

I could feel my chest tighten at the poor acting from them. "Why are you both lying..? I know you've been stressed and acting weird! I just want to know the truth.." The words blurted out and I could feel my face grow hot, to them my face must've been red.

"Don't worry hun, were just getting the presents for tomorrow, we just want it to be perfect you know? But now that you know it won't be much of a surprise. I guess I should just tell you what we got huh? " She said in a teasing tone.

I couldn't help but pout. " You ruined the surprise." A genuine smile creeped onto my face " don't ruin anything!"

so they were worried because my present. It must be great!

My parents, got ready as I ate my breakfast and before they left, they told me there was lots of food in the fridge, snacks all over the place and to use the phone that they'd gotten me.

I smiled and nodded, hugging them and waving bye. They looked back, once more, tears in their eyes as they whispered something before leaving.

"We love you."