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The child was running through the streets, naked feet slapping the pavement as the rain fell on top of him. His hair were sticking to his face, soaked, and the bandages covering his right eye were seeping with dirty rain water as well.
The other kids had been cruel to him again, thrown water balloons at him and hit him with wooden sticks. He hated them all ! They kept saying he was a Ghost. That he had died because everyone hated him, and that he did not pass on to his next life because there was no one to miss him.
But it wasn’t true.
When he reached the ruined shed that he lived in, he stopped for a second. There was always the fear that maybe, this time, he was left alone…
But he heard a few sounds inside and started running again, pushing the door open and his arms wrapped instinctively around his mother’s legs, burying his face in her knees.
“Hong’er ?!” She asked, kneeling and carefully detangling the child’s arms from her frame.
The child shook his head, clinging onto her, whining softly, and she sat on the dirty floor, pulling her son into her lap. Hong’er’s frail arms went up to hook on his mom’s neck and he buried his face in her throat.
“Baby, talk to me. You’re with mama, you’re safe…”
He looked up, black eye staring right into her gaze.
There was always so much love in his mama’s eyes, when she looked back at him. But he had been nothing but a burden to her, her husband didn’t love the son they had birthed so she fled with him. And now they were always hungry, but she was always famished, because she kept on giving more and more to Hong’er.
“They…”
A hiccup left the child and he tried again.
“They said Mama didn’t love Hong’er !” He exclaimed, before immediately bursting into loud sobs.
“Baby, how could Mama not love you ?” She cooed, gnawing at her bottom lip nervously.
The other children of the town were always so cruel with her baby, but he deserved so much love. She knew just how much Hong’er craved company and affection, and he had so much adoration to give in return.
She held her son against her chest, hand gently combing through his tangled hair.
“I’m sorry… I’m sure one day, you’ll find someone who wants to be your friend…”
“Hong’er doesn’t love anybody ! They’re all mean and— and they say Hong’er is a ghost !”
His mama shook her head, black curls so alike Hong’er’s own hair moving gracefully as she went and untied the bandages around her son’s head.
Cupping his face, thumbs brushing along the, oh so chubby, cheeks to wipe out those tears as she looked into his eyes.
Hong’er red eye had been a surprise, when he was born. But red was the colour of passion, the colour of love. And she loved him so much, her entire world had changed, when she first laid her eyes on her son. The little ugly thing was loud, curled up and resting on her chest when he had opened these, oh, so strange eyes and looked back at her. Both of their tears had stopped, then, and she had smiled, promising to herself that her baby would be safe, and loved.
Kissing his forehead, she then placed her forehead against her son’s, closing her eyes and whispering:
“Do you trust Mama ?”
Of course, Hong’er nodded. His Mama was the best ! She always sang for him, she made sure that he had warm food and a warm bed, and when he was sick or hurt, she always stayed with him until he was feeling better. She always made sure he was happy…
“Yes, mama.”
She smiled and kissed the tip of his nose.
“One day, you’ll meet someone that you will love, someone that will show you as much kindness as Mama does, someone that will love you as much as Mama does. One day, you’ll find them, and you’ll be loved so much that you will never need anything else again. And remember, when you do find them… Hold onto them. Tight. ”
Hong’er had stars in his eyes as he looked up at his mama, a smile bright on his face.
“ But Hong’er already have Mama. No need for anyone else because I have Mama ! Mama and Mama’s soup !” He exclaims happily.
She let out a laugh, pulling him up in a warm hug and she fell back down on the little bed they shared, arms tight around her baby as they both giggled.
She closed her eyes, feeling the little heart beat against her own chest, her baby’s butterfly heart pounding hard and fast, and also somehow… Calming down. How scared must he have been, and how at peace he must be to relax slowly next to her, in her arms. She pressed her face in his cheek, peppering little kisses on her son’s cheek.
“Remember, Hong’er… You are a wonderful little boy, and Mama will always be here. Now… Talking about soup… Do you happen to know a little boy who would be, maybe, willing to help me make some ? I got some yummy potatoes ! And… A block of cheese !”
Honger’s face lit up in awe, eyes shining bright at the idea that his wonderful mama had managed to find these delicacies !
“Me, mama ! I can help you !” He squealed and started to run away, but she caught him by his still-drenched sleeve and gently lifted him up with a soft giggle.
“Wait here a minute, young man !” She chuckled softly. “Get some warm clothes and put the ones you got on to dry over the fire, mmn ? Careful.”
“Yes ma !”
The child obeyed, peeling off his wet and dripping clothes, and waddling to the fireplace to hang his wet clothes over it. The fire was so warm and comforting, and he could not do anything but squirm happily in front of it, beaming.
“Oi !” Mama exclaimed with a chuckle, suddenly appearing behind him. “There’s a little naked boy in my house, and that asks for tickles, be careful !”
Calloused fingers found his sides and he squealed, immediately darting and running away to throw himself on the bed, desperate to escape the torture.
“Oi, oi, come here ! What are you doing now, all naked ! Get dressed, will you ?” She giggled softly.
Sitting down next to him, she helped him into a dry and fresh set of white robes, thick and comfortable, and combed her fingers through his unruly raven hair, still a bit damp.
“How do you feel, now ?” She asked softly. “Warmer ?”
He looked up at her, toothy grin and shining eyes.
“Mmn ! All warm for soup.”
An hour later, after she had taught her beloved baby how to promptly peel and boil the potatoes, and letting him drop the cheese she had shredded into the soup, she found herself sitting on the floor by the fire, her baby sitting between her legs. She held the bowl of soup, dipping the spoon in it and bringing it to her son’s lips, before bringing some for her as well. Luckily, this time she had enough to fill both of their bellies !
Said bellies were quickly filled and her son curled up next to him, burying his face in her lap with a content sound, sleepily.
“Do you wanna get in bed, my heart ?” She whispered happily.
But Hong’er was not answering anymore, little chafed lips parted as he breathed slowly, deeply, in a sleep filled with happy dreams.
Mama smiled, heart swelling in fondness, and lifted him up in her arms, the baby curling against her heart just like he had so many years ago, and she laid down in the bed.
Her baby was safe, and loved. And somehow, she felt like he would be again.