Finding My Way To Him (Shalnark x Reader)

1: Uncanny Encounter

The rythmic drumming of rain cascaded outside the school auditorium. You've always enjoyed the rain, drowning in its melodic patterns, allowing it to carry you away from your worries.

That day, you were lost in the pounding of rain as usual, but suddenly, a harsh vibration took you out of your trance. One second, you had pulled out your phone to answer the call, and the next, you were leaving the safe covers and entering the gushing rain.

With every step, you could feel the splashing of water and the heaviness of your clothes, soaking in the rain, pacifying the overwhelming rush of your emotions.

Your eldest brother had died.

Despite your love for rain, it only seemed to intensify the miserable atmosphere today.

You stood still in the funeral hall, staring at the picture of your late brother surrounded by an abundance of flowers, his (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes, (s/c) skin and tender smile exactly as you remember them only days ago.

He was practically a male copy of you, except he had lots of kindness to give and his smile full of warthm. You had always held the utmost respect for your brother, someone you truly looked up to.

He was dedicated to his job, his charismatic personality lit up rooms, and he was admired by everyone around him.

Of course, never enough for your parents. But to be honest, who even was. Not you, that's for sure.

You were similar to your brother. However, you did not have the same dedication and kindness.

Unlike your brother, the mental abuse inflicted by your parents had stripped away your childhood and happiness. All you did was follow their command, which consisted of studying, studying, and more studying.

You had people close to you, but no one you would call a friend. Your parents wouldn't allow such things, believing they were a waste of time which you could utilise for more useful endeavours.

Your brother was the only person who supported you, being your hope for happiness. Even through your parents' abuse, he still smiled and laughed as if it were all alright. You couldn't understand him, but you hoped that one day you would.

But now, he was gone. And along with it, your hope.

The unexpected blurriness of your eyes ceased your nostalgia, sending you running out of the funeral hall.

Although you couldn't tell if the blurriness had originated from your tears or the aching pain of your head, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered at that moment, it didnt matter that your clothes were dripping wet or that your makeup was smudged all over your face.

You wouldn't let them see you in this state.

You were meant to be independent and strong. You wouldn't give your parents the satisfaction of seeing you so fragile after tormenting you for possessing a weak nature.

But, for once, they were right because at that moment, all you felt was weak. Both mentally and physically.

Mentally, you were unable to overcome the grief of losing the only person you loved, your only hope, your only escape from the cage your parents had trapped you in.

And physically, you felt fatigued and ready to pass out from the suffocating feeling of uncontrollable sobbing. As you continued to sob away, so did the increasing blurriness of your eyes, with every attempt to blink away the tears.

Until you passed out into a deep sleep with the feeling of the cold, lonely ground and to the peaceful sound and comforting coolness of rain on your skin.

You felt at peace for what seemed like an eternity.

After your deep slumber, you slowly gained your consciousness, steadily awaking with the calming breeze running across your skin, the steady rustling of leaves, and the fresh scent of rain that had just passed.

But this was odd. You were not outside the funeral parlour, soaked by the rain. Rather, you were completely dry, surrounded by white walls and laying in the arms of a strange ... pink-haired little girl?

'Huh?'