Tainted Strings [On Going]

Prelude to the path of Omen

“Hide in the closet, Hyeji-ah. I will be back, okay?” Eun's soft voice starts to comfort Hyejin's trembling state. Quivering hands touches the wooden doors that shut him off the reality.

It will repeat again, like yesterday, like the other days. There were cacophonies...that made him scared. Eyes were shut as he tried not to make sounds, or else Dohyun will find him.

Hyejin couldn't take it anymore.

He wants to fight and defend his mother, but what else can a kid do? Nothing. If he don't do anything...he might not fix it sooner or later. Hyejin gathers all his courage and kicks the door with all his strength, so that he can get out of his comfort zone. Hyejin witness the beating, his father starts to pull his mother's hair. Unrelenting screams began to filled the room that continues to pierce through his head.

It was like an opus that wasn't made to be played.

But one thing for sure, this day was the worst day he couldn't even imagine that will happen. Dohyun's sight lands on his mother's violin, that probably gave him the idea.

“You fucking slut. How many times did I told you not to go there anymore? I told you to quit that fucking job but you defy me. I bet that guy you're having a duet with fucked you, no? Answer me you piece of trash!” And the furious man grabbed the violin and battered her head a few times until the bloods splattered everywhere.

Hyejin witnessed everything.

His gray eyes turned into a pitch-black ones, his trembling state subsided while staring at his mother's bloody head. “Mommy...get up. It's not the time to sleep yet, right? Come and tuck me in bed. We still need to practice.” he uttered nonchalantly. His lifeless voice sent shivers down to his Dohyun's spine.

Without a word, Dohyun quickly washed his hands and run off without a trace. Leaving Hyejin in a state of shock and his wife's lifeless body.

———

A sharp gasp escaped from Hyejin's mouth— a dream? No, it was a nightmare of his past. After all these years, it still haunts him. As much as possible, he wanted to forget it...but it keeps on getting in his head and gives him tremors. He checks the clock, it was three o'clock in the morning...same time. Hyejin sighs and reaches out for his bottled water to subside his tremors since he's out of antidepressants.

Ever since his mother died from blood lost and his bastard father left him, he was found in the closet hugging his knees when the rescuers arrived. Hyejin ended up living with his aunt - Eun's old sister - It's better than living in an orphanage. After that incident, Eunie adopted him and treat him like her own child...since Eunie was barren.

“...I need to get some sleep again. It's my first day of school tomorrow,” He recklessly flops back on his bed whilst cupping his face, “I don't wanna go to school...but I have to.”