How The Butterflies Killed the Moon

Back We Go

The sound of nature filled his ears as he walked. The fallen leaves crackled under his feet and the branches of the almost completely barren trees loomed over him as he walked. A thicker, cleaner air filled his lungs. The aroma coming off of the trees was sweet like that of honey, or syrup. After all the running he had done, the calm, still woods soothed him into a trance. He walked aimlessly with little to no thought. Not long after, a guard that was on patrol had spotted the boy. How could he not? He stands out against the dark woods because of his snowy white appearance. "You there!", the soldier called out to him.

Jace snapped out of his fixated state and panicked; he didn't want to go back to the orphanage. He didn't want to be kept in that dreaded attic. He felt as though he'd rot if he were kept there. Not to mention the horrible consequences that awaited him as he was brought back! He ran; as fast as he could. The longer he ran, the faster he became. He could hear what he believes is the footsteps of the guard catching up behind him. That, or it could be the racing of his heart. His breath hitched and his vision was getting blurry as he ran. Unable to see where he was going, he tripped on a tree root. A twinge struck through his body as he hit the ground at full force with his left arm.

"Good heavens, dear boy!", the soldier gasped. Jace blacked out, he was too tired. All the excitement had rushed to his head and it was too much for him to take in. Waking up, he was back in the attic. Though, there was something different about the general atmosphere in the orphanage. He could sense it in the air. Slowly sitting up, his arm twitched and he grasped it, realising that there is an arm brace on him.

He thought to himself that it must have been from the fall. It hurt to flex his muscles and he was in extreme pain. The doorknob clicked and the door opened; a tall man stepped in holding a tray that contained medicine and food. The man was much taller than any he had seen before. He had hair that was a very bold shade of blonde and was just long enough to put into a small ponytail. His eyes were a crystal blue, that shone and glistened like the sea. He wore an expensive looking white trenchcoat that almost reached his ankles and black boots that went halfway up his lower leg.

He sat the tray down at the foot of the bed and looked over at Jace with a smile. "Why, hello there", he gently said. "Quite some injury you have there," he said, gesturing to Jace's arm. Uncomfortable, Jace rubbed his arm and put his head down. Maybe he was uncomfortable because of the man's politeness, or maybe he was uncomfortable because of the brace and why he has it. Regardless of why; he is simply uncomfortable.

"Ah! How impolite of me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Arun, pleased to meet you." Jace does not respond or make any further movement. "Do not worry, dear child, I am not a part of The Butterflies. I'm from a squad organization whose goal is the protection of the unaware. These awful people would have killed you if I had not stepped in. Be thankful that it was only your arm that was injured..."

Jace slowly lifts up his head after taking what the stranger had said into consideration. "But why are you here?" Arun leaned back some on Jace's bed and thought about where he should start. "I'm carrying out a task" is what he had responded. He looked over to Jace who looked dumbfounded. Jace didn't quite understand the way Arun used task. Is he out for delivery? Is he a messenger? Arun smirked. He could read Jace's expressions and it amused him so. "You see, I'm part of a squad that is actually a secret organization. These Butterflies think it's all black and white. I am a guest here today; and an honoured one at that. Truly sorry, but I am not allowed to tell you exactly why or how I am here. Just know, I am your friend."

Arun was very blunt in his explanations, but it could simply be due to the fact that he likes the more simplistic side of life in general. He unfolded a little lap table and sat a saucer of clam chowder soup upon it. It was one of Jace's favourites. "Not only does it taste good, but it will put some meat on your bones. Child, you are terribly thin. I am afraid that they do not feed you well. Shall I file a report against it? Do you often feel weak? How many times a day do you eat?"

"Please," Jace abrupted Aruns concerned questioning. "It's fine. They feed me 3 times a day and the food is good."

Arun looked more at ease and softly smiled. "Well then, eat up. After you're finished please take this pain medicine and this Vitamin D pill." Looking over to see Jace slurping up large chunks of the clam chowder quickly, Arun couldn't help but chuckle.

"It looks as though you haven't had such a delicious meal on forever." Jace stopped eating and began again, but slower. "There you go," Arun softly said. "Enjoy it. Don't worry, I'm not going to take it from you. You can eat in peace." Jace can't remember a time when he had tasted something so delicious. He's had the same clam chowder before, but this one tasted better. It tasted a little bit like heaven. Was it because he hadn't eaten for a full day?

Stuffed, he lay back some. He took his medicine and pill and felt drowsy. Arun softly spoke to Jace, "Yes, rest now. You've had a long day." Soon after, Jace fell asleep.

Arun slowly stood up, careful not to wake Jace. He walked as quietly as he could to the door before opening it and looking back to the sleeping Jace. "Hmm... Interesting" Arun said to himself before analyzing Jace for a second more. He closed the door to the attic and walked downstairs.

Two of the staff from The Butterflies orphanage saw him off. Arun stepped into the Jeep and it drove off. "So," the driver of the Jeep started. "What do you think?" Arun only sat in silence for a brief moment before answering, "I think...that he really is who I think he is...". The drivers face looked pale. He looked like he had seen a ghost. "No way...," gasped the driver, making him slow down the vehicle slightly. "It's not possible,... is it?"

Arun blankly stared at the driver for a moment before turning his head to look out the window. "Maybe. Just maybe..."