Tale of Vanguard

A modest looking young man walked hurriedly along the bustling sidewalk, his white hair and bedraggled appearance causing passersby to give him odd looks. His school uniform, usually pristine, was a mess—muddied, torn, and marked with claw scratches on his arms and forehead. He muttered under his breath, a mixture of irritation and exasperation coloring his tone.

"Damn cat," he mumbled.

"If it wasn't for that kid's smile, I'd have given that little furball a piece of my mind. Climbing a tree to save it, and it rewards me by scratching me up—unbelievable."

He could still feel the sting of the cat's claws on his skin. Despite his frustration, though, he couldn't help but smile as he remembered the little girl's relief and gratitude. Small acts of kindness, as his mother always said, were what made the world worth living in, even when they sometimes left him battered and bruised.

Finally, he arrived at his destination. The towering building of St. Roan Hospital stood before him, its glass doors reflecting the afternoon sunlight. Inside, the familiar hustle and bustle of patients, doctors, and visitors filled the lobby. Kaelen took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself, but his disheveled state still turned a few heads as he walked up to the reception desk. He barely noticed, as his focus was entirely on his purpose.

Behind the desk, Nurse Eldora was busy fielding a phone call, her professional yet kind demeanor never faltering. As she hung up, she turned to see Kaelen standing before her, and her expression immediately shifted to one of concern.

"My goodnes, Kaelen! What happened to you?" she exclaimed, taking in his muddy, torn uniform and the scratches on his face.

Kaelen gave her a small, embarrassed smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I, uh… had a bit of a run-in with a cat. Nothing major, just a little... disagreement."

Nurse Eldora shook her head, reaching for a towel and a bottle of antiseptic.

"You look like you've been through a fight! Sit down for a moment and let me help you clean up. You can't go wandering around like this—people might think you've been in a street brawl."

"It's fine, really,"

Kaelen replied, though he took the towel gratefully. He dabbed at the mud on his shirt, wincing as the antiseptic stung his cuts.

"I'm just here for my usual visit."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted towards the hallway that led deeper into the hospital. The familiar ache in his chest returned as he thought of his mother, lying in her room, surrounded by machines that kept her tethered to this world. His visits to her had become a ritual, one of the few constants in his life.

Nurse Eldora must have noticed the shift in his expression. She softened, reaching out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Still no news, I'm afraid. I wish I had something hopeful to tell you."

Kaelen forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

"Thanks, Nurse Eldora. I appreciate everything you've done for us."

She nodded, handing him the visitor form and a pen. He filled it out quickly, his hand pausing briefly as he considered his next words.

"Did she...?"

As if understanding what Kaelen was about to ask, Nurse Eldora shook her head gently.

"I'm afraid there is still no news from her... I'm sorry."

He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. He handed the completed form back to her, offering a small smile before heading to the elevator. As the doors closed, he leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The ride to the twentieth floor felt longer than usual, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him as he clutched the towel and antiseptic Nurse Eldora had given him.

Stepping out onto the floor, he navigated the sterile, quiet hallway, his footsteps echoing in the silence. At last, he reached Room 402. He stood before the door for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of anticipation and dread filling him as he slowly pushed the door open.

***

Inside, the soft beeping of the electrocardiogram greeted him, a steady reminder that his mother was still with him, even if only in body. She lay in the center of the room, surrounded by machinery that seemed both protective and ominous, their blinking lights casting a pale glow on her peaceful face. Kaelen took a seat beside her, gently taking her hand in his.

"Hey, Mom. Sorry I'm a bit late today. I had to, uh… rescue a cat from a tree. Ended up with more than a few scratches, as you can see."

He chuckled, though it was a hollow sound. His mother didn't respond, but he spoke as if she could hear him, his words filling the silence of the room. He told her about his day, about the little girl and the cat, about how Nurse Eldora had fussed over him like she always did. He squeezed her hand, his voice growing softer as he spoke.

"I wish you'd wake up and tell me everything's going to be okay."

Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes, and he quickly wiped them away, not wanting to break down in front of her. He sat in silence for a few moments, just holding her hand and listening to the steady rhythm of the machines.

The door opened behind him, and he turned to see a girl that she knew, Celia Roan was standing there with a gentle smile on her face. She was one of the few people who truly understood what he was going through, and her presence brought him a small measure of comfort.

"Looks like you've just arrived," she said, stepping into the room.

Kaelen managed a smile, though his eyes were still red.

"Thanks for coming, Celia. I… I don't know what I'd do without you."

She moved to stand beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not alone, Kaelen. I'll always be here for you. We'll get through this together."

Celia had become his anchor over the past few months, their bond forged through shared pain and quiet moments like these. She knew the story of his mother's illness, and she had been there for him every step of the way, offering support without ever asking for anything in return.

A sudden beeping sound interrupted their conversation, and Celia pulled out her phone, glancing at the screen before excusing herself.

"I'll be back in a moment. Take your time."

Kaelen watched her go, grateful for her presence even as she left. He turned back to his mother, his heart heavy with a mixture of hope and despair. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the antiseptic and dabbing it on the scratches on his forehead, wincing at the sting. The silence in the room felt different now, heavier somehow, as if the very air had thickened.

It was then that he noticed the change. The steady beeping of the electrocardiogram had stopped, replaced by a flat red line that stretched across the monitor. His heart skipped a beat, panic surging through him as he leaped to his feet.

"Mom? Mom!"

He rushed to the door, pulling at the handle, but it wouldn't budge. His heart raced, and he pounded on the door, shouting for help.

"Somebody! Help! The door won't open!"

The lights in the room began to flicker, and a chill settled over him, the temperature seeming to drop as an eerie silence filled the space. He turned back to his mother, and his blood ran cold as a dark figure began to materialize beside her bed.

The figure was like a shadow given form, its shape shifting and twisting as if it were made of smoke. It loomed over his mother, its presence radiating a sense of malevolence that made Kaelen's skin crawl. He took a step back, his fists were clenched, and a mix of fear and anger was swirling within him.

The figure turned to face him, its eyes—if they could even be called that—glowing with an unnatural light. When it spoke, its voice was a low, rumbling growl that seemed to echo within his mind as much as his ears.

"Greetings, Mr. Kaelen," 

Its tone was both mocking and cold.

"We have much to discuss."

"Who the fuck are you supposed to be?!"