That morning, the hospital air still bit with cold. The sky outside the window had not yet fully brightened when Raeya and Aunt Lily walked down the long corridor toward the children's ward. In their hands were small bags—one carrying warm food, the other with basic essentials: clean clothes, a small towel, and a blanket.
As the door to the room creaked open, silence greeted them. Only the steady rhythm of the heart monitor filled the stillness.
The boy was still lying motionless. His small body was wrapped in bandages, his skin pale, eyes tightly shut. His breathing was slow but heavy, as if he were fighting something invisible.
Raeya paused at the doorway, her steps halted. Her gaze was fixed.
"He's still not awake?" she asked softly.
"Not yet," Aunt Lily replied gently. "The doctor said his physical condition is stable now, but his body... it seems overwhelmingly exhausted."
Raeya stepped closer and quietly sat on the chair beside the bed. Her eyes traced the unfamiliar face, searching for some sign of life beyond mere breath.
"Auntie…" her voice was barely a whisper. "I already told you about that strange thing… when I found him. Do you believe me?"
Aunt Lily took a deep breath. There was a brief pause before she answered.
"Sometimes, when we're scared or under pressure, our minds can see things that... aren't entirely real."
Raeya slowly shook her head.
"But the light was real, Auntie. I wasn't just hallucinating. There was something… something strange. Something that can't be explained."
"Sweetheart…" Aunt Lily moved closer, gently stroking Raeya's shoulder. "Maybe there are things that go beyond human logic. But what matters most now is helping him. No matter where he's from, he's still a child… and he needs us."
Raeya looked down, biting her lip. Her eyes returned to the boy's still, calm face.
"If he doesn't have any family… they'll send him to a shelter, right?"
"Most likely," Aunt Lily replied softly. "Without identity or anyone to claim him, his status will be considered that of an anonymous minor."
Raeya immediately stood up, her voice rising.
"We can't let that happen! He's too little to be left alone!"
Aunt Lily looked at Raeya for a long moment. There was emotion in her eyes, then she nodded gently.
"Don't worry, Sweetheart. I'll find a way."
☆♬○♩●♪✧♩
A Few Days Later
That afternoon, the hospital corridor was busier than usual. The sound of hurried footsteps, soft conversations, and the creak of bed wheels created a tense atmosphere.
Raeya and Aunt Lily had just reached the ward floor when a scream rang out.
"LET ME GO!! DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Raeya froze. Her eyes widened. That voice… a child's voice. But full of fear and fury.
"Auntie… that's from his room, isn't it?"
"Come on, quickly!"
They rushed forward. In front of the room, several nurses stood uncertainly. From the crack of the open door, the sound of shattering glass and things crashing could be heard.
"I SAID STAY AWAY!! DON'T COME NEAR ME!!"
"You're safe here, sweetheart…"
"YOU'RE NOT ANYONE I KNOW!! STAY BACK!!"
"Sedatives! Quickly!" a doctor shouted from inside.
A nurse hurried out and approached them.
"He woke up, but immediately panicked. As if he's fighting something we can't see..."
Raeya clutched Aunt Lily's arm, her face pale with worry.
"He must be terrified… alone and confused…"
Inside, metal clattered and another scream followed:
"NO!! DON'T TAKE ME BACK!! DON'T!!!"
"Hold him! Don't force—"
"NOOOOOO!!"
Raeya covered her mouth with her hand. Her body trembled, tears welling in her eyes.
"Auntie… he remembers something. But why does it seem like he's being chased… by something terrible?"
"He's traumatized, Sweetheart…" Aunt Lily whispered. "Maybe his past is returning. Or maybe… it's something more than memory."
Moments later, things quieted down. A nurse emerged, part of her uniform torn, her face pale.
"We gave him a sedative. He's asleep again now."
Soon after, the doctor stepped out with heavy steps.
"We didn't expect such a severe reaction."
"Did he remember anything?" Aunt Lily asked calmly.
"Hard to say. But his reaction… it was like someone trying to escape from something. Not normal fear."
Raeya lowered her head.
"Auntie... I don't think he's just an ordinary child. I feel… he carries a wound we can't see."
ﾟ+*:;;:* *:;;:*+ﾟ
That Night
They sat in the doctor's office. The fluorescent light above illuminated stacks of medical files scattered on the desk.
"His condition is stable, and physically he's recovering faster than expected. But emotionally… he's completely shut down. We need his identification as soon as possible."
Raeya almost spoke, but Aunt Lily opened a brown envelope and handed it over.
"His name is Kael Ivenhart. The nephew of an old friend of mine. He's orphaned now, and I'm the assigned guardian."
The doctor reviewed the documents carefully.
"Everything seems in order. In that case… he won't need to be sent to the social center."
After they left the room, Raeya turned to Aunt Lily immediately.
"Auntie… is that really his name? Kael?"
"A friend of mine once told me about her nephew. I thought… maybe this is how it's meant to be."
"But… it feels like such a strange coincidence..."
"Sometimes, what seems like coincidence is part of a bigger plan. Do you still believe in miracles?"
Raeya didn't answer. But her heart felt heavier with questions.
｡.｡:∞♡*♥
A Few Days Later
Through the window of the ward room, they saw Kael sitting against the bed. His body was still thin, but his eyes were open, staring blankly outside.
But when he realized someone was watching, his body stiffened. He turned away—his face pale, eyes like a small wounded creature lost in a place he didn't know.
Raeya almost stepped in, but the doctor stopped her.
"For now, let him rest quietly. But at least… he's beginning to show signs of stability."
Raeya gazed through the glass.
"He must feel so alone..."
Aunt Lily gently touched her shoulder.
"But now, he's not alone anymore."
They stood there. In silence. Waiting. And hoping—that one day, the boy would trust enough… to open his heart.