written by gina
please read rules and about
Ashes they all fall down
burning everything
a flame so fierce
it puts fear into the hearts.
Why stay? Why bother?
Why care?
“LEAVE ME ALONE!”
Embers reflected in oculars, crimson, gold, amber hues swirling together in a perfect mixture of colors. Beautiful, but oh so dangerous and cruel. Shrieks were heard among the raging flames, the maids and servants scared as they run frantically. Horror painted across their faces, black and white with no hint of color. A voice rose at a certain maid, her golden hues staring at the source of the fire. It was shocking indeed.
“Master Leo?!” The maid called out, concerned.
A sharp gaze adverted itself to the source of the call, the fire very much dangerous in his gaze as flames reflected. Raging embers surrounded the boy’s tiny figure, blonde locks resembling a lion’s mane, teeth looking much like fangs. Tear’s dripping down face, only to be evaporated by the raging fire around him.
A beast, no beauty. Not an angel, no good. But a devil.
Clinching a tiny fist fire surrounded it, nails dug into skin.
“I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!”
A high pitch roar escaped the lip’s of the child, causing the glass from windows to shatter around them. More maid’s shrieked and ran away, but one remained not phased. Dusting off skirt from glass shards, a gentle smile, one full of sadness graced her lips.
“Master Leo, i'm afraid I can’t do that. A caretaker does not leave their child to take care of–”
“I’M NOT YOUR KID! I HAVE NO MOM! I HAVE NO DAD! I HAVE NO ONE! I’M FINE BEING ALONE!”
Those words stabbed deeper than any knife, right into the maid’s broken heart. Well, Leo did have a father. However the tension between them was fierce, Lance was granted limited freedom and was secluded from the world around him. Not to mention the strictness the man held. The young child got lucky with a warning. Other times, scrapes and bruises were noticeable on his body.
No other children to interact with, and even when he met other children from other wealthy families. They either hated him, or the feelings switched. In the lion’s world, he was all alone. Trapped in a cage, only to have others pass by him, laugh and mock his state.
He felt trapped, alone.
Pushing a strand of blonde hair back into her hair, the maiden merely sighed at the child’s behavior. Anger problems indeed, was a noticeable trait the young heir possessed. However, the child had so many other wonderful things about him. Although stubborn, when no one was looking expect her. He was gentle, friendly, compassionate and loyal. How could he not see that about him? Then again when your trapped, there’s not much to think about.
“Master Leo, please stop this. Your making a mess everywhere child..”
“I DON’T CARE!” He cried out angrily, this time his roar felt like it shook the room.
I’m all alone, no one loves me, no one likes me. No one pays attention to me. Why can’t people just notice me for once? Actually like me? Not for my cute looks, not for the wealth I own..
Why can’t they like me for me?
Those thoughts lingered in mind, placing hands against ears, as if to drown the sound around him and the voices. A roar of pain and sadness parted between lips. Falling to battered knees, tears streamed down visage. The fire increasing in strength and heat. Sweat trailed down the maiden’s forehead.
Golden hues stared back at the child, his vibrant golden eyes, now seeming dull.
They truly did look alike, like a mother and son.
Walking towards Leo, the male screamed and sent flames her way. Barely managing to dodge, the maiden panted heavily. Flames, they were indeed harsh. But sometimes, even the fieriest flame was gentle at times.
“Master Leo..” A low tone escaped lips, that soon formed a frown.
“GET AWAY! YOUR NOT HURTING ME TO! YOUR NOT MY MOM! DON’T ACT LIKE YOU CARE!”
Ignoring the call, the maid ran towards him. Despite all the flames scorching her ivory skin, the woman shoved the pain to the side to run to the young lion cub’s side. Fire burned, in the house, on him, and on her. Despite this, the woman wouldn’t stop. The child needed to know he was loved, cared for. She cared for him like a son, she wasn’t about to lose another one.
Burn's visible all over skin, arm’s wrapped around the source of the raging flames. In the center, it wasn’t all that hot. It felt like charging into the eye of the tornado, or perhaps a raging storm. Despite the outer layer of hate and rage, inside, was soft and silent. But, sadness still lingered inside the inner layer.
Gasping, no word’s came out the lion’s mouth. Lost for breathe, liquid trailed down facial features, expression confused.
Why? Why did she care? Why did she let injuries inflict her body like that? Why not simply run like all the others, didn’t she want to abandon him to?
Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, her gentle voice now weak speaking to him.
“I had a baby boy like you once.. He had blonde hair like yours, eyes full of the same sadness. One day, a horrible fire happened. he was taken away from me.. My precious baby boy was gone..”
Saying nothing, ear’s were open and listening.
“I was left all alone, I wouldn’t talk to anybody. I lost my old job, and had to find a new one. Funny, all I was good at was taking care of children. So, I implied here to work for Mr Angel, to make some money to survive. After a few weeks of working here, I tried to stay distance from the other workers.”
“Until one day..I saw them cooing over a new child.”
“You.”
The flames decreased slightly, only slightly. It was a start. However, the maiden’s burns seemed life threatening on her body, but she continued to talk.
“Now, the next day they started to ignore you.. they just gave you some toys and left you to yourself. I remembered you arrived in an worn out lion shirt, messy blonde locks. And a scared, confused expression on your face.. You played with only one toy, and that was the one you came with. A lion plush, all worn out, color faded, stuffing coming from its steams. But you loved that lion, you still do..I still do. Just because its wear, teared, and broken. Doesn’t mean no one will love you..”
“—I..”
Guilt trapped itself deep in his throat, as words tried to arise despite the feeling. He was only shushed gently, as the maid continued. The color from her face disappearing, voice more quieter.
“The child I lost, I see him in you, nice and kind, funny.. But your not him. Your someone else Leo. You belong in the spotlight, others should see how amazing you are, how beautiful, how kind, how loyal and compassionate y-you are..”
Tears ran down her face, as her pained voice spoke.
“Remember how much fun we would have? I taught you the alphabet, numbers, shapes. We played together outside, I taught you how to play piano and talk to girls. Yes, I know you liked to talk to t-the ladies more. I can tell when you grow up, your going to be a heart breaker young master..”
Salmon spread across tear stained cheeks, before tiny fists clinched onto the maids dress. He would always do that with her, whenever scared or crying. Hiding in her skirt, like a child would do with a mother. He made her feel pain again, the evidence clear all over her burned body.
“Please remember, I’ll watch over you. Don’t let Mr Angel always boss you around. If I could, I would of wanted custody rights over you, to take you away from this hellish mansion, with strict rules and no freedom. I know how you feel..I do.. Your all alone in these big halls, and I hate to leave you a-alone again..”
“W-What are you s-saying..” He choked between sobs, the aching feeling in his chest not going away.
Eyelids closed slowly, golden orbs no longer visible to the lion.
“..I remember..how much you hated being called Angel..So, I have a name for a little boy, who’s very nice, kind, sharp and smart. Hes fierce, but also gentle..” Her voice became weaker, more distant as it became silent. Tear’s dripped down the floor, all the flames now gone but the damage done. Arm’s weakly slid to their sides, as the maidens body weighed down on the child’s, as it was the only thing supporting her limp burned body.
“..Lance, it has a nice ring to it.. don’t you think..?”
And she would only say it once.
Her heartbeat stopped, breathing no longer hear able.
“…..”
“Don’t..D-D-Don’t..”
“L-Leave me..” He crooked, the tears streaming down face faster as he screamed.
“DON’T LEAVE ME! YOUR THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO A MOTHER! I’LL BE THE SON YOU MISSED! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE LOVE AND CARE FOR ME! PLEASE!”
———
Despite being taken to the hospital, it was to late. She was dead, and that left Leo alone with a very anger father at home. Who’s sharp malicious gaze was locked and targeted on the young lion.
Grabbed by the collar of his sweater forcefully and lifted up, the lion showed no fear as hateful words were spitted into his face. Blonde locks hiding his eyes, eyes that were still full of sadness.
“ANGEL! YOU KILLED A WORKER, SCARED SEVERAL OF THE SERVANTS, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE MANSION AND RUINED EVERYTHING! YOU BRAT! YOU SHOULD BE THANKFUL I GOT YOU OUT OF THAT HELL HOLE OF THE STREET! ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!”
“My names not Angel.”
“DON’T YOU TALK BACK TO ME YOU INCONSIDERATE CHILD.”
A hand was rose as a slap was sent to his face, although flinching. The lion’s claws sunk in, and grabbed the enemy’s paw before it moved away. Brows rose in surprise, but anger was still around the two. Lip’s curled into a sad grin, however eyes had the intention to hurt the danger before him.
“My name is Lance, i’m no angel. All I do is destroy, all I do is ruin everything. But But that’s okay, that’s who I am. I’m also nice, kind, compassionate, loyal among the horrible things. People should love me for who I am, and something i’m not.”
Being thrown to the ground, the smile remained on his lips despite tears forming in eyes. Being yelled at once more, ignoring all the hateful words said to him. The lion crossed legs, and gaze adverted to ground as he sat down. A single tears falling down his face, before it quickly being wiped away.
“L-A-N-C-E.” He counted the five letters with his tiny bandaged fingers.
“Lance Leo the lion. That’s my new name, I like it..”
“..and you liked it..”