| trigger warning |
| self-worth, (mild) trauma (?), |
| suicidal thoughts|

| don't read if you feel uncomfortable with these topics. |

          Beads of cold sweat had threaded a young boy's forehead. It's breath were ragged and hitched violently; eyes dilated larger than those of usual, without questioning it twice — he's tired.

          Panting created by the exhausted boy, that's probably aged somewhere in its tween, he held himself upwards correctly by using his palms as a support, it being placed onto his knees, though too, were weakened by the sudden rigorous activity.

          His rich forest green orbs skimmed their way to the scenery that stood behind him; there was nothing to look at for that everything he's meaning to look at has been burnt into ashes by a vicious flame.

          During his escape, he's lost quite a lot of sentiments that were endearing to his heart, it from being his childhood home, his beloved sentimental objects, and his parents that he never knew what had happened.

          He was aware that before their beloved structure — built from love and earthen resources, had collapsed upon the tundric weathered-ground, everyone had managed to flee from its underneath. The point was.. They've had separated due to panic that was caused by the unsuspecting inferno that decided to pay them a visit.

          To make matters worse, there's no telling if he could ensure their safety status as of now.

          "Now what?" He shivered in cold as he questions himself, completely clueless of what else to do; he's just a boy after all, he's supposed to just play around in the neighborhood with children his age, and do dumb things and know nothing at all.

          Ever since he was young, he never knew the dangers of the outside world, and what its true colors were. He had his rose-colored glasses on for far too long to realize that the world's just painted with dull colors — dotted with a few vibrant ones here and there.

          Because of this.. Where is he to go? Upwards or downwards? There's nothing worth making him go forth but rather go backwards and yearn for something that can't be brought back by means of time and common sense.

          With the little hope left in his heart and a freezing body of a child, he decided to wander off farther anyway — in hope that he'll somehow find mortals that would be kind enough to take him in until he figures out what to do next.

          Though as the journey to nowhere had stretched from hours to useless fars — it being traveled afoot, the poor boy's will to stay determined had diminished by every footstep he buries within these thick sheet of snow that's blanketing a vast expanse of the area.

          Despite being delirious, for no reason, his two pedestals somehow perpetuated in its aimless perambulate and had only continued to weaken until his knees were somewhat kneeling onto the ground, the tip of his clothed knee caps hovering an inch above the cluster of frozen dew.

          Walking had almost fully enervated all his energy from the equation he's been trying to solve that is obscured in his field, to only have a null of a result as his achievement. Oh, how deserving and pleasing must that feel.

          As weakened knees had corrupted his bottom half, he had collapsed himself in the midst of an unknown place.

          Rather though, it was vaguely familiar, but only due to the verity that it was similarly like any other town — it's gotten structures, cozy restaurants with a burning fireplace within them, and people. But it seemed that there's not much folks loitering around the area, which leaves the poor boy alone outside — underneath this icy climate.

          Luckily though, it hadn't showered with crystallized drops yet, and the polar opposite of his hyperthermia can be placed on hold for just a little while. But he knows himself that he'll have to take account later whether he'd seek for help or just simply wait for nightfall until he's completely icebound.

          From pondering upon this, he's basically leading himself with a stick and string forth his demise. "What's the point in living longer, when there's nothing that'll keep you going?"

          And everything at once, the days turned into twilight, and the weather had slowly cried themselves to lull.

          A soft and warm yellowish glow enameled the small and idle town, simultaneously were the faint melodic pounds taking part in within the semi-hushed dusk — coming from these seeming nothing, yet majestic frozen entity of nature called "snowflakes".

          Buildings that compromised the said town had slowly filled itself with warmth coming from mothers who had laid a scrumptious meal onto the dinner table, an overlapping aura of joy had been enthusiastically emitted by fathers — accompanied by their loud, booming, yet comforting chuckles as they tell-tale of what their day's been like..

          Children had rushed into their homes or had gathered in a small diner, a hearty, innocent, and youthful giggle trailed behind them as they made their way inside, not only to escape the growing coldness of this wintry night but to sate their ever-growing hunger for something to gobble on as well.

          Indeed was the town readying themselves for slumber by sharing today's last meal of the day; some decided to sprinkle in a heartwarming conversation, or simply a humorous and light-hearted blethering and chaff.

          People in this town had a splendid night, unaware that there was a boy in solitude in the outskirts of the town, all crumpled in a dingy area, hiding amongst the backs of these faceless establishments.

          Time ticks and halts for no one and the young child had a eulogium engraved in his body and soul; he's ready for dear 'ol mother nature to take its course. Unfortunately for him, it's taking longer than expected.

          Frustrated, he grasped his brown locks of hair and made an attempt to dismantle the array of strands of hair that's knitted onto his scalp, willing to bring forth masochism upon himself.

          "What are you doing here?" Asks someone who he doesn't know of. His lids had only flung open in shock that there was someone there; it was someone who had a different twang than what he's used to listen to.

          He relatively has a tall and slender stature; those fair skin of his had dirty blonde locks situated atop his scalp; wore some kind of fisherman's outfit with rubber or plastic overalls and brown boots, to top off his overall looks, he had a sky-blue hue painted as the frames of his squared eyeglasses.

          Pelagic eyes that belonged to the same man had looked upon the desolated boy with patience and warmth and genuine curiosity and concern.

          Unconsciously wiping the stream of tears that had stained his cheeks, he remained silent but persisted to look at him to get a better chance to remember him wholly.

          "It seems that you are left out here in despondency; are you certain that you live around the premises and had attempted to escape due to a previous altercation?"

          The boy remained quiet.

          "I am genuinely concerned for your welfare, kid. Do elaborate your current situation to me, maybe we can figure something out." The man that patiently waits for an answer.

          The boy had only looked at him, and as if that was everything, his eyes had given away everything and made the man make up his mind.

          Slowly recovering from the crouching position he was in, he picked his belongings and smiled at him, though wasn't completely a grin, but rather an attempt to put him at ease and help him.

         "Clarity has dawned upon me. We can help you find them, at the crack of dawn that is. But in the time being, are you willing to join us while the night takes its time to gallivant?"

          As he sat there in disbelief, he questioned him again to somehow render this offer inside his head. It was a stranger, that's one thing, though for some reason the child sensed no danger but tranquility and sincerity.

         "I kid you not; in any case you feel disconcert and any intuition, I shall aware you that were merely a dyad; one it being full of youth and days to come, just like you." As a homely smile had appeared upon his lips.

          After taking things into consideration, he agreed and stood up with the help of the mysterious man. "Come," He said after all's been settled, then came a white-coated pup that's been adorned with black spots on its fur.

          "This is Marshall," He began, as the pup had a basket that'll be used to craft some dinner later in the evening "And you are?"

          Looking beneath — onto his boots, he fumbled with his fingers as he unconsciously twisted them in various knots, which surprisingly hadn't found its way to tangle themselves.

          Hesitant to give away too much about it, he somehow gave into his query and told him in the end anyway.

          "Jake," He replies "And what about you, sir?" A respectful though timid query was given to the unnamed man. In return, he replied gently and in such a way that it was comforting.

          That night became unforgettable, the man and his name had made a mark upon Jake's young mind — to remember it for eternal, a name he never knew would haunt him in the greatest and worst way.

          "Horatio Turbot."

          Various glasses clinked at the action of it being placed upon the wooden surface; the man, who seems to be dearly named as Horatio Turbot, was beginning to prepare dinner at the lower deck of his boat, that sits perfectly atop above a sliver of the ocean.

          As he whisked the night away with wooden spoon and spices, by the upper deck sat a quiet canine and a boy, who's unsure what to do next.

          Noiseless of the night had slowly persisted until the calming rush of the waves slowly took its place around the vessel. It was starting to get later and darker into the night, and the small town that's situated not far from their dock had slowly blown off their oil lamps to nothingness.

          They were going to bed.

          "What were you doing out in the cold..?" Cracked the small pup, who seemed to have gotten tired of the ever-growing expanse of mute; his eyes yelled fatigue and it doesn't seem that he'd wanted to actually converse, but in the name of covert silence, he did that.

           "I uhm.. Got lost." He responded quite bluntly; Jake refused to give away too much information about himself, due to still having that feeling he can't trust everyone. At that same moment, he's even doubting and regretting his hasty and irrational decision and had scolded himself for trusting what his heart told me.

          "Think logically." Is what remains in his memory as a remnant of his past that closed all too sudden right in front of his face.

          Luckily though, Turbot had finished dinner at the right moment, saving both silent figures from the awkward tension that's radiating off of them.

          A heavy metal pot's been placed upon the wooden table, it was a soup that contained some vegetables and a few sea findings were thrown into it; fish eclipsed the whole potpourri though.

          Semi-liquid water softly had flown into a bowl that Turbot was holding on to. The first bowl was handed to Jake, while the second was for Marshall, and the last was obviously for him.

          Before taking his seat, he opened a plastic packet of squid jerky and had placed it into his meal and delightfully blent it with his meal using his utensil made out of metal.

          "I am more than glad that I found both of you in the midst of this harsh weather and foster you for the time being." Smiles the man with glasses all so warmly, with a tad bit of soup smudge onto one of his cheeks.

          Jake took out a quiet chuckle and came out instinctively "I am glad you found us too, Sir. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't appeared." Admits the kid truthfully, despite feeling somewhat skeptical in the first place.

          In return, Turbot flashed him a grin, before he shifted his attention to the Dalmatian, who had finished his meal immediately — whereas he quietly and politely pushed the bowl away from him, indicating that he has finished.

          His pelagic eyes were evident in the view of Turbot, its adorable puppy eyes shining adorably against the phosphorescence of the oil lamp that hangs above them. Because of this, the two couldn't help but giggle at this, which Marshall boomeranged the laughter as well.

         After a few moments, their booming vocals that expressed amusement, had gradually dissipated along with the softly howling breeze of the night.

         But that feeling was evident no more, instead of these large holes that were constantly being filled with void-full snow and persisting loneliness, it was replaced with warmth, joy, and silly set forths.

          The night grew colder, and time became older, but nothing mattered more than that. These three had entered a new dimension where they're the only ones to exist, their laughter the one who keeps nourishing it.

         They've lost track of how many seconds and minutes have flown by; that once sombrous feeling that invaded their bitter hearts has been evaded, thanks to this cheerful man that walked into these two's lives. Without him, who knows what may have happened with the two of them?

»»——⍟——««

          Morning came by like a flutter, and the three had fallen asleep on the top deck the whole time; bowls, cups, and a couple of utensils were still found laying around the floor — messily. This was the moment that hit Horatio that he's with two people (one it being a pup), the ones he found last night — fortunately for them.

          Before his day could carry on, he picked up the porcelain products, glasses and spoon from the ground and began to scour the surfaces of the dishes.

          While that happens, the morning star continued to carefully make its way to the midst skies, the tippy top; along the way, these soft-colored blues, and oranges progressively smoothly transitioned into much brighter tones, still having that wintry morning vibe painted all over it.

          Hue and cry had woken the two figures that were on board, causing their eyes to be shot wide open from their slumber. It was hard to ignore and carry on with their dreams, but the loud clink of metal and porcelain blared harshly against this tranquil morning.

          "Cap'n! Are you okay?" Questioned Marshall, as the duo stood at the doorframe to observe how Turbot was doing.

          "Never fret, I am well! I just happen to have complications in sterilizing these cutlery and paten, where it led me into this horrific melody." Apologizes Horatio, as he tried to calm them down, in attempt too, to not splatter any lather onto the wooden deck.

         Sighing in relief, the boy and the pup looked at each other with relieved smiles, as they waltzed in to the room and assisted the man in soaping, washing, and drying the said used dishes.

          Coordination and harmony blossomed within the certain area of the boat, and there were less of a noise now occurring within the boat. Thanks to the extra lending hand, all went well and dishes had been taken care of easily and early.

          Dusting the hands by rubbing them against each other or by means of a towel, Horatio announced that today they'll be attempting to find Jake's family, before he sets off back to his homeland.

          Feeling giddy about this little adventure, Jake beamed a smile when curiosity got the best of him.

         "Wait, I thought Marshall hasn't been with you for long?" What follows after his query, we're grimaces from the two. The dally looked away, and Turbot seemed uneasy about the topic. Something definitely doesn't seem right here.

          "The grounds behind that is confidential, for now. All I can say that it's kindred." He pats the boy's head as he gestures them to hop off the boat and wander around the terra-firma.

          Of course, his flowery words made it harder for young Jake to decipher the true or unvarnished meaning behind it. Though despite the young age, he memorized it by heart and swore to encode it for himself, unless of course, the truth catches up to him first.

          Forgetting his words for a moment, he trailed behind the one who willingly took care of him and Marshall for the night, and hopefully find their parents.

          "Alright, time's consequential and we must not squander as such. Tell me Jake, can you recount your previous paths so we may locate your parents in this vast area?"

          Jake nodded and told him where to, he also provided his address and a relative location nearby his home, or at least neighborhood.

          With all the information he got, he went around asking people how to get there faster, and if they recognize him of sort — basically everything.

          "Are we by any chance nearby, Jake?" Queries Turbot again. It was already noon, and the farthest they've gone is reach the town he's in, probably. But to answer his query, Jake swayed his head left to right, an indication that they weren't.

          But he did mention that the area is semi familiar. "I'm sorry I don't remember much.. I just usually travel from school to home, occasionally to relatives, though I never got to remember it."

          Marshall comforted the kid and expressed his sympathy that everything will be alright "But do you know where your house is?"

          "It's hard to remember, because our home is surrounded by trees." Turbot sighed at this as there was this common fact of trees having a high chance of looking exactly alike, and he can't hunt down the area if this is what the situation they are in.

          "Actually.." Quietly adds Jake, as he tails behind him "You'll never find our hour because.. It's gone. So it's really useless to find it."

          Disheartened by this news from him, Horatio toughened up just for him and persisted to search for his bilogical parents, despite not having a complete layout of where to go, and evidences that confirm their existence.

         And so, he began to ask around the neighborbood that they assumed was nearby Jake's childhood home, he knocked on every wooden door that stood outside the frozen rain, and spoke with every citizen he had crossed paths with.

          Unfortunately, every question had the same answer over and over again, as if it were a fixed answer to every question, despite it being an opinionated query or a survey— it having inconsistent answers that range between positive to negative.

         While Horatio continued in his task, Jake looked guiltily to his mittened palms, he wished truly that he were to find his parents this instance, but never in a million years had he asked for someone to help and dedicate their time to his'.

         To him, it felt wrong, when there's about a thousand other things they should be doing now for their own sake, this man — Horatio Turbot, decided to reach out his hand to him?

         "His time's being wasted one me." Though Jake, wishing that he instead hadn't came across him that night, and that instead he had decided to freeze some place elsewhere; somewhere no one will find him.

         One kid out of the world doesn't create a massive impact compared to idols, politicians and other public figures disappearing or encountering their quietus.

          Suddenly, tears broke out of his tear ducts and instinctively whimpered from the emotions that had overwhelmed his little mind, which caught Turbot's attention and made him look back to the kid who's in tears.

          Kneeling down, he held his shoulders that shook raggedly and endeavored to calm him down; it didn't work. It seems that his touch just made the situations worse, and in the time being, the only thing he could do as of that moment, was hug him back tightly.

»»——⍟——««

          With a warm cup of chocolate in between palms, its steam smoothly flew away from the blend and listed the tips of the skin slightly moist.

          "I'm sorry Jake, but it appears that no one's known your parents' location." Croaked Turbot after sipping a few liquid from the porcelain mug he's holding on to. Marshall's sitting beside Turbot, muching on a meal and drinking a warm water.

          Shaking his head, Jake just smiled painfully "It's alright dude.. I really appreciate the effort, I'll find them someday."

          Silence and the awkward tension had lingered around the table they had occupied, despite the cafe they are currently staying in is full of life with conversations coming from each individual that's in there — including the employees themselves were talking enthusiastically.

          "Jake, I cannot bare to have the thought of leaving you here alone, when we are certain that no one would foster you. So I've decided to take care of you myself, along with Marshall in my hands." Offers the man, though seemed to hesitate whether to tell this or not, and from the looks of it, it seemed that he's unsure if he should even be doing this.

          The kid has parents here, and adopting him felt wrong in his guts, plus, he just found him in the alleyways and technically they are still strangers. One night of laughtet and chaff doesn't immediately mean they're completely friends or are they close; they're nothing more or less than acquaintances,or even strangers that just shared s gleeful moment at the time.

         But he's not sure where in the world they even are, and it doesn't seem like that they'll appear in the next few days or so, and if he were to leave Jake alone here, the poor youngen will just shiver in solitude and pest of the mental's horrible side.

          Closed his eyes shut were they, midst of it doing so he wished that Jake would comply with his wishes, though he knows for a fact that he might deny — the chances are high of declining his offer. It cannot be emphasized enough that.. This is where he belongs; the land of his roots and where he'd continue to grow as a person from up until now.

          The feeling was mutual, and he too remembered how it was like when he left his homeland in trade for a voyage within the seas, alongside with his parents — who long have retired now at some place nearby Adventure Bay. It played vividly, yet felt raw at the same time. Boy, he remembered how he had a fit of vile cries thrown by the bay, as the sight of his home shrunk in scale, which soon turned into nothing but as part of these sky blue skies.

          "Don't let this offer pressurize you in anyway; it's an offer that you can gladly decline. We can find a way—"

          "I'll come." Immediately replies the boy, who gave Turbot quite the surprise. Blinking multiple times before he let himself believe in into the words that Jake had said, he had calmly repeated it again to confirm whether it was true or not.

          It was true.

          Cups that were cold were now bursting back with colors within minutes after that. Those previous tasteless cocoa that was overlapped with bitterness and thoughts had faded in along with its true popping flavor.

        Everything used to be a grayscale like those of vintage photos somewhere in the 50s earlier or so, now turned into a heartwarming movie with vibrant and warm colors spilling in every corner of the cafe.

          Something smelled like fresh paper with imprinted text by means of ink — it was nostalgic and foreign at the same time.

          Right then and then, the story began with a smile.