When Wren fell asleep, he dreamed of his past.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Atlas, scoot over, you're squishing me," Wren said. The bed was full-sized and there was plenty of room on the other side.
"Your side is more comfortable than mine," Atlas replied, laying right next to Wren, with one arm laying on Wren's abdomen. He turned to his side and tucked his head in Wren's chest and embraced him.
Wren just chuckled. "You're too cute."
Wren and Atlas developed a romantic relationship shortly after Atlas began helping him with his classes. Eventually, Wren practically moved into Atlas' dorm room, even though Wren had his own private residence on school grounds.
Their days were spent much like any other student: studying, attending social events for students, and exploring Galen, the heart of Xenos.
Wren learned that Atlas was adopted. He was originally from southern Isadora. But, his mother, with no family to speak of, passed right after giving birth to him. No one knew who the father was.
After his mother passed, Atlas was taken in by one of the nurses who had been present at his birth. A couple from Zephyr was passing through the region on a sightseeing trip when the husband injured himself. Upon arriving at the clinic, they were shocked to see a baby right there in the waiting room, just laying in a basket on the table next to the nurse.
As the nurse filled out their forms, they asked about the baby. Upon hearing the baby's history, they were moved and asked if they could adopt him, as they themselves could not bear children. Soon, the papers were filed, and the baby returned to Zephyr with them.
Atlas said since he learned about his birth, he wanted to help people, which is why he was studying to become a doctor. He believed the most meaningful thing a person could do was help others. Wren hadn't agreed at first, but over time, he was moved by Atlas' past and his conviction.
Wren even changed his own path, deciding to become a doctor with a minor in pharmaceuticals. His parents didn't understand why there was such a sudden change of heart and enthusiasm, but they didn't protest.
For the first time in his life, Wren was happy. He hadn't known life could be so... beautiful. Every morning, he was happy to wake up next to Atlas, whether he woke up to Atlas drooling on his shoulder or clinging to him from behind. He missed Atlas when they were apart, even though they saw each other every day.
They had even planned to serve the mandatory Zephyrian military service together. When Atlas found out Wren was exempt, he told Wren to stay behind and focus on working as a doctor. Wren refused. He said he was worried about Atlas and didn't want to be apart from him.
** ** ** ** ** **
From happier days, Wren's dream shifted into the beginning of darker days.
** ** ** ** ** **
Wren's mother stared at him coldly, looking down on him as he sat in her office."What is this I hear? You're rarely at your residence at school. The staff tells me you only return to pick up clothes and food. Where have you been, Wren?"
His father entered the office. "I'm sorry I'm late."
Upon seeing Wren, his father offered a cold, knowing look. "Ah, the culprit is here."
"I've just been studying," Wren lied. "You know I'm studying to be a doctor and I'm also pursuing medicine. It's a lot of work. I spend most of my time at the library."
His father stepped in front of him. "Don't lie to us, Wren," his father warned, his eyes as piercing as his mother's. "It won't end well."
** ** ** ** ** **
His father's cold gaze was the last thing Wren saw before he was woken up by his butler.
Maybe I should have listened to them. Maybe things would be different now, Wren thought as he woke up.
"Master Baek, the herbs have been prepared," his butler told him.
Wren followed his butler and checked the herbal mixture.
"You know what to do, Jae. Burn them and make sure the smoke goes directly through his vents.Seal his door first so the smoke won't leak out. Let me know when half an hour has passed."
Wren sat impatiently. He swallowed a pill with some water. He needed to clear his thoughts, but his parents' cold gazes still flashed before him.
After thirty minutes, Wren and his butler entered Benjamin's room wearing masks.
The butler opened the windows to ventilate the room. He then brought out chains and clamped them around Benjamin's ankles. The chains tied his feet together. He would still be able to walk, but his movements were limited.
"Jae, I didn't want to do this," Wren said.
"I know, Master Baek," Jae replied.
Jae had served Wren since he was a child. He was Wren's personal butler who had once been dismissed, but Wren found him and brought him back into his service.
Benjamin woke up the next morning. His head was throbbing and he felt groggy. He was thirsty. He saw a glass of water on the nightstand, but as he moved, he felt something cold on his ankles. He was bewildered. He was dressed in a night gown and his legs were chained.
As he was trying to make sense of what was happening, there was a knock on the door. It was Wren. "I'm coming in, Benjamin."
Wren was followed by his butler, who carried a tray of food and placed it on his nightstand.
Wren sat on the bed and offered him water. "You need to eat, Ben."
Benjamin tried to refuse, but Wren didn't move. He stroked Benjamin's hair. Benjamin tried to brush his hands away, but he had no strength.
"You don't want me to tie up your hands, do you?" Wren asked, then slowly fed him spoonfuls of porridge. It was meat and vegetables ground together with rice.
"You haven't eaten in days. You've been on a drip. I expected you to wake up, so I removed it, but you didn't eat yesterday. I don't want you getting sick."
After a few bites of the porridge, Benjamin began gagging. Wren helped him sit up and patted his back gently as he vomited the little food he had managed to eat.
Wren called for Jae, who brought in wet towels, and wiped Benjamin's face while Jae prepared a bath. Then, he helped Benjamin to the bathroom.
Benjamin felt helpless, but Wren was gentle while helping him into the tub. He had needed the help since the chains around his legs limited his movements.
"Do you need help?" Wren asked. When Benjamin shook his head, Wren turned to leave.
"When you're done, just call out to me." Wren left the bathroom, but he left the door wide open.
Benjamin felt terrified. The memories he had repressed for the sake of his sanity kept resurfacing, even though he tried to push them down. He thought of his assignment—the horrors he couldn't unsee, the choices he couldn't undo, and the shame he couldn't outrun. He was drowning in the guilt of it all. Tears rolled down his cheeks. His body was too sluggish and tired to fight the memories back.