a silent, stormy night {kap}

Kryptonite

A smile spreads across his face as he moves through the door into the poorly lit shop. All he wants is one tiny little item, may seem a bit much even considering he just broke into the store, but Krypt knows he could never afford it even if he worked his remaining days. Being poor is difficult, yet it all stems from the housefire that stole his mother and twin brother away from him.

Living with his father has been hell. All he does is drink and party and go out at night, and one night Krypt followed him wondering where he was going, and now this is the life he's slid into. One might think it is easy to turn around and start living an outstanding life as an amazing citizen, yet it is near impossible. The adrenaline rush that comes from the life of crime is better than living in fear.

But as he turns the corner, a voice speaks out.

He freezes wondering who is there, and as he turns around, it's clear that he's been busted by a peacekeeper. His heart races, and his breaths start to pick up as he realizes the bag he's holding in his hands shows that he's the one who broke in.

Taking a step backwards, Krypt thinks of his options. Running would get him shot like before. Staying will surely get him arrested and tortured.

What can I do?

"I saw someone entering, and I wanted to stop them." His voice is shaky at first, but towards the end confidence booms through. It's all a lie though, and he knows deep within that the peacekeeper will never believe him.

"I'll just be going."

All it takes is a steady motion, and he turns towards the door.

"Yeah." He pauses. "I'll just be going."

And then he runs knowing that he probably won't get away, but it is best if he tries.

Kryptonite

Running would do no good, and this peacekeeper makes it very clear. Yet Krypt keeps looking for ways to escape. He's heard stories of what happens when someone is caught, and maybe planning a bit differently none of this would've even happened.

But he stops and listens despite every fiber of his being telling him to run away. It wasn't the words that brought him to a halt though. No, it was the peacekeepers hand resting on the baton. Running wouldn't work out, and Krypt knows this, but maybe it would give him a chance. The wind is bringing in a storm, and all it would take is running into the darkness forever. Running is foolish though, and it definitely wouldn't save him.

Mother would be so disappointed. Seeing how he lives now. Seeing the man his father turned into. Seeing everything he goes through. It's hard to live a life when everything is falling apart before his own eyes.

"I need you to tell me the truth."

His head drops, and it takes every fiber of his being to not break down crying. A man doesn't cry. His father has said it so many times that it's all he knows. It's all he cares for. Being a man. Being a strong man, and maybe one day having a family of his own. This isn't his desire.

Taking a heavy breath, Krypt reaches into his pocket and pulls out an old, rusted, broken locket. Inside is a picture of his mother and twin brother because he carries them close every day. Then he turns towards the aisle he was going to go before this peacekeeper rudely interrupted him before grabbing the one off the shelf.

He holds both out for the peacekeeper to see, and then he removes his hood showing more of his scarred face and his glass eye.

"My mom and brother died in a house fire when I was thirteen. I escaped, but it came with a price." A single tear slid down his face. "This is all I have left of them, and I broke it!"

A lump sits in the back of his throat as he tries to think of what to say next.

"Nobody will hire me because I look like a freak!" For the first time he yells. He doesn't mean to, but it comes out in a mix of anger and sorrow. The pain of losing his family, of losing himself is all too real, and even though the fire happened a few years ago, it's still playing over and over in his mind.

"Not that you would care." He pauses as his shoulders slouch forward assuming this peacekeeper is like many others, but assuming will never get him anywhere. "Not that it matters."

Nothing matters.

Death would be welcoming.

But I don't want to die.

"I just wanted a replacement so I can keep them close."

Mother and Kelton wouldn't be happy, and Krypt knows this, but his father would never care.

Nobody cares.

"Just go ahead and do what you gotta do."