FORBIDDEN AFFECTIONS: ADDICTED TO MY STEPMOM

I almost fainted in fear when I felt an unfamiliar body approach me from behind. My heart stopped beating when I saw Jack being held by two men on the road – both I had seen back in that abandoned building from yesterday.

Cold fear rippled me further in when I suddenly heard the one behind me utter a sound. “Don’t make a noise. I’ll help you.”

I slowly turned around and found a young man with tattoos on his face. I glanced up and saw there were also about three more of them, all young boys, crouching down on trees and bushes, wearing the same faces and clothing. The man who just spoke before me removed his grip on my mouth.

I gasped for air and quickly spoke with tears in my eyes, “P-Please… Please save my son…!”

The man who was standing in front of me gave a slight nod. Then he turned to his companions, seemingly giving them a signal. Then he turned to me again and looked me in the eye, “Stay here. Don’t leave. Don’t make sounds.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He even said something to his companions that I did not understand. Their language was different. One of them left the tree branch and jumped up to approach me. From the looks of it, he was around six years old.

I couldn’t find the energy to talk as my heart pounded in extreme fear. Hiding behind the tree, I looked at the location where Jack was, silently praying he would be saved. Those men with dangerous-looking weapons were no joke after all.

The movements of the young men who spoke to me were quick. I am still not sure of their motives but the most important thing now is to save my son from the hands of Crista’s men.

The boy on my side patted me and gave me a small smile as if to tell me not to worry. It even touched my hand which was very cold and trembling.

Moments later, we heard some gunshots. Everyone moved fast. The armed men fought the boys with only wood and stone weapons. Crista’s men were shocked by the excessive speed of the young men’s movements. My heart was beating faster and faster as I searched for Jack.

I turned my sight all over, everywhere finding him, and stopped. My world seemed to freeze instantly, my heart beat stopping as I saw him…. lying on the ground, his stomach covered in blood…

Every sound faded to the background.

My legs moved and I was about to run towards Jack when the boy next to me pulled me back. More gunshots and screams were heard, and in the second, I noticed the young men I had spoken to earlier had come back. And one of them was carrying Jack on his back.

“Come on!” One of them exclaimed as we ran into the thick forest.

“Aki … Aki, my child! Aki!” I shuddered as I looked at Jack on the back. Blood continued to come out from his stomach and his eyes remained closed, completely shut and unconscious.

“W-We need to treat him… Please…” I felt my voice tremble, my numb legs kept moving despite my entire system freezing. “P-Please…”

They didn’t respond and just carried my son as we continued to walk and run. I did not know what was happening and I did not even notice that we had arrived at a hut and were greeted by an old woman.

One of them spoke and talked to the old woman.

“P-Please, save my child. I will pay. I-I will give you anything – everything – please… Please help me save my child…” I begged them as I helplessly tried to keep it together despite my whole body shivering nonstop.

They took Jack inside the hut and I immediately entered. I could barely bear to see the next events. My son was bloody and unconscious while being treated by the old woman and several other women with him. With leaves, hot water, and needles – they brought things to the table and pierced them into Jack’s body.

Jack cried out in pain and even I couldn’t help but close my eyes to the sight. I held his hand, hoping that all the pain he was currently experiencing would just go to me. Jack was given something to drink and was poked with numerous needles several times.

“Aki… Aki, just hold on. Mom is here, mom won’t leave. I won’t leave you. So please, please don’t leave me …” I cried as I continued to hold his hand while they treated him.

I don’t know how long the treatment took for Jack. At those times, my world stopped. I was deaf and I was blind to everything and everyone else except for him. For the first time, I prayed fervently, bargaining everything I have for the heavens to hear me.

I can’t afford to lose Jack. I can’t afford to lose my son.

I was not aware of the time and season. I didn’t know how many minutes and hours had passed. I didn’t feel any hunger, pain, or exhaustion. I knew I was approached several times by one of the young men who helped us but I just stayed next to Jack. The entire time, my entire focus was only on him.

“Eat, eat,” I heard a child say to me one time. He was the one with me earlier and the one who held my hand – the six-year-old who tried to calm me down while Jack was on that road.

I shook my head and looked at Jack. His eyes were still closed, unconscious. I tightened the grip on his hand even more. Some more time passed but I didn’t leave, only sitting on the side and continuing to watch over him.

Soon, another person came and said with a serious voice, “Woman, come.” He was one of the young men who saved us earlier, his age I had assumed was around Gio’s, eighteen to twenty. There were other things he uttered that I didn’t understand.

Suddenly, another man appeared. He was the one who appeared from behind me earlier and the one who seemed the only one who could speak the same language as me. “My friends are trying to call you. Nana wants to have a word with you. Come with me.”

I looked at Jack full of concern.

“He will get better. Do not worry. You need to meet the chief parent first,” he said again as if to explain that nothing bad will happen to Jack.

I could do nothing but obey and put my trust in them.