Dream With Me

Laying on his side, curling into a ball in the white padded room. His tousled jet-black hair contrasting against his pale skin and the vacant whiteness of his straight jacket. Humming his favourite tune silently, his golden brown eyes framed with heavy lashes, effeminate. Tears dripping across his face into his hair…crying silently. He stared into nothingness, willing himself to die or simply disappear. A melancholic smile on his lips; Mine . . The smile that reserved only for me, mine only. I kneel beside him and whisper, “Don’t cry, Kujo.”1

* * * * *2

I crept towards his room as silently as I could and gently knocked his door. The sweet tinkling of his numerous music boxes echoing against the barren walls of his large room. 3

“You may come in,” he said curtly. 4

He was angry. I stepped into his cold room and looked around. I still could not grasp the lack of furniture or…anything really. 5

The walls were painted a dark grey with a single painting hung directly across the door. It was an exquisite oil painting of a wooden music box with ornate carvings. He brought it with him when he moved into the bungalow. There was a cream Persian carpet in the centre of the room that only covered about one-tenth of the floor. He sat in the middle of the carpet, legs crossed, listening to his precious music boxes. His feather mattress and pillow lay beside him, always tidy. As if no one ever slept in it. There was a small foldable table on his left, with his journal and pencil on it. A balcony that faced the sun on the left of the room, chiffon curtains framed the sliding doors. 6

All these details seemed insignificant because almost every inch of the cement floor is covered with hundreds of tiny music boxes of various shapes, colours and designs but all of them played the same tune, “Happy Birthday”. The ones covered in diamonds or made of gold or silver glimmered under the lights. Some of them gave out vibrant arcs of rainbows. The sight was breathtaking. They resembled a bed of coral reef under the cold grey sea. 7

He left certain parts of the floor empty, like pathways. From the door to the carpet, from the carpet to the balcony, from the carpet to his cupboard and a few more so that he could wind all of his music boxes again and again. Dressed in black matching his hair he looked like a dark angel in a little heaven in the middle of hell. 8

“How may I help you?” he said, his back facing me. 9

His formalness used to offend me. Especially before I knew he had Asperger’s Syndrome. I thought he hated me. Formality in speech is normal for those with Asperger.10

I smiled at him, “Are you angry at me, Kujo?” He visibly stiffened. 11

“Do not ask rhetorical questions, they annoy me.” He said tonelessly. 12

It was one of his quirks, toneless. I had been living with for two years; the venom in his reply was evident. I giggled and walk carefully between the music boxes. I sat in front of him. 13

He scowled at me, “What do you want?” I gasped. He scowled at me, he was really angry. 14

It pleased me whenever he expressed his emotions on his face. You see, when Kujo first came and live with me. He was literally expressionless. If he got angry he would either hit a person or verbally assault him. He wastes no time frowning, scowling or rolling eyes but of course he would never hit me. Over time, during some rare occasions a fleeting expression in his face and speech would surface. Smiling is something he only does when he talked to me about his music boxes or whenever he finds something that amuses him. But he smiled only at me. His smile is mine, forever.15

I stared at him open mouthed but recomposed myself immediately. I took out a wrapped little box from my pocket and took his hand. His hand was so cold and thin, I could see his blue veins tracing up his arm, so fragile. I placed it in his palm and curled his elegant fingers around it. I had always loved to draw his fingers as my subject for art class. They were even prettier than mine.16

“You can’t possibly believe that I really forgot!” I said beaming excitedly. 17

At first he seemed shocked, as if I struck him. His beautiful eyes startled. Then, he smiled at me. My heart melted. That was the smile. The smile that belonged to me; only me. He examined the box. He leaned down. He looked at me without lifting his head, peering through his lashes. I could not resist it anymore and hugged his head. He made a small startled noise. I was just so happy. 18

“Happy 16th birthday Kujo! You’re so so cute~” I gushed and squeezed him. “My dear little brother!” All this while Kujo’s music boxes kept tinkling. It added a sweet atmosphere to the happy moment.19

His voice came out a muffle. I immediately let go of him. “Ehehe…sorry” Sometimes I just got carried away. 20

“Thank you Rhea,” I could even hear the smile in his voice. 21

“Yep! You should be grateful to have an awesome sister like me,” I fluttered my eyelashes at him. His smile faltered a little but he quickly lowered his head again and started peeling the wrapper of the box. 22

“What’s the matter?” I asked. “Nothing. I am just so happy. I wonder what this is…” he said with genuine interest.23

After he unwrapped and open the box he almost drop it. His hands trembled as he took out a heart shaped music box covered in dark red velvet. It has “Kujo” engraved in gold on the lid. 24

“Open it! Open it!” He lifted the lid slowly and I savoured the movement of his fingers. Exquisite, they were so beautiful.25

He took out a Band-aid from the box and looked at me curiously. I laughed. 26

“Look, there’s more in there. Whenever you get hurt, just put them on and with my magical powers they’ll heal instantly~!” I said enthusiastically. 27

Really, Kujo was the clumsiest person I had ever known. He trip over his own feet and drop dishes for no particular reason at all. It was actually due to the Asperger thing. He has highly uncoordinated motor movements. More importantly…the cuts and bruises from dad…28

“Rhea…I want to tell you something.” I snapped out of my reverie. He sounded hesitant which is very rare of him. 29

“What is it? You want to tell me what an awesome sister I am? Don’t need to. I know already.” Then, he took my hands in each of his and lifted them. He treaded our fingers together and once again lowered his head. My breath hitched…his fingers. He looked serious. 30

“Kujo?” I started to worry. 31

“Forgive me, Rhea.” His voice trembled. 32

“I love you.” He whispered.33

I froze. My mind went blank. When he lifted his face, our eyes met. I stared into his golden brown eyes. It dawned on me, all the little things he did for me, his open contempt to Joshua…especially…the way he looked at me. 34

“You…love me?” I managed to say weakly. I could see hope brimming in his eyes. I looked away. I could not withstand it. I squeezed his hands. 35

“But Kujo…we’re siblings…” My voice sounded pathetic and small even for me. I could feel him crumple in my hands before he quickly closed his eyes. Hurt creased his beautiful face. My heart cleaved itself. 36

“Step siblings” he hissed.37

“Kujo…listen to me. Look at me,” somewhat reluctantly he looked at me. I myself could not meet his eyes, I felt horrible. 38

“You know that I shall always love you no matter what right? But not in that way…” I pleaded. Kujo suddenly leaned towards me, our foreheads touched. 39

“Shh…close your eyes.” When I did not he said, “Rhea, please…”40

I was powerless. I closed my eyes. I could feel his breath on my face…my lips. “…Sorry” I whispered. 41

“ It’s okay. Just be quiet for a moment. Listen to the tune…” His breath brushed my face. I focus on the tune instead. The soft tinkling sound…in the stillness we shared its beauty. 42

“Dream with me…” he whispered. 43

I did as he said. Time stopped amidst the tinkling. I dreamt of a place where he and I are not tied with family bonds. A place where Kujo could smile and be happy. A place where he and I could love each other freely…love each other freely? The thought shocked me. I instantly took my hands away from Kujo’s and stood up. I was breathing hard. No. It can’t be. He is my brother! I thought. I was so confused with my feelings. Kujo gazed into my eyes, his face serene. 44

“Rhea…?” His face contorted in pain.45

“Enough!” I half screamed half whispered. I could plainly see it cut through his heart. He lowered his head in defeat. Tears streamed down my face. I ran out of his room. I hated him. I hated him for making me feel that way but more than that, I hated myself for hurting him.46

Once I was out of the bungalow I slowed to a walk. It was a very cold night. The moon and stars shined innocently in the vast dark sky. My thoughts were in turmoil. I kept walking until I automatically halted in front of a magnificent beige mansion. Joshua’s house. I went there without meaning to. I rang the doorbell and stood in front of the door. 47

When Joshua opened the door I flung myself at him. I broke down in his chest. “Rhea?” He said a little breathlessly. 48

“Are you hurt? Did that bastard came home drunk again?” He wrapped me in his arms. Oddly my heart throbbed painfully. 49

“N-no. Dad’s in Monte Carlo. Field work,” I sobbed. Joshua gently pulled me away from his chest and looked into my eyes. Blue eyes…so different from Kujo’s. I shook my head.50

“I…I had a nightmare.” I lied to him. 51

“Huh? That’s it? You ran all the way here just to cry on me?” he laughed. 52

“Ye-yeah”, my heart throbbed again. 53

“C’mere.” Joshua leaned down to kiss me. I felt his breath on my lips. Kujo’s face flashed in my mind. I shoved Joshua. 54

“Ouch! What the-? Rhea?” I condemned myself. 55

“Sorry, Josh!” I ran without looking at him. 56

I thought that I may actually love Kujo more than I should but...Joshua. I cannot hurt Joshua too. I looked at the lonely moon in the sky. I suddenly remembered that Kujo was all alone at home on his birthday. I gasped. Selfish selfish selfish, I cursed myself.57

I burst into Kujo’s room. Kujo froze. The adhesive on the back of the Band- aids littered the carpet. I saw Kujo kneeling only in his trousers in the middle of the carpet. A broken dark angel in hell. Not a glimpse of the little heaven that I saw earlier. The musical boxes tinkled “Happy Birthday” as usual. I walked over to him and saw that he had stuck all of the Band-aids I gave him on his chest. Where his heart should be. I burst into tears and hugged him. 58

“I’m so sorry!” I said over and over again. He simply sat still, his body limp. 59

“Don’t touch me. It hurts…” he said inaudibly. Barely a whisper. I went quiet. I realised that his body was burning and he was shivering. 60

“Do you have a fever?” my voice broke. 61

“Leave me alone, Rhea. Please…” he said. His golden brown eyes glassy and empty in the dark. Like a doll’s. Lifeless. I killed him. 62

"Kujo, I love you too” His eyes came to life instantly. I could see a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. I did not know what I was saying but that light in his eyes...I would willingly sell my soul for him.63

I could not stand it. I pushed him onto his mattress and covered him with his blanket. I snuggled beside him and wrapped my arm around him. 64

I ran my fingers through his hair and with my lips near his ear I whisper, “I love you. Dream with me.” Taboo, it was painful yet it filled me with warmth.65

Kujo turned over and hugged me fiercely. He kissed my forehead and smiled. His skin burned under my cold fingertips. We simply lay like that. We slept with the music boxes tinkling around us. Guiding us through the gateway that led to our special place. Once again, time stopped. At that moment, we were happy.66

* * * * *67

I stroke Kujo’s hair as he hummed “Happy Birthday”. Broken. That is what he is. Broken beyond repair. My fragile Kujo. The clock outside the padded room chimed softly. My time with him has come to an end. 68

It ended on this day five years ago. The day that I left Kujo for good. The day that I died, Kujo died too. I drift through the wall. 69

"Dream with me, Kujo” 70

“Rhea…”he whispered. His eyes empty.71

Author notes

uh, incest. -__-

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
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Comments

1 - 30 of 30

  • Rosemary silver member
    May 27, 2008

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    Good story

    Your story is packed with deep emotion. I thought you described the anguish Rhea felt very vividly. I was a little confused by the ending. How did Rhea die?


    • boxOFjuice
      May 28, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you. ^_^ Rhea died all right but I didn't want to drag the story so I didn't write anything so as to how she died.


  • karmaxandxcrayons
    March 19, 2008

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    Oh dear. My eyes literally teared up and I was gonna cry but my parents are in the room so if I started crying in front of the computer.....

    ANYWAY. Back to business. I love this -- it's so original and creative! I love the names, too! They're so... magical... Wow that sounded corny. But I think you know what I mean. Haha.

    For the criticism part, I'd say that you just have a few grammar and spelling errors. Otherwise, you're good!

    -Arguably Insane


  • Kevan gold member
    March 19, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    WOW.
    Okay, where to start. This was original. Creative. Romantic. Passionate. This was the type of thing I want in my contest.
    I found this story emotional, and really well told. Even the names of the characters drew me in. Keep writing stories like this, and I'll definitely be visiting your page a lot more often
    Best of luck in my contest.
    -Kevan


  • Xtclozer-
    February 15, 2008

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    I LOVED IT! this has got to be one of the best pieces that has been etered into my contest I am not a fan of sibling Love, in that kind of way, but this was just so emotional and had such a great catch to it that I just couldnt help but love it
    Kujo sounds like an interesting guy, the minute I read the first paragraph, just the description of Kujo and what he was doing, I wanted to read more and more and never take my eyes away from the screen

    This was such a good story, and was very emotional, deep and sad. And of course, the end just made my heart pound in a happy like state, just because I knew that Kujo would be happy. And the idea of putting the bandaids on his chest where his heart is? So good

    Thanks for entering my contest, and good luck

    ~ Roby ~

    • boxOFjuice
      February 15, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      wahhh..thanks for your comment!XD I really apprecitate this! ^_^


      and uh I think you missed the little epilouge there...Rhea died, Kujo got admitted into a mental hospital...pretty much just lay there and hum Happy Birthday...-__-;


  • Taboo Pixie
    February 11, 2008

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    You're the only one who followed the rules so far! I've read this story before like five times and I still love it, I've commented on it before too. When hosting contests I prefer not to read stories I've read before, but I left that out in my contest rules so i that doesn't matter, what matters is that your story fits perfectly originality, strangeness and love. Again, great job and good luck in the contest!

    • boxOFjuice
      February 15, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      aww damn I'm so so so so sorry. Really, just DQ me. Let other ppl win your heart. I've won yours once already. ^_^; I'm sorry, I didn't notice your new username. Sorry.


  • IxLovexElphiex
    December 28, 2007

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    sweet

    this was very very sweet and really perfect for my contest. totally different than what anyone else has done. i love your decriptions, they're really great. dialogue really makes it. only things i would fix....there were a lot of sentences that were fragments, i dont know if that was intentional but it really distracted me. and, the part where she runs to Josh's house, i would fix it up and give it more description. it kinda went by too fast for me to grasp that she really decided that she loved Kujo. and seperate dialogue into different paragraphs. way less confusing that way! thanks so much for entering and good luck!!


  • The Racing Snake
    December 28, 2007

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    Strange.

    I like your use of syntax however it was a little to slow for me. I have to agree that in parts it is slightly meandering.

    All the best.

    jsdk


  • whatami
    December 28, 2007

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    i was blown...it's so powerful..you can get very far, writing like this..I LOVE IT.
    no surprise to see that you won gold trophies..but a bronze; i should think not!

  • xxbri
    August 22, 2007

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    Wow, I love it, absolutely, I've never read anything like it, NEVER! Your emotion is portrayed amazingly, absolutely winderfuk. I am at a lack of words. haha I know it doesnt seem like that, but trust me, for me, this IS a lack of words. PLEASE ocntinue writing, I will definately read antoher one of your stories. This was just amazing! How did you get the idea for some one with Asperger’s Syndrome, I did a little research, because I'm embarassd to say I didn't know what it was. I thought that incorporated nicely in there.
    Great job, once again.
    bye


  • Frozen Angel
    August 22, 2007

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    Oh, I love this one. This is just simply beautiful. I like the plot, the emothion, the characters, the description, EVERYTHING. Awesome, AWESOME job!

    *Frozen Angel*


  • JuliaAlexandrovna
    August 22, 2007

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    Okay, after the first paragraph, I'm confused.. How did he get out? What was the time in between? How did he get in there in the first place?

    I like how you described his veins in his hand. Most people take no notice of them.

    Usually, when someone different speaks, a new paragraph is formed.

    How can he lift her hands if he's holding the music box?

    I almost cried.

    Good luck ^^

    x Julez

    • boxOFjuice
      August 22, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      ...he did NOT get out. Almost the WHOLE story is a FLASHBACK. The time BEFORE Rhea died. The time BEFORE Kujo got hospitalised. Obviously he was hospitalised because Rhea died; he went crazy. He wasn't very stable to begin with anyway.

      Now I wonder...did anybody else got confused too? Hmm...

      How can he lift her hands? Do I have to write every single thing down? Like breathing and blinking? Surely you can think that he would have put the box down first?

      Yeah the pragraphs. I'll fix it later when I have time. I'm working on something else at the moment. Thanks for you comment.

      Oh. Yeah. The vein thing, I like it too. Since I can't see mine I tend to notice those with veins that stood out...^_^;

      • JuliaAlexandrovna
        August 22, 2007
        Edit | Reply
        I'm sorry, that wasn't clear. It makes sense now though, of course. Thanks for elucidating it for me.

        The reason I asked is because detail is key. In order for the reader to be able to visualize what is taking place in your story, you need to provide such simple details as setting it down. I mean, where did he set it down at? The bed? The floor? The reader doesn't know.

        x Julez

        • boxOFjuice
          August 22, 2007
          Edit | Reply
          *sigh* he was stil sitting on the carpet. I didn't wrote anything saying that he got up or anything. So, the carpet of course. Sure detail is key but the story would be a helluva longer if wrote too much unimportant detail.


  • artemis the hunter
    August 18, 2007
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    ewwwwww... but good story

    beginning: 5, characters: 5.


  • Yi Yin
    August 10, 2007

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    ooooh.... yuck! they're sibs!!!! Awesome twists... poor joshua! I like the describtions in the story...
    Good job!
    Good luck for the contest...

    • boxOFjuice
      August 10, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      LOL. XD Now that's a first! yeah, they're sibs all right. Step-sibs though....^_^; as if it's any different. Really, "yuck"!! XD LOL.


  • HeartSxAnDxStripeS
    August 8, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    good luck in the contest


  • Greeneyes15
    August 2, 2007

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    Excellent!

    i liked your beginning, it made me want to read more. i love your descriptions of everything. Your writing is very descriptive and i love it!

    "Dressed in black matching his hair he looked like a dark angel in a little heaven in the middle of hell."
    ...i really like this line, but it needs a little work. It should be written more as two sentences. Like, ;Matching his hair he was dressed in all black. he looked like a dark angel in a piece of heaven in the middle of heel.; something like that. i only care because i like that line a lot. i loved the whole smile thing. how his smile is only hers. How touching!
    ok, when i new person starts talking, you should start a new paragraph. i just noticed you didn't do that in parts.
    you could really felt her confusion about Kujo and if she loved him back or not. Th part where Kujo put the band-aids on his heart was so heartbreaking!! it made me Awww...
    Great great job! the ending was so sad! Brilliant love story, really. I was glad that they weren't really brother and sister, just step siblings.Great job and thanx for entering! good luck!

    --Greeneyes


  • Artim
    August 1, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Keep Going!

    It is very good. I am intrigued to finish. Minor spelling. Nothing serious. Storyline kept me reading. I can't wait to see how it ends. Please continue.

    beginning: 5, language: 4, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 4.


  • callthexylophone
    July 30, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    BEAUTIFUL!

    Fantastic, I love the Aspergers theme, and how they aren't horny or cheesy, they're honestly in love, each in their own way. Absolutely lovely story. Thank you so much! I'm pretty sure that this story is going to win all the contests *pouts*, but it deserves it.

  • SoMeBoDySaVeMe
    July 26, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Oh wow, I liked this a lot! It was so different from anything I've ever read before! The story itself was absolutely beautiful! Great write!

  • Taboo Pixie
    July 21, 2007
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    beautiful *sniff* simply beautiful! i just love it! great job! so sweeeet!..hope you get trophie'S' for this!

  • TuesdaysChild
    July 20, 2007

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    So this is the Asperger story. . . it's beautiful, I almost cried ( and I don't do that often.) This is the best and most unique love story I've ever read.
    I wish I could give you more than three stars because this piece deserves so much more.


  • heartfullofvenom
    July 16, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Oh My....

    **speachless**
    well I liked the lines..."Dressed in black matching his hair he looked like a dark angel in a little heaven in the middle of hell." and how you switched it love to... "A broken dark angel in hell. Not a glimpse of the little heaven that I saw earlier." and you really got me with the "and saw that he had stuck all of the Band-aids I gave him on his chest. Where his heart should be."

    This was the most outstanding story I have EVER read. Wow, it blew me away and there were some tears coming. This was amazing and you wrote something completely different of what I thought everyone would write. The story was perfect...at the beginning I thought it was a little demented, but I absolutely loved it!!!

    all the grammar was good,and you used a variety of word, but you really amazed me,and you completely covered it with emotion. I liked the title it tied in very well with this wonderful piece....I still can't believe this was your first love story...

    It was fantastic... I loved it, I loved it, I loved it!!!!!!!

    Good Luck!

    ♥much love♥

    • boxOFjuice
      July 17, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      O.O thank you! And there I was thinking that I couldn't possibly pull it off. I am VERY glad that you noticed those particular lines. I was really hoping the reader would notice it! XD thanks again!

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