2. Family reunion

The sunlight, which he didn't see for what felt like an eternity, seemed brighter than what he remembered it to be. With one hand he tried to give his eyes some shade while his other one held a small shopping bag containing all the possessions he had during his confinement. Bao stood still right in front of the rehabilitation centre's gates, just a moment ago he was still in there and now, now he could go wherever he wants to, he was free from the chains that held him down, or so he thought. But the sad reality quickly caught up to him when his eyes looked down at a small, rusty car and the three silhouettes standing in front of it. It took some seconds for his eyes to focus on their faces but he already knew who it would be, before even seeing them.

His mother. His father. And his little sister.

All three of them came here today just for him, even after all the pain he caused through his selfish actions they all took the time to come here. Bao put his head down and stared at the floor, too much has happened. Without looking up he walked towards them step by step and while it might have looked like he calmy went to greet them, absolute chaos prevailed in his head. This was not a situation an ex-reality junky could master especially not after being just released, after god knows how long, from a detoxification clinic.

"H... Hi" His feet stopped right in front of them, he could tell because his look was locked firm on the tips of his toes.

Not one word came out of anyone, he could only hear how someone opened the door at the side of the car for him. He knew it, they were mad at what he did to them, there was no way they would've forgiven him this easily. This thought let his head sunk even deeper, letting the chin touch his chest. His face turned even darker and his shoulders sank down before he entered the car.

"Destination home." It seemed like an eternity since he last heard his father's voice.

"Destination entry successful" The car started the engine and silently raced over the streets.

Bao tried to distract himself by playing with his fingers or closing and opening the window since no word was spoken.

"H... how... lon... How long was I in there?"

"A year" The cold voice of his mother hit him like an ice needle.

His sister, who sat right beside him lowered her head under his so that he could directly look into her emerald-coloured eyes. With a swift movement, she put her finger on her lips that formed a bright smile. He followed the instructions appointed to him and stood silent for the rest of the way and also during lunch he kept his head deep down in his plate.

The tension in his muscles left when he closed the door of his room behind him and threw himself on the bed. Why would Cuifen show him to be silent? This thought ran like a loop through his mind until it was broken by her storming into his room like an unexpected typhoon.

"Finally you are back brother!" She threw herself on him completely crushing his weak bones.

"Ou...ouch Cuifen get down from me, you are going to kill me."

"Hmpf and I was trying to cheer you up and you insult me saying that I'm fat."

"I never said that! My body is just too week, I could barely hold my bag all the way up here. But say Cuifen what did you show me to stay silent in the car?"

It felt like bricks were lifted from his chest when she hopped down letting more air reach his lungs. For the first time in one year, he took a good look at his sister.

"You have become quite tall while I didn't see you and what happened to your hair, did you cut them?" He asked, ignoring the question he just made.

"Hehe, you noticed? After all, I can't fall behind my classmates in terms of height and for the hair, well they don't get in my way when they are this short... Sorry if I said that you should keep being silent but I think that for now, that's the best thing to do. Pops and Mom stayed up all night to discuss how to deal with you when you are back."

"So that's what it was... Really all night?"

"Yup, all night"

They looked at each other as they were standing there.

"I'm sorry Cuifen."

"I know, you shouldn't rack your brain ov..."

"Cuifen! Could you come down for a moment and help me!"

"Well looks like our littl' chat is over, see ya."

She left the room as fast as she entered leaving him alone with his thoughts. On his desk lied the phone as he left it when leaving home but what surprised him more was the fact that there was not a single trace of dust on it, actually his whole room looked like he had never left.

-9 unread Messages-

Ning, his best and only friend didn't know about him going to the rehabilitation centre, since he was surprised during a dive by two men who restrained him and dragged him away from home.

-Hey Bao are you ready for tomorrow?-

-What, are you ignoring me now?-

-Heeeeey!-

-You bastard there was no need to abandon me like that, you let me look like an idiot in front of the girls-

-Ok still ignoring me are we, well then I also won't give a shit about you fuck off-

-Hey I'm seriously starting to worry what happened?-

-I heard what happened...-

-You could've at least say something, I was really worried dammit!-

-I heard that you'll be released today, if you read this come to the usual place tomorrow at 3 pm, we need to talk.-