Leo’s story 2

Intro Leo never asked to be special he wasn’t born with powers or meant to save the world he was just a boy quiet different and never quite sure where he belonged his hair was the color of snow his skin pale like a clouded moon it made him stand out in ways he never wanted but before everything changed Leo had a home he had love he had parents his mom was soft-spoken with bright green eyes and long black hair that danced in the wind she would sing as she made tea in the kitchen a tune from her childhood in Japan his father a tall man with gentle hands and a serious but kind face always smelled like fresh laundry and cinnamon gum he was half American half South Korean strict with rules but warm with love Leo was twelve the last time he smiled without thinking they were driving to see Grandma Hana and it was supposed to be a simple visit the skies were gray the windows fogged and his mom was humming when the crash happened tires screamed lights flashed his mother reached back toward him and everything went black he woke up in the hospital and saw Hana crying beside him he didn’t need to ask he already knew his parents were gone child services said Hana was too old to raise him so they sent him to Aunt Marla a bitter woman who barely looked at him Frank her lazy husband sat on the couch eating chips and Jake and Mira the cousins made fun of him the attic became his room cold dusty with a flickering lamp and a thin mattress every day he did the chores every night he whispered I miss you Mom I miss you Dad but at sixteen Leo wasn’t that scared quiet boy anymore he had grown stronger not just in body but in silence and will and he promised himself that one day he would leave that attic and show the world he was more than forgotten he was still here still standing and one day he would be free.