The Scrap Tamer - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Mom

Sitting by Reid’s side was the woman who he called Mom. She tightly clung to his hand, afraid that he’ll disappear if she let go.

“Um you can let go now Mom” Reid said with an embarrassed blush since Mabel and Uncle Steve were still standing there.

“You promised not to disappear again?” She asked.

“I promise” Reid said with a sigh.

Hesitantly, she released his hand but still sat close to him.

Reid observed his mom as she ordered the same as him because sweets worked wonders in calming them down.

She appeared to be in her early thirties, despite actually being in her mid-forties. The only giveaway was the dark circles under her eyes, a clear sign that she hadn’t slept in quite some time.

“Are you okay Mom?” Reid asked in concern.

“I am now” she replied with a smile as she held his hand.

“I’m sorry,” he said, recognizing the stress he must have caused when he decided to move to the Scrapyards without anyone knowing.

“I’m the one who should apologize,” she replied, her voice heavy. “I wasn’t there to protect you that day.”

“It’s fine, Mom,” Reid said softly. “Besides, he wouldn’t have changed his mind even if you had been there.”

“You’re right but I promise to bring you back ” she resolutely promised.

“I don’t plan on going back yet mom” he managed to squeeze out with a heavy heart. He knew this decision would hurt her but he couldn’t return until he was strong enough to make even his dad be haunted with regret.

His mom hesitated for a second before nodding “I understand”.

She drank her mocha through a straw before asking “what do you plan on doing now?”

“I joined the military” Reid answered showing her his military badge.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” She worriedly asked and for a good reason too.

The death rate of people who joined the military was extremely high since they stopped beast sieges every other week.

“I’ll be fine” He assured and summoned his forged-beasts from his inventory “I’ve got these guys to protect me”.

“Silver tier forged-beasts?” His mom asked, her surprise was evident in her voice.

“Meet Rusty, Nyx and Beel, my silver-tier forged beast” he introduced with a smile.

“W-wait, didn’t the scanner say your potential was capped at Iron rank?” She asked.

Sensing the exact ranks of beast (both primals and forged-beasts) was her innate ability, so she immediately knew the ranks of the forged-beasts, even in their smaller forms.

“Yes, Mom, but a lot has happened over these past two years, and I somehow found a way to increase my rank and potential” he explained, only telling half truths.

“A way to increase your rank?” His mom mumbled to herself “I’m so happy that you did”.

Although she noticed Reid wasn’t telling her everything, she didn’t push him. She was just happy to be reunited with her youngest son again.

“So where have you been staying all this while?” She asked, changing the topic.

“The Scrapyards” Reid answered “I was able to meet a lot of awesome people there, I hope to introduce you to them some day”.

“I’d be happy to meet the ones taking care of my son for two years” she said with a smile while her heart internally broke.

She couldn’t believe that her son was forced to live in a place that was known as basically a dump site for the rich.

“Alright I’ve decided, you’re spending the entire day with me today” she decided “and it’s not negotiable”.

Reid just chuckled, agreeing to her decision. After all, she was the one person he really missed.

“I’m really happy you two got to see each other again” Steve, who had left when they started talking, approached them “to celebrate, everything you’ll order is on the house”.

“I can’t accept that Steve” she said, hesitant to accept.

“Come on Viv, you have to accept” he said, before clearing his throat and mimicking her voice “it’s not negotiable”.

Reid just chuckled at Steve’s antics. He had always been like this and Reid was glad he didn’t change.

Vivian shook her head but smiled warmly at Steve’s playful remark. “Fine, but only this once,” she conceded, leaning back into her seat. “Thank you, Steve.”

Steve waved it off. “You guys are like family to us.” He glanced at Reid and gave him a thumbs-up before returning to the counter.

Vivian turned back to Reid, her gaze softening. She still couldn’t believe how much he had grown in two years.

His once-boyish features had sharpened into those of a young man, and there was a weight in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

She then turned to the forged-beasts snacking on some pastries on the table and said “thank you guys for looking after him for me”.

“Squeak” Rusty was the one to reply with Reid translating “Rusty’s says you’re welcome”.

This caused her to chuckle and say “I hope he hasn’t been too much trouble.”

“Squeak” Rusty replied again, which translated to ” of course he has.”

“No I haven’t” Reid denied, glaring at Rusty.

“Squeak Squeak Squeak” Rusty argued which translated to “oh really, then what about the scrap dominoes?”

“That was one time” He defended but it still persisted.

“Squeak Squeak” It said, which meant “what about the rat cave.”

The other two forged-beasts ignored their argument and indulged in the delicious pastries.

“Fine, you win” Reid gave up but didn’t actually translate what Rusty said about the scrap dominoes and the rat cave since he didn’t want to worry her.

Vivian on the other hand, seeing his son arguing with his forged beast, couldn’t help bursting out in laughter.

Although she didn’t understand what Rusty was saying, she was pretty sure her son had gotten himself into some kind of trouble and the mouse was reminding him of them.

“I’m glad you bonded with forged-beasts like these” she said after wiping the tear that formed in her eyes due to laughter.

“Me too, Mom” he answered with a soft smile.

“Now what should we do for the rest of the day?” she asked but before Reid could answer, the pastry shop descended into silence as a heavy pressure bore on Reid’s shoulder.

“Now what should we do for the rest of the day?” Vivian asked, her voice light and hopeful.

Reid opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say a word, the lively hum of the pastry shop was replaced by an oppressive silence. A suffocating pressure bore down on his shoulders, forcing his head downward.

The voice that followed was sharp, laced with disdain. “Well, well, if it isn’t my dear little failure,” it said, dripping with condescension.

The man’s presence seemed to sap the warmth from the room. “I wouldn’t say it’s a pleasure to see you again, failure.”

Reid clenched his fists, his teeth grinding as he forced himself to meet the gaze of the man who had just entered. Despite the pressure pinning him down, he managed to straighten his posture enough to lock eyes with the towering figure before him.

“W-well, I could say the same,” he said through gritted teeth, the word almost spat out. “Dad.”

______

Answer to last chapter’s riddle: A candle.

This Chapter’s riddle: Forward, I am heavy. Backward, I am not. What am I?