Weather shrouded itself in an air of mystery. One could hardly tell when it would feel like a change. Would the sun continue shining through the trees? Would a heavy rain overtake the area? No one could say for certain. There were exceptions, though, which Jiehong knew well. Within the domain of his run down little temple, the weather never changed. It was dry and arid, not a pleasant kind of heat but one that made him feel suffocated, trapped within the walls of his domain.

The sun, or lack thereof, beat down upon him today, while he knelt in the garden just to the front of his temple. As the God of Flowers his garden should have been beautiful, luxurious, and covered in stunning blooms of all colours. But that was far from the truth. He sat upon dust-dried dirt which stained and smeared his white robes. Nothing but weeds tangled and formed around him. The magic he’d once been able to infuse in the garden’s previous growth was now withheld from his gentle nurturing hands.  

He sighed exhaustedly and rubbed the sleeve of his robe across his face, hoping to rid it of the dirt that was surely there. The grime-covered robes did little to help. He wished for rain and often found himself lost in thought as he yearned for it. But only the slightest of precipitation would occur in the night, and this did little to change the dirt– stubbornly dry once again by the morning.

There was one saving grace: his flowers. The small trickle of power which still flowed through the God, allowed a small amount of flowers to grace his hair. On some days these would be bright pinks and whites, oranges, yellows and purples. However, most days, it was much like his garden–vines of weeds interlacing and covering the expanse of his head or reaching down to his shoulders, curling around his neck much like a choker. His flowers were an extension of himself and his will, and would thus change with his emotions. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes volatile.

Jiehong thought now of his flowers and tsked bitterly. His head was currently crowned with a mess of vines, adorned with only a single sunflower. As his eyes flicked down to glance at the weeds surrounding him he tilted his head in contemplation.

“You are my emotions and yet I cannot die… not as you get to do,” he worried his bottom lip between his teeth, wishing that perhaps he would one day wilt away. But as he began to angrily pluck out a few of the weeds surrounding him, Jiehong remembered that they did not deserve to die. His plants had not harmed anyone. They deserved to live, even if he did not.

A sharp cry tossed him violently from his own musings. He glanced toward where he believed the sound had originated. He saw nothing. Another cry echoed, and he stood, moving closer to the barrier. His eyes focused in an attempt to make out what was certainly occurring on the other side. Unfortunately, the loud patter of rain surrounding the outside of his domain, as well as the glimmering barrier itself, made it difficult to see the image clearly. 

He blinked and wished he could move to the other side, if only for a moment, to see what had caused such horrendous sounds to erupt. Another sound pierced the air– definitely recognized as a call of pain. His eyes continued to scan the barrier until they landed on a spot where three or four silhouettes could be made out. Boys, his mind supplied, no older than 11 or 12 could be seen huddled around something. Another yell–this time words. They came from a young girl judging by the voice he heard. The words carried through to his ears as he subconsciously took another step toward the barrier. 

“Stop! Stop it! Just leave it alone!” The girl screamed, a variety of pleas leaving her. Jiehong frowned and wondered if she was being bullied. His hand reached forward on its own accord as if to try and help.

“Move. This has nothing to do with you.”

“What are you stupid?”

“It's just a damn dog!”

Each phrase from the boys who surrounded her was punctuated by a kick, each one landing on the form of the girl, who he could now make out was knelt with her arms out to protect… a wolf? A dog? From this distance Jiehong could not be certain. The black creature whimpered behind her and resembled nothing more than a mass of fur from where Jiehong stood.

“Leave her alone,” Jiehong spoke, his voice sounded as though he hadn’t spoken in a good while. He stepped right next to the barrier. He forgot himself for a moment, the knowledge that his voice wouldn’t carry outside the barrier slipping from his mind. There was no way for him to communicate, but he acted out of desperation more than logic. 

More kicks were levelled at the young girl. She curled into herself slightly, small gasps and whimpers escaped through clenched teeth as she tried to appear strong. 

“What freak makes friends with a dog?”

“HA! Serves you right”

“Mommy and daddy not like you? That why you’re all alone?”

The boys were relentless. Water pounded down on all of them and yet none seemed to care. Jiehong called out once more.

 “Don’t harm her, she's just a child.” 

His urgency was reflected in the way he hit his palms against the barrier. The sound of his hands bounding back echoed as he watched on, unable to help as he wanted. As he once had been able to do. 

The young girl screamed loudly, the sound echoed around the surrounding area as one of the boys kicked her in the face. The sound of her nose snapping carried over the pelting rain. The boys’ laughter mixed with her agonised screams creating a cacophony as they continued to beat her.

The pain. The fact that Jiehong could not help. He was at his limit, watching this happen right at his doorstep and yet being truly powerless to intervene. He’d never felt a helplessness this strong before. 

The sunflower that once sat among the vines in his hair died, crumbling to ashes. Weeds sprouted in their place, curling down his neck and across his arms, entwining his hands as he continued to pound on the barrier. The roots sharpened to points in the form of thorns as they spread out in a desperate attempt to find a crack, some weakness in the impenetrable wall. Jiehong tried clawing at the barrier as well to no avail. His hands split and spilled blood all over the winding vines. He had not even realised that he was crying. His desperate sounds of pain mixed with the young girl’s in a truly haunting harmony.

And with that, the once black ball of fur twitched. Its red eyes shot up to glance toward the God currently clawing at what appeared to be the thin air. Though he was unable to be seen or heard, this creature seemed to be looking straight at Jiehong. The creature moved, red eyes narrowing as it growled. The sound cut through the laughter and screams, freezing the boys in place.

Until now, the creature had lain submissively on the ground, whimpering. Now, its glowing crimson eyes glared at the boys.  The creature bared its teeth and gave a deep menacing growl from massive jaws. The boys collectively took a step back. Their eyes widened as the creature stood to its full height. Its warning growl hitched as it moved and slightly limped in their direction. 

“Quick! Run!” one of the boys shouted to the others, before he turned and sprinted away from the wolf and the girl. The others followed suit, yelling expletives toward the girl as they went and only quieted when the creature's growls grew sharper. The creature glanced over to Jiehong, as if to check in with him, then nuzzled into the girl, moving her to sit against the cherry blossom tree behind them. 

With the creature’s actions granting her safety, Jiehong’s fists finally relinquished their tirade against the barrier. Completely drained from his attempt to save the girl, he took in a short breath before his eyes rolled back in his head and his body unceremoniously fell to the dust-dried floor of his garden. Ripped away from his body, the vines which had been growing along the barrier’s perimeter died at once, turning into dust as well. Near dead vines and violent thorns were all that adorned Jiehong’s hair as he passed out in his garden, seemingly unable to grow there as well. 

As for the young girl, she relaxed. Warmed by the heat of the creature, she managed to fall into a steady slumber. Or perhaps something deeper. The red eyes of the creature remained open, surveying the area, black fur slightly matted, as it curled around the girl and watched over the two.