The winter coat felt stuffy as Ren walked hand in hand with his mother. The sun was shining brightly and there didn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky. The five year old looked up at his mother who walked confidently through the crowded sidewalk, holding onto his hand strongly. They weaved in and out of the people around them as they made their way to the park. Ren wasn’t sure where everyone else was going but he knew that he was going to play with his best friend, which is why he wore his coat.

Ren’s mother stopped at the edge of the sidewalk as they waited for the light to turn red and for the person to light up across the street telling them that it was safe. The boy jumped from painted rectangle to painted rectangle as his mother pulled him along to the next patch of sidewalk. There were other kids around, all wearing backpacks or wearing matching uniforms, but Ren barely paid attention to them. He could feel his excitement building.

It had been nearly a week since they had been to the park and since he had been allowed to play with his friend. He tried to keep his free hand in his pocket so as not to get into trouble but he knew he might not make it to the open patch of playground. Cars honked and people shouted at each other as they made their way through the concrete jungle. Finally Ren saw it. The giant slide and the swing set. They were just in the distance and he picked up speed, trying to drag his mother, whose grip had tightened. He looked up into her face as she shook her head and he slowed to a steady walk.

The two walked past the high school and heard the bell ring that meant the day was starting. Ren turned his head to look at the sound and saw a girl who was crying come running from the building. It made him sad but he said nothing to his mother. They were going to the park as if it were a mission.

Ren saw the fence that surrounded the park and nearly ran for it, but knew that he must hold hands until they were inside the safe play area. A gust of wind blew past and the little boy nearly squealed. He jammed his free hand further into his pocket and gripped his mother’s hand intensely. She looked down at her little boy and gave a small smile. She loved to see him like this, full of life and excited.

They walked into the fence and found a bench. Ren’s mother sat and gave him directions in Japanese on where he was allowed to go. He listened intently but found his eyes wandering around looking for his friend. His mother made sure the zipper to his winter coat was up to his chin and securely in place and nodded her head.

Ren turned and closed his eyes. He brought his hands to his sides and felt a surge of energy sweep through him, flowing swiftly from his fingertips. A slight breeze found its way to him and the boy giggled. His friend had arrived.

The wind continued to pick up around the little boy as he wiggled his fingers. He opened his eyes and brought his hands up.

“You’re here!” Ren said as the wind circled him as if in an embrace. The boy looked back at his mother for reassurance and she gave a small grin and nodded. Without a second thought Ren ran. He ran as fast as his little legs could take him and the wind followed. It zoomed alongside him, causing the pine chip ground cover to fly up and around as they made their way around the playground.

Luckily at this time of day there was no else in the area and Ren and his mother were alone. Ren raised his hands fully above his head and felt the wind whistle past his ears as it raced by him and turned to flow around his back. The boy let his hands dangle at his sides and the wind slowed down around him and nuzzled his face. He felt his nose grow cold and saw his breath crystallize in front of him. The winter coat now felt comfortable as the wind stayed near him and the two played together.

Ren wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he heard a quick whistle from the direction of his mother’s bench. He quickly put his hands in his pockets and ran to her, the wind not far behind. She stood as a statue in a fighting stance. Ren didn’t see anyone around but he was sure something was happening. His mother didn’t get in her stance unless she was practicing or there was a real threat.

“Haha?” Ren asked in Japanese unsure if he should move closer to her or not.

His mother stared straight ahead and responded, “Ugoku na.”

The little boy stood where he was, waiting for an answer as to why his mother was in such a state. She circled something slowly and moved as if she were lightning. Her hand made contact with something solid, which crumbled to the ground, spraying pine chips and dust into the air.

Quickly, Ren’s mother ran to him and grabbed his hand. She ran, with him trailing behind her, out of the park and towards their apartment. The wind stayed with them as they went through the street. It kept pace and began to blow harder. Ren watched as the trees around them began to bend and saw his mother’s arm become covered in goose flesh.

Realizing that her son was bringing the wind with them, Ren’s mother stopped and let him say good bye to his friend. He waved to the wind and it disappeared, only a gentle breeze filling its place. Ren grabbed his mother’s hand again and they now walked quickly as she grabbed her cellphone with her free hand. Words were exchanged through the phone and a car pulled up beside them. Ren was ushered inside and the driver pulled away from the curb and made his way to the stoplight.

Ren’s hair was brushed out of his face as his mother looked at him and gave a reassuring smile, then the car bounced. It felt like someone had rammed into them but there was nothing to show for it. The car bounced again and Ren’s mother put her arm over the boy instinctively. Something forced the drivers door open and he was pulled from the car. The other doors to the car simultaneously opened and Ren’s mother gave him a look they had only talked about. The boy deftly moved his hands from the safety of his pockets and called on his friend.

The wind came to the boys rescue with a force and energy he had never experienced before. It surged through and around the car forcing the men in suits, who had seemingly appeared from thin air, to halt and pushed many of them to the ground. Ren and his mother stepped out of the car as the wind continued to howl around them. A new feeling swept through the boy as the air circled him tightly. Slowly, he felt himself lift off the ground, holding his mother’s hand as she rose with him. They found themselves feet in the air before they knew it.

Ren looked at the wind around them, “Can you take us home?” He asked and without any further prodding or prompting, the wind carried them above the traffic and the people and landed them at the door to their apartment building. Ren’s mother quickly unlocked the door as Ren waved the wind goodbye. The door locked behind the boy as he climbed the stairs to his room, shedding his coat along the way. His mother walked into his grandfather’s room and he heard them speaking to each other in hushed tones. A pulse seemed to come from the room and Ren knew they wouldn’t be found.

The five year old grabbed an action figure from his chest and grabbed some legos as he built a castle on the floor of his room. The sun shone brightly outside as the wind blew gently past.