Glancing at the snowfall from my room window, I let out a huge sigh as I leaned on my chair, with my head resting on both hands. It's been months since I received my last letter from my father. My heart pined as I read the headlines in the newspaper.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYWCDEqIpi
'BLANCA'S SOLDIER PERISHED IN THE FRONTLINES!' I read one of the headlines, with my clammy palms and my rapid breathing. What's the point of this war? When will the Bowan War end? Will Dad make it in the end?625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4125vzIsiz
As I read the last letter from him, I heard the door behind me click. I turned my head around and saw Aunt Inara entering my room, with a smile carved on her face. "Happy birthday, Bugsy," she wished me.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgcKbSzfzL
I nodded with a frown. "Thanks, auntie."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLBsYS9d2T
Her face changed as she pulled me into a hug. "You're thinking about dad, am I wrong?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2iy1CpzHP
I shook my head as I buried my face in her chest. "I want him back, auntie," my lips quivered. "I want him here with me right now. Can't he just come home?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9pQ1kbo67
"I'm worried about your father as much as you do," she sighed. "But right now, he's fulfilling his duty as a loyal citizen to fight for his country."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0QG63JSym
"At what cost, auntie?" I snapped. "Innocent lives are killed in the middle of the crossfire. What if Dad doesn't make it?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAoFcdaGGz
"Don't say that, Bugsy. Your Dad is a fighter. He's resilient and strong. He'll make it through, I know it."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcYBioPwuQ
I nodded as I wiped my eyes and walked out of the room, grabbing my coat. "I'm off to school," I announced. Grandma stood up and hugged me. "Alright, Bugsy," she caressed my cheeks. "You go have fun in school, alright?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy2rWnofd6
I bobbed my head, giving a slight smile. "Yes, Grandma," I bowed as I headed downstairs and ambled out of the coffeehouse. Walking on the pavements, I waved at my neighbours as they wished me my special day, making me fake my smile.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xwjN36JJh
I chuckled to myself. It's not a special day if my Dad isn't here. What is the whole point of the Bowan War anyways? The adults would say that it's for the greater good but I think they are wrong. It brought nothing but worries and anxieties for me. Ever since I saw 'him' at the school picnic, I started to toss and turn on my bed, making me yawn most of the time.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPJiPEL0S5
"Dear Lord," I prayed. "I wished Dad could show up so that I could hug him as long as I can. Amen." 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6SuGaFvKn
I kissed my cross as I wandered along the snow-covered field, leaving behind my footprints. The skies were cloudy as the icy wind blew softly, making the tip of my nose twitched. As I breathed in the cool, crisp air around me, I felt a shiver in my spine.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA4iTD0tEL
I looked straight and noticed a soldier standing still at the distance, staring at me. I rubbed my eyes and slowly approached him, my hands inside my pocket. As I got closer, I noticed his almond-shaped eyes and chapped lips and gasped. "Dad," I spoke. "Is that you?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB7ThFtvvF
Not a word came out of his mouth. He turned around and marched into the forest, leaving me all alone in the cold. "Dad, wait up," I called out, following him from behind.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6opWmgqWKi
I glanced around the forest, with pine trees blanketed with snow and white owls sitting on top of the branches, watching with their amber eyes. Grey foxes run around the trees, chasing each other in a fun game of tag. I chuckled as I passed by them when I saw a family of snowshoe hare gathered around their burrow, cuddling. I waved at the hare as I continued to hike, tailing my Dad when he disappeared into thin air.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd5XKVdOQJ
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as both of my hands trembled. "Dad?" I called him. "Where are you?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuGCof1Ee7
I breathed rapidly as I ran around the forest, shouting my Dad's name, but he was nowhere to be found. My eyes welled up with tears as I kneel on the ground and curled my knees, burying my face. "Dad," I sobbed. "Where are you? Why are you doing this to me?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakYy4wk17F
I let out my tears as I lied down and whimpered, calling out for him once more when an earth-shattering bomb dropped from the sky. My ears began to bleed as I screamed in pain and ran for my life. The surrounding trees exploded as the fire spread through my surroundings, covering it in black smoke.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRHfPr6MVa
Numerous gunshots filled the peaceful forest, with bullets flying everywhere. I jumped into the bushes and covered my ears, my whole body curled up like a pangolin. Wings of aircraft flew above us as bombs continued to explode and guns fired against each other. Oh Lord, when will this be over?625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa1oUF2Kya
I continued to close my eyes when the forest turned silent again, with only the sound of the howling wind and winter birds chirping in the background. I climbed out of the bushes and my eyes widened as I saw the trees stood still and the squirrels munching on acorn inside a hollow of a tree. That was weird. Just a few minutes ago, there was fire and explosions.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWBlPsVrXz
My eyebrows furrowed as I rolled up my sleeves and looked at my watch, gasping. Shoot! I'm late for school! I dashed throughout the forest and burst through the classroom door, panting. "Good morning, Mrs Hye," I panted, bending down and held both my knees. "Sorry, I'm late."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ71QvMgUCr
Ms Hye let out a small laugh. "Good morning Bugsy," she greeted back. "You may take a seat and asked your friends about our lessons today, okay?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSAryucEnL
I nodded as I put down my bag and took a seat, opening my notebook. "Anyways," Ms Hye cleared her throat. "Naomi, you may continue your review about Stephen King's The Shining."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28zQ4xpfPf
Naomi nodded. "Well, The Shining is about a family who travelled to the Overlook Hotel for work purpose. During their stay, the patriarch of the family, Jack Torrance was consumed by the hotel's evil spirits, causing him to go berserk against his wife and his son, Danny. Fortunately, Danny possessed a special ability called the 'shining', where he was able to communicate with the dead and read other people's minds. In the end, the Overlook Hotel was destroyed due to the exploding boiler and Jack sacrificed himself to save Danny and his wife."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqDCpRUDFq
The whole classroom erupted with cheers as Naomi crossed her hands and lifted her head in the air. "Alright Naomi, I have a couple of questions for you," Ms Hye pushed her strands of black hair behind her ears. "First question, what was your initial reaction after reading this book?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD79c1ocir
"In my opinion, I find the plot for the book much slower compared to the movie," she explained. "But this isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as the slow-paced plot allows room for character development. For example, I get to see more of Jack Torrance's struggle with alcoholism and his slow slip to the hotel's evilness which is much more satisfying and anticipating."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRCVmnS5ix
"Alright, next question. You mentioned that his son, Danny has a special ability called the 'shining.' Could you elaborate more about it how important are these abilities in the novel?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK5GG6Mcvo
"Well, Danny could read his parent's mind and picked up their emotions as well, which makes him an empath. For example, he was the first to know about the evil lurking in the Overlook Hotel, making him warn his parents about him. When his father tried to kill him, Danny used his abilities to persuade him to snap out of his insanity, causing him to overload the boiler and destroy the hotel."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFjxEgh8Ox
Ms Hye grinned as the first bell rang, indicating that our first lesson was over. "Alright class," she headed towards the teacher's desk. "We'll continue with our book review for tomorrow. You may go for your first break."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl7pvxoITW
The whole class stood up and walked towards the cafeteria, where it was warm and cozy. I sat down with Ferdinand, Naomi and Lisa as I slurped on my thick, creamy mushroom soup. "So," Ferdinand spoke. "Why were you late for school today?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGf5yGXVmP
"It's complicated," I stuttered. Naomi took a glimpsed of me as she chewed on her gyoza soup. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiABu4vOggJ
"We've seen strange things together," Naomi shrugged. "You can tell us anything."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5lA1G3B0l
I sighed and told them everything about seeing my father in a military uniform and how I followed him into the woods, only to hear war aircrafts dropping shells of bombs at my direction, followed by gunshots firing against each other. I also recalled how the forest was burning one moment and then the next moment, it reverted to its normal state.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74p48J97pB
Lisa froze as she stared at me with her wide eyes. "Wow," she muttered. "That was just plain weird."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpxVHhnOr1
"I know right. Part of me wants to believe it was just an illusion but the other part of me-"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK46SjLhs61
"Want to believe that you actually saw your father," Ferdinand said, in a sad tone. "It's been two years since you last saw him."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDy4RbiJnU
I nodded, as my voice began to tremble. "Yeah, it's been a while."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BwStdrV3P
"Are you alright?" Naomi held my hand. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGI7B07zyf
I shook my head and let out my tears. "I don't want any presents. I just want my Dad to come home. Is that too much to ask?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7C1n1jovb
Ferdinand and Lisa glanced to each other with a frown and shifted their focus at me. "We want our parents back home too," Lisa cried. "It's not the same without Mom."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhmrFePAOx
The second bell rang, indicating that our first break is over. "We should head back to class," I wiped my tears. "We don't want to keep Mrs Woods waiting."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBAfRVIb5S
Wearing my long sleeve white T-shirt and a velvet slip dress, I applied a tint of pink lipstick on my thin lips as I set my hair free from my blue ribbon, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Tonight is going to be perfect. My friends will be here and Aunt Inara will be baking my favourite carrot cake. I just hope the dirt road will lead me to someplace nicer and more peaceful.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSUJACWOv6
Then, I heard a soft knock on my door. "Come in," I answered, adjusting my hair. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3k2ecNMXP
Chaeyeong entered my room and gave me a hug. "Hey Bugsy," she gleamed. "You look beautiful tonight."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCRuckLOko
"Thanks," I replied, holding both my hands. "I just wish Dad is here with us."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SnNUxXp4I
My stepmother let out a sigh and nodded. "So do I, Bugsy. My heart yearns for him every day."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkxhcrwetK
I pressed my lips, trying to forget what I saw on my way to school. I shouldn't tell Chaeyeong about this. She has too many things to worry about. "Your friends are waiting in the hall. You don't want to keep them waiting."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lioiKwTd2
I bobbed my head and headed to the living room, where Ferdinand, Naomi and Lisa gathered around in their best outfit. Lisa noticed me and waved. "Happy birthday, Bugsy," she wished me, handing me a box of the present. "I got something for you."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjokCCB4gb
I unwrapped Lisa's present and my lips cracked a smile as I held a picture of the four of us during our last school picnic. "Oh, Lisa. I love this picture," I hugged her. "Where did you get this?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRT15gAq5M
"I found it in my photo album so I thought I could give it to you with a nicer photo frame I bought."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQQcgw209D
"Open mine," Naomi squealed, handing her present to me. I chuckled and unwrapped her present, only to be revealed with the greatest literary pieces in history, Frank Kafka's 'Metamorphosis.'625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpt02FjTBC
"Oh Naomi," I uttered. "You shouldn't have."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Lpv6aGkQ
"But I did. Happy birthday, bestie."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjEi2rcKHJ
I dropped my book on the floor and pulled her into a hug. "You're the best, Naomi."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KNm5p1QcN
Ferdinand stood up as he approached me with a gift bag. "I've got something special for you, Bugsy."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWntm65ny7
I grinned as I peeked inside the gift bag and took out a navy blue necklace. "I made it myself," he hid his hands behind him. "Hope you like it."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xjlITGf4Z
I gleamed as I gave Ferdinand a peck on his cheeks, much to Naomi and Lisa's delight. "Oh my gosh," Lisa exclaimed, with both hands on her face. "Are you both in love with each other?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLkYXN5FpJ
He scoffed at Naomi's claims. "Of course not," winced Ferdinand. "Bugsy and I are just friends."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CVGzqAFR6
Lisa crossed her eyes as she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Like I believe that."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYEWTePlLX
As we were talking, Aunt Inara and Chaeyeong came out from the kitchen and brought the cake into the living room, with sixteen candles placed on top. Grandma, Em, Carter, Pearl and Kim gathered around as Grandma lit each candle and brought me closer and sang together.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlFmDYG4OS
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Bugsy,
Happy birthday to you.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMHayUAJ0T
As the song ended, I blew the flames on the candles together with my younger siblings. I wish Dad would come home.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoQAVf9TSp
Everyone in the room clapped in unison as I grabbed the cake knife and sliced a piece of carrot cake, only to hear a faint echo outside my window. As everyone dug in with their cake on their plate, I sat with Ferdinand, Naomi, and Lisa in circles, passing the breeze.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZid6n4ZJ5e
Putting on our scarf and coat, we waved at Aunt Inara and Grandma as we headed out on the dirt road on a cold, winter night. I linked elbows with my friends as we set out, hearing the high-pitched screams around us. I squeezed Ferdinand's hands tighter as I looked away from the pitch-black field.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jcW0v9WjJ
The road was quiet, with only the sound of our footprints crunching on top of the snowy carpet, along with the howling wind and the crickets chirping in the background. I darted my eyes around my surroundings as my heart palpitated. I hope the dirt road led me to someplace nicer instead of a scary one, like this morning.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkBRJamWIX
As I began to slow down my steps, I saw my father standing a few feet away from me. I blinked twice to make sure it wasn't a mirage, only to see him. I stopped dead in the middle of the track, prompting my friends to pause as well. "What's wrong, Bugsy?" Naomi asked.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadn95ryCEg
"Dad's standing a few kilometres away from us," I answered, feeling goosebumps sprouting on my skin. Lisa gawked at me. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPkEz1SMvQ
"Are you serious?" she asked. "I don't see anybody."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ0tgOsEeM
"Then we should trust Bugsy," Ferdinand suggested. "After all, it's her birthday. Maybe the dirt road is leading us somewhere."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKTbTmFUi1
"I agree," nodded Naomi, making Lisa sighed groaned in frustration. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO7Ke68olx
"Alright, Bugsy. Your call."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUD6NT7X32
Following my father, we entered the deep, dark woods, where the loud howling suddenly stopped, making me quickened my breathing. It was eerily quiet, as the hares hid underneath their burrow and the white owl stared at us with its glowing, yellow eyes. The foxes lurked around in the corner, observing our every move.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAX8SubiGw
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as I passed by, with sweat pouring from my forehead. I grasped my arms even tighter as we tailed my father from behind, only for him to disappear into thin air.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAH5798RS9
I held my chest as I kneel, my head feeling heavy. As my hands trembled, my waist around me tightened as I felt strangely hot underneath my winter outfit, despite the air being frosty. As I felt a thousand eyes staring at me, I looked over my shoulder, only to find my friends standing behind me. Ferdinand approached me and hugged me from behind, kissing the top of my head.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmrKI2yFlG
He lifted me back on my feet as Naomi and Lisa rushed by my side, clinging onto my arms. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSbUsRkdp2
"It's alright, Bugsy," reassured Lisa. "We're here for you."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZWz8idrxY
My lips tightened as I leaned on Ferdinand's shoulder and felt a warm embrace around me, only to hear a flight of aircraft hovering above us, making Naomi's eyes widen.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPJmjUVr4q
Bombs dropped from the aircraft, making us run for cover. The forest was swallowed in flames as birds began to flee for their lives. Foxes dashed around the forest for cover as we desperately escaped from the exploding bombs.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEtiSMh8pT
Our ears started to bleed as the earth shattered around us, making us stumble and fall on top of the scorching ground. I screamed in pain as I jumped, leaving a huge burn mark on my left cheek. I managed to pull Ferdinand up and continued to speed up, calling for Naomi and Lisa. "Guys, where are you?" I shouted as the smoke-filled my nose, making me cough.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgOEbouq3D
Machine guns then fired against each other, causing the forest to rain bullets. Ferdinand and I ducked as we covered our ears, only for me to be hit on the chest. "No!" he yelped, as he caught me from falling.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0dFVBYivK
I held my bleeding chest as I coughed, letting out blood from my mouth. "Stay with me, Bugsy," Ferdinand whimpered. I held his hands as I glanced at his teary eyes. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjLEEITh3p
"Don't cry, Ferdinand," I whispered in his ears. "At least I'll finally be together with Mom."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3DiM0ObpI
Ferdinand shook his head. "Don't go, Bugsy, please," he begged, as he pressed his lips against mine, dipping his tongue inside my mouth. As I let go from his soft lips, I closed my eyes, only to hear a familiar cackle beside me.625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVXdkdOR4v
Waking up in a cold sweat, I found myself lying on the icy ground, catching my breath. I got up and woke my friends up. Lisa groaned as she rubbed her forehead. "Are we in heaven?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWIOCXSW1z
I burst out in laughter as I pulled Lisa and Naomi into a hug. "Oh, thank goodness you're alive."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhLEpOwkWC
"So we're not dead?" she asked, puzzled with the current situation. I shook my head when Ferdinand stood up and dusted himself, looking at us. 625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDnAjrzGBQ
"We should head back," he shivered. "It's getting colder out here."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOjrAwEXe1
We nodded as we walked back into the coffeehouse and found Aunt Inara sitting on the couch, with her eyes wet from tears. "Oh, Bugsy," she rushed towards me and pulled me into her embrace. "I'm so glad you're okay."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CWVREQKsR
I squinted my eyes at my aunt. "What's going on, auntie?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSIvfDAHq0
Aunt Inara wiped her tears as she sat me down beside her. "I don't know how to explain this, Bugsy," she began. "But I've just received news from the military."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbjjs0tYRi
I placed my hands over my mouth. "The military? Is it about Dad?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9KzVPdYEr
Aunt Inara nodded. "Yeah."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVp9ljI09G
"What did they say? Is he alright? Is he coming home today?"625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHd2z7SeWK
She held both of my hands and looked at me in the eye. "I'm so sorry, Bugsy, but your father is dead."625Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszdxUGT7ek
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