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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvGhiTCGOQ
'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?551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBycFab9M1R
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG53ddcjrkO
I nodded with a frown. "Thanks, auntie."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8TLfIPku8
Her face changed as she pulled me into a hug. "You're thinking about dad, am I wrong?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvCUNaPXJs
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdiJ0krPFs
"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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMnDu8FyvE
"At what cost, auntie?" I snapped. "Innocent lives are killed in the middle of the crossfire. What if Dad doesn't make it?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRnIqLXkPe
"Don't say that, Bugsy. Your Dad is a fighter. He's resilient and strong. He'll make it through, I know it."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQHeTILaGf
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lAS6BoGld
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZg7RWTBE3
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq7thBEMOm
"Dear Lord," I prayed. "I wished Dad could show up so that I could hug him as long as I can. Amen." 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgJsGIZhEZ
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfYIl72ZZN
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWzOvk15IC
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ey9oFVXwV
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdno88jaxc
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as both of my hands trembled. "Dad?" I called him. "Where are you?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRFvThAAMd
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0WM9L7Soy
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ZeyF901D
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?551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWoP7ZCwfx
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN7B6M5PpD
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5TRuDwbTr
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimaSxjJHLi
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6u5JgV16Y
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR74ds9je6
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY79WZSKaa
"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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a4G5O9SXC
"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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2YmlUumer
"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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbtL2GAL4h
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWRx5Ziye4
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xJ1LwQNoM
"It's complicated," I stuttered. Naomi took a glimpsed of me as she chewed on her gyoza soup. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ880IOfDXMd
"We've seen strange things together," Naomi shrugged. "You can tell us anything."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFXnaVrqHi
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnEFUyNdQi
Lisa froze as she stared at me with her wide eyes. "Wow," she muttered. "That was just plain weird."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB9DRhwqqe
"I know right. Part of me wants to believe it was just an illusion but the other part of me-"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GuHGTDXgu
"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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWehoKMkhO
I nodded, as my voice began to tremble. "Yeah, it's been a while."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElxT38PC6c
"Are you alright?" Naomi held my hand. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFqGpSeN6C
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbKvrDPugt
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPL0tSJQMl
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJevNhJlvMl
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXqHeXIAqg
Then, I heard a soft knock on my door. "Come in," I answered, adjusting my hair. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZqawRBI9y
Chaeyeong entered my room and gave me a hug. "Hey Bugsy," she gleamed. "You look beautiful tonight."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclQuOLaSY8
"Thanks," I replied, holding both my hands. "I just wish Dad is here with us."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QgcGN8OGO
My stepmother let out a sigh and nodded. "So do I, Bugsy. My heart yearns for him every day."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuCYqspMNR
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDLadWc3rW
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3oSoC5rzs
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPMU2R02Tp
"I found it in my photo album so I thought I could give it to you with a nicer photo frame I bought."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wUZonNLCr
"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.'551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbYZS48UHO
"Oh Naomi," I uttered. "You shouldn't have."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV1JESwha0
"But I did. Happy birthday, bestie."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE4JX6t7Fe
I dropped my book on the floor and pulled her into a hug. "You're the best, Naomi."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUKueNURw5
Ferdinand stood up as he approached me with a gift bag. "I've got something special for you, Bugsy."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOyLRCjnlo
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8ICbX0vjU
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxen6y8hDeH
He scoffed at Naomi's claims. "Of course not," winced Ferdinand. "Bugsy and I are just friends."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCpaytaof0
Lisa crossed her eyes as she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Like I believe that."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbBrb5sK54
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnJ5Jv64GO
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Bugsy,
Happy birthday to you.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdooRWGLH33
As the song ended, I blew the flames on the candles together with my younger siblings. I wish Dad would come home.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJq1ktiHuP
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ovm6RlNWv
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPL3mVBaNH
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0FLJDPzPp
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2VOYtFT0c
"Dad's standing a few kilometres away from us," I answered, feeling goosebumps sprouting on my skin. Lisa gawked at me. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYiA8L3aCu
"Are you serious?" she asked. "I don't see anybody."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR34AdADjHt
"Then we should trust Bugsy," Ferdinand suggested. "After all, it's her birthday. Maybe the dirt road is leading us somewhere."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEL3NvmIOe
"I agree," nodded Naomi, making Lisa sighed groaned in frustration. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbdovDZSJh
"Alright, Bugsy. Your call."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2YGuUmrjZ
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7BZ9iFtAg
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHSuUNt3fS
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFtQOB4uyY
He lifted me back on my feet as Naomi and Lisa rushed by my side, clinging onto my arms. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNOTQ5Ek6K
"It's alright, Bugsy," reassured Lisa. "We're here for you."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnkKnF3m3G
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WG4iqvflL
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchIzwPVOSx
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMu2T0rtCE
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r2byETTy0
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. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wHF3cV5XF
"Don't cry, Ferdinand," I whispered in his ears. "At least I'll finally be together with Mom."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJprl2Getj
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.551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C5JdZb8cJ
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?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZnYjcrdtY
I burst out in laughter as I pulled Lisa and Naomi into a hug. "Oh, thank goodness you're alive."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9rGq7b8Re
"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. 551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxEiBVwV3T
"We should head back," he shivered. "It's getting colder out here."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkRB2ZGd53
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW17P0XbKRn
I squinted my eyes at my aunt. "What's going on, auntie?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRk5KHfvHF
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."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwnVKfdCZ0
I placed my hands over my mouth. "The military? Is it about Dad?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSdihecDx8
Aunt Inara nodded. "Yeah."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsIdE28sNs
"What did they say? Is he alright? Is he coming home today?"551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN7QWoKEwJ
She held both of my hands and looked at me in the eye. "I'm so sorry, Bugsy, but your father is dead."551Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaNzWn4dLE
