Dearest Bugsy,641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtggTSS9jyn
New Year's Day wasn't the same without you and the rest of the family. It felt like hell, especially celebrating in the trenches. Winter was much harsher, especially during combat. The only thing that kept me alive was my love for all of you. On the other hand, I enjoyed your story about Naomi's birthday, where she walked in the dirt road with you, Ferdinand and Lisa. I remember when you walked on the dirt road with your friends. It was nerve-wracking for me, your aunt and your Grandma. I also love your brother and sister's drawing you sent. It cheered me up when I'm alone. I'm also glad to hear that Aunt Inara, Grandma and Chaeyeong are doing fine on their own, though I wish I could see them right now. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihO5OIqgco
I hope I hear from you soon.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mqjk5vlNi
With love,
Dad
This was the letter I received from my father yesterday. It's been almost a year since he enlisted in the war. The thought of my gentle father fighting a pointless war is excruciating for me. The only thing that's distracting me from the war was Malcolm's case. For months, I have been searching through the archives up and down, hoping to get more truth. Fortunately, Ms Yves, who works in Slaborough's archives, managed to find me newspaper clippings of Malcolm's case. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXEmPvw3Ma
'LITTLE BOY FOUND DEAD IN CABIN,' I read the headlines. As I thanked Ms Yves, I took out my magnifying glass and read each sentence of the article, while jotting down on my notebook. The article was yellowish, with a few torn each side, and was dated back at 1969, which means Grandma was probably in her younger days. Satisfied, I thanked Ms Yves for her time and left the building. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWsxna1OM1
As I walked out, the stairs were covered in snow, making me climbed down while holding the bannister with both hands. I strolled along the shop houses, waving at the owners. I stepped inside the Little Owl Coffeehouse and opened the gate which led me to the living room.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQexBfqMncZ
"Bugsy," Aunt Inara called me. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXasPTokfBh
I turned in her direction. "Yes, auntie?" 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHTZK03fbC
"Your friends are waiting for you," she stated. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MuRp83MaN
"Which friend?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VVVYM8Zla
"Ferdinand, Naomi and Lisa."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT7yi7Fasx
I pouted my lips in embarrassment and climbed upstair, took off my Doc Martens and went inside my room, and found my friends lounging. "Took you long enough to get here," Lisa exasperated. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5wsWdoONK
"You can't rush research, Lisa," I answered, as I dumped my bag on the floor and took out my notebook. "Besides, you know I only have 8 toes."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjMrm16OVb
"I can see that," Lisa crossed her arms. "Hope you found something in the archives. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D9NF3k3Pk
"I did," I flipped opened my notebook. "This is what I found so far."
Ferdinand reached for my notebook and raised his eyebrows. "Good gracious," he gasped. "Your notes look like chicken scratch."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll read it for you, dear."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekOTcz2F0p
"You call your best friend dear?" Naomi expressed her amusement.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGVmFvtVcF
"Of course," I chided. "Best friends love each other."
"Whatever, let's hear what you found so far."
"The newspaper clippings I found at the archive was dated back at 1969, which means Malcolm's been dead for 29 years," I explained. "Malcolm was only 10 years old when he died, which means if he was alive, he would have been 39."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxK2l1iQbR
"Poor boy," Ferdinand wiped his tears with his purple handkerchief. "Anyways, please continue."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMouAQfdWUO
"He was approximately killed at 10:43 a.m while his parents, Mr Nguyen and Mrs Tran were in town, doing their grocery shopping. When the detective found him, he was hanging in his bedroom."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarvdgmobce
"I bet it was the men in the white hood who killed him," Lisa pointed out. "They were threatening us not to return to the cabin."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyfHYyGIuk
"Now hang on, Lisa," cautioned Ferdinand. "Bugsy hasn't mentioned the suspects in this case."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW04PDkCkDI
"There are no suspects in this case, unfortunately" I groaned. "The detectives couldn't find any leads at all."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3XBrNXub6
"You mean there's no evidence at all?" marvelled Naomi. I could only shake my head at her question. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CpdaI6dey
Then it's obvious that those KKK lookalikes killed Malcolm and covered their tracks," speculated Lisa. "Bugsy, did you find anything about those men in white."
My shoulders drooped as I sat in the bed and dropped my notebook purposely. "No records of them whatsoever. I couldn't even find them under 'Cults'." 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7aVqUGvOk
"It seems that these men we encountered wanted to keep their existence a secret," Ferdinand stroked his chin. "But we need more proof."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOvAOFfsb2
"Well, I searched up Malcolm's parents and according to detectives, they were last seen in the woods. Maybe we could start there."
"In that case, let's get going."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdojSd2Ybzq
I tugged my arms around myself as the once emerald green grassland was blanketed with snowy cushion and the trees were stripped naked, with no signs of cheerful songbirds and blooming flowers. With my navy jacket and gloves, I closed my eyes and chanted a small prayer. "May the Lord paved the way for us."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSDKCAzl7l
We continued hiking through the forest, with the sunlight penetrating through the trees. "Do you where we're going?" Lisa questioned. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kA5IIAIS4
"Of course I do," I answered, confidently.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvijm9RfS1
"The forest is big, which is perfect for these men in white to lay low."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDm0Z06qSm
"We could get lost in here, especially after sunset."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfpQ8BWmPY
"Don't worry," Ferdinand assured Lisa. "Bugsy knows what she's doing."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG7QXiZUwo
Not really, I thought. I'm not 100% sure what we're looking for.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDMvBbLfDb
I rubbed my palms against each other to stay warm when I heard a soft whisper in my ears. Bugsy, it called me. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXZXfjV7tt
I turned around, only to find a colourless orb floating in mid-air. Follow me, this way.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEaKPzUV84
"Hey guys," I addressed my friends. "I think we should follow the glowing lights."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcITdDKHHWq
Naomi's eyes widened as she saw the will-o-the-wisps, who was staring blankly. "What are those?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChxbf8mnrp
"Will-o-the wisps," Ferdinand acknowledged. "Legends say that it leads those who were lost in the forest."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuDd9lb2or
"I'm not about that," doubted Lisa. "My mama always say it leads travellers to their doom."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggDij1TwDh
"Maybe, maybe not," I shrugged. "But we don't have much choice, don't we?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQsdAw3Khf
Ferdinand and Naomi nodded and tailed me from behind, with Lisa frowning. " Let's hope I don't regret this."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXShKnkukF6
As we followed the faerie lights, the ray of sun grew dimmer as the cold breeze grew stronger, making me shiver in this miserable weather. Like the ocean, the deeper we explore, the darker our surroundings as I felt a thousand stares around me, watching my every move as they waited to strike as soon as I let my guard down. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0CoIpKcUo
In a moment, the will-o-the-wisps disappeared, making me stop dead. My heart palpitated. Is this where I will find my answers? I silently panicked. Why did the trail stop all of a sudden?641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5exnaGw2p
Ferdinand brushed his hands with mine, and my heartbeat slowed down, making me warm inside. He led me a few steps forward from where I stood and noticed a faint light from a distance. As we got closer, I saw a long, wooden house, surrounded by gates. "I think that's where we'll find our answer," Ferdinand noted. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJic3bo3D5
"Or where you'll get yourself killed," Lisa retorted. "I mean, those men in white had rifles, Bugsy."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH2r3RFC81
"I agree, Lisa," Naomi patted her shoulder. "That's why we're going together."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGnJscCBso
"I'll keep watch here, just in case."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYsl2tipQh
I nodded. "Signal us if something's up."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQdLfatZ8P
We tiptoed towards the cabin and bypassed a sign, which reads 'Children of Balance'. We climbed over the fence and crawled to the back of the cabin. Naomi peeked through the window and lifted it open, signalling us to enter. As the window was shut, rows of beds were tidied up, with a book on top of the blanket. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhH0xv4R4mF
"Children of Balance Bible," I read. "This must be really important."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxM5fPsmhy
I slid the Bible inside my pocket, only to hear footsteps approaching the dorm. As quick as lightning, Ferdinand and I hid under the bed while Naomi managed to fit herself inside the cupboard. The door swung opened, revealing a man in white. I cling to Ferdinand's arm as my breathing grew rapid. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8Gr4TiqoH
He lifted his blanket and groaned in frustration and crouched, only to find us. "What are you doing here?" he asked. Before we could speak, Naomi sneaked behind him and hit his left jaw, causing him to collapse. We came out from underneath the bed and glanced at the man in white, who was now lying on the floor and unable to wake up. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qfrz4y0BN
"Now what?" I asked. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuTPv0dfss
"Now you infiltrate the Children of Balance with this costume," Naomi instructed. "Ferdinand and I'll wait outside for your escape."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzufJCU5KOZ
"Just like Nancy Drew, huh?" I chuckled, as I put on my disguise. "Great thinking, Naomi."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8uXqpj0W4
As Naomi dragged the man, who had red hair and freckles and hid him inside the cupboard, while Ferdinand opened the window and gazed at me, giving a tight-lipped smile. "Good luck, Bugsy."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u0yKVKWPH
I smiled back and left the room. I roamed around the house and was in awe when I saw a huge portrait of a middle-aged man, with a cane in his hands and donned in a black suit with his icy blue eyes looking down at his loyal subjects. "Nathanel Roth," I learned his name on the golden plaque. "Must be the head of Children of Balance."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYOPbvHnUc
"That's right, Walter," a deep voice behind me spoke. I turned around and saw a member in his costume. "That is indeed our messiah."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHe9wqEuxh
"Right," I deepened my voice. "Our Saviour, Nathanel Roth, that's him alright."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3EUrrsKOj
"Yeah, our Messiah has brought peace on Earth," the man in deep voice praised. "And I am grateful for him."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9LsSwiAJk
Am I in a cult? I questioned myself. They seemed to be calling this man their God and saviour, like what I read in the library.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1t8HhISOt
"Hey," another member with a raspy voice called us. "Our messiah summoned a meeting."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor73Xwo09g
We gathered in a hall and sat in the middle, with the other members in the white hoods. My hands shake as Nathanel Roth, who was wearing a white robe, stood tall on stage, holding his cane with both hands. As he knocked the stage with his cane twice, all of us stood up and placed our hands on our chests and chanted;641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIs8AoAgsk
All hail Nathanel Roth,
Our Lord, Our Saviour,
The Chosen One,
Who brought peace on Earth.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCR8dNnLCN
I rolled my eyes and sat down simultaneously with the Children of Balance. Oh my god, I freaked. I am in a cult. What am I going to do? I'm stuck in a lion's den right now. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bqIL9Zy75
I glimpsed the entrance of the hall and it was locked tightly. "Children of Balance," Nathanel addressed. "This morning, I had a vision about the future. A future where violence ruled the world and peace was dead." 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjfJG4rwVL
The whole room gasped in horror, except for me. I wasn't convinced of his words, but somehow, he was able to grab the attention of his subjects underneath him.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuLLbsw1QC
"But no worries, Children. I have a solution to stop this from happening."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBOfzWLmlj
"How, father?" chorused the members all at once.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiIryn6mg2
'Violence is slowly being embraced in society, with the ongoing war between the government of Blanca and the Bowan states. Children of Balance, it is our duty to maintain a balance where there is an imbalance on Earth. To achieve peace, there will be sacrifices. There are millions of vermin sweeping into our society and causing this imbalance on Earth. As Children of Balance, we must wipe out those vermin on Earth to maintain peace with no mercy. Are you willing to face this challenge, Children of Balance?" 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IwR84Aa0o
The whole room erupted in joy as they clapped enthusiastically, including me, to avoid suspicion from the other members. I have to put an end to this madness, before people like Malcolm perish. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl683CcqD8Z
"Children of Balance. We must offer a drop of blood to the Lord as a beginning for our hunt."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFecJWYp3hH
We lined up in front of the messiah to offer our blood. I held both my trembling hands as I saw the clock on the wall, with the small finger pointing at the number five. It'll be dark soon. If I don't get back early, Aunt Inara will freak.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0sophse8G
"Your hands, my child," Nathanel gleamed, much to my fear. I showed my right hand and with a small knife, he sliced across my palm and a drop of blood dripped into the bowl of water. "Thank you, child."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7q7PlIONi
My face was covered in sweat as I exited the hall and headed towards the entrance, only to be stopped by the same man in a deep voice. "Where do you think you're going, Walter?" he demanded. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9By0eQ6Qr
"I needed some fresh air," I cleared my throat. "I find it quite stuffy in here."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBzT7V9PFP
"Then I'll come with you," he replied, as he walked beside me. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrWXxMipsw
Without a second thought, I pushed him to the floor and escaped towards the snowy field, where Naomi and Ferdinand opened the gate and ran towards me.641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvh8dy2nKY
As I sprinted, a man with a deep voice grabbed my hood and restrained me by my neck. Naomi and Ferdinand paused as Nathanel Roth stepped outside and saw me. "I've never seen you before. Who are you?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZNedHB3RR
"I'll never tell you, murderer," I barked. "I know you're behind Malcolm's murder."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuFHNGmthL
Nathanel let out a small laugh and tilted my chin upward, much to Ferdinand's disgust. "Kill this vermin," he ordered his member. 641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnkt81vbcd
Before they could make a move, Lisa threw a snowball towards the man with a deep voice. "Hey, dipshit!" Lisa exclaimed. "Stay away from friends or else."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP34IrIBSx
As I was released from his grasp, I stood behind Ferdinand as he moved away from the commune and shut the gate. With both hands, he carried me and ran towards the forest while Lisa and Naomi fought the cult members. As soon as Nathanel brought out a rifle, Naomi and Lisa managed to flee, with Nathanel firing a shot towards the girls641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKOioc50gq
I closed my ears and clung on Ferdinand's shoulder but to his luck, he missed them. As we entered the forest, Naomi pointed at our footprints, leading us back to town. The sun began to set in the west as we reached civilization, with Lisa kneeling on the ground and hugging it. "We made it," Lisa cried. "We're finally safe."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweYgDhTQ6w
Ferdinand placed me on a rock and I plodded towards the start of the forest, noticing our footprints on the snowy cushion. "Hey guys," I panicked. "I hate to say this but I don't think we're safe yet."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz3AyJchAl
"What do you mean, Bugsy?" Naomi furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you saying?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuKjb632Wh
"When we escape from the cult, we left a trail of footprints on the snow. Which means they could track us all the way to town."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozNe8Sj6rm
"Oh no," Ferdinand's jaw dropped. "What do we do?"641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1mKVr019c
"We have to warn our parents."641Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrG4TGSfNB
