I woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air. Pushing aside my blanket, I got up from the bed and drew the curtains open and saw a few police cars parked right in front of an alleyway beside the liquor store in front of our coffeehouse.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12EcxNmIHy
I wore a bathrobe around me and went downstairs to the customer's area, where I found Aunt Inara and Chaeyeong sitting beside the shop window, staring outside. "Did someone die?" I asked, sitting next to them.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp2SuIfS98
Chaeyeong bobbed her head. "Yup," she sipped her cup of coffee. "This time, it's Farmer Joe."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Khh5zH7eS
"Oh, that poor old man," I sympathized. "He was such a kindred spirit."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXROUR8pKk
Aunt Inara sighed. "I know, Bugsy. It's always the good ones that die first."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJATqHy1sLv
As we glanced at the detectives examining the dead body behind the yellow tape, Carter approached us, holding his Teddy bear. "Hey Bugsy," he said, climbing on my lap. "Can we do something fun today?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMqHMSTH1w
My hand's steeple as my pupils moved upwards, wondering what kind of fun stuff can I do with my little brother. "We can go to the beach today," I suggested. "How about that?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JVsCdmeIr
"The beach is boring," he commented, shaking his head. "I want to go somewhere fun."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR0nrRqz2f
"Fun, eh?" I scratched the back of my head. "Well, how about the lake? It sounds like fun."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62z9UGLM8v
Carter nodded, gleaming. "I want to go to the lake, can we, can we, Bugsy?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxhkIajwle
"Of course we can," I got up, lifting him with both arms. "Now let's get Em and your swimsuit ready."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybLnqOtI3T
Walking out of the Little Owl Coffeehouse, I held both Em's and Carter's hand as we strolled along the tar road, filled with the usual crowd. I stumbled upon one of my classmates, Archie, skateboarding on the road. As he glanced at me, he gave me a Vulcan salute.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnflwyuBmD
"Hey Bugsy," he greeted, in a warm tone. "Where you off too?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE3oGE8jKg
"To the lake," I answered, taking a glimpse on his skateboard. "Are you here alone?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA3cwJTvzb
He wiggled his head. "Nah, I'm with Raj and Amra."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pHoZfwzwv
"Hi Bugsy," waved Amra. "I see you're going for a swim, yeah?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTPjVFRJSe
"Nope, I'll be drowning to death."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJjA07HR6K
Em, let out a high-pitched whistle, to my annoyance. "Oh, you just got burned in the butt."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCG9SI2fPs
I slapped her arms and glared in a menacing way. "You watch your mouth, you prick."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0FdL4jwQu
Archie tried to hold his laughter and shook his head, before giving me a wink. "Have fun."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qAt9WU4rf
I chuckled and continued our journey into the woods. The ground was dry as the sand as I noticed some leaves on the ground were dying of thirst. Carter looked up and saw a hummingbird hovering near the lilac, sipping the cool with its straw-like beak.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJis3Sbj3O
Giggling, he broke free from my grasp and began to chase the hummingbird, who was then joined by Em. Those two. Reminds me of the time when I was around their age. Chasing butterflies on the grassy field, hoping to catch them with my tiny hands. Such simpler times. If only I could relive the good old days again and again.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmZRRku9e5
As soon as we arrived at the crystal, clear lake, Em and Carter held each other's hands and jumped into the water, splashing around. I dropped my denim shorts and my white T-shirt, revealing a black swimsuit underneath. I took a step into the freshwater and held my breath, sinking myself underneath.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC8rzLrt2C
Looking at the collections of rocks underwater, I was welcomed by a school of small guppies swimming around me in circles. Gliding like a mermaid, I explored the depth of the reservoir for treasures I could bring back. Picking up a couple of rocks with my hands, I tossed them aside and uncovered a shard of a beer bottle, before putting it back where it belongs. Sheesh, who threw this in the lake? Someone could get hurt just by stepping on them.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjSwaKsFok
As I continued to wade around, I noticed something shiny illuminating my eyes. I paddled my feet towards the object in a flash and picked it up, only to find another piece of a beer bottle. I popped my head out of the water and sneered. Seriously, who the hell would throw a beer bottle into the lake? So selfish and inconsiderate.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedW97D8qCY
I looked over my shoulder and watched my two younger siblings squirting water at each other, laughing at each other. I snickered and swam in their direction quietly, hoping that they won't notice me. Em and Carter continued to play around with each other when I pulled my sister's leg, dragging her underwater.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJMYjX2a9K
I burst into laughter as she popped up on the surface, her face flushed. "I'll get you for this, Bugsy," she raged, as she jumped on my back and hit my head with both her fists. I twirled around in a vigorous manner, making her fall.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrO6w8FuUU
Baring her teeth, she pushed me with both hands, only for me to deflect her blows with my mighty strength. "Let's face the fact, Em," I placed both hands on my waist. "You know I'll always win."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSTsrfPsN9
I blew a raspberry at her as she splashed at my face, pouting. I offered my hand and helped her stand up, only for my sister to spill freshwater on my face. "Got you," she smirked. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and crossed my arms, trying to hold my emotions intact. As she tried to swim away, Carter and I started to chase her as fast as we could.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NVPr4EgsJ
Carter managed to get a hold of her while I felt my arms and legs began to ache, slowing me down. My breathing heightened as my heart was beating more rapidly than usual, and my lips and throat feeling a little dry. I crawled out of the lake and lied on my back, my eyes squinted at the rays of sunlight.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34hYf2mLbq
My head turned to my sister, who was wiping herself with her green towel. "Hey Em," I croaked. "Could you toss my towel to me?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeJ90I9Vbv
My sister's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she grabbed my navy blue towel and covered my face with it, trying to hold back her laughter. "Don't tan yourself, Bugsy," Em's voice shook. "Or you'll look like a raw chicken."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TcLrpOJ6P
"Shut up, Emma," I grunted, taking off the towel from my face. "At least I'm not as dumb as you."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsawGd7i5jY
Em stared at me with a blank face. "Whatever," she spat. "At least I'm not dull and boring as you. I mean, what did Ferdinand even see in you anyways?" 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9EZaNmueI
My eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBurV63JvYY
"I'm talking about how did a party pooper like you would end up with a cheerful and bubbly guy like Ferdinand?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N88yEGE07
I gave her a light punch on her shoulder. "Whatever, Em. We're not even together."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILkXvcEI0Z
"Well, I bet 20 dollars that you two will get married and have cute babies together."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XJ9ExWToY
I wiped Carter's hair with his pastel pink colour as Em kept on rambling garbage out of her mouth, which figuratively hurts my ear. Then, I heard a rustling coming from the bushes, prompting me to cover Em's mouth.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWAiaTkRHn
"Shh....someone's coming."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DlTngMaHR
My worst fear came true when Jimmy, who is also known as James Larthow, who goes by the nickname the Ripper, appeared, waving at the three of us. "Hey Maria," Jimmy beamed. "I see you and your brother and sister went for a swim."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbkVoRfpWg
"Who's Maria?" asked Em. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNIoM0vDwj
I shushed her and gave her a death glare as he slowly approached us, making me bite my lip. "Hey Jimmy," I chuckled, attempting to hide my nervous tone. "I see you're here to collect water."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfQoFG1pi7
"You know me well, little missy," he scratched the back of his neck. "Water and electricity haven't arrived at my house yet. Strange, huh?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdHKd7aESj
"Yeah, I guess so."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ23lt7kPW0
"So who are these two?" he pointed at Em and Carter.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzCitEK3xq
"They're my brother and sister, obviously," I scoffed. "I mean, you did guess it earlier."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5IMRMNCJI
"Touché. Just out of curiosity, but are you guys mixed-race?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcEEVTSZ1e
I bobbed my head. "Yeah, we are. Mom's German while my dad's Chinese."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoooP7L2eDd
"Cool. You know, Maria, I happen to have a little sister just like you."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yfleaj6J0
"Really?" my eyes widened.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVJUYOQj8E
"Of course," he began to sit near the lake, admiring the calm waters. "She was the only friend I ever had."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5A8AWsXWT
I sat beside him, hugging my knees. "What happened to her?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw35qZrf9z
"She drowned in the river one fine day. I was never the same after that."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqjbAFAKy
"What about your parents?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDQxMxnZ5N
"Mama was kind and beautiful as a peach," he rested his hands on his cheeks. "Papa, however, was a drunkard. Cheats on Mama regularly with some redhead. Whenever he's in a bad mood, Mama and I are usually his punching bags."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQuAE4G7LL
I pressed my lips and exhaled. "Where does he hit you?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9WXk0r9Ls
With his fingers, he pointed at his forehead, then his shoulders, and lastly, his stomach. I closed my eyes and imagined the excruciating pain Jimmy and his mother had to endure at the hands of his father's wrath. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EkzrN29Kn
"One time, Papa hit me so hard that I ended up peeing in my pants right in front of him," he bellowed. "He just slapped me for ruining his carpet."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXPbkQrkY4
"What kind of monster would do such a thing to an innocent child?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVsZsfq1Yr
"The worst part is, Maria, no one stepped in. Not even the goddamn police or priest would dare speak out against his father," he wept. "They just told me to have faith in the Lord instead."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwv8MJLQnh
He broke down in tears and covered his face, avoiding eye contact with me. "I hate the Lord," he shouted. "I hate Him. He took away Jenny and Mama. He made my life nothing but pain and suffering."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKPVGwjB4n
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as I stared at the picturesque scenery, hearing him whimper. "I get angry at the Lord sometimes," I confessed. "He was loving, but he killed Jessie right in front of my eyes. He was merciful, but he took two of my toes away. Because of Him, I became a laughing stock in school. I want to hate Him but I'm always reminded to count my blessings each day. Goodness me. Why can't something good happen to me once in a while?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpURjCWOcH0
Wiping his tears with the back of his hand, he stood up and grabbed a pail beside him, filling up with water. "I should get going," Jimmy cleared his throat. "I might get heatstroke if I stay a little longer."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXhjCfwG3i
I nodded and was about to call Em and Carter when Jimmy placed his hand on my shoulder. "Be careful out there, little missy," he advised. "The world's not safe for a girl like you."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5lgf5LqfR
"You too, sir," I shook hands with him and grabbed my siblings, leaving with haste. We headed into the forest, not looking back at him. Carter and Em were silent during the whole trip, giving me a cold shoulder. Huh, I wonder what's on her mind. Does she recognize the serial killer? Is she mad at me for not telling the police about my encounter with him?628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUtsbUaOAe
As we took a step into civilization. Em finally broke her silence. "Who was that guy?" she raised her questioned, making me sigh in relief.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsgKCl4BY8
"He's just some farmer," I lied, crossing my fingers behind my back. "His name is Jimmy."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAPGJrcPvk
"He looks pretty familiar," she pointed out. "I think I saw him somewhere on a poster before."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuV7fHPdC3
"It's normal for someone to look familiar, Em," I argued. "I mean, have you seen the similarities between Aunt Inara and Grandma in her younger days?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7IkvXHSjW
Em acknowledged my answer when Carter raised his index finger and spoke up. "He seems creepy. You should avoid him, sis."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FpvvAXti2
"Don't worry about me, little brother," I stroked his straw-coloured hair. "This will be the last time I see him, anyway."628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEStajfoWB
