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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxRVHOTyD3
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l9fz0wP7K
Chaeyeong bobbed her head. "Yup," she sipped her cup of coffee. "This time, it's Farmer Joe."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLHbMSFqRI
"Oh, that poor old man," I sympathized. "He was such a kindred spirit."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwblgyecPL9
Aunt Inara sighed. "I know, Bugsy. It's always the good ones that die first."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpp3ftd3Pp
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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kUp9Nmn4K
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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8tihaAswE
"The beach is boring," he commented, shaking his head. "I want to go somewhere fun."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmLu4G0a8f
"Fun, eh?" I scratched the back of my head. "Well, how about the lake? It sounds like fun."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOuSy3ItJF
Carter nodded, gleaming. "I want to go to the lake, can we, can we, Bugsy?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCp5AUzhqW
"Of course we can," I got up, lifting him with both arms. "Now let's get Em and your swimsuit ready."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpFpgV4jhS
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFT9jneWL1
"Hey Bugsy," he greeted, in a warm tone. "Where you off too?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNI8rrNfuN
"To the lake," I answered, taking a glimpse on his skateboard. "Are you here alone?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjglLJjwS5p
He wiggled his head. "Nah, I'm with Raj and Amra."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLqnOiz5tV
"Hi Bugsy," waved Amra. "I see you're going for a swim, yeah?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7SVGLqKN8
"Nope, I'll be drowning to death."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhatfI8nij
Em, let out a high-pitched whistle, to my annoyance. "Oh, you just got burned in the butt."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjLvpvqxVl
I slapped her arms and glared in a menacing way. "You watch your mouth, you prick."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCsmEu2JFs
Archie tried to hold his laughter and shook his head, before giving me a wink. "Have fun."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjPxGkpOBh
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0JgffVhGe
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fxOPxCelb
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgWx0NJSmw
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKVKlzeNMJ
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwaQ8Mihl6
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PnueUbKUW
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnj4YrwBZF
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXabvEVZIW
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ0cO0EJyW
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LIgZbkg8U
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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEzqN3vOdI
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4YDfZiN9A
"Shut up, Emma," I grunted, taking off the towel from my face. "At least I'm not as dumb as you."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2njZrGnt50
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?" 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTeJqoWhBU
My eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwurCl4u37
"I'm talking about how did a party pooper like you would end up with a cheerful and bubbly guy like Ferdinand?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg89aLLBd1f
I gave her a light punch on her shoulder. "Whatever, Em. We're not even together."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sd0GDbDQ7
"Well, I bet 20 dollars that you two will get married and have cute babies together."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtroIA90a2
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjip5arast8
"Shh....someone's coming."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKn7fAihYc
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzs6KK158p
"Who's Maria?" asked Em. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECalqiDmj
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9tw4zxNgZ
"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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x5DcN6neM
"Yeah, I guess so."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsZE4VlRgH
"So who are these two?" he pointed at Em and Carter.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0RR9iexQN
"They're my brother and sister, obviously," I scoffed. "I mean, you did guess it earlier."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRKv13pZq
"Touché. Just out of curiosity, but are you guys mixed-race?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H46K9xx7z
I bobbed my head. "Yeah, we are. Mom's German while my dad's Chinese."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDVt1WXOX4
"Cool. You know, Maria, I happen to have a little sister just like you."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjD0t8rDHY
"Really?" my eyes widened.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmfbQ3Hw2l
"Of course," he began to sit near the lake, admiring the calm waters. "She was the only friend I ever had."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ibHSeLdq
I sat beside him, hugging my knees. "What happened to her?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyFcXcynVN
"She drowned in the river one fine day. I was never the same after that."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoFFqgbHyF
"What about your parents?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg102YMdsSq
"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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKExmERRctL
I pressed my lips and exhaled. "Where does he hit you?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpHxGMGglJ
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. 597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIFotRQcZL
"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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEwT1h6WIm
"What kind of monster would do such a thing to an innocent child?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxVnLGptZc
"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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Eet0VYkm
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aCDev6irW
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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT3BhkYUt0
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPNbSRMYLF
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."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jp80nKQy8
"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?597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP0iX6nUcZ
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.597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFwXgrTU3h
"He's just some farmer," I lied, crossing my fingers behind my back. "His name is Jimmy."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gDVbeFfm8
"He looks pretty familiar," she pointed out. "I think I saw him somewhere on a poster before."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3xev6bJmU
"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?"597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV4qYBmxmG
Em acknowledged my answer when Carter raised his index finger and spoke up. "He seems creepy. You should avoid him, sis."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLvfB9Bogm
"Don't worry about me, little brother," I stroked his straw-coloured hair. "This will be the last time I see him, anyway."597Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQtAWILE8u
