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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpSwInFf2G
'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?598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U0HniLUuA
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ1q76rANS
I nodded with a frown. "Thanks, auntie."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpNAXcLpCB
Her face changed as she pulled me into a hug. "You're thinking about dad, am I wrong?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ8GYFW5V9
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhJr7qmCq0
"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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GCkJnHpIL
"At what cost, auntie?" I snapped. "Innocent lives are killed in the middle of the crossfire. What if Dad doesn't make it?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZXGLxz518
"Don't say that, Bugsy. Your Dad is a fighter. He's resilient and strong. He'll make it through, I know it."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfUkTNah2H
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R5kNKsoPK
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3plRUkwsTm
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8EXp7whFs
"Dear Lord," I prayed. "I wished Dad could show up so that I could hug him as long as I can. Amen." 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIRrGAERi5
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiUInyPBwD
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInIHe7O5jL
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJbz4fagU1
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QMsAskRct
I swallowed a huge lump of saliva as both of my hands trembled. "Dad?" I called him. "Where are you?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LrBmeGOcx
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulmaSDOd0v
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8a4kOgjjm
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?598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1CHltbmbw
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Msc9cOoWb
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iuExPZCOh
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wGli8MdGs
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheeCMwHz0E
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgBlS8XfDC
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvps1hZQIyj
"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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgusPgJGV0
"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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLneT6dqnJL
"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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCw51ov2n3
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubOeGYjdZt
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyyLcT5HJa
"It's complicated," I stuttered. Naomi took a glimpsed of me as she chewed on her gyoza soup. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5liyLvq2i
"We've seen strange things together," Naomi shrugged. "You can tell us anything."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFiuoZmeWA
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl1DlxMNN8
Lisa froze as she stared at me with her wide eyes. "Wow," she muttered. "That was just plain weird."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeZMpoaYPF
"I know right. Part of me wants to believe it was just an illusion but the other part of me-"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylxkSaOjAR
"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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWygRljxzI
I nodded, as my voice began to tremble. "Yeah, it's been a while."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2brQBOMPG
"Are you alright?" Naomi held my hand. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxzRFFxamw
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4V6hNYIz8
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxDuTdctNT
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLZ5hcdExD
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS7yW18jgo
Then, I heard a soft knock on my door. "Come in," I answered, adjusting my hair. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq22uRcy7N
Chaeyeong entered my room and gave me a hug. "Hey Bugsy," she gleamed. "You look beautiful tonight."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFEhMZmiAj
"Thanks," I replied, holding both my hands. "I just wish Dad is here with us."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVbbMKGS2Z
My stepmother let out a sigh and nodded. "So do I, Bugsy. My heart yearns for him every day."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIyveTfypN
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfep5iwzcRb
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5gAqnxPry
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qBGOMJs3Q
"I found it in my photo album so I thought I could give it to you with a nicer photo frame I bought."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW4ibj47Fq
"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.'598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yP6o1Knw7
"Oh Naomi," I uttered. "You shouldn't have."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyec1PnK0y
"But I did. Happy birthday, bestie."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejHAjbIYcg
I dropped my book on the floor and pulled her into a hug. "You're the best, Naomi."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg49jwppu0
Ferdinand stood up as he approached me with a gift bag. "I've got something special for you, Bugsy."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI3oQ5eokQ
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvLv68xpVG
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8teFvfsU7p
He scoffed at Naomi's claims. "Of course not," winced Ferdinand. "Bugsy and I are just friends."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyX7eWBHQh
Lisa crossed her eyes as she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Like I believe that."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPxirIDwI6
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR91N5ed7u
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Bugsy,
Happy birthday to you.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dbmpKFU51
As the song ended, I blew the flames on the candles together with my younger siblings. I wish Dad would come home.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJf6XyPoNj
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX58U8V5QuM
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EV5sef5Je
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOs5d6Bdrx
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDT3vMbgHE
"Dad's standing a few kilometres away from us," I answered, feeling goosebumps sprouting on my skin. Lisa gawked at me. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd69XkIlvKE
"Are you serious?" she asked. "I don't see anybody."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTQB5kunpT
"Then we should trust Bugsy," Ferdinand suggested. "After all, it's her birthday. Maybe the dirt road is leading us somewhere."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vJLyMaOWJ
"I agree," nodded Naomi, making Lisa sighed groaned in frustration. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupMk6rfgeX
"Alright, Bugsy. Your call."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEFkkkaH3a
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TNjz6Ctid
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W1qiim0pv
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3HKnC2X5k
He lifted me back on my feet as Naomi and Lisa rushed by my side, clinging onto my arms. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2l0a8HYp5
"It's alright, Bugsy," reassured Lisa. "We're here for you."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6T1ZMWUbI
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUGFjW0OIh
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bLS9K7kgr
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcgzI3k3JK
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImqUZ0Ejae
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. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb2plNLELY
"Don't cry, Ferdinand," I whispered in his ears. "At least I'll finally be together with Mom."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfeHEP9qa4
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.598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9icSNlVla4
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?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQMYkYIfUH
I burst out in laughter as I pulled Lisa and Naomi into a hug. "Oh, thank goodness you're alive."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0SPCn5VIL
"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. 598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlDNjkDlGZ
"We should head back," he shivered. "It's getting colder out here."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ1JLQVS8S
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWkZz9NpR8
I squinted my eyes at my aunt. "What's going on, auntie?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeJohKuqXr
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."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV6eDCiRv6
I placed my hands over my mouth. "The military? Is it about Dad?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xjm1JlJ4E
Aunt Inara nodded. "Yeah."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSwaKU7vOg
"What did they say? Is he alright? Is he coming home today?"598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsaOU2QivW
She held both of my hands and looked at me in the eye. "I'm so sorry, Bugsy, but your father is dead."598Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0o089q4ZE
