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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGamctmbnGj
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNoUYhQzSM
Chaeyeong bobbed her head. "Yup," she sipped her cup of coffee. "This time, it's Farmer Joe."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Mb8qM52A0
"Oh, that poor old man," I sympathized. "He was such a kindred spirit."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIwLs00si8
Aunt Inara sighed. "I know, Bugsy. It's always the good ones that die first."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlx3SeViCw
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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lAqZRrKFe
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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuLin2PGyr
"The beach is boring," he commented, shaking his head. "I want to go somewhere fun."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFK8wJOd5g
"Fun, eh?" I scratched the back of my head. "Well, how about the lake? It sounds like fun."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVHXzGB0yQ
Carter nodded, gleaming. "I want to go to the lake, can we, can we, Bugsy?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bn3dwJxsd
"Of course we can," I got up, lifting him with both arms. "Now let's get Em and your swimsuit ready."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETKR5ht7gf
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46DUeha1Jf
"Hey Bugsy," he greeted, in a warm tone. "Where you off too?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4pIyXvRdV
"To the lake," I answered, taking a glimpse on his skateboard. "Are you here alone?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJzhDUuIFP
He wiggled his head. "Nah, I'm with Raj and Amra."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMRlyYjXE7
"Hi Bugsy," waved Amra. "I see you're going for a swim, yeah?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyVLeFho75
"Nope, I'll be drowning to death."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGrdrruzPB
Em, let out a high-pitched whistle, to my annoyance. "Oh, you just got burned in the butt."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkE5ZuYO80
I slapped her arms and glared in a menacing way. "You watch your mouth, you prick."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHbLA7WoZz
Archie tried to hold his laughter and shook his head, before giving me a wink. "Have fun."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FtEg1pJkg
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgcDA7gk7b
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMWgEjsFdx
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHPFmm302O
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh0WmXmTkR
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQK8zZs04J
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FJmB9zyzH
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHaxWWE1lM
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfrhBU1ovi
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnRfAwocZD
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYjJTUhfZg
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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDMubkb15r
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsu0dACCt9
"Shut up, Emma," I grunted, taking off the towel from my face. "At least I'm not as dumb as you."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOShXRY7go
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?" 658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT4GJueQIc
My eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vwcnl7JKN
"I'm talking about how did a party pooper like you would end up with a cheerful and bubbly guy like Ferdinand?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKHeLwUyrK
I gave her a light punch on her shoulder. "Whatever, Em. We're not even together."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9SU6BT2uD
"Well, I bet 20 dollars that you two will get married and have cute babies together."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUtADUTxUd
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneGOFBPM4r
"Shh....someone's coming."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCntFL1xZwV
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kFbjZHajh
"Who's Maria?" asked Em. 658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7ORFpmExg
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnt5sWNJBv
"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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUIMO2WpDl
"Yeah, I guess so."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7I8Zowwj1
"So who are these two?" he pointed at Em and Carter.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O7t9pNzks
"They're my brother and sister, obviously," I scoffed. "I mean, you did guess it earlier."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjStWfp5k2
"Touché. Just out of curiosity, but are you guys mixed-race?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxrVBgr701
I bobbed my head. "Yeah, we are. Mom's German while my dad's Chinese."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnhGM9ENAu
"Cool. You know, Maria, I happen to have a little sister just like you."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kTCmEtSC7
"Really?" my eyes widened.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wUlA4256N
"Of course," he began to sit near the lake, admiring the calm waters. "She was the only friend I ever had."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeAv3VCqd9
I sat beside him, hugging my knees. "What happened to her?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT2tB8UZrY
"She drowned in the river one fine day. I was never the same after that."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20YvUnoGhY
"What about your parents?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MVZdkq3wh
"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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKCxqoyPIb
I pressed my lips and exhaled. "Where does he hit you?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDT1f3V4eU
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. 658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBziRK7cBYD
"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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EifWDvZwq
"What kind of monster would do such a thing to an innocent child?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dEXkpI8nZ
"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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQakmh83thI
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncusJbnXvT
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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7hT7ztTdH
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrrj5kPxag
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."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kURlP0mip
"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?658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgAfnBvKU
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.658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdB7qnmUYs
"He's just some farmer," I lied, crossing my fingers behind my back. "His name is Jimmy."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ArrVmQMT
"He looks pretty familiar," she pointed out. "I think I saw him somewhere on a poster before."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr8crRwuBK
"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?"658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhF5urIQSd
Em acknowledged my answer when Carter raised his index finger and spoke up. "He seems creepy. You should avoid him, sis."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUqROT1KkO
"Don't worry about me, little brother," I stroked his straw-coloured hair. "This will be the last time I see him, anyway."658Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGzb7rmZT0
