Chapter 1

Clein

I was at school when a man in black uniform suddenly fetched me into his carriage without saying a single word. But I could see in his downcasted eyes the sorrow he didn't want to tell me. I was caught by the fear of asking. I felt something coming that I wouldn't be able to handle. So I remained quiet.

He led me to the cathedral, to the small room with two civil guards wearing their brown uniform.

"Is he the relative of this man, Lieutenant?" They greeted the man who fetched me.

"According to my lead, he was his son. His spouse had died half a decade ago and they don't have any relatives."

"Come in."

I was frozen. My limbs began to shake. "Why did you bring me to the wake room? Why are there civil guards?" My eyes tried to scan the surroundings. "P-Papa was at home. He was waiting for me. I-I should go–"

The man in black suit kneeled in front of me and leaned his hands to my shoulders. "I know it's hard for you, but your father has been suffering from a disease since your mother was gone."

"W-What do you mean?"

"You should've noticed him coughing lately and vomiting blood. That's all I can explain."

My eyes widened upon realization. Tears began to fall. Was that why he was coughing yesterday? Instead of asking if he's okay, I even told he's deaf!

"Then take me to the hospital! I know he's there!" I shouted stubbornly.

"He'd been there. But he barely made it. Now, he's inside that room, waiting for you."

I wiped my eyes with my arms. This man was just playing a prank with me so why can't I stop these annoying tears from falling?

"This isn't a good prank!"

He tried to hug me but I resisted and ran. I came home lifting a heavy smile on my face.

"Papa! I'm home!" No one answered. "Trying to play hide and seek, huh? Do you think you can beat me?"

I went to every corner of the nipa hat, searched the backyard, even went up the hills when we last watched the sunset. Until the sun came down, and I sat in the last place I saw him smiling, giving me permission to pursue my biggest dream. It feels like I'm slowly accepting the truth.

I buried myself on my knees and hugged them tightly, letting my tears escape from my eyes.

"It's my fault. It's all my fault. I should've known. I should've cared for him!"

I lifted my head and looked at the cliff where I could see the beauty of the mountains stained by the orange lights from the hiding sun. I wasn't on myself when I stood up, and walked slowly to it.

"Take me with you, Papa, Mama. It's unfair that you left me alone."

Step by step, all the happy memories with Mama and Papa flashed through my mind. The memories of my birthday, when they praise my childish drawings, and proud of my gold medals at every end of the school year.

Little by little, I was close to the edge. The cliff was so high that I could see the trees like small grasses beneathe. I wonder how it felt to fall down through the air, and–

"I lied when I said your father died of a disease."

I was caught off guard when I suddenly jumped back from the cliff. I quickly turned to the man in a black suit. "W-What do you mean?"

"That's your father's last word when he died, to not tell you the truth about his death."

"H-How did he die?"

"He doesn't want you to live in angst, so please understand."

"Don't beat around the bush! Just say it!"

He cupped his forehead and shrugged. "What am I doing? I'm breaking my promise to the death." He then lifted his head and looked at me straight in my eyes. I was afraid of what he would say next, but I also wanted to know.

"Your father married your mother to spy on the military. But ever since your mother died, he was suddenly gone and had no contact with the rebels. But it seemed they already found out where your father is living."

-mvcabusas