Twinkle Twinkle

I. Downpour

I though it was smart to react violently. For the first time I let it all loose. Simon went speechless. For the first time he heard me yell at him. It's a usual thing for most parent-children-relationships but not at home. Rules are rules. And the rule is Simon, the father.

I couldn't remember the last time I called him 'Papa'. It was ages ago. And I couldn't remember how I started to hate him. Maybe I really do; but I'd rather not recall.

I caught a glimpse of something falling from his eyes. Droplets of tears. "From Simon? Really?", I whispered to myself unconscious that I was loud enough for him to hear.

I looked back, he looked down. Then I turned away, no droplets of tears showing this time. The heaven's mad. It was raining so hard. But I didn't hesitate to step foot on our garden lawn. In moments I'm gone. This is freedom.

* * *

I remember my 6th birthday. We were on camp with Uncle Chris. They always take me to camping, fishing and golfing. The boys' stuff. He was chasing me as I come running in the rain. "Come here you little peanut butter cup, you'll get sick". I paused for a while then ran faster. I always loved to play in the rain. I can hear him furious now. He was shouting. I was having a good time. I was laughing. His voice slowly disappeared. I ran way too far. Now I'm lost in the woods. The laughing turned into crying. The running came to a halt. I shouted and shouted but nobody seems to hear me. I was too tired. I was too afraid to move an inch. I looked up and saw nothing but leaves and branches. I looked around and saw trees still, no Papa, no Uncle, no hope. That was my last memory of the forest.

When I opened my eyes I was already in a white room. The whole green stuff, they're gone now. No more nightmare. Papa was the first thing I saw. He was staring at me. I blinked. Something fell. Tears.

"I'm sorry", I said weakly.

"I won't let you out in the rain again. And you have to promise me. Promise me, you're not going out in the rain again. And you're not gonna run away from me. Never. Promise me."

"I promise."