Dearest Bugsy,708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O4TCE1fGU
New Year's Day wasn't the same without you and the rest of the family. It felt like hell, especially celebrating in the trenches. Winter was much harsher, especially during combat. The only thing that kept me alive was my love for all of you. On the other hand, I enjoyed your story about Naomi's birthday, where she walked in the dirt road with you, Ferdinand and Lisa. I remember when you walked on the dirt road with your friends. It was nerve-wracking for me, your aunt and your Grandma. I also love your brother and sister's drawing you sent. It cheered me up when I'm alone. I'm also glad to hear that Aunt Inara, Grandma and Chaeyeong are doing fine on their own, though I wish I could see them right now. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLFVBWcmni
I hope I hear from you soon.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcd3jEc4z6
With love,
Dad
This was the letter I received from my father yesterday. It's been almost a year since he enlisted in the war. The thought of my gentle father fighting a pointless war is excruciating for me. The only thing that's distracting me from the war was Malcolm's case. For months, I have been searching through the archives up and down, hoping to get more truth. Fortunately, Ms Yves, who works in Slaborough's archives, managed to find me newspaper clippings of Malcolm's case. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllpzXPGgND
'LITTLE BOY FOUND DEAD IN CABIN,' I read the headlines. As I thanked Ms Yves, I took out my magnifying glass and read each sentence of the article, while jotting down on my notebook. The article was yellowish, with a few torn each side, and was dated back at 1969, which means Grandma was probably in her younger days. Satisfied, I thanked Ms Yves for her time and left the building. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zCjq4nbMD
As I walked out, the stairs were covered in snow, making me climbed down while holding the bannister with both hands. I strolled along the shop houses, waving at the owners. I stepped inside the Little Owl Coffeehouse and opened the gate which led me to the living room.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GxTqtRx1Z
"Bugsy," Aunt Inara called me. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv2Ulsa3rL
I turned in her direction. "Yes, auntie?" 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV1YhfwykZ
"Your friends are waiting for you," she stated. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeHEbT90Pk
"Which friend?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1dAghfQEj
"Ferdinand, Naomi and Lisa."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXjwWGTuWc
I pouted my lips in embarrassment and climbed upstair, took off my Doc Martens and went inside my room, and found my friends lounging. "Took you long enough to get here," Lisa exasperated. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSvfiXNGMk
"You can't rush research, Lisa," I answered, as I dumped my bag on the floor and took out my notebook. "Besides, you know I only have 8 toes."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAsSO2TkQh
"I can see that," Lisa crossed her arms. "Hope you found something in the archives. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DnxH7nmQm
"I did," I flipped opened my notebook. "This is what I found so far."
Ferdinand reached for my notebook and raised his eyebrows. "Good gracious," he gasped. "Your notes look like chicken scratch."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll read it for you, dear."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJfxctUpS4
"You call your best friend dear?" Naomi expressed her amusement.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pyiI5pgEk
"Of course," I chided. "Best friends love each other."
"Whatever, let's hear what you found so far."
"The newspaper clippings I found at the archive was dated back at 1969, which means Malcolm's been dead for 29 years," I explained. "Malcolm was only 10 years old when he died, which means if he was alive, he would have been 39."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHt0VIxMFW
"Poor boy," Ferdinand wiped his tears with his purple handkerchief. "Anyways, please continue."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUe7VJk7VI
"He was approximately killed at 10:43 a.m while his parents, Mr Nguyen and Mrs Tran were in town, doing their grocery shopping. When the detective found him, he was hanging in his bedroom."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2U8KbHDcP
"I bet it was the men in the white hood who killed him," Lisa pointed out. "They were threatening us not to return to the cabin."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDOtBgn5qe
"Now hang on, Lisa," cautioned Ferdinand. "Bugsy hasn't mentioned the suspects in this case."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2ucq23OJx
"There are no suspects in this case, unfortunately" I groaned. "The detectives couldn't find any leads at all."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTeYJ9utiH
"You mean there's no evidence at all?" marvelled Naomi. I could only shake my head at her question. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdcacm71Lg
Then it's obvious that those KKK lookalikes killed Malcolm and covered their tracks," speculated Lisa. "Bugsy, did you find anything about those men in white."
My shoulders drooped as I sat in the bed and dropped my notebook purposely. "No records of them whatsoever. I couldn't even find them under 'Cults'." 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLhRKIruBI
"It seems that these men we encountered wanted to keep their existence a secret," Ferdinand stroked his chin. "But we need more proof."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LoCyhjcgc
"Well, I searched up Malcolm's parents and according to detectives, they were last seen in the woods. Maybe we could start there."
"In that case, let's get going."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFWPH3ZULD
I tugged my arms around myself as the once emerald green grassland was blanketed with snowy cushion and the trees were stripped naked, with no signs of cheerful songbirds and blooming flowers. With my navy jacket and gloves, I closed my eyes and chanted a small prayer. "May the Lord paved the way for us."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv1NHdWjur
We continued hiking through the forest, with the sunlight penetrating through the trees. "Do you where we're going?" Lisa questioned. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcC9x0BegA
"Of course I do," I answered, confidently.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ7ZWxyp43
"The forest is big, which is perfect for these men in white to lay low."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwbEVaIXoq
"We could get lost in here, especially after sunset."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vfr6FptvH
"Don't worry," Ferdinand assured Lisa. "Bugsy knows what she's doing."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTKAlWOjyj
Not really, I thought. I'm not 100% sure what we're looking for.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlO4YnDxe6
I rubbed my palms against each other to stay warm when I heard a soft whisper in my ears. Bugsy, it called me. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmyOFhB4VR
I turned around, only to find a colourless orb floating in mid-air. Follow me, this way.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhqKuV8VQB
"Hey guys," I addressed my friends. "I think we should follow the glowing lights."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExvzVUUQLZ
Naomi's eyes widened as she saw the will-o-the-wisps, who was staring blankly. "What are those?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXJsEQceiO
"Will-o-the wisps," Ferdinand acknowledged. "Legends say that it leads those who were lost in the forest."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTNkYL0bvp
"I'm not about that," doubted Lisa. "My mama always say it leads travellers to their doom."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uQpmjFdWJ
"Maybe, maybe not," I shrugged. "But we don't have much choice, don't we?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc7AyOBPLj
Ferdinand and Naomi nodded and tailed me from behind, with Lisa frowning. " Let's hope I don't regret this."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5dwB24aVe
As we followed the faerie lights, the ray of sun grew dimmer as the cold breeze grew stronger, making me shiver in this miserable weather. Like the ocean, the deeper we explore, the darker our surroundings as I felt a thousand stares around me, watching my every move as they waited to strike as soon as I let my guard down. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXos6qXjjWV
In a moment, the will-o-the-wisps disappeared, making me stop dead. My heart palpitated. Is this where I will find my answers? I silently panicked. Why did the trail stop all of a sudden?708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8sV67y5qy
Ferdinand brushed his hands with mine, and my heartbeat slowed down, making me warm inside. He led me a few steps forward from where I stood and noticed a faint light from a distance. As we got closer, I saw a long, wooden house, surrounded by gates. "I think that's where we'll find our answer," Ferdinand noted. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48xCtaNbqG
"Or where you'll get yourself killed," Lisa retorted. "I mean, those men in white had rifles, Bugsy."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZRVFdvJRl
"I agree, Lisa," Naomi patted her shoulder. "That's why we're going together."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNdFQCA4GO
"I'll keep watch here, just in case."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcmJtNtFMD
I nodded. "Signal us if something's up."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi35OwWEHiX
We tiptoed towards the cabin and bypassed a sign, which reads 'Children of Balance'. We climbed over the fence and crawled to the back of the cabin. Naomi peeked through the window and lifted it open, signalling us to enter. As the window was shut, rows of beds were tidied up, with a book on top of the blanket. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpDKgIqw9f
"Children of Balance Bible," I read. "This must be really important."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs61ce8JzfR
I slid the Bible inside my pocket, only to hear footsteps approaching the dorm. As quick as lightning, Ferdinand and I hid under the bed while Naomi managed to fit herself inside the cupboard. The door swung opened, revealing a man in white. I cling to Ferdinand's arm as my breathing grew rapid. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXebIfhYz2
He lifted his blanket and groaned in frustration and crouched, only to find us. "What are you doing here?" he asked. Before we could speak, Naomi sneaked behind him and hit his left jaw, causing him to collapse. We came out from underneath the bed and glanced at the man in white, who was now lying on the floor and unable to wake up. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY1ecPdfI7
"Now what?" I asked. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg0oaCV6ro
"Now you infiltrate the Children of Balance with this costume," Naomi instructed. "Ferdinand and I'll wait outside for your escape."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZLKIl6OzM
"Just like Nancy Drew, huh?" I chuckled, as I put on my disguise. "Great thinking, Naomi."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZilOEUP23
As Naomi dragged the man, who had red hair and freckles and hid him inside the cupboard, while Ferdinand opened the window and gazed at me, giving a tight-lipped smile. "Good luck, Bugsy."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOH8PaINPb
I smiled back and left the room. I roamed around the house and was in awe when I saw a huge portrait of a middle-aged man, with a cane in his hands and donned in a black suit with his icy blue eyes looking down at his loyal subjects. "Nathanel Roth," I learned his name on the golden plaque. "Must be the head of Children of Balance."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTLkJfiUce
"That's right, Walter," a deep voice behind me spoke. I turned around and saw a member in his costume. "That is indeed our messiah."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjKYHZYk6R
"Right," I deepened my voice. "Our Saviour, Nathanel Roth, that's him alright."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrg9VU3jlf
"Yeah, our Messiah has brought peace on Earth," the man in deep voice praised. "And I am grateful for him."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7fB4iezDq
Am I in a cult? I questioned myself. They seemed to be calling this man their God and saviour, like what I read in the library.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJtBnsoz96
"Hey," another member with a raspy voice called us. "Our messiah summoned a meeting."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTgJO9LhXr
We gathered in a hall and sat in the middle, with the other members in the white hoods. My hands shake as Nathanel Roth, who was wearing a white robe, stood tall on stage, holding his cane with both hands. As he knocked the stage with his cane twice, all of us stood up and placed our hands on our chests and chanted;708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIB5wmsPMA
All hail Nathanel Roth,
Our Lord, Our Saviour,
The Chosen One,
Who brought peace on Earth.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlbGDO4AmI
I rolled my eyes and sat down simultaneously with the Children of Balance. Oh my god, I freaked. I am in a cult. What am I going to do? I'm stuck in a lion's den right now. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriaXyZa1Bx
I glimpsed the entrance of the hall and it was locked tightly. "Children of Balance," Nathanel addressed. "This morning, I had a vision about the future. A future where violence ruled the world and peace was dead." 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdQJet8iMK
The whole room gasped in horror, except for me. I wasn't convinced of his words, but somehow, he was able to grab the attention of his subjects underneath him.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzu64t4h7W
"But no worries, Children. I have a solution to stop this from happening."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTzjsa7duu
"How, father?" chorused the members all at once.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jAFqnC4V7
'Violence is slowly being embraced in society, with the ongoing war between the government of Blanca and the Bowan states. Children of Balance, it is our duty to maintain a balance where there is an imbalance on Earth. To achieve peace, there will be sacrifices. There are millions of vermin sweeping into our society and causing this imbalance on Earth. As Children of Balance, we must wipe out those vermin on Earth to maintain peace with no mercy. Are you willing to face this challenge, Children of Balance?" 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZzM8OernL
The whole room erupted in joy as they clapped enthusiastically, including me, to avoid suspicion from the other members. I have to put an end to this madness, before people like Malcolm perish. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L4EYYGBf1
"Children of Balance. We must offer a drop of blood to the Lord as a beginning for our hunt."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF3VXgwIUJ
We lined up in front of the messiah to offer our blood. I held both my trembling hands as I saw the clock on the wall, with the small finger pointing at the number five. It'll be dark soon. If I don't get back early, Aunt Inara will freak.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rUGz4uHWc
"Your hands, my child," Nathanel gleamed, much to my fear. I showed my right hand and with a small knife, he sliced across my palm and a drop of blood dripped into the bowl of water. "Thank you, child."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cEQBtmuzV
My face was covered in sweat as I exited the hall and headed towards the entrance, only to be stopped by the same man in a deep voice. "Where do you think you're going, Walter?" he demanded. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AAmQxSJUN
"I needed some fresh air," I cleared my throat. "I find it quite stuffy in here."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRkfDkoevm
"Then I'll come with you," he replied, as he walked beside me. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayu9fmMtLQ
Without a second thought, I pushed him to the floor and escaped towards the snowy field, where Naomi and Ferdinand opened the gate and ran towards me.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiPATLuKfY
As I sprinted, a man with a deep voice grabbed my hood and restrained me by my neck. Naomi and Ferdinand paused as Nathanel Roth stepped outside and saw me. "I've never seen you before. Who are you?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnLC4hhNTu
"I'll never tell you, murderer," I barked. "I know you're behind Malcolm's murder."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIOnXG2zoE
Nathanel let out a small laugh and tilted my chin upward, much to Ferdinand's disgust. "Kill this vermin," he ordered his member. 708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbxi0lRvCU
Before they could make a move, Lisa threw a snowball towards the man with a deep voice. "Hey, dipshit!" Lisa exclaimed. "Stay away from friends or else."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gBpB2dXYS
As I was released from his grasp, I stood behind Ferdinand as he moved away from the commune and shut the gate. With both hands, he carried me and ran towards the forest while Lisa and Naomi fought the cult members. As soon as Nathanel brought out a rifle, Naomi and Lisa managed to flee, with Nathanel firing a shot towards the girls708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AAPJmOMRE
I closed my ears and clung on Ferdinand's shoulder but to his luck, he missed them. As we entered the forest, Naomi pointed at our footprints, leading us back to town. The sun began to set in the west as we reached civilization, with Lisa kneeling on the ground and hugging it. "We made it," Lisa cried. "We're finally safe."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHvIGTrkoP
Ferdinand placed me on a rock and I plodded towards the start of the forest, noticing our footprints on the snowy cushion. "Hey guys," I panicked. "I hate to say this but I don't think we're safe yet."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbzHYrEbpt
"What do you mean, Bugsy?" Naomi furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you saying?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwxGFObSqI
"When we escape from the cult, we left a trail of footprints on the snow. Which means they could track us all the way to town."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Lx0bhrIT
"Oh no," Ferdinand's jaw dropped. "What do we do?"708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdArMF583yu
"We have to warn our parents."708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrWGQPm29q
