15 years ago, ~
I woke up, blinking against the sunlight streaming through the window. After brushing my teeth and washing up, I went downstairs to find my parents already dressed in their police uniforms. They sat at the dining table, quietly talking as they prepared breakfast.
"Mom, Dad! Good morning!" I ran toward them.
They looked up and smiled warmly.
"Good morning, dear," Richi said.
"Good morning, champ," Yujuv added with a proud grin.
I sat between them as they served me breakfast, asking about school and how I was doing. They were often away at night, working on cases, so these quiet mornings together meant everything to me.
"Ryu, dear," my mother began gently.
"we're thinking of asking your grandparents to come stay with you for a while. We've been working longer hours, and we don't want you to be home alone."
I hesitated. I hated the idea of being without them, even briefly. I always stuck close to at least one of them whenever the other was away.
Yujuv noticed my silence and jumped in, "Hey champ, when do your summer holidays start?"
"Next month, Dad."
"Perfect. Our case might wrap up by then. We'll all go on a trip together once it's over. Until then, your grandparents will stay with you, alright?"
His voice was reassuring. I nodded, feeling a little more at ease.
Richi smiled. "Great. I'll call them today."
After breakfast, I got ready and left for school. I waved to them as I boarded the bus.
At school, I noticed my friend Johnny wasn't around during lunch. I asked a classmate about his absence. She leaned in and whispered, "I heard a teacher say his family is helping the police with something. A witness, maybe."
I nodded and returned to my work.
When I returned home that afternoon, the house was quiet. I ate a sandwich from the fridge and did my homework. At 5:00 PM, I stepped out to the park, where I met Johnny and our friends. We played until sunset. As we walked home, Johnny offered to drop me off. My mouth twitched.
"You're still small," he joked, ruffling my hair.
I pouted and asked about his absence. He told me his mother had seen something dangerous and was helping the police catch the bad guys.
Back home, the house was dark. I flipped on the lights, ate dinner while watching TV, and finally went to bed — but I couldn't sleep. Eventually, I carried my blanket to my parents' room and curled up there.
Half-asleep, I heard a soft voice calling my name, but it wasn't very loud. I tried to open my eyes but couldn't. I pulled a pillow over my ears, but in the struggle, the lamp — which was tilted — slipped and fell with a thud. Then I felt someone pull the blanket away, followed by a warm embrace.
"Thank God," Richi whispered.
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Morning came, and Dad was all smiles. "Get ready, champ. You're heading to the airport to pick up your grandparents."
Richi picked me up and hugged me. "Your grandparents will be here soon. Will you take care of them while they stay with us, hmm?"
"Of course," I beamed. "I won't let them feel bad or lonely. When will they be here, Mom?"
She smiled and patted my head.
As I was heading to my room, I overheard my mother say, "When will we finish this case? The witness's family is requesting it to end so they can feel safe."
I bent down near the curve of the stairs to listen, but then I heard my father say in a cold voice, "Good. I think it's time for this case to end now…"
A chill ran down my spine. I quickly got up and ran to my room.
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