Fireflies

27

Author's Note:

This chapter may contain certain informations that may confuse you. Don't fret, these names and addresses are in no way true or real. This is a work of fiction and so in order to create substance for the story, the names and other details are given not from reality. Please don't be alarmed.

Happy Reading.

—————

Today was a great day. Jaemin had been with us these past few weeks and I found myself hanging around him far more often. Whenever Angie was out joining school contests, he accompanied me to the lake and to the café.

If you think about it, life could never have been better. But things changed. I changed. Maybe for the best because now I get to walk down the road feeling the crisp breeze on my face instead of looking left and right getting unnecessary shivers of fright. It's been months since the abduction happened and it didn't feel as bad anymore.

There were moments when I'd be reminded and nights when I'd still cover my ears whenever a sound mimicked footsteps or harsh banging on walls. I had a mom and a few friends now.

Ms. Annabeth Lee met up a few days ago with me too, carrying the note in her hand and a photo of Mark Lee. She made me see his face, memorize the rareness of sameness of the guy I met in that unknown place. The guy who pierced through my heart because of his poetry pieces, because of his warm teases.

The moment I saw his photo on her hand, I instantly froze. My eyes trembled at the sight of his lifeless face until tears welled up on my cheeks. He looked pale yet beautiful, unknown to me but also someone I once knew in name.

For days I have been trying to talk about it with my Mom and how I had plans to go to Vancouver. I had all the time thinking about how he'd react when I see him or when he wakes up. If he wakes up, that is. When he flutters his lids open to take me into his sight.

Oh I dream of that moment but also dread it.

"Mom?" I called out to her while she stood in the kitchen clutching her hair.

"Yes, Claire?"

"I found him."

Her eyes widened, then it eased. "The one you told me about? The memento?"

I nodded my head, waiting for her to say something. But she purses her lips and looked at me with a strange gaze.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

"You want to go see him. Where is he?"

"He's in Vancouver with his family. I know it's a long shot and he's not awake ye—"

"—Yet? He's not awake?" she shot me a look of shock.

"He's unconscious mom, he had been for a long while."

She looked out to the window and then closed her laptop screen. "How did you find him?"

"I did what I could and I found someone who knows him. Someone who would tell me he was real," I muttered remembering all the times I was told it was just an illusion in my head.

Mom does not believe in miracles. She stopped hoping for them when she couldn't find me for weeks. She stopped when she saw how my face had been bruised and my limbs all lanky when they did find me but it had been almost too late. The damage had been done. She stopped when she saw how dark my eyes have become. She stopped when she saw how I relied my happiness on somebody who did not exist to her. And now she refuse to think of me the same way because for now and forever, I became the broken girl in her eyes.

"He's unconscious, Claire. Do you hear yourself? What hope do you get from that? What do you even expect out of this fantasy?"

I bit my lip and stood still. "That maybe there was a reason why I had to go there. He might wake up, he might recognize me."

"Didn't you ever learn how cruel the world could be? I do not want to see you curled up into a ball caging yourself in your room ever again, sweetheart."

I knew her words were sincere and real. But still.

"I know those things that happened cannot be undone and maybe some part of me will live with that fear forever. But I refuse to stay broken, I refuse to not take a leap of faith into something that has helped me change this lifetime." 

After that, I left the room with the note of Mrs. Lee, Mark's real mom on the table. Aside from the fact that I had been inching my way to flying off, I first took the initiative to contact her myself. She had to know.

——————

March 8, 2021
Julianna Lee
Chatham St., Vancouver BC V5G 3M8, Canada

Dear Mrs. Lee,

This letter is written with the best of my intentions and so I genuinely wrote this out in hopes that this would reach you. I am a stranger from miles away but I'd love to tell you who I am. My name is Claire Willows, a person who loves poetry and one who believes in miracles.

Your son, Mark Lee, has done wonders in my life which may come to you as impossible but through his pieces, I was able to stand back up again. I wish to tell you entirely how I met him and I recognize that this would be the weirdest letter you'd ever receive but I'm taking this leap of faith to tell you that I'd like to pay him back for all the good he has done for me.

Yours truly,

Claire.

—————-

March 27, 2021
Claire Willows
Ferna St., Herela City, Bukidnon, Philippines

Dear Ms. Willows,

I have heard of you from Annabeth and it astounds me to hear of something so unbelievable. I'm afraid this comes to me as a surprise but through my trust and admiration for my sister-in-law, I will take the chance to hear you out. This does not mean I trust you and I am not obliged to, but maybe I also needed something to hold on to. Hope is what we need. 

Your story is one-of-a-kind and with your good intentions, I wish to meet you someday when we get the chance. If you ever come to Canada, don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Julianna

———————

Days have gone by and now I have finally decided. There was no need to hesitate.

"So she wrote you that? What do you plan to do next, Claire?" Jaemin asked, curiosity drawn all over his face.

Angie huffed but leaned in closer. "Go on, I'm listening."

"Guys, whatever I say, please don't scorn me too much for it," I said as Angie and Jaemin sat in front of me.

Their eyes seeping through me with anticipation, I took a gulp of water from the bottle and then continued talking.

"I'm going to see him, I'm going to Canada."

"What?!"