Owen

Harsh Winter Mornings

The fire engulfed the cabin and left nothing but ashes on the white winter snow. The air was crisp cold as soldiers barricade the scene.

No one wept. No one actually cared until big soldier trucks came speeding towards the forest, waking the streets...

It seems as if no one knew Dahlia was there; that she used to exist.

Steve watched as his people spread out in the open forest, searching for the predator that caused havoc into their lives, the one he should've killed years ago but his greed to gain advantage in the field of science caused him his family.

He should be the one to blame...

To ease the guilt, Steve shut his eyes close, repeating to himself that its the monster's fault.

"What in the world-"

Startled, Steve turned to see a man with a child clutching his pants.

"Excuse me, you're not allowed here."

He warned. Still, the man seem to not be bothered by the uniformed officials trying to block his view from the wreckage.

"Excuse me, what happened here?! M-my friend lives here!"

Winston cried out. Who wouldn't be shocked? It seems like a few hours ago when he was with the mother and son and now, all that's left are ashes.

"This house has been abandoned for years now, sir. No casualties. Please evacuate the area."

The soldier warned again.

"W-what do you mean abandoned?! We were just here last night! Dahlia even greeted us when I brought Idris home!"

"Sir, again, no Dahlia nor Idris ever resided here, that was an abandoned house-"

"If that's an abandoned house, how come soldiers are cramming around the area like there's a ticking nuclear about to blow up?!"

Winston is not usually a frantic man, but his kindness and concern towards others bring out the courage in him. He is no where that close to Dahlia and Idris but he knew the child meant so much to his little Thalia that when she cried awake from a nightmare about him, they rushed to check if they were ok.

"Leave this to me, Michael."

Steve, intrigued by the two, signalled the soldier to leave.

"Dr. Steven."

He offered his hand to shake and Winston reluctantly took it. He is still skeptical about everything and Steven oozes suspicion.

"Winston,  Winston Hillstone. W-what happened here?"

"There was a fire. The house was burnt to its core and all that remains are ashes."

"B-but Dahlia and Idris"

Steve, after the death of his son and meltdown of his wife, chose to stay in his lab in the capital; to escape from the "what ifs" and his failures as both husband and father.

He could've been there with his wife, he could've saved Idris. The monster could've turned him inside out but no... He was working miles away from his family and even after his son's death, he used his wife's thirst for revenge to keep the monster in but ensure that he won't ever face it again.

Dahlia used to be a strong, intelligent, and promising woman, even better scientist than him, so he knows she'll tame it but what he didn't foresee is how fast it adapted.

"How about you come with me to the car so we can discuss about this?"

Steve offered.

"Michael," he called to the soldier once more. "Watch over the child for me. Mr. Hillstone and I have something important to discuss about."

"Mister? Is my friend, Owen, safe?"

Thalia blurted out. She needed to hear it herself. Confused, Steve looked at Winston.

"Who is Owen?"

"My friend? He lives there too."

"O-oh! He meant Idris. I think she gave him a nickname..?"

Winston chuckled. Steve felt a chill ran down his spine. This child... interacted with that monster and he actually made friends?

And from then, both him and Captain Michael both know how to lure the creature out.

Crouching down to her level, Steve smiled.

"Hi, Thalia. I am Dr. Steven. I am Owen's dad. I will be needing to borrow your father for a couple of minutes, alright. Captain Michael here will keep you company."

The cold wind passed by and the little girl unconsciously hugged herself.

"Poor lass, here, take my coat."

Dr. Steven knew exactly what he was doing as he wrapped his lab coat into the young girl.

"Better? Now, off you go."

She waved to her father goodbye and she skipped away.

"Now, please explain what's going on. Are they safe? Are you really Idris' dad? Why are there too much soldiers around the area, why not local deputies?"

"Mr. Hillstone, one question at a time but to answer your queries; Dahlia died from the fire and I am Idris' father.

I divorced Dahlia years ago as she participated in the underground drug ring, I work for the government and we suspect she still keep a good stash at the property, so large that local deputies will not be able to handle, thus the need for soldiers and keeping this issue a low profile."

Its a reasonable answer but Winston still have hundreds of questions and the lingering feeling that Steven is hiding some important pieces of the puzzle.

"And Idris? Where is he?"

"Safe"

"I still don't understand."

"Tell me, what does he look like?"

How can a father not know what his son looks like? Winston thought.

"Idris and Dahlia both looks fine. She has a bit of a temper and mysterious but she's kind enough to let us in last night. Idris adores Thalia and they grew close."

"So, you mean if Idris sees Thalia, he cannot help but talk to her?"

Winston unknowingly scan the surroundings. His eyes darted around the area looking for his little girl in a white, over-sized lab gown but all that he can see are men in soldier uniform and from then he knew, something us wrong.

"W-where's Thalia?"

Dr. Steve looked at the panic-stricken father in front of him.

I had that face too, before...

He thought.

"Where's my daughter?!"

"She's off to see Owen."

And readers, she is. Thalia swirl around with the lab coat around her and he knew who owns it.

Usually, white flags end wars... But the flag that hugs her frail body waves the start of it.