The Red Hair Land

Ch1: The Letter

"Dear brother Caleb,

It has been a long time since the last time I saw you, I am sorry for not realizing, even just once, that I haven't fulfilled my duty as your older brother, but unfortunately, I don't have much time left, so please come to the 'Red Hair Land', I have a lot to tell you.

See you later"

Caleb looked silently at the message in his hand, he lied on his back, in his bed and stared at the ceiling

Despite his strong resentment towards Carlos for leaving him alone, especially after their parents' divorce and their departure from home, he couldn't deny that he missed him

He didn't know why he hesitated when he started packing his things to go, Memories of his parents fighting, the shouting that caused tremors throughout his body, shouting that only allowed him to find comfort if he locked his door with a key and held onto his cat "Lily" or turned up the volume on his headphones

Caleb looked towards where Lily was, playing with her small stuffed toy and throwing it on the floor back and forth. Caleb sighed sadly

Lily had always been by his side during difficult times, he frowned uneasily when he remembered how his father once tried to throw Lily into the river when she was a kitten, he managed to save her, but not without getting a bruise on his shoulder or worse, if only he remembered

" Some people throw away their pets to die when they can't afford the cost of care " he said to himself, then turned to Lily, who walked towards him and settled on his lap, Caleb smiled and gently stroked her gray fur, " I'm afraid something might happen to you when you come with me ... even though I'll feel reassured leaving you at Grandma Zofia's house, I think I'll want you ther–"

"Caleb!" both Caleb and Lily jumped in surprise at the sudden call,  "Willa!" he said angrily, looking out the window where Willa, his 19-year-old neighbor and Zofia's granddaughter, was standing. he enjoyed her company but hated it when she suddenly appeared, whether to scare or annoy him

"There's a door in houses, something called a door, right? enter through it like any normal person!" he said annoyed,  Willa replied with a silly smile, "But aren't we family, Caleb? no need for formalities!"

Caleb crossed his arms, " Even though I don't care if we're adopted relatives, I still expect you to respect my personal space in my house " he pointed outside, "And now go and knock on the door like any normal person, don't be like the town's nosy heads!"

Willa sighed irritably and did as he told her, they sat on the couch facing each other, "So..." Willa crossed her arms and looked at him " I heard from Forrest that Carlos sent you a letter "

Caleb looked down and his voice became quieter, " Despite the anger I had towards him, all I've been doing since receiving his letter is thinking about how he is now "

Willa sighed " Although Forrest doesn't hesitate to read other people's mail when he's working ... this time, it was of a benefit "

"Willa..." Caleb looked at her seriously " Although I hesitated a little, I have made my decision,

I'm going to the Red Hair Land "
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To be continued