~Mom?~

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Some people need time to get to the right place. But the words some people say make it longer. Actions have consequences.

I stepped inside my house with Penelope. We suddenly stopped when I saw my mother sitting at the table with her head down and looking at some papers. I could already sense many things wrong.

"Mom?" She looked up.

"Mhmm?"

"Are you doing alright?"

"I'm fine.." she continued her work, I gestured to Penelope, and we sat on either side of the table next to my mom.

"You don't look fine." Penelope and I looked at each other.

"Just some....work I have to do.."

"Mom... this isn't work...is it?"

She sighed "No...it isn't.." Mom rubbed her hands together and pushed her glasses up with her finger.

"Don't worry about it. I needed to talk to you anyway."

"What is it?" My curiosity got the better of me. But my anxiety was telling me to stop.

"Come with me." She stood up and walked over to the stairs. We followed her all the way to the attic.

She wiped her nose with her sleeve as she got out a box. I've never seen that before.

"When you open it. Please make sure to understand your father's perspective." She left the attic as I opened the box. Inside was a German army hat and a few letters. This is gonna be bad.

Penelope held the box as I silently read through the letters.

Dear family, 12/05/2001
A few months ago, you all signed me up for a training camp in the military. The most painful experience in my life depended on this. Our camp leaders weren't like normal camp leaders. They were cruel. Especially to us rookies. Every day felt like we were going back to hell. I wish you could see what's really going on, but no one is listening.
Your beloved,
Christian.

Dear family, 14/06/2001
Today was worse. My camp leader did something to us....something unforgettable....I wish It never happened...this place is pain....I wanna get out...I need to get out....why me?
Your beloved,
Christian.

Dear family, 17/01/2002
We're finally out. Out of the hell hole. Out of whatever I just experienced. A whole year and a few months without a proper family. It's painful. It's even more painful to know I have a girlfriend waiting on me.
Your beloved,
Christian.

Below the page, it looked like my mom's handwriting. It said 'two years before our 19 year marriage. It could've been 20, but you died before our anniversary'. My scars were already burning.

No No NO NO NO NOO

NO NOOOOOOO

I could feel mucus running up my throat. I could feel my body burning with agony. My scars felt like they were bleeding. I almost fainted. But Penelope was there. "Woah!" She said as she quickly wrapped her arms around my body. The whole world was spinning. I could feel everything around my body, the scars, my brain. My blood. I could feel it all. My breathing fell short as it felt like a dam keeping the waterfall just broke. My eyelids dropped, and I was out

"Haz-.....Wak-?¿!$# up++____+"

"Hazel, what's wrong? What happened?"

Soon, I felt my body wake up from the horrible feeling of the cold floor on my skin.

She held my head in her hands and hugged me. She stopped talking the moment she realised how bad my state was. She held my hand in a soothing touch.

《........................》
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WHAT'S GOING ON!? THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING

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