V

PROLOGUE

They are merciless monsters.

That is the first thing that came into my mind as I cover my mouth, forcing not to let out even a small noise.

I would beg them, if only I could, but mother hid me here in a hollow tree, an innocent child seeing something unbearable.

"Please, please forgive me." My mother gasped for air as they continue to hit her with a metal.

The only witness now are the stars and moon. I wonder, what can they do seeing such gore. Could the stars protect me? Could they be the light that I need right now?

"I smell a stink of death." The loud voice of a man echoed through the place.

I watched him, familiarizing his features but ended up not seeing from the distance. The moon and star sure is bright, but it tells me that they are not the light; they are of no help.

"The stink of death is in YOU!" The man pointed his finger on my mother's head and motioned his ally to hit her again with the metal.

My mom crouched and vomited blood.

Blood is all over the place. I could feel the pain that mother is feeling. I could take her place, if only I could. The only reason stopping me from getting hiding myself is her wish of protecting me.

I'll have vengeance.

I closed my eyes and all I hear are rustling foliage, signifying that there's more of them.

More murderers.

How could a child see these things without traumatizing her for life? The stars and moon are the only witness, and they'll be the witness on my revenge.

I clutched my arms and tears raced down my cheek as tremor overtook me. These are gut-wrenching sobs that tore through my chest.

"Have you found the girl?" Another man with a hoarse voice asked

There was complete silence. All I can here is the crackling noises of the leaves. I can hear them getting near on where I am hiding.

Completely puzzled, my body froze and my heart beat started getting faster. I was on a state of panic. I was paralyzed on the spot, the menacing aura holding me in a tightening grip.

Then it happened. They poured kerosene all over the big trees in the plantation. It hit me. They are going to start a forest fire.

"Hahaha" A man chuckled. "Guess we'll be seeing this in the news tomorrow."

They ignited the fire with a matchstick. In a slow burning process, the fire started to consume the trees, fog and smoke covering everything. The stars and moon, my source of light, can no longer be seen.

I surmise that this is the end. With the slow disappearance of the monstrous footsteps I assumed that this is all done.

I closed my eyes, remembering my mom. Oh how she sings me a lullaby every night and how she comforts me with the story of the star, sun and moon.

The fast heartbeat was gone. I can feel my body getting light. The suffocating smell of smoke filled the air.

Suddenly, someone who's cold hand touches mine. He allowed me to follow him and guided me somewhere far from where I am. I did follow him. All I know is that I have the feeling that I could trust him.

He's not a monster

The smell of smoke subsided. I coughed and rubbed my eyes to see my savior, my light.

"They're not true. The stink of death....." he paused for a moment. ".....t's in you"

Before the words sank in into my mind. The echo of siren filled the air. Baffled, I turned to see them. There are fire fighters running to my direction.

"There's a girl. There's a girl right here!" Someone shouted.

I turned my back against them and returned to the direction of the boy.

He's gone.

All I can remember is that he's my savior, my light. He became the moon and the stars. But what did he tell me?

Is everything that happened my fault?

Could I have saved her?