At least I'm Alive

Blessing

Wait a minute, so you're saying that's the mighty black bear? He said Master Edward's...does that mean these two boys have black bears too?

"Vincent, go and rest, let us finish our meal." Father orders him

Vincent bows and leaves.

"You must be startled, he's a good guy don't worry." Mother says cressing my hair.

"It's okay mother, I felt quite safe with his presence." I smile at her and continue eating.

Little did I know they were quite surprised with what I said.

After dinner

I finished washing up, and just when I was about to lay down someone knocked.

"May I come in?" It sounded like mother's voice.

"Yes!"

She opens the door, and she was wearing her sleep wear, and she asked "can I tuck you in?"

...of course you can.

I nod, and run to the bed, while she follows and she sits down beside me.

She fixes my blankets and looks at me with loving eyes.

Something I never experienced for
24 years, was motherly love.

Something I longed for, but never received.

She cresses my hair, and gently asks "do you want me to sing you a lullaby?"

I slowly nod.

Though I'm too old for a lullaby, I never got to experience being sung to sleep...

She sings a lovely melody that removes my thoughts.

Then, slowly her voice became dim..

Til' I fell asleep.

"You committed suicide. We didn't kill you."

Stop...please...let me live!

"You don't deserve this. You're just a useless child."

No...stop.

"Stop...!"

I jolt up, as I wake up from that nightmare.

The day of my death...could it be near?

Every year, I have these dreams about my death...did I die around this time..?

I touch my neck, my heart still aches til this day.

I look at the window and it wasn't as bright...

I woke up early again...

I get off the bed and wear my shoes.

I go to the door, and reach for the doorknob, and I take a peek before leaving.

The hallways were empty as usual, so I decided to go out.

Walking through the empty hallway is peaceful as ever. I love the emptiness of this hallway.

I go to the garden to look at the flowers again but something made me pause.

I felt another shiver down my spine, and as I walk towards the garden, I feel the weird presence again.

I stop, to see a black bear walking around sniffing the garden's flowers.

I wasn't scared, but rather safe, just like yesterday when I met Sir Vincent.

I try not to make noise, but when I walked forward I happen to step on a twig making a loud cracking noise...

Catching the attention of the black bear.