A Letter

Page 1

Hey little girl, happy birthday! You're probably wondering who this stranger is, and how they know your birthday. Whether I'm a dangerous person or simply your secret santa (or birthday elf feels more accurate). When they didn't give out a single clue on any part the envelope.

Well, it's me, it's your elder sister. It has been a long time since last I saw you, you probably don't even remember me. It's been years and years. I was thinking that leaving you alone will be for the best. I was hoping that you'll have a much better life than mine. But it looks like I have hoped in vain.

You were just a baby when I left. My last memory of you was when you were bumping on every furniture in your baby-walker. You were so cute with your pink chubby cheeks, poking the dog and cats with your stubby fingers. And your laugh when they licked you! It was so infectious that the whole room couldn't help but to laugh along. It was such a beautiful memory. In fact it was the best I have ever got.

I know that memory is probably lost to you now. But I still remember each and every moment of it. It was our first and last Christmas Eve together. The snow started to fall as the sun starting to set. With daddy carrying you on the front yard, you tried to get the snow to land on your stubby hand. Pouting every time they melt before your eyes.

How did I remember them so vividly, you asked? Two words. Photo albums. It's the only relic that survived that night. Everyone else probably thought that nobody and nothing survived the fire. But I did and managed to salvaged them among the blazing walls. I know you have more rights to it than I do. I should have send them to you in place of this letter. But I can not wash my hands off from the incoming nightmare.

Even though it broke my heart every time I saw their smiling faces, I kept looking at them over and over again. I've missed them so much it hurts, you know? You weren't there when they're gone. You were laughing with your friends, while your parents were fighting for their lives. Drowning in joy, while they're drowning in their own blood. But of course, it wasn't your fault. It was never your fault. There was no way for you to know the struggle they were facing. You were just a kid and it was fortunate you were away from home. If anyone were to be blamed, it should probably- No. It is my fault. I failed you, all of you. There's no excuse for my err, even if I lost my voice screaming danger at empty air.

It may be presumptuous of me, to write this without asking of your guardians' permission. Well, to be frank they would probably report me if I was seen anywhere near you. So, to make things easier, I asked a friend of mine to deliver the letter right into you door. I'm sorry if I scared you. But time is of the essence here. I can't keep this any longer. You need to know so you know what to do when it come for you.

That day, even when my friend tried their hardest, it was too strong for them to banished. My selfishness nearly cause us our lives. I can still hear their voice even to this day. To their last moment, they were still calling for you. Between their grunts of pain, your name was always there. So I take it upon myself to protect you from it. To wait until you're old enough, until you could understand of what I'm about to tell you.