FUKUSHŪ

CHAPTER 1

The village Matsuri held a shrine, commemorating the Goddess of fire's birthday. Sound of fireworks still ringing together with peoples shouting 'tamaya!" and clapping happily. Musicians played their instruments in merry, the hawkers sold foods, toys, and souvenirs to the passer buyers from their stalls. Two young girls walked along a road, the festivities from Matsuri still clear by the various food snacks being eaten as they were heading home. The older one not more than ten years old held the younger one's hand while they strolled the empty road. The elder sister was dressed in a light blue yukata while her younger sister was wearing a peach coloured yukata. Her hand held tightly around her sister's while her other was holding a lollipop, she continued to lick at the sweet candy, a smile arising to her cheeks. They laughed happily as they were singing the song of the Matsuri, breaking the night's silence.

Turning around the right corner at the junction, they walked into a more secluded area far from the village where their home resided. Although the place is far from their neighbourhood, it was still safe because the village was not so big and its far from the hassle of town where rude and bad people always takes advantage to cause the problem. The village is a peaceful and safe place to stay, a decision that their parents made when they decided to move here two months ago. The neighbourhood was very caring and friendly towards them. They like to give them candies and sometimes nice drinks when they were strolling and playing in the neighbourhood.

Reaching the lawn, the older sister let go of her sister's hand and ran for the door. " Mom we're home!" she called out, her sister following behind her.

"Mamaaa!"

"Ma.." the word stop suddenly as the older sister witnessing a very shocking event in front of her. "-ma..?"

There, in the middle of the living room, her father laid on the floor. His skin was paling as a crimson liquid was already pooled around him while her mother cradling her father's head and crying.

"Pa..pa..?" two pair of innocent eyes were looking at their mother,unable to comprehend what happened in front of them.

"Chaeng? Nina?" her mother words came in alert, her brown eyes trembling in despair.

"Well… well… well, what do we have here...?" the other voice mocked, drawing the gaze from the two girls. A wicked smiled grew along his lips as he rose to his feet from the sofa, his eyes turning to the other men leaning against the wall closeby. One of them held a gun in his hand while the other a knife, small drops of blood falling from the blade's tip onto the ground.

Chaeyoung's legs began to tremble as she took a step back from the doorway.

"Chaeyoung!" her mother called, snapping herself out from her fear.

"Mama-" tears began to slide down her cheeks.

"Run! Take Nina and run!"

Taking hold of her sister's hand, Chaeyoung turn to run but she was stopped by a hand grabbing both her and her sister from behind. Her sister shrieking, tears streaming from her eyes "Nee-chan!"

"Nina!" Chaeyoung tried to struggle against the tight hold but it was all in vain. Chaeyoung could smell tobacco from the man holding them, the scent was sickening her. "Mama!"

"Chaeyoung..." her mother look at her desperately. "Please, let my children go. Spare them. Just leave them, I beg you." her mother pleaded.

"How could you say that Lee-san. These two kids are the witnesses. We can't just let them free, they will follow you to heaven." The man laughed sadistically, holding a tight grip on the gun as he eyes the black haired woman.

"Please. Just take mine and leave..." before her mother could finish the word, Chaeyoung bit the man arms hard. A cry of pain resounded in the hall and the man released his hold on the children. Taking it as an opportunity, Chaeyoung kick the man groin as he fell to his knees, face red and his hand holding unto the painful spot. With that, Chaeyoung immediately ran towards the door but the shot echoing from her stop her in the track. All of sudden, nothing was moving as if the world around her fell into silence. Turning around, Chaeyoung found her mother's face, always so kind as she remembered, looking at her lovingly and peacefully blocking her from the cruel man standing behind. Her hand extending as if to cover her from any harm.