The moon distilled brilliance through a window when I opened my eyes and my body which I was proud of being able to endure the hellish of tortures felt heavy, causing me difficulties to even breathe.
“Hmng,” I inspired through my mouth to catch my breath back but it only caused me pain. It was a strange feeling as it had been so long since I had felt any pain, No, not at all… I remembered. It hadn’t been so long, in fact. If my memory served properly, that grenade had exploded right after I had turned my back to run away from it; the pain I felt in the instant before everything had gone dark couldn’t be from another thing.
Then, how is that I… I was feeling so bad. Am I not supposed to be dead? What I’m doing seeing an old wooden roof…? This doesn’t feel like a dream either because in dreams you don’t feel anything unless it is a nightmare. Well, that’s for me though. I contemplated as I lied immobile on something soft; it might be some sort of bed.
“No! That can’t be!” The scream of a woman disturbed my thoughts.
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A door was drawn open and I heard mad rushing footsteps along with a heart-breaking whine. I didn’t move a bit, not even my head—I couldn’t do it. I had already tried to move but my body had no strength; it was as though I had been paralyzed so I continued to stare at the old wooden roof that shined with the passing moonlight.
“My Ah Ling. Tell mom that isn’t true... You can’t be… Ah!” The chocking voice of the woman rose again but it stopped with a cry of shock when she reached my side. She wasn’t the only one in shock but me too, Did she say she was my mother?! Did I hear wrong? I diverted my sight from the roof in my confusion and I looked at her through the corner of my eyes.
My dark pupils contracted and a surreal feeling came upon me when I saw the woman and the approaching people. Were they coming from some sort of cosplay convention? Why were all dressed in ancient Chinese costumes?
No, that’s not the only problem here, why does the teary woman look so familiar to me? I can swear that I… My thoughts were left incomplete as an acute pain invaded my head.
“Ugh…” I contained my pain as I closed my eyes and mouth.
“Ah Ling, Ah Ling…” Worried calls followed my groan.
Even with my head throbbing, I could deduce they were referring to me but I… I’m not Ah Ling, I screamed inwardly in my agony.