Chapter 1

'April please, don't do this.'

 

'You know we don't have a choice, David. Just please, listen to me! '

 

'I saw someone there. '

 

'Search the area. '

 

'I hear them. They're coming.  Just run, David. Run!  '

 

'April... '

 

'There they are! '

 

'Stop right there! '

 

'Run,...  Run! '

 

*******

 

I woke up, panting from a nightmare I hardly could remember. What was that? Who were they?  Why do they seem sad? And why is she pushing him away? 

 

Damn, If only I've heard what they we're saying. Their faces was a bit blurred, but I can see that they were saying something to each other. It was mute though. They seemed like they didn't want to separate, but I clearly heard the woman saying 'run' to him. Even with the blurred faces and mute voices, I can tell... They were sad. And I just know they didn't want the situation they're in. 

 

Why? What was that nightmare? 

 

"Oh, noona(men in Korea use to address women who are older than them) , you awake? " I glanced at my twin brother, who is currently stuffing his mouth with cream puffs. I rolled my eyes before pulling out a napkin from my purse. 

 

"No, Kai, I'm still sleeping with my eyes open, and my mouth talking. "I wiped his mouth covered with chocolates. Jeez, this boy doesn't know how to clean. 

 

"That's why there's sleep walking and sleep talking, duh. "I only gave him a glare before turning to look at dad who is currently driving. He glanced at me for a second before returning his gaze on the road. 

 

"You okay, kid? Seems like you had a nightmare. "He worriedly asked. I saw Kai turn to look at me. 

 

"You had? "He said with muffled voice due to creampuffs. 

 

"I did. But, eh. I can't remember. I'm fine. "I said to make them feel at ease. Them being them, they would've asked too many questions so it's better to ditch the topic immediately. There's no need for them to worry, anyways. It was really nothing. 

 

They were extra protective to me as I'm the only girl in the family so. 

 

Anywho, we're on our way to our parent's old house for vacation. Yey, it's Summer! No school, more movies!

 

It's kind of weird though how dad decided only now to visit the old house. We never went their before. I've always wanted to, but dad just kept saying this was not the time. I'm excited, actually. I can't wait to see my parent's old home. But perhaps I was more excited to seeing their bedroom. I... hope I can find any remembrance of my mother. 

 

My mother died when Kai and I were just little. She left us with only our necklaces she specially made for us as remembrance. Mine was a silver half moon, while Kai's was a red half moon. I've always wonder why we have different colors of necklaces. Shouldn't it be same color to form a moon? It's kind of weird seeing a moon having a silver and red color at either sides. 

 

Anyways, aside from that, she left nothing. No clothes, no accessories, no... Picture. It's sad how we can't even remember what she looks like. How nothing could ever helps us to see what she looks like. But I always felt relieved how I can somehow recognize her voice. It was...sheer and vague, but it was familiar. Maybe that meant my mother's memories are still here, and it's not yet fading. 

 

"Dad, are we there yet? "

 

"For the hundredth time Kai, no. "Dad said as he rolls his eyes in annoyance.

 

"I did not even ask that much. "

 

"You did. "

 

"What are you saying, I only asked for about 87 times. Not unless you answered a hundred times, then it's not my fault. "I stifled a laugh at Kai's remark, while dad just gave him a glare. Kai only grinned in innocence. 

 

"Peace. "

 

"We're almost there. "

 

Kai and I gaze around us in awe as we pass through large trees. The sun was peaking behind the slits of the branches and the smell of fresh air covered our noses. So this is what it feels like to be out of the city. It feels wonderful! 

 

"We should've came here every vacation. Dude, this place is awesome! "I grinned at Kai's remark. 

 

"I know right! "

 

We let our face feel the oddly satisfying ambiance until I decided to open my eyes, and explore them around me. 

 

My eyes slowly widen when I peeped thoroughly through the woods, seeing a familiar pack of animals running wildly. Surprisingly, our car was catching up with their speed. I tried to looked closely, trying to identify what animals they were. 

 

But I felt my heart skipped a beat when the one in front slowed it's pace and turned to look at me. I don't know what I was feeling. Scared, for finding out it's a wolf. Or... Excited... for an unknown reason. I don't know why my heart was beating this fast. Seems like in adrenaline but it's certainly not. It doesn't seem nervous either nor do I feel like it's fear. 

 

Sadly, since they slowed their pace, our car drove past them, but I still feel the lingering feeling in my heart. 

 

What is this? What am I feeling? 

 

###

 

"Woah. I feel like I'm in a mansion. "

 

"This is one of a huge house. "

 

"Nice isn't it? "Kai and I glanced at dad and rapidly nod our heads. Everything's so cool. Black curtains hanging from the windows with golden linings. Black sofas lying neatly on the living room surrounding a dusty glass table, but I know how beautiful it'll get after cleansed. The white fury mat on the floor, the hanging chandelier in the ceiling. Even the kitchen looks great! 

 

Everything is black and white themed and really looks attractive and beautiful. 

 

"Okay, enough wondering around. Do that later after moving our things. Oh yeah, your rooms are upstairs. Choose whatever you want except for the master's bedroom on the left. "As if on instincts, Kai and I momentarily looked at each other before speeding up upstairs looking for the widest bedroom. 

 

"Mines going to be the biggest. "Kai said as he ran. 

 

"Only if you ran pass me. "As usual, me being the fastest among us, yeah you got it right, I'm faster than him. I passed him and immediately looked for the bigger bedroom. I went to the left wing, momentarily forgetting what dad has said about the master's bedroom. I was supposed to open the door when I something caught my attention. 

 

I stepped back and stared in awe at the huge portrait in front of me. It was a portrait of a five wolf. They were all silver, but the few golden furs can be seen clearly to a certain wolf on the right. If we'd count them from left, then it's the fifth one. It's eyes were amazingly silver too. The other four had blue eyes. Strangely, the right one seemed a bit smaller compared to others. 

 

Even though they looked similar except with the golden fur, they strangely  looked different either. Not only did the fifth one looked familiar but also the one at the middle. I don't know if it's because she's in the middle or perhaps because she was the only one who seemed smiling. Wait, how did I even know that she's a she?

 

"Yes! Found my bedroom, hey noona,  where are you?"

 

I came back to my senses when I heard Kai called my name.  I turned back and was supposed to go back to find my own room when something flashed at the back of my mind. I again faced the portrait and walked up to it, touching the one with the golden fur and staring at his somehow captivating eyes. And that's when it came to me. The familiar look, the familiar beating of my heart. The familiar feeling. 

 

It was the wolf I saw running with a pack. 

 

"Noona! " I held my chest in surprise and turned to glare at Kai who was laughing. I punched his chest and he immediately winced in pain with the contact. 

 

"Aw, what did I do? "

 

"You ask me. "He only gave me a pout which I just rolled my eyes to. He saw the portrait too and stared in awe. 

 

"Woah, that's cool. Specially the one on the right. "He was pertaining to the golden furred wolf. 

 

"Yeah, he looks cool. "I agreed. Kai stared at me, blinking his eyes. 

 

"How'd you know he's a he? "I shrugged. 

 

"Don't know either. "He just nod  his head and looked at the portrait again. 

 

"Oh, hey, the one in the middle looks beautiful. She seems to have the bright vibe. "He said which made me furrowed my eyes in confusion. 

 

"How'd you know she's a she? "His forehead creased , also in confusion. 

 

"I... Literally have no Idea. "

 

"Yeah, what's important is you help me bring our things inside, shall we? "Kai and I turned our attention to dad, surprised, how we didn't even notice when he came. 

 

"When did you came? "I breathed out, heart still beating fast with the sudden appearance. 

 

"Just now. I was wondering where you both are, and why it's taking you so long. I seriously needed help to carry Kai's luggage. It looked like he packed all of his things including his computer. "He explained as he sighed. 

 

"Sure sure. Hey dad, choose a character, mines the one with golden fur. "Kai said which made me turn my face on him, almost immediately. 

 

"No, mines the one with the golden fur. I saw him first. "I don't know where this possessiveness is coming from but I decided to just ignore it. I just feel like, mines the one with the golden fur. Yeah, mine. 

 

"Doesn't matter. "

 

"Dude, he's a boy. "I argued. 

 

"I know, I was just saying he's cool as a character, okay? Stop overreacting. "I rolled my eyes, obviously annoyed at his stubbornness. 

 

"Choose another character. "

 

"Why are you even being possessive over a character?! "

 

"Because his mine! "I immediately bit my tongue with the words that just came out. Oh my gosh what did I just say. 

 

"Fine! He's all yours! Mines the one at the middle. How about you d... "

 

"No, mines the middle. "Dad suddenly muttered which made Kai creased his forehead. 

 

"Ugh! Just choose from the others, not mine dad. "Dad looked at him frowning. 

 

"No. She's mine. Only mine. "Kai was left shocked to what dad had just said. 

 

"Why is everyone so possessive today?! It's just a character. Argh! "

 

"Okay, enough. Let's get the whole moving things over with. I'm tired. "I said. Kai didn't say anything as he marched out of the place. He and his tantrums, really. 

 

I was supposed to follow him when I noticed dad was not moving. He was intently staring at something in particular.

 

When I followed his gaze, I realized he was staring at the wolf in the middle. The smiling one. 

 

"Dad? "I called. He didn't budge. It's as if he didn't hear me. I walked to him and was supposed to bring him back to his senses when I notice the different look on his eyes. 

 

"Dad? "The look on his eyes immediately vanished and was replaced with a questioning look as he look at me. 

 

"Huh? "

 

"You were spacing out. Is something wrong? "He gave me the smile he always give whenever he wanted to ditch a topic. 

 

"Nah. Just tired. Let's go? "I decided to follow what he wanted and just nod my head. But before I leave,  I again stared at the familiar wolf, and then to dad. 

 

I don't why dad had the look on his eyes. It was all new. I didn't see it before. It might've just been an illusion... But no. 

 

I could've sworn I saw pain and longing in his eyes. 

 

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End of Chapter

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