six years had passed since Yun Lihua's family downfall. And in that six years, she had lost count on how many days she dreamed the same nightmare.
In that dream, Yun Lihua laid on the floor with blood drained from her tiny face. She had the urge to sleep but she resisted with all her might. Her half open eyes almost fell into temptation before she bite her tongue to keep herself awake from the pain. When she saw her mother brandished the gun to her sleeping father and younger brother, she screamed with all the remaining energy she had and tried to get up. But, because the medicine that her mother gave to her, she could only see how the bullets pierced trough their head.
She cried and sobbed grievously despite the fears that started to engulfed her entire being. She didn't want her father and younger brother to die but she also feared death
Her mother slowly walked toward Yun Lihua. In her dark brown eyes, sadness, despair and regret reflected under the pretentious ruthlessness she shown to Yun Lihua.
She pointed her gun to Yun Lihua's head. But, before she could pull the trigger, some people barged into the house.
It was the police who came after one of the neighbors called. For the reason why they called, police seemed already aware and was shocked when the mother brandished the gun to Yun Lihua.
Yun Lihua's mother used the gun without the muffler on. So, the banging sound from the triggered gun cause a wave of panic in the neighborhood.
Fortunately, two policeman happened to be on patrol in the neighborhood and immediately ran to the house before they found a gun pointed to a seven to eight years old girl by an older woman.
The mother looked forlorn and tears started to dwell in her eyes but she resisted to cry. The gun that was pointed to Yun Lihua changed its direction. She pointed the gun to her own head and murmured something that Yun Lihua could not hear.
Bang!!!
When the trigger was pulled, a bullet ran straight to the mother's head and she fell down. The tears she retained finally dropped from her eyes that was gradually closing.
In the house, a pool of blood leaked from three dead bodies. The bloody smell started to permeate in the entire room. There was no sound for a moment before Yun Lihua's cry and sob broke the silence. As if they were snapped back to the reality, the policeman who was shocked with the event unraveled before their eyes strode towards Yun Lihua who was still laying on the floor. The sound of police car's sirene which she failed to heard because of the fear before finally registered into her brain. She looked at them with complicated feelings.
'Oh, policeman. Why should you come? If you don't come, i'll be with my family.'
She was so tired, both physically and mentally. The eyes that was opened with her sole willpower finally conceded defeat to the sleepiness.
....
"Lihua...Lihua...LIHUAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!" screamed Lu Jiao while shaking Yun Lihua's body so she would wake up.
Listening to the endless calling from the super duper hyperactive girl, Yun Lihua finally woke up from her sleep. Rather than feeling annoyed like everyone else when they were forcibly woken up, Yun Lihua felt blessed for getting someone to wake her up. But, she didn't show it to the girl and said some words with voice tinge in annoyance, "Do you want to die? What kind of death do you want from waking me up? I can fulfill your wish if you want to."
Feeling the anger of Yun Lihua, Lu Jiao stepped backward and replied, "Dead huh? Didn't we promise to live till we become oldies? Tsk..tsk...tsk... Yun Lihua, how can we keep our promise if you kill me?" she clutched her chest as if she was hurt by Yun Lihua's words.
"Just stop talking! why did you wake me up?" Yun Lihua got up from the bed and approached Lu Jiao.
"You forgot?" Lu Jiao asked.
"What forgot?" Yun Lihua reasked.
"Oh My God. You actually forgot what day today is? Yun Lihua, You are so mean!!!" feigning her sadness, Lu Jiao walked out of the room. But after some steps, she moved backward and looked at Yun Lihua, then she said, "In our basecamp."
Yun Lihua pondered a while before a realization dawned in her still hazy mind. She forgot that today is Lu Jiao's birthday party! She and her friends had promised to Lu Jiao to celebrate her birthday in their basecamp!
Without thinking too much, Yun Lihua immediately jump down from her bed and stepped into the bathroom. After a quick wash, she wore a certain dress to satisfy Lu Jiao despite her reluctance and donned a dark blue jacket.
She rummage her cupboard and desk to find the gift she had prepared for Lu Jiao. She also brought a box with accessories for everyone. She put them all in her handy bag.
Before she go out from her room, she looked at the clock to make sure she was not late. Fortunately, the party was still five minutes away.
Yun Lihua quickly strode out of the orphanage to their base camp. But suddenly, she stopped her pace and gazed up at the clear blue sky. Her voice tinted sadness, longing and hope, she murmured, "Dad, mom and my little brother, don't be afraid. I'm now living so well. Just be peaceful up there."
She continued to walk and hasten her pace before she suddenly smiled because she could not imagine the expressions of her pals when she was late. Their expression must be silly. But as much as she wanted to see their expressions, she couldn't do it today because today belonged to Lu Jiao.
Her days was spent with their companionship. She always looked forward to strive for a new day, to see what adventure she would have with them.