Chapter 3: Reminiscing About The Past.
644 Words
When he tried to remember what happened last night after drinking, a sharp pain exploded inside his skull. It wasn’t just a headache—it felt like something was digging into his brain.
Then the pain spread to his chest.
It felt as if someone was tearing his heart apart, pulling his soul forcefully out of his body.
Cold sweat drenched his face and ran down his back. His vision blurred. He staggered, almost blacking out.
Tears fell uncontrollably.
“What… what happened to me?” he whispered, terrified.
As he struggled to stay conscious, memories of last night slipped away like smoke. And then, like someone had opened a forgotten door in his heart, he suddenly remembered the past—and he missed his parents.
This was the second time he had cried since he turned sixteen.
The first time… was the day he lost them.
They were returning from a family vacation—just the three of them—when a truck came crashing into their car. His parents didn’t even hesitate. They threw themselves over him, wrapping him tightly in their arms.
They saved him.
But that protection cost them their lives.
He had cried until his voice disappeared that day… cried until he nearly took his own life.
He remembered his father’s final words—his body crushed, blood everywhere, limbs twisted painfully.
“I’m sorry… we’re sorry to leave you so young…” his father gasped, tears sliding down his bruised face.
“I blame myself… for not teaching you enough about life. And now I have to tell you everything in this terrible way…”
His father reached out a trembling hand.
“Son… you know nothing about life yet. You know nothing about business or the ways of this world. But you must protect yourself. Never let your guard down. People earn money in different ways—some work honestly, but others…” His father coughed blood. “Others use rituals… sacrifices… dark things. Stay away from that world. Stay away from the Sloan Family. Walk the legit path, the same one we used to build everything.”
His father’s voice faded. “We love you. We’re sorry… We’ll always watch you from above.”
And then came his mother—gentle, soft, the purest woman he knew—lying in blood but still forcing herself to stay awake for him.
“Son…” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I regret not having enough time to protect you… or watch you grow… or even choose a wife for you.” She sniffed, tears streaming. “But I love you. You were my precious treasure—my little darling. Please… be happy. Don’t be too lonely…”
After saying those words, her eyes slowly closed.
Forever.
He had screamed that day—screamed and cried to the heavens until he fainted.
The next thing he remembered was waking up alone in a cold hospital room.
As the memories flooded in, Michael’s chest tightened painfully. Tears blurred his vision again.
He remembered the hospital door opening. His grandfather walked in… but the man looked like he had aged ten years in a single day—exhausted, broken, and worn out.
That was when Michael realized: the old man had not only lost his son, he had lost his daughter-in-law too. And now all he had left… was a grieving sixteen-year-old grandson.
They only had each other now.
Old Master Smith’s eyes were red and swollen as he sat beside Michael.
“Life is a mystery,” the old man said softly. “One moment we are laughing together… the next moment one of us is gone. That is life.” He patted Michael’s head gently. “You cannot drown in sorrow. You must rise from it. Live yo
ur life fully. No one knows what tomorrow brings.”
- Writer
