The Anonymous Trailer

Butterfly

12 YEARS AGO

I am sitting on the grass while watching Bruno playing with the black and blue butterfly. He's barking, I don't know if he's talking to the butterfly or he's annoyed.

"Bruno!" I called my pet dog. "Come here, that butterfly will never understand you because it can't bark," I explained.

"You are wonderful, Gally." I heard my grandfather laughing heartedly. He takes off his cowboy hat and puts it on the grass beside me. "And same with the butterfly, the beautiful butterfly can't understand Bruno."

"Bruno is a naughty dog, Grandpa. Look," I point my little index finger at Bruno. "I scold him for more than an hour here but he's still barking at the butterfly." I crossed my arms and pouted.

Bruno is not like that. When I called him, he quickly looks at me and runs towards me. What's with the butterfly? Yeah, the butterfly is pretty and colorful but they died so fast.

"I think Bruno is like the butterfly," Grandpa sat beside me. I saw his gold tooth while smiling so wildly. "I love butterflies too."

I exhaled and look at my grandfather. "Why would you love something when it dies so fast. I don't want to take care of something like that, Grandpa."

"You are a brilliant girl, like your mother." I heard him say that every time he visits me here at our mansion. "But if you grow older, when you understand everything even the little thing that surrounds you...you will say... 'our life is like a butterfly.'"

"I am not a butterfly."

Grandpa put his hands above my head. "If you're going to be a butterfly, you are the most beautiful and colorful butterfly even flowers will adore you and gives you tons of nectar."

"Do you have a pet butterfly?" Curiosity filled my mind. My grandfather shook his head.

"I have a pet and it's a bird. Toki is his name, he loves to talk and talk and talk. He's good at copying what other people will say."

"I don't know how to take care of a bird and fish. I love dogs because they can jump, they can swim and they are sweet. And sometimes, I feel they know what's running in my mind or if I'm sad or mad. They're truly a man's best friend."

"Indeed."

"And dogs live longer than butterflies."

"You hate butterflies?"

"They're beautiful but that beauty never lasts long. I think butterfly would be the last thing I would like to take care of. I don't hate them."

"I hope you still find beauty in everything when things don't fall into their places."

"What do you mean, Grandpa?"

"Live. Just live. Between chaos and cruelty...choose to live. Live like a happy child. Young, peaceful, and..." He pinched my nose gently. "Brilliant."

"Whatever, Grandpa. For me, I don't want to be a butterfly." I heard again his heartily laugh.

I don't understand my Grandfather.

He's acting like Bruno. He doesn't listen to me!

I said I don't want to be a butterfly. I hate how they live.

Grandpa whistled and Bruno, for a second stopped following the butterfly and run towards us.

"Good boy!"

I got amused by the way he called my pet dog. My mind was filled with questions like how did he do that? I don't know how to whistle.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Teach me... teach me how to whistle! I like to call Bruno that way!" I beamed while clapping both hands.

"It's easy..."

"Then teach me!"

"Okay, how about we make a deal, young girl," I smirked at my Grandfather.

"Well, I like challenges. Sure, what's the deal then?"

I can see the lines on my grandfather's forehead as he thinks about our deal. While waiting, I found the butterfly, sitting on the flower, busy getting some nectar.

"Be brave." He whispered. "I want you to be brave."

"Like Merida?"

His smile stays on his lips but his brows furrowed. "I don't know who Merida is...but yeah, be brave."

"You should watch Disney Movie with me, it's beautiful and funny."

"Sure. Let's watch a Disney movie."

I nodded and copy his mouth when he whistled but my grandfather looks so serious, I'm afraid to say that he's mad at me.

"Deal?" I glanced at his hand waiting for me to take and shake it.

"Deal."

PRESENT

I flipped my phone back to stop the alarm. I groaned when I feel the soreness of my feet. I've been working in a small convenience store for almost a year. I guess I'm not used to standing for 8 hours. I decided to work when I move out to my Uncle's and entered my first year at Haliya University taking psychology with criminology and criminal justice studies.

Half asleep, I take a peek at my phone.

5:15 AM October 17

It's been 12 years when they left me.

Young heart but I understand why they trying to hide the truth from me.

October 17. 8:46 in broad sunlight. The day when my parents died.

12 YEARS AGO

While playing with my dolls, I heard a shriek of two or three women. Probably, the maids are watching romantic movies or horror movies. I always told them to do whatever they want to do because I can handle myself and I can take care of myself. I'm not comfortable when someone is guarding me or watching what I'm doing.

As I heard quick and heavy footsteps from the door.

I saw Crello and Royce. One of the bodyguards of our mansion.

"Hi! Crello and Royce." I smiled and I control my doll's hands to wave at him.

Crello touching his left ear, communicating with someone while Royce is checking the corner of the room.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

They both looked at each other in poker and serious face and shook their head.

"Mom says lying to a child is bad."

Many people said that I am an honest girl. I always speak the truth, even my Dad says I am brutally honest. I don't filter my words and behavior. My parents taught me to be vulnerable as much as I live. Being vulnerable will teach a lot of life lessons.

"Just wait here. Let's wait for Marlyn and Dehlia." Crello pertaining to my two maids. Crello has an approachable aura while Royce looks so uptight and arrogant.

While Crello is busy observing me, Royce is resting his hand on his belt where the gun is while checking the window, the second floor, and even the vase.

"What's wrong, Royce?" I put down my doll and stand up.

"Nothing."

"Can I call Dad? I'm bored. I want to go to his office." I feel Crello's hand in my arm.

"Your father is busy. You know, meetings and proposals? Maybe we can wait for him at the Lake House?"

Lake House?

"But I have school tomorrow. Dad said I need to go to school so he can buy me more cookies and dolls." I explained while looking at my dolls and their dress.

Before Crello answer, my two maids came in with two large luggage. Their forehead is full of sweat, panicking...scared and sad painted to their face.

"What's happening? Are we going to the lake house? How about my school?" I bombarded them with questions.

They just whispering to each other like a bee. I saw some of the bodyguards walking outside while holding their guns. Royce goes outside, Marlyn sat beside me and Crello stands up.

"Gal," Dehlia called me. "We're going to the lake house, your grandfather is waiting for you there. Sit still, I'm going to get your things." I saw some unwanted tears in her eyes, hiding, and holding.

I just nodded and sit on the couch.

"Are you okay, Gal?" Marlyn asked while fixing my hair.

"Physically? Yes, I'm fine."

"Let me get you a water, okay?"

"Please."

To entertain myself, I quickly move to find the remote. I have a lot of things and it might be hard to put all my things in just two luggage but I know Dehlia can handle the problem. I turn the tv on and in just a millisecond, I saw my parents' pictures as a woman reporter, explaining what happened.

"---Mr. And Mrs. Hemera died at their own law firm office after 5 armed men wearing a red mask. More than 10 employees died because of gunshot--"

Crello harshly steals the remote from my hand. My knees got weak, my hands tremble in fear and my tears have no reason to hold back.

"Miss Gal..."

"M-mom and---"

Guns.

Mask.

Red.

Blood...Died.

"I'm--I'm so sorry, Gal." I heard Marlyn crying in front of me.

That's not true.

That's not true.

That's not true.

Those phrases kept on running in my mind like a bullet train. Blurred and a pointed shape stabbing my heart.

My parents are good people. My father is kind and sweet and my mother loves to help and passionate woman. I love them and I know they both love me more than I know. They helped a lot of people. How could they...

"No! They are not dead!" I tried to run but Crello stopped me by hugging me.

"Sshh..."

"That's not true! My father is strong! He can protect--" I punched and kicked Crello, trying to get out of his hold.

"We're ready to go." I heard someone says from the door.

"Galene--"

"No! I'm going to wait here! Dad and Mom will look for me here! Please!"

I can't see them anymore. My warm tears give me a blurry vision. I heard someone from the bodyguard muttered a bad word the reason why my two maids panicked and asked Royce to carry me.

"No! No! Please! Royce! Crello! No! " I cried between my sobs.

"We need to go, Miss Galene," Royce said impatiently.

"Galene, let's go."

"It's dangerous here!"

"Ah!" I screamed.

"s**t!"

Is that... a gunshot? No, that thing is louder than a gunshot.

"M116/A1 a stun grenade," Royce exclaimed as he put his finger in his ear, communicating with someone.

I panicked when I saw a gunshot and the huge vase at the right corner got broken. The water and leaves spilled on the floor and everything slows down...

Are they going to kill me?

Like what happened to Mom and Dad?

"Why are they doing this?!" I shouted. Anger filled my heart. I want to fight, I want to go outside and fight them.

"Sshh...Galene," Marlyn tried to console me but I pushed her hand away.

"We need to leave. Now." Crello said with full of composure.

Before I shouted again, I felt a sting in my arm. I looked at him with my wide-open eyes.

"We're going to leave now. We need to prioritize Miss Galene's safety."

That's the last thing I heard before I dozed off.

PRESENT

I put my Mom's favorite flower.

Tulips.

"How could you leave me without saying goodbye?" I whisper as the wind blew.

"Henry Hemera...Cristalene Hemera..."

When I feel my tears trying to escape, I look up and stare at the clear sky. I take a deep breath and blow it slowly through my mouth...

"Who says I can leave alone? It's been 12 years and here I am...thoughts of us always play in my mind. Those silly moments," I closed my eyes for a while. Letting the wind embrace my coldness. Letting the sky witness how I suffer.

"Are you happy there, Mom? Dad?...Without me?"

How's your life without me there?

Do I still cross your mind?

Or the myths are true...once you died your memories will be gone. Oh, I hope myths stay from being myths. You both knew that I'm scared to be forgotten, right?

"Is heaven all we thought it's be?"

I missed you so much.

"I wish you were here or at least you guys are watching me down here. I hope you're proud of me, Mom. I can pee at the toilet, I can write and draw...I am friendly now compared to when you guys are still here," I laughed quietly, I have no friends before because I'd rather play alone than to play with anyone. "I can cook too. But your cooking skills are always undefeatable. I can cook dad's favorite food, Mom."

I felt a lump in my throat, my voice broke when I tried to call them. My tears burned my eyes and my lip trembled.

"Dad, I am..always present to my class. I never missed it. I don't need cookies and dolls anymore...I don't need petty things..."

The stored tears continued to flow and my sobs wracked my body, robbing it of the ability to express my sadness and barely allowing me to get some air.

Crying alone will never help me to move on, to accept that they are gone. Long gone.

Be brave.

You never taught me how to be brave, Dad.

You need to study for your future.

I tend to focus on the present, Mom.

Stand up and chin up so you can see how high you can reach.

I'm sorry, Mom and Dad.

I let myself feel what's weakens me. I bend my two knees as if I'm going to pray, begging for a miracle. I wiped my tears on my cheeks, I breathe and breathe and breathe. Calming my mind, my storm.

How could you leave me?

And of all people? Why my parents?

"Damn, crying makes me weak," I whispered to myself.

"If Uncle Henry is here --"

"s**t!" I cursed and held my right chest where my heart is beating so fast. I quickly wipe my tears and turned my gaze at him.

"Damn you, Brian! What the hell!"

"You ditched your class...and your work." His blond wavy hair dance in the wind. His olive-green eyes are staring at me mischievously. I hide my hands in my hoodie, scared to touch his pulse. He walks towards where I am standing.

"Tss." I scoffed and give him space. "What are you doing here?"

"Dude, I am your cousin. Am I not allowed to see and talk to them?" He smiled while shaking his head. "Thank God, You're here. You didn't reply to my messages and Mom missed you."

I didn't speak.

When was the last time we saw each other?

"It's been 12 years...since we last saw each other. At the funeral."

"Yeah." I simply said.

Brian is one of my closest cousins, mother's side. He's not an out-going person and loves to observe, I think that's the reason why I consider him my closest cousin. I see him as my older brother, he always helps me to build my dollhouse when we were a kid. He's kind and playful, I feel sorry that I didn't reach out for help...I just don't want to be a burden.

"How are they? Brianna?"

"She's doing good. She's into arts, you know. She loves colors and painting and also staining my clothes."

I secretly smiled. Yeah, that's typical of his twin-sister favorite hobby.

I missed my cousins but...being with them keeps me remembering my parents. How we laugh at the table, events and outings, celebration of each birthday and achievements.

"Missing the old days?"

"Always."

"We missed you, Gal." I bit my lower lip, holding my tears to fall on his sincerity. "We're waiting for you to come back. We're not mad at how you decide on your own or how things go on your way...it's just...we can't leave you behind."

"I would love to, Bri."

"Then, what's stopping you?" I felt his hand on my arms, pulling me gently to face him. "You need to accept what happened. You must continue to move forward, Gal. I hate seeing you like this. I miss my cousin who always tells the truth, finds the truth...Come on, Gal."

"It's' not easy, Bri." I bow down my head, scared he might see me cry. "It's not easy when those people who killed my parents...living their life, do what pleases them, live with their loved ones, live as long as they want to live..."

"It's from the past." His words stung and made me mad. My bloodshot eyes glared at him.

"What did you--"

"You're mad. I understand that..."

"You don't understand, Brian." I shot back. " Yeah, that's what happened from the past. And I'm not talking about the past. I'm talking to those five f*****g men who shot my parents. Those five f*****g men who live somewhere living like a normal person." I gritted my teeth and wiped my tears. "While I can't. I can't live like you because you don't understand. I can't move forward like you because the truth is, you don't understand what you accepted. You accepted the fact that my parents are dead...but never have the thought that they died in someone's cruel hand."

"Gal--"

"It's nice seeing you here, Brian. I need to go. Drive safely." I get my bag and never give him a last glance.

"Galene," He called but it's too late to fall for his sincerity. "You are one of the Dawdlers. The one who can see the trailer... you can control the motion and the maker of the death list."

Did he know?

But how?

"So, it's true? You're a dawdler? One of grandpa's stories when Brianna and I were a kid?"

No, he doesn't know a thing. He's confirming it.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I face him full of annoyance.

"I read our grandpa's journal-"

"That's his writings, Bri. Show some respect, we're in a cemetery after all." Acted like I feel disgusted but the truth is...I want him to tell me more. The 'why's and how's.

"I find it weird...did you kill a butterfly in his garden...the lilac and orange butterfly? You accidentally killed that butterfly and...the consequence is--"

Like a swift runner, I cover his mouth using my hands. I quickly shut my eyes and pray that the butterfly doesn't show up.

"What?" He murmurs and I feel his hand on my shoulder and the other hand is in my hand that covers his mouth. Being talkative is one of the reasons why I hate him.

"Damn you, Brian." I hissed and decided to open my eyes. I look around like an owl before I face him.

"It's true? It's f*****g true?" He whispered, eyes wide open, shocked that I'm confirming it by my action.

"Quit asking." I look around. "Where's your car?"

He removed my hand to his mouth and I saw his smile plastered like a stupid joker. And with that smile, I know he's enjoying this which annoyed me more. I hide both hands in my jacket and give him a dagger look.

"Shut your damn mouth or else."

"Brianna will be pleased to hear and seeing you like this."

"I'll kill you if say a word to anyone about his, Brian."

"Scary Gal."

"Say that before I kill you." I walked past him and I saw how his lips fade turned into a grim line.