THE PRESENT

CRIMSON DONOVAN

       How our brain and memory work was a phenomenal yet confounding concept for me. Memories can be like wayward birds, fluttering about in one's mind randomly and choosing to land on the most unlikely heights, while the memories that truly matter fly off into the endless sky of forgetfulness. 

Come on- someone might be asking you to call the police in a life-and-death situation, but in that haste, you don't remember whether it was 119 or 199 (Newsflash; it was neither). But you damn well remember the phone number of the beautiful boy next door- I know I still do, even though I was miles far away from him at the moment.

Some situations you remember could be bizarre and perplexing. It makes you think, "If my brain remembers pointless things such as what the weather was like on Friday last week and it forgot the science I learned yesterday for the quiz today, I wonder if I could've been the next C.S.Lewis or Leonardo da Vinci provided that my brain had chosen to remember all the necessary stuff in place of all the meaningless junk that takes space there."

Did that confuse you? Don't worry, you'll forget what I just mentioned even before you finish this chapter.

I even remember the phone number a random stranger who saw me seated leisurely in the park had scribbled on my arm with a marker once, whilst I don't remember his name -that one word- which I'm sure he had introduced a few times in that long and slow hour. Speaking of, maybe I remember his number because it took me ages to remove that permanent and messy scribble from my arm. Of course, I hadn't contacted the annoying stranger whom I had only known for a few minutes with his advances he thought were flirty.

Hmm, in conclusion, what you could gather from this rambling is that I remember phone numbers very easily(which is totally not related to my story by the way).

What your brain chooses to remember was really weird that way...

...I might be going to lengths to prove my point only because I gawk audibly at the house standing entrancingly in front of me.

" 'I-ge nae eo-ril-jeok jib-i-ya?! ' "

My Dad slaps his hand over my head, "We are in the USA," he says as if we didn't just fly down on a plane. "Speak in English and not in Korean now that your Grandfather is not here breathing down your neck 24/7."

I rub my head with a scowl. My innocent American father had completely transformed after being under the influence of Asian parenting, indeed. Nevertheless, I repeated my question in English this time, "This-This is my childhood house?"

My Dad rolls his eyes for the third time as I ask this question once again. "Yes, Crimson, yes."

"How- Why don't I remember any of this?! I'm sure I would've recalled living in a majestic house like this! Is it really ours?"

"You were only five when we moved away from here, Crimson. Please take your luggage and pack them in your room, it's almost time for dinner," he drawls, jetlagged and no doubt tired from my endless questioning.

My Dad and I had just moved back into what he called- 'our little sanctuary' in 'PineTree Hills' Town, South Dakota, probably after a decade. It was where both of us were born.

It was a beautiful town surrounded by forests, mainly pine trees. Imagine waking up to the fresh pine-scented air filling your room, with either the mist slithering between the tall trees or the sunlight bathing the lush canopy. Mm, I'm glad I forgot all about what this place looked like. I would love to witness all this for the first time!

This house- my childhood home- was something out of a fairytale. My childhood house didn't flaunt wealth; it was simply a two-storied, flat-roofed modern-looking passive house, with rocky steps leading up to a wooden porch with glass railings. There was even a prefab staircase leading to the second floor from the porch. Bay windows that mirrored surrounding pine trees decked the walls. It was the forest surrounding the house that made the place look magical; sunshine seeping through in between tall palm trees, the rhythmic chirping of birds, and the fragrant smell of all kinds of flowers, it was such a sight to behold.

Our house stands on a small isolated hill bordering the town limits, which grants the entire view of the whole town below and the surrounding pine tree forests.

And nope, no nosy neighbours and aunties who compare your test scores with their children's. My Dad likes the solitude this place gives; nature and quietness.

This house and the small patch of forest on this hill surrounding it belong to our family generations back. Even so, I remember only bits and pieces of this place as the last time I was here was when I was five years old: hence the reason why I don't remember much about how this house looked like. Then we moved to Korea.

My dad has been dying to come back to America. He was finally given the chance this year when his division transferred him to America for two years. And given the circumstances back in Korea, my dad immediately took it as a chance for peace of mind and a change of pace. Hence, we will live here for two years before moving back to Korea.

I was nervous about starting school in a new environment too. I decided that starting high school has to be one of the things I need to do if I plan to start afresh.

Nevertheless, putting an end to my thoughts, I follow my Dad inside with my luggage. "I'm jet-lagged. Wake me up when it's time for dinner."

I hum in answer, eager to explore my room and home and the surroundings while he goes to his room to take a nap.

° ° °

After packing up and having a well-needed shower, I hastily put on some clothes and go downstairs to see my Dad hungrily eyeing the pizza streaming in front of him - he had clearly got his energy back after that power nap.

"At last! Come on, come on! Let's feast!"

I sit beside my dad and gobble up a slice. "It has been years since we've been here! I want to explore our part of the forest more and visit the lake you told me about."

The lake was constructed by my Dad's parents, and it is somewhere in the forest behind the house. Almost throughout our flight, he was excitedly rambling about seeing this lake. "Absolutely! It's been too long since I've last seen it... I used to play all the time there, even you. The forest's grown over the years though, it'll be quite a hassle to find it."

"Any wild animals that we should be worried about?" I inquire.

"Ah, yes..."-queue the dramatic pause-"werewolves."

"Dad! What the-!" I laugh. He had always been teasing me about my obsession with werewolf books. So what? I'm just obsessed with the way wolves are possessive toward their mates (It's hot).

"Rabbits, deers, the usual I guess," he says after he recovers from his laughter.

"Rabbits? Daebak (Awesome), I want one!"

"No."

"Aw, come on! Don't be like that!"

"Nope. Never."

I sigh dramatically.

"Fine. Pet snake it is."

Crash!

"Oh no, you don't, young lady! I have had enough shredded dry skins scattered around the floor for the past years. They are disgusting. No. Rabbit's fine as long as it ain't an anaconda." He yells, his fallen chair completely forgotten.

"Jeez, always so dramatic," I huff.

My pet snake Glider had been the very reason Dad hated them. Glider was a sweetheart, a cute one at that, but Dad had been so damn terrified of it. I laugh recalling the memory of when he had suddenly screamed and yelled while he was in the shower. We had run as fast as possible to see the commotion, only to meet with the sight of Dad pathetically shooing Glider away with a toothbrush while covering himself with the shower curtain. Yep, he was showering and brushing his teeth at the same time (he was late for work). I swear he almost held a party when Glider died. Rest his little soul.

After a while, our caretaker, Josh, enters with a crooked smile. "Afternoon boss," he greets and acknowledges me with a nod, "Miss."

"It's Crimson," I mumble with my mouth full. Uncle Josh gives a raspy chuckle and makes his way to the dining table.

"How's everything been, Josh?" dad asks.

"Everythin' has been good these past 'ears sir, I chased 'em meddlin' kids who tried to enter the premises. Probably to see the good ol' lake back there. Huh! Nobody can enter as long as my whippin' stick and I live here! I gave a run for their buttocks!" he hollers proudly.

Uncle Josh had been looking after our house and property for the past eleven years while we were in Korea. My father must be trusting him with his life by assigning him to look after the premises for more than a decade. Well, he had soon proved to be a hardworking and trustworthy fellow, tending to the gardens, dusting the house and taking care of the whole place. His wife and son also occasionally helped him, but overall, they do a good job for their equally good pay.

Uncle Josh sits beside my dad, undoubtedly ready to catch up on each other's life like old pals. But before they could do that, Uncle Josh suddenly slaps his hand over his forehead, "Gah! I left my ol' device back in the toolshed! Let me brin' it back. My wife would 'ave my 'ead if I don't answer 'er calls!" Then he hurriedly vanishes from the front door.

"Huh? What did he mean?" I question my dad.

"He has forgotten his phone, I suppose," he replies with a shrug and I nod slowly, beginning to have my last slice.

Then suddenly, we hear the unmistakable shouts of Uncle Josh, "Scram, ye lil' mice! Don't come back here ever again!"

I share bewildered looks with my father before we both quickly jump up and run out the front door and onto the gardens to inspect what has happened. Uncle Josh had his stick up in the air, slapping it against the wind while chasing some figures into the dark forest.

I squint my eyes at the figures' escaping backs and realize they were boys. I could hear the provoking shouts and laughs from the boys as they disappeared into the forest. Maybe they came up from the town below? My Dad jogs behind Uncle Josh who was chasing the boys away into the forest.

"Where did they come from?" I mumble in annoyance to myself, confused as to why they had escaped into the forest when the path that led to our house was just ahead of me. It was almost nighttime, I hope they don't get lost or injured in the forest.

I cross my arms over my body, trying to protect myself from the cold air. When I see no sign of my Dad and Uncle Josh coming back any sooner, I turn back to return to my house, only to stop when an icy coldness jolts through my bare foot.

I hiss at the feeling and look at the ground, trying to see what I had stepped onto. Even in the dim-lit darkness, I could make out a spark, something shining amidst the gravel. I bend down and take it, only to realize that it is a necklace with a silver gem-adorned as its pendant. I dust off the gem as it twinkled its shining crown at me.

I look back into the forest. Maybe it belonged to one of those boys? It must've fallen when they were escaping. I tuck the necklace into my pocket just as my Dad and Uncle Josh appear from the tree line.

" 'Em trespassers," Uncle Josh was grumbling in complaint as he dusted my Dad's shoulders. My Dad politely dismisses him before he starts picking out dead leaves from his black hair. "Are those the kids who come here often as you said, Josh?"

"Yes! Trespassers! Meddlin' kids! I chase 'em every time, but they keep comin' like bees attracted to 'oney!"

"Maybe they were coming to see the lake?" I suggest as we come back inside.

"At this time of the evening? Hmm, if so, I see no problem with that as long as they keep the place clean and don't disturb nature," my Dad says.

"That won't do! It's the lake built by ye parents, Sir! I've been servin' the Donovan family for 'ears and stan' by my rights to protect their property!" he declares, and I wonder for a second whether he would do a warrior cry afterwards because that was the only thing missing to back his speech up.

My dad was also looking at him in amusement before toning down Uncle Josh's rage by gently resolving, "Now, now, Josh. Let's not be hasty, it's a pity that no one but us can explore this enticing hill since it's our private property. The lake, the beautiful greenery surrounding it and the pine tree forest are enough to be a tourist attraction. But as long as nobody commits any harm or trouble, be lenient with them. They surely must be admiring the scenery. But of course, if they are doing anything illegal, actions must be taken immediately."

Uncle Josh only huffs and shakes his head as if disappointed by my dad's words, but doesn't comment further on the subject.

Later that night, my dad and Uncle Josh converse downstairs while I sit beside my opened bedroom window overlooking the lighted town. The cool breeze in the atmosphere gently touches my skin and gives me a shiver. The winds conduct silent choruses through the swaying trees creating calming whispers of songs. It made me feel strangely serene and good.

As if calling for me, I feel the heat of the forgotten necklace in my pocket. I take it out and dangle it in front of me. What a beautiful piece of jewellery, the owner must be looking for such an important-looking necklace. Well, I better keep it safe then. I put the necklace into my jewellery box and put it back into the drawer before sitting beside the window once again because the view was just so beautiful it demanded your time.

The sight in front of me was mesmerizing under the darkening evening sky which was like a colour palette of blues, oranges and violet merging. The town down below was brightened with multiple lights and I could hear echoes of vehicles racing through the roads after some time. I tuck my dark red hair behind my ears, release a deep breath and inhale the rich scent of the pine trees.

Deciding that it was time for bed, I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. Just as I open the door, I meet my reflection in the mirror.

The girl with fierce red hair cascading down her shoulders like molten lave stares back at me with honey-brown eyes. I stare at my reflection with unblinking eyes before giving out a sigh as reality dawns on me.

"So I've finally done it. There's no turning back now," I say out loud. 

This is the new life I've chosen for myself for two years. A new country. A new place. A new school.

New people.

"Have I made the right decision? Will it be worth it?"

I may have been born here, but since I left America when I was really small, it was like I migrated to a new country altogether. I absentmindedly twirl a strand of my hair and dazedly look at the mirror.

Whatever happens, I hope that my new life can finally help me move on from the grieving hollow in my heart.

Hello everyone! 

I think I can sense confusion here so let me explain that 'Uncle Josh' is NOT Crimson's Dad's brother. In Korea, they don't call adults by their names like I have seen the Westerners do. Since Crimson has been in Korea most of her life, she does not find it easy to call their caretaker by his name. 'Uncle' Josh is only the caretaker of their house while they were in Korea! 

So after multiple attempts, I finally published this book! I want to show the world my hard work regardless because I love putting my imagination into words!

I promise yall that this will be a great ride hehe

comment and vote pls, that'll make my day! Thank you for your time, PEACE!