Blink (Chapter 2)

“Good dog.”1

A deep-throated growl reverberated from the beast. Muscles rippled as the dog stood tense, baring its sharp jagged teeth. Leonard scratched the dog’s ears and it relaxed a bit.2

“Shut up fool,” he whispered. “It’s only Justin.”3

The MZ gang were meeting at their favourite hideout, under a highway. It was well hidden behind a few potted plants and bushes, but there was not much to hide anyway.4

The members did not really smoke, though some sniffed glue, so one would not suspect anything, in fact, passer-bys often passed through this way. The only bad thing was that it was noisy because of the traffic on the highway.5

Kenny consulted his watch.6

“You’re late, dude.”7

Justin emerged from behind a bush, grinning.8

“Bah, you could always go without me.” He chuckled, nudging Kenny. 9

Due to his agility and smallness in size, Justin was valued as natural thief. His previous gangs did not realise his full potential.10

Murder Zone, a new gang, accepted him as they were different. They specialised in thieving. Already, he had already proven himself in recent missions. Being one of the oldest and most experienced members in the gang, there was much talk that he would take over Leonard’s place once the latter left for army. 11

Leonard cleared his throat. Immediately, the gang was quiet and they gathered around him.12

“Guys.” He paused, until whispers ceased into complete silence.13

“Today’s real. Today, we prove ourselves. We may be a mere eleven people, who got together just about two months ago. But we are more. Today, we don’t gather for the usual. No more thieving around. Today, we rob the bank.”14

The gang roared in anticipation. One of the members took the tops of the trash cans and used them as cymbals, and the gang cheered louder.15

...................................................................16

She once had a family. Sandra took the photo out of the album, brushing away some of the dust.17

Did she? The past seemed so faraway now. Her parent’s faces, voices – she could hardly recognise, all the memories had faded into obscurity, moments lost – never to be relived.18

But as she looked at the photo, something in her sparked. About eight years ago. When she was just twelve and Justin, seven.19

She had been wearing her best red dress, starched to the point that it stood up like a tent. Remembering to flaunt her newly-bought trinkets on her fingers, she posed with her fingers pressed against her cheeks, her mouth agape, in an attempt to pull off the innocent princess look.20

Then, there was Justin in the middle, not even looking at the camera, looking a bit lost. Mum probably looked the best. Her face contained not a single line of worry, as youth had not forsaken her. She looked so young, people often thought Sandra and her were sisters.21

Sandra remembered that when she was young, she always amazed and proud of her mother. Successful and pretty, her mother was someone she looked up to and someone she wanted to be.22

If only she could manage like her mother, she thought grimly. Trying not to think about the present, she reverted her attention back to the photo.23

Who had taken the photo? Her father, of course. She paused. Was it that night? She examined the photo again, deep in thought. Yes, it was that very special Christmas night.24

The living room was dimly lit, most of the light coming from the blinking lights on the Christmas tree. The children sat at the table, squirming in their seats, as they waited for their mother to come with the roasted turkey from the kitchen.25

Justin had his eyes planted on the ice-cream on the far end of the table, while the older sister gazed at the Christmas tree, for they had a new one that year. Finally, the oven beeped from the kitchen and the turkey was brought out into the room. The warm smell of Christmas flooded the room.26

“Now it smells like Christmas, too,” Sandra said, contently. Justin came out of his reverie.27

“Why can’t Daddy join us tonight?”28

Mrs. Anderson beamed and caressed her son’s cheek.29

“He’s away at work,” she whispered.30

“Even on Christmas eve?” The boy frowned, stroking his teddy bear.31

She thought quickly and said, “He helps Santa.” Sandra giggled but the mother gave her quick glance to remind her not to give it away.32

He peeped at his sister’s dancing eyes and said, “I don’t believe in Santa.” Even then, he looked uncertain and he hugged his teddy tighter for reassurance.33

“Come on, Justin. Put your teddy away and let’s say grace.”34

“Dear Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies…”35

“HEY!” A voice burst out from the hallway and everyone jerked up from prayer.36

“Daddy!” Justin jumped out of his chair and ran into the arms of the grinning father.37

“Mummy said that…” He covered his mouth, almost admitting existence of Santa.38

“Say it, that you believe in Santa!” teased the elder sister.39

Mrs. Anderson just stood shocked, her mouth wide open.40

“I thought you said that you would be working overtime.”41

The father got up and walked to the dinner table. He shrugged his shoulders and lifted his eyes to meet Mrs. Anderson’s.42

“Oh, so I’m not wanted here?” he said, jokingly. The son clasped his hands around his father’s legs.43

“Well, luckily, I cooked a bit more tonight, so there’s still your share.”44

“Bah, you were expecting me,” he sighed. The whole family laughed and they started on their Christmas dinner.45

Eight years ago.46

It was a lovely dinner, Sandra recalled, putting the photo back in the album. After the dinner, everybody took turns to tell jokes and then, her mother played Christmas carols on the piano, while the whole family sang in unison.47

Her parents, how she wished they were alive again. Then she would not be alone. Even Justin was hardly in the house nowadays.48

She felt a sob rise up as she could not help but wonder if she was going to spend that year’s coming Christmas alone, but she suppressed it easily and went back to the photos.49