14 Years Ago

What he didn't know was that, she did remember that time, though not every little detail. When she was 7, she was shot by a bullet in her stomach. She didn't really knew why she got shot. The only thing she knew was she wasn't supposed to be the one to receive the bullet. She was supposed to be far from danger.

-14 years ago-

It was a cool and not-so-windy day. Just right for a good and relaxing All Hallow's Eve on October 31st.

A little boy was running towards Liana who was playing with the fake knife. She was going to prank Zi Xin yet she didn't have her chance when the little boy jumped on her and attacked her.

"not fair Zi Xin! You were able to prank me!" she screamed at the boy who was making weird faces. The little boy then hugged her to make her good.

"okay, I'll give you the good chocolates as a compensation. Deal?" he took out his hand and waited for her to agree.

She thought for a long time and decided to play with him. She pushed his hand away and refused. "No and No means no," she straightly said.

Zi Xin groaned and tried to talk to her. He slapped himself for jumping on her and making fun of her. He trailed behind her as she ignored him completely.

"what's wrong Liana?" Grandma Li asked as she scooped her up. Zi Xin sat beside her, just admiring the little girl.

"Zi Xin didn't let me prank him," she bawled.

Zi Xin looked so guilty and was sorry to some extent that he stood up and hugged her. Even if she was pushing him, he didn't move an inch.

"I'm really sorry Liana. I'll make it up to you. I'll give you all the chocolates and candies. I'll buy you ice cream too. I'll just have to ask to ask my siblings," he patiently waited for her answer.

He knew what was best to do for her. She had rules that she made him memorize and the most important rule was to give her food whenever she was sad.

She stuck out her pinky and said, " okay, do you promise? " he immediately secured their promise. She smiled and hugged him back.

Later that evening, they were lining outside. Nathaniel, Niko, Nixon and Nicholas were there, trying to blend with the kids. Nathaniel even brought her girlfriend, Rebecca. She always favored Liana and treated her as her little sister and almost as her own child.

"Liana! Stay in the line babygirl," Rebecca called, pointing at the girl who was actually dancing with Zi Xin.

She sighed and fall back in line, hearing her bossy sister. "okay Rebecca!"

Just as they were about to give out the sweets they heard gunshots. Immediately, the parents scooped their children and ran away for their lives. Zi Xin tried to grab her but she was just standing, unaware.

In fact, she didn't know what to do. Whenever she gets scared, she stays on her spot and takes time for her to process, before she could move.

The little boy was desperately grabbing her but she didn't move. When she did, she ran towards Nathaniel and then, there was a loud piercing noise.

Rebecca cried. She closed her eyes and prayed. When the armed forces were gone she ran as fast as she could to approach Liana.

"Rebecca, hurry!"

She scooped her carefully and placed her on the car. She let her lay down on the back seat.

She was trembling unsure of what to do. She was always told to put pressure to prevent blood loss.

"oh my gosh, babygirl!"

Niko secured his other siblings and called their parents. All rushed to White Hospital. While they were waiting, they were praying for the success of the surgery. Each expressed their own sadness in a common way except Nathaniel.

He was just standing motionless. He was as if, as statue. He blamed himself for what happened to her. If she didn't ran towards him, she wouldn't get shot.

Tears formed in his eyes but they weren't streaming down. His eyes got red and still.

Rebecca looked at her boyfriend and hugged him. She knew what she was going through. They were all going through the same thing.

"I uhh...I-it's m-my fault," he whispered, his grip on her waist tightened.

She slowly rubbed his back in attempt to reassure him but no matter what she did, nothing can reassure him anymore. He made up his mind. His statement was correct and solid. If she didn't ran to him, he would've get shot and she would've been safer than ever.

"Mom...I'm so sorry," his voice cracked as his tears finally trickled down on his cheeks.

Karina looked at her eldest son sadly and with pure admiration for him. "I don't blame you," Rebecca quietly sat down and let them have a moment as she took the time to pray and ask for help.

After a long surgery, the doctor finally approached them.

Everyone got up from their seats and waited for his announcement. Rebecca tightly clutched her hands together while praying for the better.