Sixty years ago

"...Remember me and smile for it's better to forget than remember me and cry...."- Dr.Seuss

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"Agent Leon, we need to do it before Christmas."

Leon Wen sat in the underground cell looking through the documents his senior had given him. Leon was tall with dark black hair neatly brushed away to reveal his calm handsome face. He had all the looks of a young man who was sure of his life's calling. He did his job well and his seniors were proud of him.

"We have tried assassinating him five times. All five times he escaped without so much as a scratch! That is not mere luck is it?" His senior was pacing up and down inside the cell complaining non-stop. He was wearing a red shiny coat because he was from the circus. He worked in the circus during day time, at night he was the head of the underground pro-democracy red corps. The circus was a neat cover-up.

Leon Wen neatly folded the documents and placed them in his coat. Then from another pocket, he took out a revolver and began cleaning it with his handkerchief. He was a neat freak.

"I can do it." He said looking up at the red coat man.

His senior stopped short and bent down to pat Leon on the shoulder. "We cannot afford another mistake agent Leon. I trust that you are the man for the job. General Tyson is a pain. He still rules over the west coast like a king, he already fished out the location of our blue corps, and killed our men without trial."

"He's going to come after us next," said Leon putting away the revolver and getting up. "After I finish the job, I will leave the west coast with my good friend Alberto..and go to my hometown 'coz I heard he has no family, will spend Christmas there, and come back after west calms down. And you should stay underground and warn our other men."

The red coat senior nodded his head and saw him off.

That night the whole of the west coast was in an uproar. General Tyson had been assassinated. The common men and pro-democracy parties rejoiced though not openly. This was only the first step towards ending the twenty-year-long military dictatorship in the country.

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"Hurry up," Alberto screamed as Leon Wen got into his car. They rode off at top speed. Alberto was twenty-something with a lean figure and dark wavy bangs that covered his forehead, his large eyes were filled with the fear of a young man seeing his imminent death. The lower half of his face was covered with a mask.

"There are two military vehicles behind us, better take the intersection down cv road," said Leon whose face was fully covered leaving only his eyes. He took his gun and aimed at the driver of the vehicle right behind him. Two shots and it hit the mark, the military vehicle came to a standstill. The other vehicle continued chasing after them and Leon noted with some disappointment that he had only one bullet left.

"They haven't seen our faces yet, we have still got a chance. When we reach the hill intersection you should jump out." Said Leon.

"What?" asked Alberto in horror.

"The cliff is not very steep, you will be able to survive, "Leon reassured him, pushing the gun into Alberto's hands and taking the wheel from him.

"What about you?" Before Alberto asked Leon had pushed him out of the car and he fell down the cliff clutching at the gun. Like Leon had predicted, the cliff was not very tall and he landed safely in a pile of snow. Meanwhile, the soldiers continued chasing after Leon and before long had caught up with him, for the roads were covered with snow, making movement impossible for both parties. Leon drove his car backward hitting the military vehicle at top speed, only one soldier managed to escape, the rest two were killed instantly.

Alberto had by then come right behind them.

He shouted "Leon Wen! No!"

But it was too late. The escaped soldier got up and aimed his gun at Leon. He shot several times at Leon before Alberto shot the last bullet through the soldier's head.

Alberto ran down to his dying friend who was lying in a pool of blood.

"No..don't die..you can't die Leon..." said Alberto trying to pick him back up.

But Leon could only barely keep his eyes open. He used the last bit of his life energy to take Alberto's hand and let out his last words.

"Alberto, listen...I promised my parents I would come back for Christmas, but.... it looks like I cannot make it... I lived a good life while you were an orphan..now listen...you should go to my hometown and live as Leon Wen, that is your name from now on..."

"No, no...." Alberto cried shaking his head.

"Tell them I'm sorry. Tell them that you are their Leon Wen, they would under..stand...wish them .....Merry Christmas...." Leon finished his words and let out a sigh.

Alberto then felt his friend's hand turn cold and saw the life go out of his eyes. He let the hand slip and sobbed bitterly.

Alberto did as his friend requested. Took up his name and took care of his parents. Many years later while narrating the events of the freedom struggle to his granddaughter, he would not narrate this particular chapter of his life as it was too painful to recollect.