2 Chapter 1: Lingering Goodbye

I walk around the house aimlessly, bored out of my mind without my mother being home. This is the first birthday I would be celebrating without dad. I run my hand along the wall as I stare at some old family photos.

Each corner and crevice of the house just emanated Dad's creative touch. My father was an explorer and historian. He had many stories of his travels, I never heard the same story twice.. Unless I begged to hear it again.

I push my door open and make my way towards my bed, flopping flat on my stomach, minorly thankful for my place in the itty-bitty committee.

Staring at my sheets, I could not help but remember the day dad and I tie-dyed it red, white and black. We even ruined our clothes with the dye fight we had in the yard later that day... Mom was so angry with us, but she joined in almost immediately after dad launched his first assault. I can't forget how happy my parents were together; or the way she used to smile at dad. I haven't seen her smile that bright for months, and I am scared I never will again... 

I look around the room in attempt to distract myself with my familiar surroundings. Dark wood shelves line the red walls from floor to ceiling. The empty spaces are plastered with posters and paintings, with either modern or ancient artistic techniques. Each tier of the shelves teem with photographs or small trinkets dad brought back from expeditions in Mongolia, China and Japan.

My little nook sat it the far corner of my room next to the large window, dressed in sheer curtains of varying swirls of crimson and snow white. Books upon books reach for the ceiling, flanking either wall. Two red bean chairs and a tiny table rest between the shelves. Three books sit stacked on that little tabletop, waiting to be cracked open by their next reader.

I roll onto my back and stare up at the wooden posts that pierce the air above me. I spent ages pestering my father to commission Mr. Choi to craft us two bedframes. And by my 13th birthday dad finally gave in! I remember how excited Dad and I both were when Mr. Choi finally shipped them to us.

Mine is fashioned like one out of the Tang dynasty; a four-poster bed with delicate curves, topped with hazy drapes for privacy. White wasn't historically accurate, but we felt it complimented my style nicely.

Today is our birthday. When we'd fill the house with fantastic scents, and pig out on the sharp smooth flavors of his favorite childhood meals. Delicacies that soon became the favourite dishes of both my mom and I. We would cook all day together and later feast on the bounty we created. This was one of many traditions we carried out each year, traditions I will never forget.

It's been a little over a year since he passed, the second year in a row we couldn't celebrate like we used to. After his last expedition he got sick, really sick. He was in the hospital for over a year, stumping even the best of the US doctors for a treatment plan, let alone a diagnosis.

Even mom remained stumped on his diagnosis; the blackening of his veins towards the end of the year, completely threw the doctors into a tailspin. There will always be so much I regret, so much more I wish I learned.

I could not stop thinking about the little gift my mother left on my nightstand this morning, so I rolled over and inspected it again for the umpteenth time today. I re-read the neon pink sticky-note she slapped on top of the gold wrapping paper, hoping I'd be able to wait until she got back to open the mystery gift.

Happy 16th birthday my beautiful girl! I know how big of deal this is for you... I'm sorry I couldn't be with you when you open the gift. I was called in early at the hospital for an emergency surgery. See you when I get home for a proper birthday celebration,

 Mom

I shake my head smiling, plastering the note on my nightstand. I check the time on my phone and throw in off to the side of my bed in defeat. It's nearly noon, who knows when she will get home. I decide I cannot wait any longer. Despite being a general surgeon, she could never figure out how to wrap gifts, so I already knew dad must have wrapped it before his hospital stay.

I grab the foil wrapped present and tear into it. I realize immediately that it wasn't a box at all. But an intricate leather bound book, one I had once seen long ago, bearing the crest of an ancient, fallen clan. The imprint still looked fresh despite how old this book must have been. The deep green shade of the ink, the geometric dragon pattern, paired with the three arranged characters clearly pointed to that of the Tang Dynasty.

I tear up as I lift the book from its entanglements. This was a specimen he wouldn't allow me to touch, and one he never allowed the museum to have. The very book he had shown me on that trip all those years ago.

I gently open the book and an envelope slips out. I pick it up and open it, only to find a ring, a key and a letter nestled inside. I pull out the note and recognize my father's handwriting immediately.

Happy birthday my little fireball! I love you with all my heart. Never forget how proud I am of you. I had no idea that I wouldn't be here with you so early on in your life. I've never written a letter to someone who will read it once I'm gone. I have no idea how to write this without being cliche. I hope you and your mom are well. I hope you guys miss me as much as I miss you, then again I don't know what I'm capable of in the afterlife. Be safe in life and be you, the world will buckle beneath your inner strength. I bestow this book and the enclosed items to inspire you to carry on in my footsteps. With love,

Dad

Dad... How I miss you and your wise cracks when I felt like this. I wish I could see you one last time. Have you teach me how to drive and make your not-so secret, secret dumplings again. Or have you scare the crap out of the first boy I bring home, or have you help me and mom pick out a graduation dress.

I set the note aside gingerly, making an effort to tilt my head back, no tears are falling today. Today is a happy day, Dad gave you something very special. I pry open the envelope again and pluck the pale green ring out. I begin to inspect what he enclosed and try to recall the miniature lesson of characters he taught me. But I couldn't remember anything. He knew Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Archaic Chinese. I had no idea what these engraved characters said. 

With the memory fleeting I admire the jade ring for what it is, fine craftsmanship. I reach for my phone to get a picture, hopefully to translate it, but I couldn't get a clear image. I toss my phone back to its time out corner and run my finger over it.

I wonder if this ring will fit me, does dad even know my ring size? As I slide the ring onto my finger, it fits like a glove. Once it rests beneath my knuckle the cool jade heats up quickly and a searing hot sensation drives all the way through my hand. I clamber to pull off the ring, but my limbs move like lead. My tongue is heavy and thick, almost like my mouth is filled with cotton. My thoughts and my vision blur themselves, finally darkening into nothingness.

I roll onto my side gingerly, my eyes still shut tightly and cool stone presses against any of my exposed flesh beneath me. I could hear the soft rustling of leaves and flowing water.

Once I open my eyes my vision is blurry, and I feel sluggish. I look up at the blackened sky and the moon glares down at me between rolling dark clouds. Beneath the haze of shrouded moonlight, I realize where I am.

I stand slowly against my will and look around. The very same view from that fateful night; the lake that seemed to stretch forever, the riverbank is still flanked by giant fluffy plum blossom trees, that flowed with the sudden breeze.

I somehow currently stood on the very bridge that rests in Tortoise Head garden in Wuxi, China. The very first time we ever traveled all together, dad took me here to show me the ancient book I now know he saved for me. That was the first night he truly and openly shared his thoughts, his passions and his hopes about his future with me.

The tears well up as I reminisce. How was I to know at seven years old, I would only have eight more years with my own father! Tears escape my eyes freely and I wipe at them hastily.

I must have died and this, this is heaven. But why here..

Where is the jade Emperor and his many goddesses? And the palace filled with ten thousand rooms, teeming with the forgotten rulers of old, all dining with the jade Emperor himself. I would have thought there would be golden beasts protecting us all, waterfalls and endless clouds filled with light. Where is half of the family that already lie here, waiting for the rest of us to join them.. Where is my dad?

As my mind continues to race with all these many questions, a warm hand rests its weight on my shoulder, fingers draping onto my collar bone. I attempt to turn sharply, yet I still turn slower than I want to, my body nearly unresponsive to commands.

He appears in my view and the syrupy time capsule releases me. His tall frame is dressed in his typical clothes: a denim jacket, a grey tee and his bootcut jeans. His face bright and lively, just as I remember him. His sunkissed amber skin, glowing like he was in the sunlight of midday. A beaming smile creases his face and his eyes scrunch into tiny, happy crescents beneath his overgrown fluffy hair and thick lashes.

"Dad!" I jump forward and wrap my arms around his waist.

He strokes my hair, as I bury my head into his chest, the soft cotton fabric doused in the lingering scent of his cologne. The tears begin to sting at my eyes and I drive my head further into him.

"My little fireball" he begins. "You're going to experience many trials when you wake up". He stops stroking my head and pushes me away slightly, kneeling down.

I lower myself to his level, "W-what do you mean?"

"You know I love you right?" He asks urgently, grabbing my hand and running his thumb over the jade ring.

"Of course I do.."

"Then you must listen to me. Remember all of what I have taught you. It will serve you well and keep you safe." He advises.

"I always will"

"You may not remember any of this, but I love you, and I need you to be safe" He says again.

"Safe from what?!" I ask pulling him close, I wrap him into another hug. I'm desperate to keep him in my arms this time.

"Remember that the monsters look like you and me. They are nothing like they are in fairytales" he grimaces.

I stare at him, shaking my head in disbelief. Why is he trying to scare me? I thought I'm going to stay here with him.

He pulls away to look at me. "For Centuries Imperial China was cursed. Families sharing a certain bloodline carried a certain trait, a dangerous trait. A genetic defect that our family contracted hundreds of years ago. We are some of the last of the bloodline. This trait is a kind of magic that was thought to be eradicated ages ago. Many tombs, and artifacts have been found jeopardizing history and the future. Some pieces may be blessed, but many more cursed with a deadly incantation. But with the love I have for the history of my home, our home, it was my duty to keep our history and the future as we know it, safe".

He grabs my hand again, his eyes wild and glittering with the onset of tears, "This journey you are about to embark on changed my life. I do not know where it shall take you, or how long you will be stuck there... But it appears as though you are worthy, my daughter. The ring has chosen the new guardian of our ancestry"

I stare back at him awestruck. And I pull further away. "Our Ancestry?! A Guardian!? why did the ring choose me?!" I demand.

"Always remember that I love you"

"Dad I want to stay here in heaven with you!"

He tries to smile, "This isn't heaven, you'll understand soon enough".

He stands up abruptly, releasing my hand from his grip. "Stay safe for your father" He whispers, his onyx eyes flooding with tears. His figure begins to fade as he backs away towards the treeline. He walks off the bridge, heading down the cobbled path towards the exit of the park.

I run towards him, desperately trying to reach him, "Dad!!" I scream out. "Dad stop!!"

With each step he gets further away, no matter how hard I run. I sidestep onto the grassy hill hoping to gain on him. "Dad please don't leave me again!!!!" I cry out falling to my knees.

His silhouette within the blushing pink trees becomes a faint image on my horizon. But through my tears; he's only a blur.

"Dad come back please!!!" I wail.

The moon also slowly fades away and I'm left in nothing but the shadows again. I curl into a ball, the long grass a soft cushion beneath me as I continue crying out for my father, who I knew couldn't come back.

His words still rang in my ears. "Stay safe for your father"

My body, mind and soul are numb. I melt away into a heap of exhaustion, the only known cure a dreamless slumber. my innermost thoughts, the knowledge of where I am and my ability to see disappear; then even I succumb to the darkness.

K.V