End of Life

< 7 years ago >

Standing at the edge of the rooftop, looking at the beautiful city lights. It may be beautiful but it was nothing compared to shining stars. She reached out towards the skies and the stars reflected her beautiful blue ocean eyes. "I want to go there. I want to see you, mama."

Just one step and it would take her there. She closed her eyes and braced herself. Her foot dangling as she was about to take that step to paradise when someone called out to her.

"Hey!"

She turned around and saw a boy with dark brown eyes keeping his hands inside his pockets.

His laid back air matched his average body proportion. But his black and gold rim glasses gave him a sharp look. He sighed and said, "I just found this place. I don't want people jumping off of it. It might give me bad karma and to my career."

She confusedly looked at him but she then did step back from the edge and bowed. "Sorry. I will find somewhere else."

Seeing her teary eyes, his heart pricked. " Look, I don't know what your problems are and I don't want to pry nor meddle, but life isn't short nor it isn't long. Instead of running away, why don't you face it? Running away just brings more trouble." Even though he made it clear that he didn't care, his tone gave him away.

His words struck her heart. She made an awkward smile and took one last look at the ground. She looked at the boy and said, "Help me...", 'I'm lost.'

The boy scanned the girl from head to toe. She was around the same age as him maybe a year younger. Her face was like an angel, particularly her pair of ocean blue eyes. 'What kind of problems does this girl have? With her looks, she could get everything she wants.'

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Zhou… Zhou Qinyang," she replied.

"I'm Luciel Wang."

Qinyang took a step forward towards the boy. "Are you going to help me?"

"Why should I help you?" He said as he placed a bubble gum in his mouth. Luciel then placed his hands back to his pockets and gazed at the girl. 'She must have run away from home.'

Qinyang scanned the boy from head to toe; she raised her eyebrow. "You don't have money and you're struggling to get by."

"How do you know that, just by looking at me? What if I am actually rich?" Luciel looked for a place to sit down. He walked towards the stacked wooden crates and sat crossed legged. 'She must be good at observation.'

Qinyang leaned on the edge and smiled. "You bought those clothes at the thrift shop below. There are crumbs on your cheek. Moreover, you smell like… cup noodles. Haven't you had a proper meal?"

Before Luciel could come up with something to explain himself, his stomach did not do him justice. Luciel placed his hand over his stomach as his face turned red. He looked away, afraid that Qinyang was going to burst out of laughter.

"So what if you have good observation skills?" Luciel glared at her.

Qinyang gave him a cut-to-the-chase look, seeing that what she said had caught his attention.

Luciel looked at her suspiciously. 'Can she really? Can I trust her?' he thought and then said, "Tell me what are your problems first. Also... how would I know you are not some CIA or FBI agent?"

She looked at him sternly. "Can you... hide my identity?"

"Your problems must be really big then to request something like that. Suppose I could, what's in it for me, though?"

"I can help you earn more money."

That statement made him laugh on the inside. "And how are you supposed to do that?" Luciel asked.

"With my ability, of course. Just as you've said, I have good observation skills. I am also pretty good at doing business deals, plus I'll pay for your meals," she said with confidence.

"Also, I'm not some sketchy person, I can assure you, I'm just 18 years old. My problem isn't something that can be solved just by hiding my identity. I just want to stop running and not want to be disturbed for a moment. " Qinyang said as her shoulders plopped down. Her eyes began to show weariness while looking at the Luciel with a half-baked smile.

________________

The middle-aged man, standing near the door, got surprised as his son was stomping past him. It's his first time seeing his son like that. "Lee Junting! What's wrong with you? Don't you know how to pay respect anymore?"

Junting stopped his tracks and bowed at his father. "I'm home, father."

The man nodded and invited the boy to sit down. "What is wrong? Did something happen in the office?"

"Father, could someone disappear without a trail?" he looked at his father seriously and clenched his fists. Thinking of the news he received earlier today, he sighed.

"No. Not in my life yet. Maybe if they are dead, probably. Why do you ask?"

Junting looked away from his father. "I'm looking for someone. I even asked professionals but I can't seem to find that person. She just vanished like she didn't even exist."

"That shouldn't be possible. Are you sure this person exists in the first place?" the father's ears perked up at this interesting conversation.

Junting sighed and said, "Yes. This person is a friend of mine. She suddenly disappears one day. Look, if you can't help me, I'm going upstairs." Junting stood up and left.

Before Junting's figure disappear from his father's sight, his father said, "Junting, Richard Bach once said, 'Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.' "

Junting stopped for a moment and thought about what his father said. 'If fate allows, we will meet again. When that happens, I will not let you go again.'