Prologue: Relief

In the cold hallways of a hospital, there sat a shrill woman who seemed to have once had beautiful features, however now it has been lost in time. The benches were cold, only the place where she had sat was warm from her body heat. Her expression was unsettling, eyes wide with disbelief, head in her hands, mouth opened ever so slightly.

She was muttering something, "Why did I bring him here? I should have left him alone… just like always. I-… am I trying to rid myself of this guilt and misery?"

Suddenly an apologetic voice interrupted her inner monologue, "Ms. Cheng, we're sorry for your lost. We could not save him, he was severely ill and it was too late to cure…"

Before the doctor could even finish, the woman stood up, her eyes bloodshot, "He- my son, he passed away? He's gone? Is it true? Is it… Is it… It Is…?"

The doctor tried to settle her down, while comforting her, "Yes, we're very sorry we couldn't save him,it was too late-"

Without batting an eye to the doctor, the woman put her head between her hands, leaned back and laughed hysterically. It wasn't out of grief or guilt, but out of relief.

"He's finally gone!"