Don't Cry
Neil looked back at the shophouse. It was as if he was watching all his hopes and dreams burning up into ashes. A distant memory he had buried deep within himself threatened to resurface.
The voices of his loved ones who had departed in a fire echoed in his mind. Neil remembered the anger he felt. He remembered the helplessness he felt. Just like then, all hope was lost.
"What is going on here?!" a familiar voice shot through the crowd.
The crowd parted way. Neil knew who it was. It was Laina. As she made her way to the front, Neil watched for her expression. Her eyebrows were furrowed. She was looking straight at him.
Neil could see it. Laina would never forgive him for what had happened. She was going to be the same as the other adults.
After all, who would trust the words of a child?
"Miss Laina, I'm so-" Neil never had a chance to finish his apology.
All he could feel was a warm embrace.