NOVEL NEXT Chapter 53: The Clue?
[POV Bai Chang]
I keep on reading the snippets as I try to pull together the first part of the code.
It turns out to be a massive word complex. I am fascinated by the Bai family couple. They really knew their stuff.
After solving the first half of the word complex, I get my first view of their story.
***
"It has been some time since we started keeping our journal, the story we tell may not be relevant one but it is of utter significance to our daughter.
Our love child just became victim to our greed. We need to give it back to her."
.
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"Today Chang Chang took her first steps, can you believe she is only five months old …"
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"It is so hot; the sun is not showing any mercy to fellow living beings. Is it trying to burn us? Does it want to rid us of our shame?"
.
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"Today, John visited our research facility. I don't understand his objective behind it!"
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"My dear Chang Chang, if you ever get to read this in future; know that your parents loved you a lot. We did commit our own mistakes and paid dearly for the folly we made. We never meant for what happened to you, to happen!
Trust you, parents, once more.
If you can read us, then you are better aware of what happened to you. The key lies with you. My pretty Chang Chang you hold the future in your own hands."
***
I am dumbfounded with the initial messages left.
'Did they know about the Star Time System?'
'Who are they? Why do they seem to be aware of my presence?'
'Are they really Bai Chang's parents?'
'What do they mean that I hold the key to the future?'
Amongst my entire query my shoulders stiffen, a chill runs down my spine. I question myself, "Who am I?" As I question myself aloud. I realise the scariness of the concept.
'No, I can't conclude these journals of words alone.'
(Where the hell are you Feling? It's time to leave your rabbit hole and follow the trails.)
A surge of warmth drives away the chill from my body.
"Have something to eat, it's been a long time that you are at it," Qiang spoke in my ears as he massaged my stiff shoulders. Driving away from the lingering chill within my body.
'I am not alone here.' I reminded myself.
"It is chilly today. Can we light the fireplace?"
At my random question, he is caught by surprise but soon catches up with my intention.
"Sure, I will get the fireplace cracking."
(It's good to have a smart person as your life partner, as a lot of the things could be explained in a few words among us.
Qiang's back looks so reliable.)
I looked on as he prepared the fireplace. He got to the woods and started a fire. Then kept poking the logs with a long wrought iron poker. It had a polished silver knob at its end. My eyes were attached to that shiny knob.
As the fire blazed out and devoured more of the logs, I moved towards the fireplace and fed the papers left by my parents to the fire.
It blazed more angrily. The fire leapt high in the palace and rushed towards the papers placed in its belly.
It devoured all those words and memories of Bai Chang's parents; entirely, sincerely without even burping once.
I watched on, as I saw them get burned to nothingness in front of me.