We returned to the Roen Tower as the sun almost set. Warm glow filled the lobby as we entered. Luc was standing in the middle of it as if she had been waiting for us the whole time since we left in the morning. Abe led the way as children followed him. They were visibly tired, but also looked like they'd had the best day of their lives. Luc then approached me with her floaty strides and informed me.
"There will be a short PR event. Just a quick photo session."
That made me instantly groan.
"Does it really have to be now?"
"The parents have been waiting."
Luc then turned her head, and as I followed her gaze I saw a large group of men and women being ushered to one side of the lobby by the staff. As children saw them, there were excited shouts of 'Mommy' and 'Daddy'.
"I… did not want this to be a PR event. "I just wanted to make them happy…"
"Today is a special day for them. The parents are incredibly proud their children had been chosen. It wouldn't hurt to allow them something to keep as a memory."
Luc's explanation won me over, so I agreed.
"I see, let's do it then."
We then walked over to where the parents were, but they were made to stand behind red velvet rope barriers. Some of them were waving to their children, while some stood with their hands clasped in front of their chest, as if this was as significant and proud moment for them as attending their children's graduation.
Whether I deserved it or not, I knew I had to accept my significance for them. If I could play my part and make them happy, I should.
I was still holding Bada's hand, who had been clinging to me even more than before. She had found her mother among the crowd and waved at her. Our eyes met and the grateful smile on her face and happiness she felt for her daughter made me feel that I did, and was doing the right thing.
Cameras were already set up on tripods and there were multiple photographers ready to take photos. A stylist approached me with a makeup artist. Despite my initial protest, they managed to convince me by saying that they would absolutely make sure that I look as natural as possible.
Cain and Abe stood some distance away, so I suggested to Luc.
"Can they also be in the picture?"
"No. Security reasons," Luc firmly refused.
I thought it was a pity considering that they also deserved to be part of the memory for these children. But I did not insist.
It wasn't an easy task to get children to line up neatly while they were buzzing around, but eventually we managed. All the kids wanted to stand next to me, but Bada was having none of it. She held onto my hand tightly to ensure that her place won't be taken. I felt proud to see that she was standing on her ground. In the end, we decided to take a photo with me surrounded by all the children like bees flocking to a flower. I accepted my position in the center for today. I, too, was standing my ground against my own shyness too.
"Alright, just a few more shots!" the Creative Director I recognized from the PR photoshoot I did before announced.
A perfect picture to mark a perfect ending for a perfect day.
"Chee-"
But before the word could finish, there was an extremely loud sound - bang.
I suddenly found myself on the ground with Luc lurched over me, and heard more foot steps running toward me. Luc's body was now pressing down against me as Cain and Abe threw their bodies on top of Luc.
I heard panicked screams. I tried to poke my head out to see what's going on but Luc instantly forced my head down to stop me from writhing around. From a very slight gap in the pile of bodies I was now buried under, I saw Bada laying on the ground with blood blooming across her small dress.
"No!" I screamed.
With the strength that I had never felt in my life before, I managed to wiggle my way out of Luc's embrace. Cain and Abe tried to catch me and hold me back, but I was quick to run to Bada and kneel next to her. From the corner of my eye I saw Bada's Mom run toward us too, but she was quickly stopped by Cain who forcibly held her back.
"Bada-. Oh my God. No. No!"
I pressed on her chest where the blood was flowing out. She was still alive. Her eyes were searching for help. Her hands were twitching and legs spasmed. She coughed out of blood, and the thick crimson liquid was forming a pool underneath.
"Hang in there!"
I looked up and looked around, my eyes were also desperately searching for help - a miracle.
"Somebody! Somebody help!"
My heart was pounding inside my head. My eyes were pulsating. Tears exploded as I looked down at Bada again. It felt like her life was escaping through her eyes.
"Luc! Please-! Do something!"
There were still people screaming and running, the lobby was filled with panic. Amdist this chaos, Luc stood still. She was just a few steps away from me, but her eyes were fixed on me, not on the dying child.
"Please, Luc. Please-. We can't… we can't let her…"
I couldn't force myself to say the word.
"Stay awake, Bada. I'll save you. I'll find a way-. No! Don't-, don't close your eyes!"
But there was nothing I could do. I looked around again. Cain stood with a solemn face while holding Bada's mother back. Abe was close to me with his eyes full of pity and sympathy. Luc stood still. Motionless. Still looking at me.
I let out a primal scream.
I never wanted a miracle this badly in my life.
I was willing to give.
I was willing to give anything and everything to save this girl.
Bada couldn't say a word as blood kept on flowing out of her mouth. Her hands were twitching less. Her body spasmed less. I could feel it. She was dying. The little girl who loved sea animals. The little girl who drew a shark like a seal. The one who promised to draw me next to a manta ray.
"Luc! Please… I can't… I can't…"
I could no longer bear to look at the dying girl. There was nothing anyone can do now. My eyes were now only fixed on Luc as if she was some kind of a savior who could bring a miracle. It was irrational, futile. But I was breaking down. I felt like Bada would die the moment I lost hope and gave up. I owed it to her. I owed it to her to not give up and pray for a miracle even if such a thing couldn't happen in this world.
I saw that Luc's fingers twitched once, then stilled.
Then she took in a slow, deep breath, closing her eyes.
"Bo-, Boss…?" Abe stuttered.
Luc said nothing. She kept her eyes closed like that for a moment. I felt like all the screaming sound in the lobby were vanishing. There was only Luc, standing a few steps away from Bada and I.
"Luc… please…"
Then she opened her eyes.
Her eyes reflected nothing.
They contained nothing.
They were infinite.
Then Luc said the word.
Just one word.
A word that commanded the world.
"Darkness."