As a kid, it was always easy to tell myself, “When I grow up, I’m never going to be like Mum and Dad.” In retrospect, parents don’t have it easy. 

There’s a thousand and one ways in which things could go wrong. Most of the time, those wrong things are just small ripples in the current of time that eventually rights itself again. And then, there are those rare occasions - those that you never think will happen to you - where the small ripples are compounded and cause a large tidal wave that leaves nothing but destruction.

A long time ago, my dad told me of one such occasion. Now, each time I look at my kid, I tell myself this.

Remember.

Remember the events that happened thirty years ago which shattered the peace and quiet of that little town nestled far away from prying eyes.

No one knows where in the world it actually happened or who were involved. What matters is how and why everything spiraled out of control. So I tell you this story now the same way my dad did. And I want you to close your eyes and keep an open mind.

Disregard race, religion, culture, nationality. This is a story of technology, parenthood, and morality.

A story of love, choice, and death - the devil’s love triangle.

Together with the twinkling stars above, the artificial illumination of the city’s skyscrapers bathed the night sky in a dazzling light show. Sandra always thought the city lights outshone the stars - their glow was so bright and strong. It’s why she loved the city more than her small, quiet hometown in the middle of nowhere. 

With one hand gripping the handle of her single trolley bag, she looked out the floor-to-ceiling glass pane at the set of blinking lights illuminating the runway below. Her gaze followed a plane speed down the long runway and take off. Within seconds, it was lost in the sky, just another dot blanketing the dark canvas. 

Sandra sighed. When she was a kid, she had dreamt of flying in a plane and going somewhere magical. She was only 16 when that dream came true.. Or so she thought.

Now here she was, back at the same spot, watching her high-flying career come to a heart-wrenching stop. 

No. She shook her head. She must not think that way. This was just a small downturn, another obstacle to overcome like the rest. Everything would be back to normal - she just had to lie low for the next few months.

Everything would be normal.

Normal was the new boring, Thomas thought as he yawned. He rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand. From his desk situated smack dab at the front of the police station, he leaned back and appraised the small, crowded room with the sullen disapproval of a veteran who has seen better days.

Everything in the room screamed “old”, from the peeling white paint to the squeaking of the overhead fans. The faded billboard hanging on the wall was almost empty, save for a few community announcements. A single movable whiteboard meant for discussing and placing information of cases was covered with scribbles of routine tasks.

He looked around at the half dozen desks or so and their owners. Most of his colleagues were at least middle-aged and they were often not at their desks - choosing to spend time chit-chatting with each other around the pantry at the back. Unfortunately, he couldn’t flaw them for that.

After all, in their small town where everyone knew each other, big crime cases were almost non-existent. Save for the one in 1973 where some guy blew up a pinkie for stealing chickens.

The crimes they dealt with these days were typically disturbance of peace and quiet, and the occasional vandalism. The most severe case they had was that of shoplifting.

Never a sniff of drugs, or arson, or homicide.

That was why he had left his home town for better prospects in the city several years back. Young and full of vitality, he had poured all his energy into his job, even if it was just directing traffic and writing tickets. Maybe, just maybe, he had been a bit too overzealous and gave the wrong person a ticket. He had not thought he was in the wrong - still didn’t - and the price to pay for his pride had been a demotion.

Back home now, he was considered the young rookie by his colleagues. The eager one who had lots to learn. But he knew he had the mettle to be a good cop. He just needed the right case to prove it. Tough luck getting that here in “dead town”.

The front door burst open just then, letting in a blast of hot air. A rotund, middle-aged woman with short cropped hair marched in, her police cap sandwiched under her arm. She slapped her pudgy hands on Thomas’s desk.

“We have a big case,” she announced sharply. Her voice boomed in the small room and Thomas snapped up in his chair. A wide grin lit his face and his eyes danced with excitement.

“What happened? Is it a bank robbery? Street mugging?? Murder???” Questions tumbling out, Thomas could barely quell the energy bubbling within him.

The woman’s jowls quivered uncontrollably until she finally burst into laughter. When her guffaws died down a little, she shook her head and said, “I’m just teasing you, Thomas. Nothing happened.”

Thomas deflated. His lips turning down into a scowl, he complained, “That’s not cool, Marsha. You had me really pumped up for nothing.”

“I wanted to see your reaction,” she chuckled.

Unable to remain mad at her, his expression melted into a mixture of resignation and disappointment. “It’s just.. you know how much I want to work on a big case.”

“I know.” She flashed him a maternal smile and patted him on the shoulder.

Returning her smile, Thomas sank back in his chair.

“But on a more serious note..” Marsha’s expression turned somber. “It’s good there are no big cases in this town. And I hope it remains that way.”

“Yeah,” Thomas replied half-heartedly.

Marsha nodded. “Well, back to work,” she said chirpily before walking over to her own desk.

Thomas’s gaze followed her before flitting back to the glass door and the monotonous view outside. Under his breath, he muttered, “I still hope something big happens for once.”

“Just something.”