Dear Hallucinations
[A cozy, tidy house was filled with grand preparations. In a small cage, a baby rabbit (kit) hopped around. A young boy in a neat suit stood on his toes, trying to peek at the kit on the table. His small hands gripped the edge, barely lifting himself up.]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Daniel, you're turning 5 today. Shouldn't you be a little less naughty? We wouldn’t want the birthday boy ending up with a broken leg, would we?
(Baby Daniel)
But Mama, I want to see the bunny! I can barely see its cage. [Daniel whined, his little face full of determination. It was his fifth birthday—the one he remembered the most]
[Daniel tried to lift himself off the ground, but his tiny hands couldn't support his weight. Just as he began to fall, a strong hand caught his small arm, steadying him.]
Vincent (Daniel's father)
Daniel, you should listen to your mom [his dad said with a smile, steadying him.] The gift is yours. She bought it just for you. And now, your dad has brought your cake. Aren't you excited?
(Baby Daniel)
Very much! Very much!
[He blew out the candles, and with his parents’ help, he eagerly sliced into the cake. Every bite filled him with joy. In that small house, surrounded by laughter and love, Daniel felt like the center of a perfect little world.]
Vincent (Daniel's father)
Daniel, I want you to learn survival skills from this age. You won’t disappoint your father, will you?
(Baby Daniel)
No, but what should I learn?
Vincent (Daniel's father)
Fighting. I want to make your small fists strong. By the time you're 15, I expect to see you knocking someone down.
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Vincent, stop! He's only five! You can't force him to fight. He's our precious child, and I won't let him walk the same path as you.
Vincent (Daniel's father)
What's wrong with my path? There's power, wealth, respect, and people fear me.
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
I loved you and married you for the person you were before. But now, you're nothing more than a puppet, carrying out orders like a killer. [She paused, noticing Daniel's curious gaze]
No... Daniel will not follow your path. He will focus on his studies, excel, and become someone who inspires others.
Vincent (Daniel's father)
I still love you, Olivia. But you have to accept me for who I am now. And Daniel... he’ll make me proud. Won’t you, son?
(Baby Daniel)
[He held onto the end of his mother's coat, his small voice barely a whisper] Whatever Mama says...
Vincent (Daniel's father)
You won't listen to your father!?
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Daniel, mamma loves you a lot remember?
(Baby Daniel)
[Daniel’s eyes welled up as he watched them argue.] Mama, Papa... I'll listen to both of you [his voice trembling as he tried to stop them]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Let us not discuss this in front of Daniel. Please?
Vincent (Daniel's father)
Daniel, take the cake and go to your room.
(Baby Daniel)
[Daniel flinched. Every night, Daniel awoke to the sound of shouting, his parents locked in yet another argument. He would lie there, in the dark, confined to his room, unable to do anything but listen as his father’s anger spilled over, his mother’s cries muffled by the walls]
[He took a piece of cake in his hand]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Mamma will be back soon, okay? Until then, play with your new friend. [She handed him the kit, gently urging him to go]
(Baby Daniel)
[Daniel walked to his room, the door locked from the outside. He could hear the argument—he couldn’t remember a day when there was no shouting. He gripped the cake tightly, feeling it crumble in his small hands. Helplessness washed over him. Today was supposed to be different. There was something about his world that he didn't understand, but it was painful]
[Daniel released the kit from its cage, watching it hop around excitedly. He chased after it, distracted, his eyes fixed on the small creature. But as he hurried, he tripped on the scattered cream from the cake, crashing to the floor with a loud thud. Pain shot through him, and he cried out in frustration. He expected someone to open the door, to rush to him and offer comfort. But the argument raged on, too loud and too heated, drowning out his cries]
(Baby Daniel)
I'm hurt! Daniel is hurt! [He banged the door. But none opened the door]
[After what felt like an hour, Daniel lay on the floor, crying. He looked at the kit, which had hidden under the cupboard, out of his reach]
(Baby Daniel)
Won't you come to me? I'm hurt. I will give you cake.
[The kit's nose twitched in fear. It's red eyes looking at Daniel]
Daniel (The Mafia leader)
[Daniel's mind reeled with his past. The effect of the medicine sent him into hallucinations. He was experiencing his childhood again.]
[Daneil felt warm arms around him when he woke up]
(Baby Daniel)
Mamma! [his face dropped when he saw the bruise marks on her arms. He stayed silent, his small fingers gently tracing the marks]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Daniel, will you come with me? I’ve decided to leave. I’ll take care of you and give you everything you need, just like your father. But your mamma can’t stay here any longer... not with a criminal like him
(Baby Daniel)
What do you mean?
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
I've put up with him for two years because of you, Daniel. I didn’t want you to grow up with the label of a single parent. But I can't pretend everything's fine anymore. You will come with me, right?
(Baby Daniel)
[He nods]
Daniel will stay with Mama. He'll grow up just the way she wants, and he'll take care of her. [He kisses her cheek.]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
You are Mamma's prince, aren't you? [She kisses his forehead]
[In the afternoon, Daniel got ready to leave with his mom. His small hands clutched a set of colored pencils and the kit's cage. Olivia carefully placed the kit inside, making sure it had enough spinach leaves to nibble on.]
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Let’s go, Daniel. A new world is waiting for us. A world where we can be safe from criminals.
(Baby Daniel)
Mamma, are we really leaving dad behind?
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
Yes. [She walked out with the bag in hand, checking her life’s savings. She reassured herself that, if used carefully, it would cover their stay, Daniel’s school fees, and food for at least a month.]
**I’ll have to work. I’ve lost touch with it since becoming a housewife. But is it possible? Maybe I could work as a teacher, and learn alongside the kids. Daniel will be starting school soon too, so we can be together.
[It was late at night when Olivia finally found a house for rent. However, she couldn’t move in just yet. The owner had asked for at least a day to prepare the house. He needed time to clear out his belongings, as the empty house had been used as a storage space, with things scattered around and left unused for quite some time.]
(Baby Daniel)
[Daniel shivered, his small body feeling the cold. They sat in the park, the dim streetlight casting shadows as bugs buzzed around it.]
Mamma, Daniel is scared of the bugs.
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
It’s just bugs, Daniel [her voice reassuring. Olivia opened the zipper of her jacket.] Want to hop in and feel warm? Mamma will close the zip, and the bugs won’t bother you. Okay?
(Baby Daniel)
What about the kit? [He opened the cage and carefully buckled the tiny leash around the kit's neck. Holding the leash tightly in his hand, he settled onto his mother's lap, the kit sandwiched between them.] Now, both the kit and I will feel warm and safe
Olivia (Daniel's mother)
[Olivia zipped up her jacket, chuckling softly at her innocent son. Only his head was visible, which she gently covered with her hand.]
Mamma will protect you, Daniel.
After what felt like hours, Olivia began to drift off to sleep. But then, a familiar cold voice sent a chill down her spine.
Vincent (Daniel's father)
Explain yourself, love.
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