Chapter 65 - The Road

Standing in front of his bed, Misha squinted at the golden watch lying on the dark-blue blanket. It was very conspicuous with its bright color, especially since it lay in the middle of the bed, like an offering.

Chewing on his lips, the boy slowly stretched a hand, and his fingers gently c.a.r.e.s.sed the ornaments carved in the case. It wasn't the first time that he had taken the watch out of its hiding spot so that he could observe it, graving its imagine in his mind.

However, today was a bit special.

As the child stroke the leather strap, he let his mind wander to the past. He thought of those long years without his loved ones and how much time he had lost in regret. That period of his life felt so far away yet so close. It was a weird feeling that made his heart throb in pain.

"Really, Santa Claus couldn't have offered me a better gift."

With a smile, Misha thought of that particular night where he met the chubby old man. Back then, he was dead drunk and about to take a nap outside despite the snowstorm. If Santa Claus hadn't brought him inside his house, Misha would surely have died, frozen to death.

Now that he thought about it, things had been quite mystical since the moment the man had appeared. Still, never in his wildest dream would he have considered that the chubby old man clad in red was Santa Claus.

Well, he did make a joke about his stereotypical appearance. However, that was never more than a tasteless joke.

"Not only did he save my life, but he also gave me a chance to change my past. Even if he is Santa Claus, isn't he too good-natured?"

The child paused before snorting, "Or, did he take pity on me?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Gabriel's tired and bloody face flashed through his mind. Back at the bar, that dull appearance of his did perturb him for a second, but immediately afterward, the anger blurred his judgment, and he ended up beating the man to a pulp.

If Dereck hadn't stopped him, there wouldn't have been much left of Gabriel's handsome face.

With a self-mocking laugh, Misha muttered to himself, "Maybe it wasn't me that Santa Claus pitied."

How much did Gabriel carry on his shoulders? Misha had no idea, but now, he could tell that it wasn't only a little.

This time, he wouldn't let him carry everything all by himself. He wasn't a clueless child anymore. He would b.u.t.t in when he had to, whether Gabriel liked it or not.

Someone knocked on his door, startling him. His body reacted faster than his mind, and the boy swiftly hid the watch under the pillow, tumbling on the bed while he was at it.

Hence, when his mother opened the door, what she saw was his son sprawled all over the bed in a strange position.

She couldn't help but chuckle, "Sweetie, what are you doing?"

"Stretching?"

"I see..." Mrs. Brown wisely decided not to ask further and instead said, "I was just wondering if you were ready. Gabriel will arrive anytime soon, and then we will leave and go to your grandparents' house."

"Okay," nodded the child before leaping to his feet and spinning around to show off his clothes.

It was a special day, so of course, his mother had chosen his clothing, and they were as adorable as can be, enough to make the child silently gnash his teeth.

Still, he didn't complain and obediently dressed up. As long as his mother was happy, he could wear anything.

Well, almost anything.

"It suits you so well!" giggled his mother, thinking that her son was the cutest, no matter what the others said.

As an answer, a smile bloomed on Misha's doll-like face, and he bolted to his mother, hugging her tightly.

"Mom."

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Lately, her son had become clingier, always hugging her and telling her that he loved her or that she was the best mom in the world. Mrs. Brown didn't know what he was so anxious about, but she certainly wouldn't complain about the show of affection. It felt great to know that her baby son loved her so much.

With a gentle smile, she ruffled her son's hair as she said softly, "I love you too."

They stayed still for a while. Neither spoke, and the moment grew longer and longer.

"What are you doing?" asked Masha, who had entered the room at an unknown time.

Misha tilted his head to see her, and he had to admit that today, his sister was incredibly gorgeous. Light make-up brightened her face and highlighted her crystal-clear blue eyes, while her long, blond strawberry hair was left untied. It freely fell on her back, and its pale color contrasted vividly with her dark-red dress.

'My sister is definitely the most beautiful girl in the world,' thought Misha, the sis-con.

With a mischievous light in his eyes, Misha escaped from his mother's arms and jumped on his sister, who almost fell backward.

"Hehe, I also love you!"

"You're quite affectionate today," laughed Masha as she pinched her brother's cheeks. "Are you hoping that I will give you your Christmas gift sooner?"

The boy shook his head, "No, I just wanted to tell you that I love you. Is it wrong?"

"No, of course not," chuckled Masha, gently stroking his head. "Oh, yeah. Gabriel is downstairs, so we will better go down as well."

"Okay," nodded the child, feeling like a clawed hand was gripping his heart, trying to crush it.

He told himself that everything would be fine this time. He would not fight with Gabriel and cross the road without looking left and right, and as a result, his mother won't have to jump in to save him. Yes, everything would be fine.

In the car.

Sitting in the middle, between Gabriel and Masha, Misha was listening to the teenagers teasing and couldn't help but smile. Although his laughs were hollow, he did his best to appear normal, ignoring the knots in his stomach.

"Are you feeling well, Misha? You seem a little pale," asked Gabriel as he carefully placed his hand on the boy's forehead, checking his temperature.

He made sure his movement was slow and gentle; the teenager could never forget the fear in the boy's eyes at the amus.e.m.e.nt park. When he had wanted to check his temperature for the first time, the child had frozen in fright. Since then, he was more careful with his every move.

However, it seemed like his worries were unfounded. After a few months, the child had gotten used to him. He didn't even flinch when his cold hand landed on his forehead. On the contrary, he unconsciously rubbed his small head against his palm.

"No, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired, it's nothing."

"If you don't feel well, we can go back home. Don't force yourself," smiled Mrs. Brown, looking at her son through the rear-view mirror.

"I'm really fine," repeated Misha, forcing himself to smile wider.

Although it would be safer to stay at home, he also knew his grandmother didn't have long left to live, five months at most. It would be the last Christmas eve his mother could pass with her, and thus not coming was not an option.

Hence, when the door opened, Misha looked right and left a few times before crossing the road, making sure there was no pick-up coming up, and then ran like a madman toward his grandparent's house.

Like in his past life, they arrived a little late, and there was no place left in the parking. They had no other choice but to park the car by the roadside and cross the road on foot.

Once he stood near the doorstep, Misha's heart finally settled down a little.

See? Everything is fine—no need to worry.

He swiftly turned to wave at his family, who was walking over while talking and laughing.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw Gabriel pat the pockets of his coat with a frown. Even if he was a little far away, he still heard him sigh:

"I forgot your grandparents' Christmas gift in the car."

"I will go fetch it then," laughed Masha, lightly hitting Gabriel on his shoulder as she stuck out her tongue at him.

She was the closest to the road, after all.

Little did she know that the incoming pick-up wouldn't stop, nor would it slow down. Instead, it would accelerate because the drunk driver couldn't differentiate the accelerator from the brake.

Things went too fast, and Misha didn't have the time to utter anything, frozen in place. All he could do was to watch the shadow of his mother rush toward his sister.

Then, the nightmare repeated itself once again, except that this time, the name that his mother last screamed wasn't his.

"MASHA!"