The hospital was quiet. The clock struck ten in the evening as a child and her mother met for the last time.

“Vi, close your eyes and picture a place without suffering. A place without pain. Without anger. Without evil and darkness.”

“Does such a place exist?”

“Yes, baby, it does.” There the mother smiled a bittersweet smile, scooping her daughter’s cheek gently with her hand.

“I wanna go there someday,” the child said with her eyes still closed.

“Stay on the right path and you will. Never lose sight of who you are.”

“I won’t, Mommy.” The child smiled.

“Now whenever you miss me, think of that place. That’s where I’ll be, looking down at you from above.”

“Why are you leaving?”

“Because Mommy’s time has run short.”

“Don’t leave!” The child cooed not knowing that time can’t be stopped.

“Oh, my baby, I wish I could stay. I really do. I love you more than anything.” The mother looked at her daughter one last time. A single tear fell down her cheek. “Don’t you forget… I love… you.”

“Mommy? Mommy! Why won’t you answer! Mommy!” The child wept. The nurses rushed in at the painful cry of a grieving child and witnessed what had just taken place. One older nurse comforted the girl and tried to usher her out of the room. “No!” screamed the child. “I want my mom! Don’t take me away from her!”

“Your mother is in a better place now,” The older nurse said, attempting to soothe the child.

“Then I want to go there too!” cried the child.

“You have many years ahead of you, don’t waste them all now. Look at me, I’m old and wrinkled. You are filled with youth. You will find when you are older, that the best thing you can do for your mother, is to grow up happy.” These words, spoken by a simple elderly nurse, stuck with the child as she grew up. She never forgot those or her mother’s words.

“One day… one day, I’ll find you in the place without suffering,” The girl said, looking up at the crescent moon that barely lit the night sky.

*Fast forward a few years*

“Do you need help, Grandma?” asked Vivian Rose Astaril, speaking to an old lady struggling to walk.

“Oh, what a lovely child you are! Well if you don’t mind carrying a few bags,” the old lady responded.

“Of course not. Let me help you to your house,” Vi said and smiled.

“That’s so kind of you!” The old lady exclaimed. Along they walked, the old lady none the wiser. When they had arrived, the old lady thanked Vi and they parted ways. A seemingly kind gesture one might say. Helping an old lady arrive home safely. However, things are never as they seem.

Vi had arrived at a place you could barely call a “home”, but it was the only place she had. A voice called out to her, “Stealing from a grandma now? I’m impressed. You’ve stooped down to a whole new level,”

“I helped her get home, the least she could do was lend me a few hundred,” Vi replied.

“We both know she didn’t lend you anything.”

“Oh stop it, Kain. You’re no better than I am.”

“That’s true, to a point,” Kain said and smirked. “What’s next? Scamming some mom with cancer?” The joke had hit a little too close to home.

“Not funny.”

“What’s with you? Stealing money from a defenseless grandma put you in a bad mood?”

“I just need some fresh air,” Vi said and went down to the small balcony. The place might’ve been run down, but it sure had an amazing view.

The words of her mother echoed in her head. “Stay on the right path and you will. Never lose sight of who you are.”

Vi closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t keep my promise.”