The year was 2012. The weather was clear, and the sky was a gentle blue.
Airport.
"Be good, Tran Tran, be good. Mommy will come back," said a young woman adorned with elegant jewelry. She gently caressed the child's face, her eyes full of reluctant tenderness.
"Mommy, when will you come back?"
"Hmm... when our little Tran Tran grows up to be brave, sunny, and kind, Mommy will appear before you again, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy. I'll definitely become that kind of person."
"Good boy. This is a teddy bear from Mommy. When I'm not around, let this little bear keep you company."
"Mm, thank you, Mommy."
"I need to talk to your Daddy for a bit. Go with Auntie over there and wait for me, alright?"
"Alright."
The young boy hugged the teddy bear tightly as he was led away by a woman. Step by careful step, he turned back often, his eyes pleading, not wanting to leave.
The young woman kept her gentle smile, waving at little Tran Tran.
. . .
"Nghe, your condition isn't good. You don't have much time left. You'd rather go overseas chasing hope than spend your last days with Trần Trần?" said a man in a suit slowly.
He had sharp features and a calm demeanor, his gaze steady as he looked at the woman.
"So Nghi Phu, I don't want to argue with you anymore. You brought her to stand before me, that says enough. Trần Trần is still young. Time will make him forget. He'll forget me. He'll see your woman as his mother. I only have one request: treat him kindly. After all... he's your son too."
"Yeah, he's just four. How much can he really remember? But you're not even leaving a tombstone in this country?"
"A tombstone? You think I need to see your lies up close? I don't even want to leave behind a single photograph."
"Haha... so heartless."
"So Nghi Phu..."
"Hm?"
"I beg you, just one thing. Treat him well. I'm not asking you to love him, just... give him a home, food, an education. What happens in the future... that's your choice. Please. I'm begging you." She raised her hand weakly, clutching his sleeve.
He looked at her, still calm, and gave a small smile. "Fine. I promise."
She knew it was a lie. He wouldn't. She wouldn't. But she had no other choice.
. . .
Sunshine Housing Complex, 2nd Building, Unit 704.
Little Tran Tran hugged the teddy bear tightly, hiding in a cramped room, eyes glued to the shut door.
Creak!
A disheveled woman burst in, wielding a feather duster like a weapon.
"You filthy brat! I'll beat you to death, you little wretch!"
Smack! Smack! Smack!
The boy curled into a ball, pressing the bear tightly to his chest. He bit his lip, face twisted in pain, but didn't make a sound.
One month later.
He was still hiding in the room, clutching the bear, trembling at the shouting outside.
"That filthy woman's dead! When are you getting rid of this cursed brat? Just seeing him pisses me off—ugh!"
"I'm trying, I'm trying!"
"Trying? You call this trying? Do you even care?"
Objects crashed. The noise grew louder.
Trần Trần hugged his bear tighter, hiding in a corner, barely breathing.
Mommy... when are you coming back? I'm scared...
Two months later.
. . .
Three months later.
. . .
Four months later.
That night, the city was peaceful. Families gathered around dinner, watching the news together in warmth and comfort.
"Today, a traffic accident occurred near the North Gate. A sedan was hit by an out-of-control truck. All three passengers were in the vehicle—two adults died on the spot. Only a nearly four-year-old boy survived and was rushed to the hospital…"
Hospital.
"Doctor, doctor! Look at this child—he's covered in bruises, old and new! These aren't from the crash—this is abuse!"
"His parents died in the accident."
"Oh..."
"Forget that for now. Prep the OR—he's suffering from brain hemorrhage. We need to operate immediately. Hopefully we can save him. Even if he loses his memory, it's better than becoming a vegetable."
"Doctor, he's mumbling something..."
"What's he saying?"
"'If I become brave, sunny, and kind, Mommy will come back to see me...'"
The operating room fell silent.
"...Poor child. Such a kind heart. But... there's no going back for him."
. . .
Year 2028.
"What do you mean—system?!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Lâm Phàm! Open the door—help me!"
"Oh my god—there's so much blood! Your neck is bleeding—wait, I'll get the first aid kit—!"
"Don't! Don't climb on me—I can't bandage you like this—calm down!"
Aaaaaaah!
A woman pinned him down, biting deep into his neck. Blood sprayed across the floor.
The man writhed in agony, trying to push her off.
Aaaaaaah!
She tore open his chest with both hands, pulling out organs, flesh, and blood.
Agony. Pain. Unimaginable pain.
The pain invaded his mind, tearing apart his spirit and will.
He watched—watched as the very woman he opened the door for devoured him alive, tearing through his flesh and organs.
No... no...
His consciousness began to fade.
His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling above.