Chapter 18: Where Did She Go?

The snow fell softly, covering the village in white. Jun stood outside Mei's house, his tiny hands curled into fists, his eyes wide, his heart pounding. He stared at the door, his chest tight, his breath visible in the cold air. She was there… I know she was…

He remembered her smile—warm and gentle, her voice soft, her touch comforting. She held his hand on the Moon Bridge, her presence warm, her words soothing his fear. But when he woke up, she was gone.

His chest tightened, his lips trembling. "Mei… where did you go…?" His voice was small, a whisper swallowed by the wind.

He took a deep breath, his body trembling, his heart aching. They must know… they must know where she is… He knocked on the door, his fingers cold, his breath shallow.

The door creaked open, revealing Mei's mother. Her face was pale, her eyes tired, her shoulders heavy. She looked down at him, her lips parting, her gaze dropping. "Jun… what are you doing here…?" Her voice was soft, her words fragile.

Jun's heart pounded, his chest tight, his eyes pleading. "Auntie… where is Mei?" His voice was small, trembling. "She was with me… on the Moon Bridge… she saved me…" His eyes were wide, his hope fragile. "I… I want to see her… please…"

Mei's mother's face went pale, her shoulders stiffening, her hands shaking. She looked away, her eyes hollow, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Jun… don't say such things…" Her voice wavered, her body tense. "Mei… she… she's not here…"

Jun's chest tightened, his vision blurring, his fingers trembling. "But… I saw her… she was there… she held my hand…" His voice cracked, his heart aching. "She smiled at me… she saved me… I know she did…"

Mei's mother's shoulders shook, her face twisting, her eyes filling with tears. She turned away, her hands covering her mouth. "Please… Jun… forget about her…" Her voice broke, her body trembling. "It's better that way… it's better if you forget…"

Jun's heart sank, his breath catching, his chest aching. "Forget…? But… why…?" His voice was soft, confused. "She was real… she was there… she promised she wouldn't leave…"

Mei's mother's shoulders shook, her tears falling, her voice cracking. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… but… she's gone… she's never coming back…" Her body trembled, her voice breaking. "Mei… is gone… she's… she's…"

Jun's heart stopped, his breath frozen, his body cold. But.....Why…? His vision blurred, his shoulders shaking, his fists trembling.

Before he could say another word, Mei's father appeared behind her, his face dark, his eyes hollow. His voice was low, his words cold. "Go home, Jun." His jaw was tight, his fists clenched. "Don't come back here… don't ask about her again…"

Jun's body went rigid, his chest tight, his heart aching. "But… Uncle… I just… I just want to know… where did she go…?" His voice cracked, his vision spinning. "I just… want to see her… one more time…"

Mei's father's face twisted, his eyes darkening, his voice fierce. "She's gone! She's never coming back! Stop asking!" His voice echoed, his body trembling. "Forget about her! Forget you ever knew her!"

Jun's shoulders shook, his breath catching, his eyes burning. Forget…? But… how can I…? His fists clenched, his body trembling. She was real… she was there… she saved me…

Mei's father's voice broke, his shoulders heavy, his eyes hollow. "Please… Jun… just… go home…" His voice was low, his body trembling. "There's nothing for you here… not anymore…"

The door closed slowly, the sound echoing, the snow falling softly.

Jun stood there, his body cold, his chest tight, his heart aching. His vision blurred, his breath visible in the cold air. She's… gone…? But… why…? Where did she go…?

His fists clenched, his shoulders shaking, his tears falling. I don't understand… why won't they tell me…?

He looked at the house, his eyes burning, his heart pounding. Why are they lying…? Why are they hiding the truth…?

He remembered her smile, her touch, her voice. He remembered her warmth, her promise. She was real… she was there… she saved me…

His chest tightened, his vision blurred, his fists trembling. I won't forget… I'll find her… no matter what it takes…

The snow continued to fall, the world quiet, the sky gray. The shadows danced around him, cold and cruel, whispering her name. Mei…

Jun wiped his tears, his eyes fierce, his heart pounding. I'll find you… Mei… I promise…

He turned away from the house, his steps heavy, his shoulders shaking. No matter what it takes… I'll find out the truth…

He walked through the snow, his breath visible, his body cold. The shadows followed him, whispering, calling, echoing his words. "A promise kept… a love forgotten… a memory erased… a heart to restore…"