Twelve Worlds, One Book

by Buffy Hamilton

  This story has two endings. It separates from here.

  1

  Takuma decides to go out from this house. The outside of the house is white to be glorious. It becomes strongly little by little. Takuma cannot open his eyes. He closes them, and then he becomes sleepy. Before he loses his consciousness, he listens a woman’s voice.

  “Good-bye.”

  Takuma fells a longing for the voice. The voice said it to laugh. However, Takuma listened the voice is like crying.

  Takuma woke up on a bed in a hospital. Kazuto found him in an empty lot, and Kazuto brought him to the hospital. The lost memory does not come back, but Takuma spends good life to be helped by Kazuto….. However, Takuma sometimes remembers the voice, “Good-bye”. Takuma does not know why. He is not sad. But he cries every time he remembers the voice.

  2

  Takuma decides to accept the ghost. He does near the ghost, and hug the ghost close. Then Takuma’s memory comes back. His most loving woman’s face comes to his mind. Takuma murmurs.

  “Mika.”

  It is his most loving woman’s name. However, he knows she was dead.

  “Here.”

  Takuma hears an improbable reply from inside of his arms. Takuma looks at inside of his arms. He hugged the ghost, but there is not the ghost. There is a woman. She is looking at Takuma’s face. She is smiling.

  “Mika?” Takuma calls.

  “Here.” The woman answers.

  Takuma sheds tears. He asks again.

  “Are you Mika? Are you here?”

  “Yes. Yes. I’m Mika. I’m here.” Mika answers.

  Takuma holds Mika so tight. He cries. He cries because he is grad. Mika strokes his head during him crying. Some minutes later, Mika says,

  “I’m sorry.” Takuma knows the reason why she apologized to him. He says,

  “It’s good. I want to be with you. I don’t have any regrets.”

  Takuma and Mika laugh, and they shed tears. They are wrapped in white light. They hug each other so tight.

  Kazuto drives his car so fast. He goes to an empty lot because there was a house lived Takuma and Mika. Kazuto knows that if Takuma allows Kazuto’s saying, he lies down in there. Some minutes later, Kazuto arrives there. He looks inside of the empty lot. Then he begins to cry, and he is smiling. Does he cry because he is sad? Or, does he cry because he is glad? He knows Takuma gets his happiness, but Takuma loses this world. Because there are only two beautiful, yellow flowers in the empty lot.

  *****

  "Queen's Tear"

  Phoebe Chen

  I’m a queen; I was born in the purple. When I was in a very young age, I knew how many benefits that can bring from my identity. Whatever I want, people will trying to satisfy me, that’s a lot easier than most people in the world.

  When I was in fourteen year old, I got married. I’m still very blessed after marriage. He’s erudite and polite; smart and considerate; he knew everything in the heaven above and the earth underneath; he’s the gentlest man in the world. I thought the happiness will last forever, but I’m wrong.

  He got sick in the winter, doctors were helpless. They told me he might only be able to live for few weeks. Ugh! Bunch of useless guy! I don’t believe them, they are not the “best doctors”! They are not! This will never came true; I’m the one who’s going to be the queen, I’m able to get everything! But that day still come.

  My love seemed in good spirits today. I’m wild with joy and thought he would get better soon. I let my best cooks do a variety of delicacies, but he didn’t tough them. He let all the servants to leave the room then he looked at me sincerely.

  “I’m apologizes, I lied to you for so long,” he said, calmly, “I never love you.”

  I hold the rose that he handed to me, hiding in the wardrobe and cried. He hopes me to get this to his sweetheart in his hometown. I hold the stem tightly then stroked the white petals, watched it turned into scarlet.

  After that, I finally understand one thing. There’s really had something that I can’t get it in world. Suffering of separation from the loved one, suffering of not getting what is wanted. Nothing can be changed.

  I can’t change my face; my identity; my wealth; even my love cannot be filled. What I most want to get is in front of me, but I couldn’t get all eternity. When my lover was buried, our daughter was only two years old.

  Later, I lived a life of dissipation. I numb myself with wine and money; look through the mirror; scream to that crazy woman standing inside. I lighten all crystal lights in my castle, not enough, not enough; they will never ever cram the endless night! Then the mirror broken, I saw thousands of me dying inside. But I’ll never let you see these moments in my life. I’ll use my best efforts to govern my country, to lead my people on the road to happiness, because I’m a queen.

  Today, my faithful minister referred to the marriage of our children. His son is a gentleman and he loves my daughter, that’s enough. She’s too young; she loves someone who already has the fiancée, she doesn’t know how much she’ll pay for this unrequited love in the future.

  Having said these, I feel a little tired. Don’t be worry; anyway, I’m still a queen, the mother of this country.*****

  "What You Reap, You Sow"

  Vrajana Patel

  Morning of December the first day of last month I was sitting in my soft,

  leathery and black sofa which was brand new. We bought them on Black Friday. I was reading a newspaper after eating breakfast. I had nothing to do on those days of my life. While I was reading a deep and loud noise came.

  “Dad, Where are you?” Ask Ethan.

  “Yes, my son” I answered.

  “I am in living room. Come in living room Ethan” I said.

  “Ok Dad, coming,” said Ethan.

  He came in front of me and started shouting at me. All the people in the house my wife, daughter-in-law, grandson came in living room. I was shocked by seeing him shouting like this to me. I never taught him to shout at elders. I was about to scold him when he said rudely,

  “Our relationship is over. You get out of my house”.

  “Relationship is over, what are you talking about?” I inquired.

  “And first of all, this is my house. I haven’t given it to you” angrily I said.

  “No, it’s mine from now” said Ethan.

  “How?” I asked.

  “Do you remember when your glasses were broken and I told you to sign on the paper?” asked Ethan.

  “Yes, I do remember” I said.

  “I told you that it is an insurance paper, but it was not. It was power of attorney papers of house. Now your whole property is mine” said Ethan.

  I was broken from my heart. I felt that the ground beneath my feet, slip away. Now we don’t have any shelter to live, the reason for that was my own son whom I have given everything that he need before he had asked for it. Then my wife and I packed our bags and without questioning my son We decided to leave the house. When we were leaving the house my grandson Evan who is 10 years old came, gave me a hug and said,

  “Grandpa where are you going with bags, please don’t leave. I will be all alone. With whom I will play games, who will help me in my homework and who will tell me stories at night. Please don’t go grandpa Please” Evan cried.

  Without uttering a word I turned around, my eyes were full of tears. I opened the door and I was hoping that now my son will say that “please don’t go Dad. Do not leave us; I am sorry about what I have done”. But I had a false hope my son didn’t stop me. I went out of the house in grief. My wife started crying, she was very sad.

  “Stop crying, I am with you,” I said.

  “How can I stop crying? My own son, whom I kept nine month in my womb, protected him, taught him to talk, walk, eat and taught manners. That son throws me out of the house by cheating us” sadly said Claudia.

 
; “I know how he can do this to us. We are his parents. Ok now stop thinking about that let's go” concerning I said

  “But where?” asked Claudia.

  “Sunrise assisted home” I said.

  “What! Where is it?” asked Claudia.

  “I read in newspaper about it. It is two or three miles away from here, let’s go there” I said.

  “Is it apartment or a motel?” asked Claudia

  “No, it is old age home where we can live without paying. We just have to sign in for it” I said.

  “Ok, let’s go there if you know about that place” said Claudia.

  Then we left and went to the “Sunrise assisted home”. We entered the gate there was beautiful garden and several sitting place in front of building. All the old people were sitting there, exercising and talking. We have formal conversation with them. Then we went to reception hall where we have to register our name and fill our details in an application form. We completed the application form then the manager took us to our room. There was double bed, bathroom, dressing table and closet. We kept our luggage and sat on the bed. My wife started crying. I put my hand on her shoulder and rubbed her shoulder.

  “How can he do this to us? There should be some reason behind it.” said Claudia while crying.

  “I don’t know the reason behind it, but he took decision so it will be right” I said concerning her.

  After some days we were out of that distress and we lived happily. But after some years my wife passed away. I felt like somebody took my heart from my body. She was the only one who stands with me during bad times and helps me to solve the problem. I passed my years in her memories.

  Then after 8 years one person came to Sunrise assisted home who was familiar to me. He was somehow looking like me. When I went closer to that person, I came to know that he was my son. I saw my son after many years and my eyes filled with tears. I can’t hold back the tears. It was flowing like waves in the ocean that cannot be stop.

  “Dad” said Ethan with guilt. “I am sorry dad for what I have done to you”.

  “Just forget about it, I already forgot it, I don’t want to remember that bad moment. I have already moved on, you also move on.” by forgiving I said.

 

  “But, why are you here?”I inquired.

  “It’s a long story, let’s go inside and talk.” Said Ethan.

  “Ok, let’s go.” I said.

  Then went inside and he started his story.

  “I was sitting on dining table reading a book when my son came and told me to get out of my house. I was shocked and I told my son that it’s not your house it’s my house. Then he told me that by bettering me he sign the paper. I was broken from my heart. Then my wife and I packed our bags and we left the house. After we left the house we came here. When I came here I saw you and then I realized that same thing happened to me as I have done to you.” Said Ethan.

  “So, that means what you do to other, you receive same thing.”I said.

  After then we spend our lives together.

  *****

  Our Decisions, Our Future

  Riku Araki

  Do you know we are exposed riskiness of the war? On this November, that is the turning point of the United States. We hope they make happy to this country. Every candidates are awesome and they really think and concern about us. But, except Trump. He states strongly, powerful, and fearlessly. As a result, he could obtain popularity of citizens. He just stirs up people. Is he really carry the America on his shoulder? We have a choice what do you think who is suitable of the head of the United States, so before voting, think about Trump would become the president.

  I know you saw his speech one or more times. What did you think about it? I was disgusting. I believe it is not only me, but someone like him and supporting him. They just didn’t realize what kind of person he is. This is his outrageous quote, “I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I will make Mexico pay for that wall” (Trump). Can you believe that? He tries to build a long, long wall like the Great Wall of China between the US and Mexico. Of course, it costs plenty money. Moreover, he would make Mexico pay for it. That’s ridiculous. If he did it, the US certainly forfeit relationship with Mexico. It was criticized from many many people. Especially, a person blamed about this Trump’s quote who is the Pope. “A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the gospel” (the Pope). Exactly, he is right. That’s not the way to show the leader. Thus, he is not suitable as the President. Donald Trump is not suitable as the president.

  The other side argued that America would become great when Donald Trump will be the president. According to the supporter of Trump, “Trump is low-risks and high-reward” (supporter). I don’t think so. If you heard his speech just one time, you would support him. He seems to have a good plan and enthusiasm. But, his remarks don’t make sense. He would like to beat IS or terrorist. In other place, he states that make lower taxes to all of citizens. I have just one question. How? How can he promote his plan without money? Nobody knows it because he didn’t answer it. He was supported a lot of people before Super Tuesday. Look at now, he was criticized from many people. Such as Obama, Cruz, Rubio, and both of party. Also, most newspaper companies don’t agree with him. They just pick up his information as entertainment or ironic.

  No hope if he would be the president. No liberty if he would be the president. Can we entrust Trump as the president? No we can’t. “Make America great again.” This is his slogan, but that’s not true if he would be the president. On the contrary, he will destroy America. Remind what I said and think carefully who is suitable as the president.

  *****

  Think Fast Before That Food

  Christ Frank

  You drive from home to your work or school every single day, what did you see that have called immediately your attention? A gorgeous fast-food advertisement right in front of you trying to make you feel hungry and stopping you to buy a meal with approximately 1000 calories for only a couple bucks. We live in a world where fast-food restaurants are in every corner of United States. Fast food has become the favorite kind of food throughout America being also one of the main reasons for which this country has high standards of obesity, diabetes, and other diseases problems being the main cause of thousands of deaths every year, thousands of obese people, and the thousands of fat kids that just started living. Before you enjoy that delicious burger meal with some crunchy and salty fries as a side and a cold coca cola for drink, think about what you are really putting into your mouth one more time.

  Stop eating fast-food and doing exercise will be the first step to control some diseases as obesity and heart diseases in United States. You need to work quickly and decisively in order to investigate about fast-food ingredients and how they can affect our life quality. According to abc news, “People should know what they're eating, and how it's made; they should spend their money at places that make food well" (Schlosser). This means we should know what we are really eating every time we buy a burger, a pizza or everything that is precooked in order to determine if it is healthy or not. People has to think healthy in order to eat healthy, you don’t have to be afraid of spending more money in order to eat healthy food, just take a couple bucks more out of your pocket and buy some healthy and fresh groceries at a market food and cook for yourself, doesn’t sound bad right? Or maybe we are so busy that we just want to eat as soon as possible (no matter what it is) that the only free time we have we use it to go through a drive thru after a long work day. But some people argue that fast food is not really that bad and that it actually has some advantages, According to NLCATP, “Fast food offers convenience. If you are busy running the kids from practice to practice or you are running late for getting on time at work, ordering is easy at a fast food drive thru everything is listed by num
ber, so you don’t have to sit and spend your time thinking about what you are going to eat this time” (Chief). But if you have this kind of lifestyle and you keep doing this every single day after a while you will see how much weight you have earned and the health consequences that this can bring you as fast as you eat that crunchy, juicy, and gorgeous sandwich.

  The other side argues that fast food is not that bad as most of the people say these days. Fast food restaurants have been implementing new regulations in order to inform people how much calories are eating so they will have an idea of what they are really getting into their mouths. According to NLCATP “New regulations require that fast food restaurants clearly display calorie content and fat content on their menus so you know at a glance what you are getting. This information can help you to make good food choices and you can make them quickly” ("12 Major Pros and Cons of Fast Food | NLCATP.org."). This statement it’s true and it is viewed as a good regulation made by fast food chains. Is this information actually changing the ingredients and unhealthy amounts that each meal provides? Of course not because you are really hungry and the only thing you can think about now is to eat. You will just pick any delicious meal from the menu no matter how much calories it says it has because at the end of the day it will cause you the same health problems and consequences as if they had not the label that says the exact amount of unhealthy ingredients. Also think about this, do you really trust their food? You should think twice this question, “Things like “chicken nuggets” are made from “mystery” food products and byproducts. The definition of “all natural” is a loose term that is not heavily regulated so using that term to sell food is actually quite deceptive. Consumers are not really certain what the ingredients are in the foods but the fast food restaurants use tricky marketing terms to sell the food” ("12 Major Pros and Cons of Fast Food | NLCATP.org."). So if you really think deep about it you will find out that their “food” is not even what they say it is. Don’t want to eat something that you don’t even know what is made of right? You better have to think twice before you pass through a striking and colorful drive thru.