The hotel was a grand sight… James had never seen one so big… then again, he was only 10.
The lights shone so brightly that night in December. To get away from home, to be away with his family… it evoked a feeling in him he couldn’t put a name to… then again, he was only 10.
James didn’t get to spend much time around his father, but he very much enjoyed what little time he was able to see him. His father did important work… but James didn’t really know what it was. He knew his father worked hard for his family, though.
James’s father had taken him aside that night to spend time with him. His bother Jack and his sister Annabelle would spend the evening with their mother, but James would get to be with his dad. And he was having the time of his life. James loved his dad.
The two went all about the town, visiting various shopping boutiques and whatnot. The streets bustled with people… James had never seen so many flowing about before. They were like a river… a river of people, James thought.
James’s father lead him into a rather large store that glittered like the stars in the heavens. Beautiful works of precious metal and stone surrounded the two. It was unlike anything the boy had seen before. His eyes darted around the room, shifting from one magnificent work to another. It was absolutely amazing to him.
His father went up to the counter and spoke with a man in a sharp black suit. The black-suited man listened intently, nodding after every few words. He smiled. The man proceeded to retreat to the back room for a moment, and when he returned, it was with a small box in his palm, which he promptly handed to James’s father.
His father turned to him, kneeling down to his level with a smile. He held up the box, opening it to reveal a masterfully crafted pendant of platinum and saphire.
"Think your mom will like it, sport?" his father asked.
James smiled broadly and nodded.
"I don’t expect you to understand it now, but it is my sincere hope that someday you meet a woman you love as much as I love your mother. It is my wish that you, Jack, and Annabelle all find happiness in that way…"
His father was right. James didn’t understand it. However, he was only 10.
The two left the storefront and returned to the hotel. James was excited to see his mother’s reaction to the pendant his father was going to give her. They met in the dining hall, and James’s father asked an attendant to keep an eye on James and his siblings while he took a moment to be alone with his wife. His parents then stepped into the lobby.
James played with his brother and sister. He was as happy as could be. Nothing could ruin this moment.
There was a stream of loud noises, some glass shattering, and screaming… so much screaming. James had no idea what was going on, but the screams were coming from the next room. James ran as fast as his feet could carry him, past the attendant.
The lobby was a mess. Chunks of stone had been torn from the planters they had been a part of. Broken glass was strewn all about. There were several people lying on the ground… and blood… oh, the blood. It was then that James came to the horrific realization that two of the bodies on the ground were those of his parents. He ran to them.
His mother wasn’t breathing. His father was motionless. James couldn’t see clearly as his eyes welled with tears. He caught the glint of something shiny in his father’s hand… The pendant lay there. He hadn’t even had the chance to give it to his wife.
James took the pendant into his hand, and began to sob over the bodies of his parents. It began to snow outside. How could a little boy understand this? He was, afterall, only 10
Freelancer looked out through the window at the cold, unforgiving winter sky. Snowflakes began to drift downwards from the heavens.
"I hate the snow," he mumbled to himself.
Many people had asked him why, but he’d never told them.
"I was only ten…"
