Chapter 1
It’s Only a Dream…

I was walking down the sidewalk, passed all the similar houses I had walked by since I was 5. One house in particular was my favorite, the house of my best friend, Olivia. We’ve walked to school together since I was in kindergarten. Even though she was a year below me, we were the best of friends, passed the 13 years we’ve known each other. I was graduating this year, which made me sad, but at least Olivia was only a year behind me, and we planned on moving in together after she had graduated the following year. I made her a promise that I would wait one year before starting College, just so she could get out of high school and move in with me. That didn’t sit too well with my parents, but I really didn’t care, I loved that girl and even if it took an eternity, I was going to wait for her.
After all of that thought, I finally made it to her doorstep and knocked twice, then rang the doorbell. That was my way of telling her and her family it was just me at the door, and they knew. Seconds later she was at the door, same smile, same everything. “As usual you’re early…” She laughed and closed the door behind her. “And as usual you’re ready anyway.” I smirked, following her down the porch steps. “Well, considering I’ve been doing this same routine with the same person again and again for thirteen years I sure hope I’ve become accustomed to your lack of understanding to the word on time Han Kyung.” Olivia turned and gave me that… look. I really didn’t understand the look… never did, but I’m sure it’s just that look girls give when they know they’ve won. “And you’re just so smart aren’t you?” I gave her a gentle shove and took her book bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I always did. “Shall we get going then?” I turned and started down the sidewalk, Olivia following a little behind me as always.
The school wasn’t ever far for us. For thirteen years we’d gone to the same school complex. The Elementary School was on the top floor, the Jr. High School was on the middle floor, and the High School was on the bottom floor. So it really wasn’t a challenge getting to school every morning, since our neighborhood was about a mile from the complex and we took the exact same route every day. The thing is, our neighborhood wasn’t exactly the nicest apple on the tree, and we had to be careful getting to school because of the gang activity that had been going on the last 5 years or so. We’d actually been shot at a couple times, but luckily avoided being injured. So it really wasn’t anything to worry about when you heard gunfire on your way to school in the morning.
“I really can’t wait to graduate next year; I’m ready to get out of that house.” Olivia caught up with me, burning holes in my head with her green eyes. “Yeah I know what you’re saying, we can move out of this neighborhood and in to a better one the day… no, the second you graduate.” I smiled reassuring her that that’s what I still planned to do. “Thank you Han Kyung… you really don’t know how much that still means to me.” She leaned her head on my shoulder, wrapping her arms around my arm. I smiled and looked down, feeling good inside that I was helping her out some.
After a while we could see the school coming up over the hill, then a straight shot down to the auditorium where we waited for the bell to ring to go to class every morning. Today was different for some reason, the streets seemed barren. I felt Olivia’s grip on my arm tighten, seeing red and blue flashing lights on the block in front of the school. “What’s going on?” Her voice seemed a little uneasy. “Let’s go around the block…” I pulled her across the street and took another road that lead down behind the auditorium rather than in front of it. “I’m sure it’s just another drug bust or something, don’t worry.” I looked down at her, trying to make her loosen up, she seemed scared. She didn’t speak, only nodded, still leaning on my shoulder. I sighed and leaned my head on the top of hers; she always made me worry when she’s scared. “Watch out!!” I yanked her out of the way of a speeding police car, sirens blaring. I had my arms wrapped around her. “Asshole!!” I screamed at the car, which screeched around the bend at the end of the road. “Christ…” I looked down at Olivia, who had buried her face in my shirt. “Let’s just go back home, huh?” I let go of her and she nodded, the same horrified look on her face. I nodded back and wrapped my arm around her shoulders, turning back down the sidewalk that we came from.
About five minutes after we had turned back it got quiet. We stopped and looked behind us slowly. There was a car, just one car, stopped in the middle of the street. Its windows were tinted so black that either of us couldn’t see inside. There was an awkward silence as we stared at the car, which seemed to stare back. “Olivia… listen to me ok?” I whispered to her. “You run back home, it’s only a few more blocks.” She shook her head. “No I’m not leaving you…” She clung tight onto my sleeve. “Then lets both run!” I turned my head and looked at her. She nodded slowly, but I could tell she still had doubts. “STOP TALKING!” A man in a black ski mask screamed, leaning out of the sun roof of the car. We froze.
Suddenly three police cars screeched around the corner behind the black car. “SHIT!” The man turned and looked at them, then back at us, pulling out a gun. “Oh hell…” I pushed Olivia behind me. The black car floored it, smoke raising behind the back wheels, the man in the sun roof let out several shots, one slamming into my chest I grunted and fell down sideways on the grass, Olivia down behind me, covering her head. “Olivia!!” I grunted, pulling myself up painfully. I crawled over to her, she was still and silent. “No…” I rolled her over. “Olivia no…” I put my hand on her cheek, there was a huge gash on the side of her head, a bullet had ricocheted off of a nearby telephone pole and struck her. “Han…” She gripped my hand. “Everything’s going to be ok! I promise!! I PROMISE!!” I screamed as she went completely limp. “NOOO!” Tears streamed down my face. “It’s… all a… dream…” She whispered, blood dripping out of the corner of her mouth. “Yeah… a dream…” I squinted my eyes closed, crying too hard to look at her. The pain finally got to me and I fell onto my side, gagging for air as I closed my eyes, feeling the oxygen leave. Everything went black… the sound of sirens getting louder.
“Sir… Sir! … Sir? Lieutenant!!” A young cadet shook me awake from my nightmare. “Wh… what’s wrong?” The light coming through the windows in my office seemed to blind me. “You’ve been asleep for hours… don’t you sleep at home anymore?” The cadet laughed and took a seat across from my desk. “I sure wish I did…” I smiled and stood up. “It’s your birthday Lieutenant… the staff bought you a cake and everything, it’s in the break room if you want any.” The cadet stood and saluted. I returned salute and nodded. “Thank you Cadet, you’re dismissed.” The young boy nodded and walked out of my office. “…To think it’s already been 9 years…” I sighed and took off my badge, setting it next to my gun on my desk. “And yet I’m still having nightmares…”