Red

Young, Nancy. "100 Awesome Photoshop Brushes Sets You Should Have." N.p., n.d. Web.

First he thought his parents were hiding it in a place he couldn’t reach, so he couldn’t open it before morning. Another thought in his mind was that he was old enough to get himself a present. However a 2nd grader, he thought he was still young. Before the winter vacation started, his friend Fred told him, “This year my mom said she isn’t buying a present cause I’m old enough to buy myself a present!” Fred was really enraged at his parents. The word “Old” has been a parasite in his mind. However he was thinking in an affirmative way that the box was in the house. Slowly the sky turned gray and he still couldn’t find the cursed box. He did everything that he could do to find the surprise. He even checked outside of his house looking over the bushes, climbing to the tree house, and checking the mailbox. But there was nothing. He was freezing like a baby polar bear, shivering from the cold. As soon as he got into the house, he threw off his shoes and ran for the heater. Meanwhile, he saw a box wrapped with colorful paper on the chair that was under the dinner table. He glanced at the dinner table and ran towards it. He finally found the object that woke him up early. He took the box front of the refrigerator and checked if it was Christmas today, then sat down slowly on the chair and took a deep breath. Then he tore off the wrapping gently. He remembered the chocolates that his dad bought as gifts for the costumers of his company as a sign of thanks. He aggressively wrapped the whole box and threw it away towards the Christmas tree. He decided to surrender against his parents and went up the stairs. As he went up the stairs, it was wet. He couldn’t see what color was it, but he disregarded the liquid.  However he opened his parents door, the curtain was fully opened. The room was full of sunshine. Then he saw all the liquid he was standing on. Dark, thick and red. It was a red pool around the bed. Beside the bed, there was a man covered with red with a smile. Brian’s blood froze, and screamed. The man started to chase the little kid. Brian was running for his life and ran out and shouted for help. Luckily something happened that would happen in a movie, there was a patrol car passing right front of the house. The police officer saw a little kid and a man covered with blood. The officers had no doubt that was an incident. Soon as they got off the car, one officer came to Brian. All the sudden Brian’s face turned red. He had felt so comforted by the police officer; however, he still couldn’t comprehend the horror that had just abrupt in front of him.

Baby Shoes

Julie. "The World in Between." The World in Between. N.p., 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 06 Dec. 2013.

Crisp, cool air penetrates my heavy, leather jacket. My fingertips, caressed in fur-lined gloves, nevertheless, tingle from the piercing cold. The trees, like dutiful sentries in two single file lines, stand erect, proudly guarding the stone buildings along the cobblestone street. Deep in the bluish-black night sky, sparkling jewels emit their brilliance, causing the ice covered branches to radiate the shimmering refractions of light. Street lamps cast a warm, yellow glow. Large shop windows entice me to come closer, tempting me with their colorful treasures. Strings of twinkling red, orange, green, and blue lights outline most of the shop windows, adding to their allure. Christmas is in the air. But, the mysteries to be uncovered within those shops will have to wait another day. With the shops long closed, I must make my way to the water’s edge. My watch calls out the lateness of the hour. As I quickly pass a burning stove, sweet syrup, mixed with nutmeg and cinnamon, waifs through the air, filling my head with memories of my mother’s kitchen. Despite the bitter cold, giggling couples and cheerful families stroll under the colorful lights, heading towards the giant pine tree laden with shiny bulbs and more lights. The stinging air no longer feels as cold. My lips reveal my inner pleasure of a seemingly increased happiness in the world at this time of year.

Approaching the glistening waters of the Danube, I spy the boat where we will have a delicious Christmas dinner. Envisioning the succulent turkey, mash potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, rolls and apple pie, my loneliness begins to dissipate. Being so far from home at this time of year does not feel so difficult in this moment. Walking along the brick path along the water’s edge, I admire the beauty of Budapest. A majestic stone bridge arches across the expanse of the river. No sight could be more peaceful. 

Looking down the path, I see a glint of light reflecting off an object. As I move closer, I see the sweetest pair of tiny, buckled shoes. Belonging to a child no older than three years of age, I think of the scolding mother upon her discovery that her child took off her shoe and lost it. I laugh to myself as I think about all the cell phones, umbrellas and gloves this child will probably manage to lose in the future. Walking closer to the shoes, I not only see the baby’s buckled shoes more clearly, but next to it I spy those of her mother’s and then, just beyond, her father’s. ScatteredBrown men’s leather dress shoes, hurriedly untied, with the tongue of the shoe still pulled unnaturally up; a lady’s black pumps with three inch heels, faded brown leather boots with fashionable buttons in the time of the 40s; and scores of other shoes line the edge of the bank. Each one looks as if it was ripped off the owner’s foot in haste. Fresh flowers as well as small stones fill many of these shoes. Fresh daisy pedals lay scattered on this memorial.

An iciness creeps inside my coat and gloves. Shivering, my mind races to understand. The sparkling sky no longer laughs down on me. Only the harsh, artificial street lamp along the Danube points its accusatory finger of light at me in this especially dark place. Cries of fear, disbelief, and utter horror envelope me. I cannot shoulder the enormity of their pain. Clenching my teeth, an unwelcome salty taste fills my mouth. My jeans cannot shield the coldness of the asphalt underneath my knees. My outstretched hand instinctively reaches out towards those baby shoes. As the cold metal numbs my fingertips, I look across the Danube and see the beautiful architecture of Pest, adorned in sparkling lights.

Christmas Miracle

After looking at the piled snow, she started spraying salt all over the place. Christmas was coming up, and Harriet wanted to make sure this year her parents could visit regardless of the weather. The biggest challenge was to destroy the snow stacked higher than her height. She went up to her room on the second floor and bent down on the window to pour the whole bucket of salt. Only then, she realized that in front of her parked car, a snowman was standing still, watching her through its button eyes. She remembered its face from last year. It didn't have the perfect Christmas decorations on. Suddenly, Harriet shivered to see the excited child waiting for the moment of exchanging gifts, singing carols and having a warm dinner with the loved ones. When she looked again, she realized it was melting. Harriet ran for the door with the bucket in her hands. She flopped down on the floor, hugging the child. When the bucket was on top of the snowman's head, snowflakes started falling down, dancing to the rhythm of her favorite carols, greeting Harriet and her friend.

                                                                           

Real Snowman Wallpaper. Digital image. Www.fecoo.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fecoo.com/bestwallpapers/1024x576/real-snowman-wallpaper-70164.html>.