Under the Dawn Redwood – Prologue

Under the Dawn Redwood

Hello everyone, TokyoRoll here! This is just a notice but I’ve decided, starting today there will be 1 chapter of Under the Dawn Redwood every 2 weeks, with a possible chapter in between~! Also, this is my first published work for Meraki, as well as the first story I have decided to publish that’s original! Roll that Review will be held off until the new time of 7pm Friday night so that I can have an easier time at work on Thursdays. I’ve been debating the new time and that’s what I’ve decided, so I’m sorry for the short notice! Without a further-a-do, Here is the first chapter of Under the Dawn Redwood!

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Proof readers: Minodayz & Irisu

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Night 0 – Accident

The mind-numbing din of colliding metal, screeching wheels and pedestrians screaming echoed deeply in his ears as Gang Cheng stood in a blurry city intersection. His face pallid, eyes wide and mouth uncomfortably contorting into a grimace. His unwavering gaze focused on the scene in front of him, he’d imagined this moment every night since he’d received the phone call, no, since he’d seen the video uploaded to the news websites. That red sports car was his wife’s, or rather, it was his ex-wife’s. Now it was nothing more than garbage.

The red Lamborghini that he’d purchased for her on her 39th birthday sat askew, the trunk more than half covered by the larger transport vehicle. The black 18-wheeler transport car had its cargo splayed all over the debris-laden road as if it all was caltrops invading his vision directly. His breathing hitched as he looked to the front of his wife’s car. The front had a truck practically embedded inside, it was a miracle that it didn’t explode instantly, despite the steam and heat emitting off of it from the domestic vehicle that had crashed there.

Crushed, that’s all the car, no the remains, could be considered. He clenched his fists, his jaw taut as he closed his eyes. He took a few seconds to breathe and calm himself. Opening them once more he stepped closer to the site.

Blood began seeping from the scrapped red vehicle, now covering the debris-littered road. More and more of the blood gushed from the crumpled doors, the broken windows and even under the collapsed hood. He felt it swimming around his ankles, making his progression towards the car remains even more difficult.

Yes, that blood… it’s his daughter’s blood, his wife’s blood. He walked closer, looking darkly at the mangled body of his precious teenage daughter, a mosaic barely hiding the grotesque form. His wife was only vaguely better. Her face had several scratches, deep and shallow, from the glass that’d shattered. Her legs pulverized by the dashboard, one arm was broken from being slammed into the door. The airbags had deployed and already were useless in front of them. He turned his gaze towards the domestic vehicle in front of his wife’s car.

It was a faded blue truck, the driver had stepped out, he too was injured, but much lighter as he painfully rubbed his neck, his forehead bruised. He finally could listen to the laughing male voice alone, the tinnitus from the crash having faded.

“Pei! You think that woman likes you? You’re worthless! Your own daughter calls me ‘father’.”

The man’s voice heckled, letting Gang Cheng feel the greasy smile against his ear. He quivered, tears beginning to form as his eyes reddened. He’d heard it enough, the whispering degrading words of his wife’s lover. No… that’s not right. He shook his head, she’s his ex-wife now.

He opened his mouth to refute the man whose foggy form finally appeared, but the sudden, painful beeping of an alarm clock woke him up.

Di Di Di Di

Gang Cheng sat up swiftly, his body covered in sweat, tears dripping down his face. He felt the sticky clothes that were clinging to him and ran a clammy hand through his hair. He panted, a panicked gaze fluttering about the room. He didn’t remember this place, where was he? He swallowed thickly, gripping the sheets tightly with his hands as he pushed them down past his knees.

Swinging his legs over the side of the mattress he noticed the indoor slippers by the sturdy old night table. Slipping them on he scratched at his inner thigh, his mind slowly clearing after his recurring nightmare.

“I’m at the Inn, aren’t I? The Shui Shan Yuan.”

He exhaled, his nerves finally calming down as he reached to the night table. He picked up the cheap notepad with the Inn’s name on it, staring at the scribbled message.

It’s Hui Yin’s birthday tomorrow, remember to buy her a cake and offer it to her.

“That’s right…”

He pursed his lips unhappily, shaking his head. It was her birthday, wasn’t it? He crumbled the letter and made a posture to throw it in the trash bin before deciding to smooth it out, placing it instead into his pocket. He placed the now blank notepad back on the night table.

“It’s 7:30 AM.”

Gang Cheng mused, turning to head into the connected bathroom. He’d better take a shower so he can go and visit his parents.

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Author’s note: Please inform me of any opinions you have of this first chapter! I will be seeing you again soon! I hope to be uploading Under the Dawn Redwood every other Thursday at 7am EDT.

The dream is unfinished this night, but what more could there be…?

Thank you for reading!

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