That old man can't stop grinning!

Ever since I woke up this morning, he grinned like a fool he is and kept on stroking my hair while singing a birthday song? and he picked me up from my cradle. Half-asleep, he ushered me to the bathroom, undress me, and bathed me cheerfully.

I guess, today is my birthday. I'm officially a one-year-old child.

Looking at his face, I remember how sad he was when he said that he wanted me to grow slower compared to his enthusiasm, wanting to celebrate my birthday. How ironic is that?

He put me in the most beautiful dress I've ever worn in this life, comb my hair, powdered my face, and even put on my shoes. He even covered me in this nicest smell of baby oil. It feels like we are going to the zoo, sort of.

"Are you ready, my little owl?" he asked gingerly.

I blinked at him.

"Your mother's waiting for us downstairs," he added. 

Waiting downstairs?

What does he mean by that?

"Let's go Channa," he said while his hand slowly reached out to me.

Go? 

He meant that we are going to celebrate my birthday downstairs?!

As fast as my wobbly tubby feet could move, I ran away from Linden which was at the end, a futile effort as he easily scoop me up and carry me towards the threshold. 

No.

No.

No!

I tried to squirm my way out of his embrace. I did not care if I were to fall from such heights if it means I don't have to step out from this bright room. Although I did once step out from here, I only did because the hall has been decorated with a tall glass window overseeing the grass field. But the hall connected to the staircase is dark, a lot darker now that its opposite end has become brighter.

"It's okay, my little owl." Linden tried to comfort me while he makes sure he did not drop me to the floor. 

No!

I cried loudly. 

I'd rather be stuck in a room than go out in this gloomy hall. The shadows that lurk behind it, the memories that I tried to suppress... it will suffocate me. It will swallow me whole!

'Slap!'

We both stood silently. 

I watch in horror as blood slid down Linden's cheek. In my vehement struggle, I somehow have scratched the end of his left eyebrow. The only sound heard was my small hiccup. 

Yet, Linden did not show any emotions on his face and he continued walking. 

"Daddy knows that my little owl is scared of the dark. I'm sorry if my way is too forceful but Channa, Daddy doesn't want my little owl to continue hurting on her own," he said as he stopped below threshold. 

Wait, how?!

I look at Linden with wide eye. Realizing that all this time, Linden and possibly Aki knew of my avertness. But how? Was it too obvious? Or they simply can read my mind?

"I was fun wasn't it the last time you stepped out?" Linden grinned. 

I wipe away the blood-dripping down his face. 

Of course they would know. 

For one whole year, I have never even attempt to crawl out of this baby room and everytime they tried to do so, I went into a crying fit as if I was tortured by my own parents. Any other babies, they would fight tooth and nail to crawl their way and explore they surroundings but I... I stayed one place and 'comforted' by my own zone.

Now do my eyes saw that my actions are... odd. I never behaved like a an infant my age and Linden nor Aki ever once question me, 'why?'.

And yes, the first and last time I stepped out, was fun. I saw the world and that I no longer the person I was before. There was no necessity to be one too. Those 'shadows' even in this world still remain, it's presence does not warrant for me to keep hidden in my room. 

I buried my face on Linden's chest. 

"Do you trust me, Channa?" he asked and I nod once.

My hands gripping his shirt, tremble slightly.