The crumpled picture, depicting her in the heavenly arms of her father, dropped like a feather out of Solene’s delicate hand onto the floor as she laid on her miniscule navy blue bed, in solitude. Pictures containing fragments of memories of her only father laid scattered on the floor within the herculean labyrinth of teddy bears, grass green dinosaurs and petit plastic tea cups that laid sprawled.

Never had she once thought, in the 12 years she had grown up with her father that she would lose him. Forever. Memories flashed through Selene’s head as fast as lightning as she recalled the playfulness she exerted on her father when she was younger. They’d play with the dinosaurs together, pretending they were alive, like in the Jurassic movie. But the innocent dinosaurs vanished from the surface of the Earth millions of years ago, without any trace. And so did her father.

As she laid on her bed, reflecting on memories in the haunting depth of night, she heard a creaking door. Like always. She had a feeling. It was true. Her father would definitely come back looking for her. Her own door creaked, just like always, revealing an awfully cold breeze of air that nourished her face. Her father was back. Looking for her. And she was ready to meet him. Like always, she called out, “Father?” But it never occurred. He never came.

But she wasn’t ready to accept the menacing truth just yet. She knew she’d talk to him one day. Even if it was the last time she’d ever see him again. The next day, she awakened and she saw it again. An apparition right outside her door, awaiting her next move. She knew it would happen tonight. Surprisingly, her dinosaurs and teddy bear went missing. Her pictures were all gone too. It was a sign. A very close sign. He was going to come back. One last time.

As she stood waiting at the door of her bedroom, she felt that nostalgic breeze empower her with strength. He was coming back. For her. And there he was. In the shadows.

A mysterious yet kind-hearted apparition. Waiting…

She whispered out, “Father..?” A nod approached her with happiness. And then sadness as tears spilled out uncontrollably from her delicate, marine blue eyes. Realization sunk in her. This was the last time she’d see him… ever. The apparition faded to blackness. There was a tranquil thud as she laid, unconscious on the floor.

Consciousness took over. Flashing white walls blinded her eyes as she awoke to find herself in a threatening hospital room. The wrinkled yet calming face of her mother greeted her as she seated herself.

“I met Dad, Mom. For the last time ever. He’s the best Dad I had ever had. I saw his ghost.” The mother stared, her face bleached white. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and there stood her father, drenched in sweat as he stood in his work clothes. “Honey, your father is not dead. He’s right here. He’s finished his business affairs abroad after 5 months. He has never left. He can play with you now.” “No Mom, we have to accept it. Dad’s left us. Forever. He will never see us again. He won’t play with me again. He is busy. He won’t have time anymore for us…”

Realization sunk in the mother as she realized that nothing would ever be the same again.

Solene just loved her father... too much.