Chapter 14 — The Parrot Knows Too Much

A weak, almost inaudible voice rang out from the deepest part of consciousness. A tiny wave, trying to struggle amidst "her" crazy storm.

“Don't do that…”

“Her” scream exploded in my head like thunder.

"Refuse!"

“Do you want to be caught by them?”

“Do you want to be locked in that white room and not be able to get out for the rest of your life!”

“Did you forget!”

“In that alley, who picked up the brick?”

“In that room, who is standing in front of you?”

“It's always me!”

The helicopter speakers were silent. No one below dared to move. The whole world seemed to hold its breath, looking at the silent battle in my body. Trinh Hao stood below, looking up at me. Tears silently flowed down his face. He didn't speak out loud. Just move your lips.

“I'm here.”

My heart felt like someone had hit me hard. I see. For the first time in my life, I clearly saw the moment “she” was born. The room is dark. Drunk man. The child huddled in the corner, trembling like a small animal. Just as the belt was about to strike— A blurry shadow… stood up from the child's body. Spread your arms, blocking it in front of it. The shadow has no face. Not expressive. Only his eyes burned with cold black fire. From that day. All the pain... she bears it. All the resistance... she did it for her. All the sins... she bears it for her. She blocked all the world's malice for me. And using those same evil intentions... built a prison with no way out. I spoke consciously, my voice so light it was like the wind. “Her” scream stopped.

“Thank you for protecting me all these years.”

“Really… thank you.”

“It's time to end it.”

“No…” “her” voice carried a pleading tone for the first time.

“Don't… they'll hurt you…”

“I know.”

My voice was strangely calm.

“But I can't let you continue like this anymore.”

“The way you protect me… is destruction.”

“That's wrong.”

“I know… there is still light in this world.”

I saw Trinh Hao. Seeing Vuong landscape. Even... when I saw that stupid parrot, I could only cry "in front of the bright moon bed".

“We were all wrong.”

“We should face the consequences together….”

“Then together… be liberated.”

A warmth gradually spread through my body. I can feel my fingers again. I stood up straight. No more crazy attack stances. Under the bright helicopter lights, under everyone's eyes. I calmly stood there. Then slowly spread your arms. Like a bird finally freed from its cage. And towards the abyss ahead— A place full of pain but also the end. I… jumped down. I don't jump to the ground. My target… is the container right below, closest to me. It was an offensive and dangerous move. In the eyes of the extremely stressed policemen, that was the final act of madness, a desperate attempt to "die together". A deep, sharp explosion, different from all the previous gunshots, tore through the night. Sniper gun. The bullet carried terrible kinetic energy and accurately penetrated my body. I felt like a truck had hit me. The huge impact force threw me out. In a moment, all sounds disappeared. The sound of the helicopter was just like the distant buzzing of bees tattoo. Panic screams faded into the background. My body… became light. Like a feather... floating in mid-air. I see. Seeing Trinh Hao rush towards me like crazy, but was held tightly by someone else. Seeing Officer Vuong throw the loudspeaker to the ground, horror appeared on his face... and a pain that could not be named. My body fell, hitting the roof of the cold container hard. There is no pain as imagined. There was just a warm feeling… that was quickly leaving me. “Her” voice rang out one last time in my head. Like a candle about to go out.

“Does it hurt…”

“It doesn't hurt anymore.”

I smiled and answered consciously.

“Do you see…”

“It's morning.”

“She”… didn't say anything more.

The shadow followed me throughout my childhood and youth. The person I both hated and relied on to survive. Finally... come to the end with me. My vision gradually blurred. The world dissolved into chaotic patches of light and dark. I tried, for the last time, to look towards Vuong Quan. The person who pulled me out of an endless nightmare. You took away my freedom. But also gave me… final liberation. My lips moved slightly. No sound is emitted. But I know… you understand. Really… thank you. The last tear fell. Bring all the pain, all the unwillingness, and all the letting go. The world… is finally quiet. I dreamed a dream. In the dream, the warm afternoon sunlight spread down, my friends waved to me to come over and play with them. Behind me, my parents smiled and looked at me. On the left, there is a little girl identical to me, frowning and mumbling.

“Okay, this time you don't need me to protect you anymore, go quickly.”