November 15, 2053
Los Angeles, California, USA
In a rented apartment that looked far from nice, more like a run-down building, a boy appeared. He was not at all striking: rough pale skin, deep blue eyes, dark brown hair with a soft hue, and a scar on his right palm. The young boy sat down to eat with a middle-aged lady beside him. The wrinkles on her face spoke of her diligence and responsibility as a mother. She wore a white headscarf wrapped around her forehead. The mother and son lived alone together.
The boy did not seem to enjoy the dinner at all carrot soup in a hot pot and a cold sandwich, both chilled by the quiet, lonely air of the room. Suddenly, the lights went out for no apparent reason, and the curtains snapped shut, making the room pitch dark.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to my son, Happy Birthday Dixon."
The small white cake, lit with candles, was placed on the square dining table. The mother set the birthday cake in front of her son, her voice tinged with slight disappointment:
"Son, you know… if one day I had more money, this cake would be much bigger… Make a wish, little one."
She sat in the chair across from him. After her words, the boy smiled at his mother while eating his macaroni fried rice. He stirred his plate with his spoon, scraping it across the table, silently expressing his feelings.
The mother got up, opened the curtains, and turned on all the lights before returning to gently pat her beloved son's head. She kissed his forehead softly.
"Brian, close the door for me, okay? I have to go to work now."
Shortly after, the sound of the door closing echoed. The boy finished his macaroni, then looked up at the door. His mother was gone. The room was ordinary, almost dirty, nothing remarkable. His mother had left for work without looking back.
Brian looked down into the soup, staring at his own reflection as he smiled slightly. Suddenly, a drop fell into the soup. He glanced at the family portrait on the wall. A man embracing him with his mother, his head bald, dressed in a Navy uniform, standing straight.
The quiet boy looked down at his birthday cake, focusing on the flickering rainbow candlelight. He took a deep breath.
"Phew~" The flame went out, leaving only a thin stream of smoke rising to the empty ceiling.