Falling Out of Fear by Valerie Xu
This short story has many things to offer from the beginning to the end of the book. The first chapter already keeps the reader engaged with the curiosity of what that orange round object, the one that kept following Abby every where, might be. The snowman coming to life is also what we all want it to happen in real life. I am wondering if Abby lived in a wonderland, in her imagination or actually a world mixed with reality and imagination.
Each chapter is filled with little excitements and couple takeaways. Abby found a piece of paper written "Power is not from yourself. Strength is your power, and comes from within." Abby answered Bella to the question "...do you think we will ever find how happy one can be?", "...I don't know, I think it captures one when the moment comes, and even if one is feeling down, happiness is a part of them. They just haven't reached in that time."
At last, that orange round object was a PUMPKIN! It was not just an ordinary pumpkin, it was the pumpkin with fear, the fear of Abby's own inner thought, the fear as the pack of wolves that kept charging them and retreating on and off. But why? Pumpkin talked to Abby with a sad smile, "I'm afraid to take risks. Exploring relationships with others scares me because it's unpredictable and the anxiety of losing a friend fills me whenever I try to become closer with someone. I don't want someone I love to leave me, you know?"
Abby helped the pumpkin fight the wolves. The pumpkin risked his life by jumping himself to protect the wolf from closely charging on Abby. In fear of losing her new friend, Abby used all her strength to strike down the wolf, her insecurities. At last, all the wolves retreated and disappeared like the stars exploded in a blast.
At last, the pumpkin was not with fear anymore. The unforgettable friendship, love and great memory would be part of their life long journeys forever. Abby, in the end, was falling out of fear.
--- Love is beautiful. Love is unconditional. Do not be afraid to love.---
