Raindrops against the window create a soothing chorus in the classroom.
Everyone had left from the extra hours of revision class that had just ended, leaving me alone in my seat. I was lying face down on the hard surface of my desk, my bag slung over my shoulder, ready to go home, but I decided to stay a little longer. Dribble, dribble, dribble... This is much more relaxing than being at home at this time. Mom will be busy preparing dinner, and Luca, my younger brother, will most likely be playing with his favourite Legos. And Dad will be there in an hour.When Dad is home, Luca is less likely to attack or annoy me.
Luca was diagnosed with a rare intermittent explosive disorder, which required him to attend a special school and undergo extensive therapy. Playing with blocks and drawing are usually the best ways to lift his spirits, but his episodes tend to occur when I'm at home. He couldn't be around me doing my own thing without having outbursts of rage like him. He refuses to be the only oddball, so I naturally become his human punching bag.I've learned over time that staying away from home when dad isn't around is the best way to avoid Luca. As I progressed through high school, the number of hours spent in class increased.
Detention in class? I'll be glad to have it, but I used to enjoy class detention! An additional hour of class? No problem, I secretly smiled while my classmates grumbled. I'm good at keeping my eyes open while my mind wanders. Staying in class to waste some more time wouldn't kill me. I tell myself as my droopy eyes become heavier due to the soothing sounds of nature. It's only a few minutes since I've fallen asleep.The pouring rain begins to tap, keeping me awake in my dazzled dreamy languid.
What time is it exactly? I questioned myself. I should have left by now, but instead of being driven away by our school security guard like a pest, I decided to drag myself out. But hold on... Something is wrong right now. My skin feels tingly as a result of the strange atmosphere. I had the distinct impression that "someone" was standing right beside my seat. I have the urge to open my eyes before I realise what is going on. A joke? Is Samuel Jin playing a joke on me? It's impossible, he's not like that. And then something unexpected happened...The person is now extending their hand to remove the hair that has been covering my face, their fingers' calluses standing out against my skin.
While thinking how to escape the situation, I remain firmly seated while my heart rate gradually rises. By stroking the corner of my lips, the person displayed increased boldness. The stench of smoke gets stronger every time they breathe. I used all of my strength to knock the opponent off its feet once I was no longer able to tolerate it."Ahh!" He screamed in agony.
Even though I was unsteady from my sudden movement when I hit the person, I at least managed to hurt them. When I turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes at the person who was attempting to take a chance on me. He was none other than Mr. Bong, the security guard at our school. "What are you "What are you attempting to achieve?" I exploded. Backing up, keeping a safe distance between us.He wipes the blood from the corner of his lips. I had hit exactly in his mouth area. Adjusting his composure, he approached slowly towards me. "Young girl in your age must be in raging sexual hormones, right? You are actually luring me to do things to you, am I right?" He said in his semi-whispered tones.
Sneering, he is unaffected by the pain I had caused him. "Come, don't be afraid. After the first time, you will be begging for more. Or Is it, you already have been with a man?"
The sickening raspy in his tone disgusted me, my heart almost skips a beat as his hand tries to reach for me.
"No! You are crazy, go away! I'm telling you!" I had never been this terrified in my life. My insecurity at home had me misunderstood by the adult, exposing my vulnerability to the perverts.
"Stay away from me! You can't do this, " I snarled. Looking for any device around me to be used as my shield. Other than chairs and tables, there is none.
"Baby girl, I have shut down the camera surveillance system. Our secrets will be safe, don't worry. No one will be here at this hour, I assured you." He said, approaching closer to me, almost had me cornered. "It will be fun, trust me, baby girl..."
Psycho! He tried to speak in a way of comfort, but all I see is a dirty villain and nauseating person in front of me!
What are the first rules in any dangerous situation?
DON'T PANIC.
But, damn, I'm scared!
He tried to grab me and I act just the right time by pulling a table from my side, putting a barricade over us, and turning to the other side.
I think it had hit him somewhere as I heard him flinching away, hissing in pain with a loud thud, yet I didn't bother to look back if he is alright.
My instinct is to save myself, thus, I make a dash out towards the open door for escape.
At this hour, there won't be any single soul mingling in the building. Class ended at 5:30 pm, but our class is the last leaving today after Mrs. Sue's extra hour revision session.
Idiot me, I never foresee the inevitable of a pervert in a school which supposed to be a safe place for us!
Sprinting along the empty walkway, I regret being inactive in athletics. This short run had me gasping for air, yet, I refuse to look back, the pouring rain doesn't bother me.
A quiet café by the lake.That was where we would meet.Nelson drop me at the venue, "Call me if you need anything." he said softly."I can call a taxi too, please don't worry," I said before closing the door."Sure," he said, trying to smile.The hours leading up to it passed in a haze. My hands trembled slightly as I smoothed down my dress.I wasn't sure why I was so nervous.Maybe because, for the first time in fifteen years, I would finally see the man I had loved more than anything.And he was alive.My heart hammering as I scanned the café.The grand glass windows framed the tranquil waters, while soft instrumental music played in the background with freshly brewed artisanal coffee lingered in the air.It was a place of quiet indulgence, yet somehow, as I stepped inside, I felt its echoes stirring in the silence.I was nervous but hopeful, dressed in a way that made me feel like myself again, like the girl who once dreamed of forever with Sam.When I finally saw him, standing by
For the first time in years, I woke up feeling… light.No lingering drowsiness from medication.No heaviness pressing against my chest.Just the quiet hum of the morning, the distant crash of waves against the shore, and the warmth of the sun filtering through the curtains.I sat up slowly, letting the realization settle in.I had slept.Truly slept.Without the aid of pills, without waking in cold sweats, without the weight of forgotten memories clawing at the edges of my mind.Since the day Nelson had taken me to the memorial park. He had stood by my side as I faced the past I never knew I had buried so deeply.The guilt, the unanswered questions, the fear of the unknown.Had finally begun to lift.I stepped out onto the balcony, the ocean stretching endlessly before me. The salty breeze kissed my skin, the crash of waves a soothing melody against the silence.For once, I felt calm.Not healed. Not whole.But calm.Everything was still sinking in. The truth about Naomi, the lies Jaso
"Because I killed him. I killed Bong, Lana!" she admitted with an evil mock.She stood there, the wind whipped around her, catching the loose strands of her hair.Gusts of wind send shivers through my frail body, but rather my lips tremble as I chooses to speak. "You didn't, you didn't...""Lana, I did. I was there." She responded. "I'm the one who removes the evidence; I try to keep him away from you, but my resentment for such an animal, I rather end his life."I feel it back then how my heart break at the truth that the murder of our school security guard who tried to harass me was done by Naomi.Naomi was indeed... trying to protect me.I was hoping it was a hoax, but the truth had been told by Naomi herself tore my heart apart even more."Naomi, why... why did you do that? You could have told me, and I would have been able to help you!""Lana, how could you possibly rescue me? He raped me, destroyed my life, and put my future in jeopardy! Tell me, have any peasants like me gotten
A faint hum of the engine and the sway of the car pulled me from the depths of sleep.My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, my limbs weighed down as if my body had sunk into the seat.The world outside the window blurred past in muted streaks of grey and green, shrouded in the soft glow of the morning light.I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up.The last thing I remembered was sitting at the dining table with Nelson, his voice low as he suggested something. But the memory was hazy, distorted, as if it belonged to someone else.A faint recollection of waking up sluggishly, getting ready with Mrs. Holland's help, and having breakfast darted across my mind, but not quite tangible.Panic coiled in my chest. I turned, my breath catching as I found Nelson beside me, one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily on the armrest.His face was calm, but there was something guarded in the way his gaze flickered toward me before settling back on the road."You're awake." His voice was smooth, u
The guest room prepared for me was a surprising contrast to the rest of the antique grandeur mansion.The walls were painted a soft, muted grey, with a single abstract painting hanging above a sleek platform bed. The bed itself was low and modern, dressed in crisp silky white linens and a lightweight beige throw.Just clean lines and a calm, unpretentious aesthetic.A small bedside table held a simple lamp with a frosted glass shade, casting a warm and inviting glow.A single potted plant. A touch of green against the neutral palette stood on a narrow wooden shelf that ran the length of the wall.The floorboards gleamed too perfectly, polished wood, and the large window opposite the bed framed the darkness outside. A sheer white curtain drifted slightly with the cool night breeze, adding a touch of softness to the otherwise stark room.The warmth of the bath earlier had done little to ease the tension coiled tight in my chest.I lay awake staring at the ceiling, tracing invisible patte
The winding road felt endless, the hum of Nelson's motorcycle filling the silence between us. The city's glow had long since faded, replaced by the barren fields and a sky bloated with stars, an emptiness of the countryside.Trees lined the path, their shadows stretching ominously under the pale moonlight. My grip on Nelson's jacket tightened as the bike slowed, its headlight glaring at a wrought-iron gate.Nelson pulled off his helmet and reached for his phone. With a quick call, he muttered something I couldn't hear. Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a long driveway framed by hedges trimmed to razor-perfect lines casted by a soft golden glow of bulbs.The house at the end of the path loomed, grand yet secluded, with its aged wood and stone exterior.We rolled forward slowly, the bike's engine a low rumble that echoed in the still night. A figure waited by the entrance, an elderly woman, her posture straight and her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She had a calm y