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 Hansel, my younger brother, will most likely be playing with his favourite Legos. And Dad will be there in an hour.When Dad is home, Hansel is less likely to attack or annoy me.
Hansel 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 Hansel. 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.
Caring less for my dirtied soaked shoes, I drag my feet toward the bus stand a few kilometers away from the school. I think I have run far enough, even if he catches up with me, there is nothing he can do to me in the public. Shivers wouldn't stop running over my body, trembled even in my breath, panting out of air. I take a seat to catch my breath, hugging myself hoping it can reduce the chills I feel. It takes a few minutes to calm myself when I spotted a black sedan pulling over from the corner of my eyes, I start panicking as I heard the door pushed open and someone is descending. My very first instinct is to escape, running wildly in the opposite direction without even looking back. The footsteps of the person become intense and I sense that I can never escape this time as he is at last able to grab me by my elbow. I come to a dead-end, left with no choice, covering my ears I shouted to the top of my lungs, co
Morning comes rough for me, I woke up soaked in cold sweat and headache. I'm pretty sure I had taken all the safety measures to avoid getting sick from coming home drenched in rain yesterday. But, I guess the incident had messed up my immune system. I have serial nightmares of Mr. Bong chasing after me, and I couldn't forget his sinister sneers that keep echoing in my mind. Forcing myself out of bed, I get ready for school. The whole process takes a ton of my energy, one moment I wanted to give up for school today but then Hansel will be home earlier, and afterward, mom will be restricted to go out to spend time with Hansel. The therapist said bonding time with Hansel is important for his recovery. Go to hell with the advice, Hansel would be glad to torture me for the rest of the day, and then mom will be coming over blaming me for the mess he creates. I guess our age g
A ruckus filled with the shattering voice of cries coveted my eardrums as the dead body splays by their eyes to witness. I couldn't move. Definitely, it was our school security man, MR. BONG. Am I still in one of my continuous nightmares? Please, I wanted to wake up! His pale face indirectly faced me, empty eyes staring back at me, sending churn to the pit of my stomach. Implement a lucid image of his death to the back of my mind. I put my hand over my mouth to muffle a scream while the paramedic roughly snatched the linen, giving me an annoyed glance as he put it back to its place. Did I accidentally injure him? Does he bleed heavily to his death? A shivers run through my spine, thinking, should I look back yesterday, just to make sure he is not hurt anywhere, will he survive? So, now... I'm a m
"Shh... Don't joke on things like this Lana, " Samuel blurted in a half-whispered tone, putting his hand over my lips. "You going to get in trouble." Tears welled up my eyes. I do hope that all of this is only a prank, but Mr. Bong is dead, and I'm officially a criminal. I weakly shove his hand away, "Sam... I'm the last person he met. He tried to... " I hushed, chin trembled, and an involuntary whimper escaped my lips. Staring back at me, he realized that I'm not kidding him. He is silent but at last, he exhaled, coming closer putting a hand over me, and crushing me to his everlasting safe haven body. "I'm sorry, don't say a word anymore." "I'm scared. I didn't mean to..." I convinced him with my voice muffled to his chest. "Hush... I know, I understand, anyone in your place won't hesitate to stab him to death..." He comforted me, tightening the embrace as I sobbed uncontrollably. &n
A thousand rays of the morning sun escaped from between the blinds. I used to love being near the windows, but every now and then each time my glance turns to the exact spots where Mr. Bong's body lay, a cold shiver runs down my spine, and my palms couldn't stop sweating in the cold air-conditioned room. I have to keep telling myself over and over again that it wasn't me that had him killed, I didn't stab him, someone did. And that someone, is among us... It is day four after the incident, there is no new clue of the case, crime scene investigation and evidence collection were completed and we had been allowed to move back to our classroom yesterday. I didn't take leave from school the day after the incident. When I woke up that day later in the evening, I was in Samuel's guest room, he had offered to let me rest in his guest room once I have taken the medicine provided by Ms. Oh. I'm running with fever again on that day, and Samuel said that I keep mumbling in my sleep that he ha
The soft bell chime indicating that school is over for today sends a sigh of relief throughout the class. We say our salute to Mrs. Sue, the mathematics teacher, then gather our belongings to leave. I stuffed my notebooks into my bag and went up to Samuel who was already waiting outside with his three other best friends. "Hey, Lana what's up." Jerry Chon, the boy with the most adorable eyes and sweetest smile welcomed me. "I'm good, thanks," I replied while giving way to a girl who is flirting with Jason Bak without seeing that she almost bumped into me. Anyway, can't they simply wake up to the womanizer who would never commit his heart to any of them, but then there's Jason, all confident... Good looks are definitely a plus. I saw Naomi being the last exiting the class, I try my luck to talk to her again as she approached us but Nelson Kim had already overtaken me. "Goodbye, Naomi," Nelson uttered with a smile. His dimple deepened, showing off his charms. Now I understand why Na
"No. I'm sorry Lana. I didn't mean that way. I mean, you should at least have some basic to be on yourself," He said as he put down his food, using his other free hand, he tilts my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You are going to die before entering the battleground, do you think this is wise?" Always with his broad point of view, somehow he had accidentally become my counselor as we grow up. Damn, I must be in a serious lack of common sense. Meeting his gaze, I'm overwhelmed that it is him from the beginning. As I drifted into his dreamy brown eyes, he breaks the spell by giving me another flick on the forehead. "Ouch!" "Gosh, stop looking at me like that," He said, lightly pushing me away from him and continuing to enjoy his meal. "That's hurt, you shouldn't treat a girl like that," I grumbled, covering my forehead to soften the mild pain he caused to me. "Well, I treat every girl good, except you. Eat your food, I got a ne
The dim light poles along the winding alleys illuminated shadows to the pavement Naomi stepped on. Commuting back home after her self-study in school, this is the long stairways she had to walk up daily, to her home at the top of the alleys. For an outsider, this hilly neighborhood gives an illusion of a romantic getaway as it has the closest space to a better view of the moon. Yet, with the chipped paint of colored houses along with the distinct lack of planning development, this place is soon to be abandoned. Sooner the neighborhood will be only occupied by the elderly and bad memories. Because in reality, living in peace doesn't enough if the stomach goes hungry... The younger generation believes that they can only dream in the land of skyscrapers overlook the run-down neighborhood she lives in. Naomi's sister was one of them, she runs away from home five years ago, leaving behind her aging parents with her litt