Chapter One: The Devil

“Minah!”

Minah looked over her shoulder as soon as she heard her younger sister, Leigh, call her name. Leigh was glancing through her classroom window.

Minah was eighteen and in her senior year in middle school whereas Leigh was fourteen and is now in her sophomore year.

“Minah…” Leigh hollered once again.

“What?” she finally ceded, whispering. She then gestured to her to leave otherwise she'd get caught by her teacher red-handed.

Minah looked away from her and glanced at Mrs. Gipitulan for a moment. It seemed like the teacher was in her glorious moment explaining today's topic in class. She looked back at Leigh and finally got the gist of distress written on her face.

Couldn't bear to see her sister like that, so she finally took the courage to raise a hand.

“Excuse me, Ma’am. May I go out?”

Mrs. Gipitulan and a bunch of other students' eyes landed on her.

“Again? Where to?”

“Toilet, Ma’am.” And for the nth time, she came up with the same alibi. If she would say she is going to cut class, hell would break, they will never allow her to take a single step outside the room.

“We'll have a quiz after the discussion. You better hurry,” she told her, giving her an iritated look.

Minah walked out of the room, her arms crossed on her chest.

At this point, she had an idea what her sister wanted from her. Chances are she must have forgotten to take her medication this morning, or she must have forgotten to bring her book, or maybe her project, or her notes.

As soon as she came out, Leigh grabbed her hand almost immediately. Much to her surprise, standing behind Leigh was Beka, whose eyes were darting on the floor.

Minah's brows promptly furrowed as soon as she studied her sister and Beka whose uniforms were completely scrunched up, reeking of spiced vinegar.

Leigh was a premature baby and was born with a serious condition called hemolytic anemia. On top of that, she has a heart condition, too. There were times when she was suddenly down with a fever and became unconscious out of the blue—which made her anxious all the time.

Leigh was her half-sister, a biological offspring of her mother, Diana, and Julian, her stepfather. Diana used to work in a private school's canteen where she met Julian. They got married a few months later right after giving birth to Leigh. The first two years of their marriage were decent, until Julian got laid off from the factory.

The latter started to become a different person. He become a heavy drinker, and a compulsive gambler and even committed several marital infidelities.

His problematic behavior caused him to become violent towards not only his wife but also his innocent daughter, Leigh. As far as Minah could remember, she was nine years old when she started convincing her mother to leave Julian and find a far better place where she, her mom, and Leigh can live peacefully together.

Minah could not even count how frequently she would pack their things and move out away from his abusive stepfather, only to find themselves returning to his flat in less than a month.

Her mother's reason was always the same. She would never leave her father just because she was clinging on a stupid vow they made in front of the altar. Through thick and thin, she will never desert her husband. That no matter what, she would always hold on to his promise which was to give her the perfect family. And that never ending belief that Leigh needs her father.

Minah's mother's stupid reason rendered her speechless. What is the use of having a man who can not do his role as a husband or even as a father? Any child would be willing to disown his or her father if treated as a punching bag.

However, Diana never learned her lesson. In the end, Minah got fed up, got used to it and stopped convincing Diana.

“Pack up the things. We will leave this damn house right now! I can't stand your father any longer!” she remembered her mom saying this after having a huge argument with her husband.

But Minah didn't budge. Her eyes remained focused on the TV, keeping herself busy eating her favorite snacks.

“Minah, didn't you hear what I just said? I just told you to pack up, didn't I?”

Frowning, Minah turned to her distressed mother. Diana's lips were swollen, and her neck was marked with fresh bruises.

“What for? We only end up coming back here as usual. I'm so done with this moving back and forth cycle if you ask me.”

Minah eventually started praying for Julian's death, wishing the demon to take the man away from them and banish him into the pit of hell so that they can escape their miserable life forever.

Eventually, her prayer was finally heard. Although it took years, she could not explain how happy she was when she found out that Julia was rushed to the hospital.

It was said that he was stabbed by his fellow drunkard. Then first question she asked the Doctor was:

“How much time does that jerk have?”

“Fifty-fifty. There's a huge chance that he'll never make it..."

Fifty- fifty. Minah considered it still a high chance. She could not bear seeing Julian alive. That is why she never stopped praying. She desperately hoped for his step father to finally succumb to his death.

After two days in the hospital, Julian finally breathed his last, making Minah the happiest teenager at last.

When Julian died, Diana instantly carried the responsibility as the head of the family, while Minah on the other hand, functioned as Leigh's mother and guardian.

It was tough and hard, but she preferred that over having Julian alive. They no longer had to live in fear living in one roof with a dangerous and evil man like her step-father.

When Leigh had become more ill than ever before. Minah was forced to drop school for two years just so she could take care of her frail sister until she finally got better. It took time before the doctor allowed Leigh to finally get back to school.

Even though she looked weary most of the time because of work, Minah finally took a glimpse of how beautiful Diana was without bruises all over her face.

Then, their lives started to become a bit better when Diana got a job as an all-around maid in a rest house in Guimaras.

Years passed, but Leigh still could not handle physical activity, that is why Minah did all the physical activities on her behalf. However, due to her being the weakest, the thinnest, and the most aloof girl in class, Leigh often got bullied. And Minah will always get into trouble in her defense.

“Tell me who the hell did this?” Minah retorted. It was as though something had sparked her anger upon seeing her sister's pitiful state.

Shaking in nervousness, Leigh just looked down. “Can I just go home, Minah? Beka will take me home.”

“Not until you tell me what happened,” she insisted.

Leigh bit her lips. They always leave home and leave school together. If Leigh was sick, Minah would not attend class just so she would be taken care of. Well, Leigh can't go to school either if Minah was sick since no one will accompany her to school. Considering the distance, too, it was not safe for Leigh to just go by herself.

Minah could not help but feel worried for her sister. She was just scared for her overall well-being, especially her sister's constant illness.

“I slipped on the floor. That's it.” Leigh replied finally.

“You slipped on the floor then what? Swamped onto the pool of spiced vinegar? At least come up with a better lie. Just tell me who did it while I am still asking nicely.”

Leigh's lips remained shut. Minah then turned to confront Beka. Just one gaze and it was enough for Beka to shudder.

“D-Damon did it… He spilled stinky sauce on us when we were coming out of the toilet!”

Minah could feel her head heating up in anger.

“Beka!” Leigh tried to disrupt her. Too late, though.

Minah shot her a glare.

Leigh immediately shut her mouth.

“Wait here.” She uncrossed her arms and like a dragon who spits fire, she marched towards Building 3 where the fifteen-year-old bully usually hangs out.