Chapter 01

Have you ever wondered what is good about rain? For my entire existence, the zeal feeling weeing rain makes me feel good that doesn't change a thing. 

Well, the fresh droplets of rain create a sense of calmness that soothes my body and gives me satisfying chills. Indeed magical. 

My lips weep down in a bold curve as I reminisce my teacher asking me one time why the rain makes me happy? 

And there's this me, answering with a pleased smile saying; rain produces a sound akin to white noise. The brain gets a tonic signal from white noise that decreases this need for sensory input, thus calming me down. Similarly, the bright sun tends to keep us stimulated. 

However, for today's weather, it's just gloomy. Poorly lit but not enough to rain, I guess. Yet still melancholy to my eyes. 

"For how long will you stay there standing, Xiomara?" 

I didn't budge an inch, but I frowned in disapproval after when mom poked my head using her fist.

My brows furrowed when I face her. She gave me a knowing look and I don't need another glare from her to understand what she's referring to. 

"I don't have the slightest energy to attend school, mom!" my face was wry in disgust. 

"And why is that?" 

"I'm sick!" 

Not specifically, but seeing those couples walking around in our school and do some sweet things makes me wanna vomit. Just eww!

It's the month of February, days of lovers out there to be exact. And this day is my biggest doom. I just hate valentines day, that's all. 

My mother's eyes questioned me. 

"You are not sick." an ugly, twisted expression showed up on my face.

"Mom...it's valentines day!" my voice sounded arguing though it didn't rise. 

"Why do you hate valentines day so much?" my eyes bounds like a frisky pup. 

"Wait, don’t tell me it's about your ex-boyfriend breaking up with you on the same date?" I emitted an audible sigh. 

"Mom, this isn't the time to lose my cool. This conversation leads to nowhere!" 

Her hard, loud laugh echoes in every corner of our house. 

"You sounded bitter, Xiomara." I can hear the hint of teasing in her voice. 

My eyes grew bigger. 

"I am not!" I almost shriek while saying that. 

I badly wanted to smack my mother's head but I know for a fact that it's not a good move. 

"Defensive." she taunted. 

"Mom, you're being rude about my feelings. I am so done with my ex, duh?!" 

She shrugged. "Suit yourself. But don't skip school today just because of that." 

"I don't wanna go!" I tramped my foot on the floor like a child whining. 

"Whatever your reason is, don't let that affect you. Now go and attend today's events." 

"Mom!" 

"Don't make me repeat my words, Xiomara." her voice was arctic. Somehow deadly and authoritative.

I chewed my bottom lip. "Okay." Defeated, I murmured. 

"Woah, woah. What an actual surprise that you came? Should I throw a party for seeing your presence, Mara?" I glared at him, making him raised both hands in the air. 

"Don't start with me. And will you stop calling me Mara? It's Xiomara, you dimwit!" 

He just chuckled at my remarks and put his hands down before putting them inside his pocket. 

Tss. Acting cool my ass. 

"It's too long, so better make it short. Might also call you love to make it shorter." I rolled my eyes at him. 

This guy never changes. He always annoys me nonstop and won't halt till he never gets satisfied seeing me pissed. 

"But seriously? I'm happy to see you." 

"And I am not!" I shot back and walk past by his side. 

That asshole's name is Herofus. I swear to God that he isn't my friend. But I don't know how the heck did I became his prey. He's a certified bully and I can't argue with that. I mean look at what happened a few minutes ago! 

His radar is so fucking impossible! I made sure that I'm taking a small pace, avoiding people's eyes and making myself invisible to Herofus. And now? How come did he saw me? 

Certainly, he just bumped at me and pissed the hell out of me. Damn that guy! 

I am not his type but what the fuck come to his mind and kept on chasing me? He's a bully, yes. But it never occurred that he hurt me physically unlike others. 

After I found out that my ex is cheating on me and he dare to break up with me, I'm not into boys anymore. I don't wanna have a guy around me to ruin my heart. I hate them. The enmity is boiling up whenever I see one. They broke my trust just like my father. 

He broke my mom's heart after he abandoned us. I don't have any vivid photos of him 'cause I'm still a child back then when he left us. And if I will be given one, surely I will burn it and buried those after. 

My hate for my father cannot be measured. 

"Mara!" 

What the?! 

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I shouted when he got in my spot and blocked my way. I forgot that this guy is an athlete in any sports.

"Hey, calm down. I'm not doing anything." 

"If you're not doing anything then get out of my way and let me walk with peace, will you?" I said with a calm voice. 

I'm mad. But anger won't help me in this kind of situation I'm in. 

Herofus is living trouble. And I'm not a girl who like dangers, hence better get out from his burning flame. 

I'm not ready to get burned. 

"What? I just want to talk with you." 

God. Talking is a no-no. Being with him for just a second is a one thousand no and triple fuck with double damn. 

Argh! I don't wanna have a guy on my side who did nothing but pester me! Why can't he get that? 

"You are Herofus," I stated factly. 

Damn idiot for nodding with a smile. Can't he get what I'm pointing to?! 

"As I am saying-" 

I cut him off. He deserved that. 

"You are Herofus. Every woman like yo-" 

"Precisely. Including you." 

I snorted. Conceited jerk. 

"No. I don't like you and never will be. Now get lost and find someone to talk to. Stop bothering me!" I yelled straight to his face and walked out. 

I had a few paces, wandering my eyes around only to see couples doing some stuff. It's not my concern and not my thing, but I find it nasty. 

For them, it's sweet and normal 'cause they're lovers but err, it's gross. Whenever I stare at them for a minute or more so, my eyes stings. 

Eww. I'm not bitter. I just don't like those. 

Good thing Herofus was out of my sight, for now. That guy is something. What's up with him and the chase? To annoy me? But he can't get any benefit from it. Perhaps, he find me as his new toy to play with. He's surely making fun of me. 

That thought is making me wanted to beat the hell out of him. 

"Xiomara!" I stopped and tilted my head. 

Confusion scattered in my face when I saw who called me. 

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

I almost flinched when her hands gripped my arm. 

"We need to get out of here. It will be raining in no time. It's not safe in here." her words baffled me big time. 

"Mom, what? W-what the heck is happening?" I asked her, bewilderment clouded my thoughts. 

"I don't have any minute to explain. Just don't be stubborn and come with me." 

I don't give a fuck about those eyes prying at us. All I ever wanted is to know why she's acting like this. I don't know if my mother was just pulling this trick, but her face screams seriousness. 

Every move of her was like she's afraid of something. And I found the way how she looks at the sky and muttered something I don't understand. She's speaking a different language! 

What the hell is happening?! 

"Get in the car. Now!" 

"Mom, I don't understand." 

"I have no time to explain in detail. People aren't aware but when the rain will start pouring, humans will go extinct." 

That makes the whole situation complicated even more. 

My mother drove fast. And it's my first time to see her like this. She looks scared and trembling for I don't know the reason why. 

"M-mom, are you okay?" she glances at me and smiles at me, assuring me that it's fine. But I know that her smile didn't reach her eyes. 

Something is goin' on, and I think it's damn bad. 

A lot of questions are running inside my head. Why does my mother acting like this? Why is she so tremulous about the rain? There are more questions to ask, but I chose to keep silent this time. 

The way she maneuvered the car and accelerated more speed, in no time we reached the house. 

I heard the loud noise when she slammed the car's door after getting out. Present was blurred together, confusing me still further. 

Puzzled, I step out in the car. 

I followed her. And it shock me when she punched a code-behind my room's wall. A basement showed up in front of me. 

"Mom! Please enlighten me! I need answers!" I inquired with a stunning face. 

She bored her eyes at me and stared at me intently. Is that sadness mixed with the pain I see through her eyes? She can't deny that! It's fucking visible. 

"Listen to me, Xiomara. Don't let anyone know that you are an Eleanor. Don't trust anyone and be safe." 

She embraced me and why does it feel like this will be the last time? That thought pricked my heart harshly. 

For no reason, my tears cascade from my eyes down to my cheeks. 

Why am I crying? 

"M-mom...you won't leave me right?" 

She won't. I know she won't. 

But her warm embrace departed which hurts me badly. 

"Always remember that you're an Eleanor. Don't let them catch you. Don't let them use you. You're an Eleanor and that means you deserve everything. And when I mean everything, including this world." 

At that moment, I know she will also leave me. 

I found myself being pushed inside. And the last thing I saw is my mother's sweetest smile and alone tear that fall in her eyes. 

"Mom! No! M-mom! Get me out of here! M-mom! Don't leave me!" I uttered a loud call or cry while banging the door with my bare palms. 

Despite my cries and begging, my mother didn't open the door. And I know to myself that she's not here anymore. 

She's gone. I'm alone. 

How can I take this all? 

My legs were weak, that's why I decided to sit in the bed. Funny how everything was complete here. It feels like I lost my strength the moment I was alone and knows nothing. 

Why do I feel so betrayed? Like everything was planned all along? 

I slightly massaged my temple. Irrational thoughts were attacking me. 

My eyes darted to the small window. It's now raining. I remember my mom told me that there's something about the rain. 

Is that true? 

There's only one way to find out. I slowly walk towards the small window. I bent my knees to reach their level. 

People were screaming. Blood was scattered around the corner. I heard their shouting while running for help. 

I managed to look at the sky. 

The rain was beautiful in such a way as to seem cannot be removed. But why does the rain became an infliction of a penalty as retribution for an immoral act? 

Rain. It feels like it's punishing people. What the fuck is happening outside?! 

I am not blind. Everything outside was in chaos. And I'm here inside, wrapped in complete disorder and confusion. 

My legs trembled and I let myself fall to the floor. I hold my breath for a second before letting it out that turned into a deep sigh. 

Why is everything so fuck up?