Chapter 4: Murdering Miguel

When we reached home, I changed my wet dress and joined Luna in the kitchen to fix dinner. I started with the dishes while Luna cut the vegetables.

“You shouldn’t allow yourself to be mistreated by anyone, especially not your college mates,” Luna said, glancing at me and then back to the veggies.

“I couldn’t fight them, Luna, she got a team,” I said. I never learned to fight like Luna, possibly because I believe she will always defend me.

“She got a team, you got your strength,” she said, focusing on me, and I looked at her. “It’s not about how many they were, it’s about you developing the courage and strength to defend yourself.”

Luna turned back to the vegetables. I returned to washing the dishes.

“How will I learn when you always take care of everything about me?” I muttered to myself.

“You said?”

“Nothing,” I denied, starting to rinse the dishes. She shook her head and went on to check the boiling spaghetti.

The following day. I was on campus, seated on a long bench, and reading my favorite novel, “Sophie’s World.” The philosophical novel happened to be my favorite. I could read it tirelessly all day. I lifted my eyes and I saw Luna parking her power bike in the parking lot. I closed the page and stood up strapping my backpack on one shoulder. As I tried walking off, someone dragged me from behind. I gasped, staggering back. Miguel stepped in front of me with his evil smile. My heartbeat turned into a racing rate. His presence means trouble.

“What do you want?” I breathed out.

“You know what I want. Come with me,” he ordered, grabbing my wrist.

“I don’t want to, let me go,” I struggled, pulling my weight back. I tried freeing my hand as he dragged me along.

“Be quiet!” he groaned.

“Help!” I screamed.

Luna turned to us.

“Son of a bit*ch!” Luna groaned under her breath.

I saw Luna running toward us. I was enlivened.

“She is coming for you,” I said proudly.

Miguel looked at Luna, and he stopped. I wondered.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to kill two birds with one arrow, right?” he smirked.

Luna reached to us, pushing Miguel away from me.

“You don’t want to swim in your pool of blood, do you?” Luna threatened. Miguel grinned wickedly.

“Can you fight me?” he asked and twisted his neck.

Luna clenched her fist and tightened her gaze on him like a lioness keeping watch on its prey. She hinted for him to come forth. Miguel charged at Luna, screaming for a hit. Luna ducked, preventing his punch with her elbow. He swung a straight punch, and she dodged again, hitting his leg with hers. As Miguel tried to find his balance, Luna punched his nose, he staggered back. She charged at him, kneeing him in the stomach and pulling him down. She grabbed his brown shoulder-length hair and tilted his head backward. His breathing was now difficult.

“The next time you come close to my sister, buy a casket,” Luna warned and pushed him down. “Let’s go,” she said to me. I followed her up looking back to see Miguel stretching his neck while catching his breath.

At night, I was on the porch, staring at the stars, particularly my crescent moon star. How she managed to protect me all her life was a wonder. I remembered vividly the night our mother died. Her screams still lingered in my head. She had pushed Luna out of the room and then handed me over to her through the window. Luna held me close. As our mother tried to come out through the window, the roof fell, landing on our mother. We all screamed. The flames increased, making a sparkling chattering sound.

“Take care of your sister.”

That was our mother’s last word to Luna. I miss my mom so much. I never met my dad. I was told he died two months before I was born. It pained me and I wished I was given the privilege to meet him in person. I felt a soft hand on my shoulder. I turned my face and I saw Luna. She had a reassuring smile on her face. She stepped beside me.

“I miss her too,” she said. Was she reading my thoughts? Of course not, she simply comprehended my facial expression.

“You were her concern, you know? She loves you more than she ever loved me,” Luna stated and sighed with a smile. “We both love you. Your birth brought nothing, but joy and blessings into our lives. It was after you were born mom got a better job and I was able to go back to school. It was a mixed feeling of joy, sorrow, and depression. We wished Father was alive to witness our prosperity. You were father’s replica and so, we love you. I won’t ever back out from fulfilling my promise to Mother. I will protect you,” Luna expounded. I could see the sincerity in her eyes.

“I owe you my life,” that was all I could offer.

“You owe me just your safety, dear sister,” she patted my shoulder playfully. I smiled, placing my hand on hers, so both our hands were on my shoulder.

“The atmosphere is welcoming today. Do you want to learn some self-defense basics?” she asked.

I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that, but if my safety meant so much to Luna, I will help her out by defending myself sometimes.

“Okay,” I sighed.

We went under the studded starry night. I took a deep breath, relaxing my mind to learn. Luna’s teachings only made my head spin. Elbow defense, poking the eyes, the nose, the ears, kneeing, and the rest I can’t remember. Before the training ended, I was already lying flat on the ground, breathing like I have been in a race. Luna seemed relaxed while smiling at me.

The following day, Luna dropped me off on campus. I hugged her and she left. I happily headed to the lecture room. On my way, Miguel came along. I halted in my tracks. He had that evil smirk on his face while folding his sleeves. He clung his hands together and tilted his head while moving close to me. I took two steps backward. Recalling my sister’s skills last night was my best doing right now.

“Don’t come close to me,” I said inwardly to myself while taking more steps back. My eyes darted around the space to see if any student was minding us. No one seems to be looking our way.

“Help!” I screamed as I made a move to run. My voice attracted no one’s attention.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to himself. I gasped.

“Now let’s see who saves you,” he said between clenched teeth.

He twisted my arm and turned it to my back and pushed me forward. My heart banged my ribcage. I was sweating, I could feel it drip under my clothes. Defense. Yes, Luna thought me some defense skills last night. I inhaled sharply. I shot my right foot backward, hitting his shin. His grip loosens on me. He growled in pain. I faced him with a straight punch then a hard push. He landed on his back on the ground with an agonized groan. I felt like a heroine. Then he became still. Now my courage curled up. I cowered back. He was bleeding from the head. His head hit a small rock. I had to clamp my hands on my mouth to prevent the scream that almost escaping my lips. If my heart had wanted to come out of my chest, now it wishes to die. I dropped down to him immediately, shaking him vigorously to wake up. I palpated his pulse. He was dead. My tears were now uncontrollable.

“Miguel!” the evil scream finally escaped my lips.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of sirens, students were gathering us. Where were there when I had screamed for help? Selfish souls. I jerked up, swallowing hard. I murdered Miguel. The cops are going to arrest me. I will go to jail. The thought of going to jail blurred my vision, spun my head, and wobbled my legs. I couldn’t think of what to do, I didn’t murder him intentionally, it was self-defense. But who was going to listen? Luna stormed into the scene. The students were murmuring while moving close to us. Luna shook me slightly to get me back to my senses.

“Breathe!” she urged. I managed to inhale and exhale sharply. My body shivered, and my hands clung to each in dripping sweat. I was scared. “Go home, pack a few of our belongings, and run into hiding. I will find you,” Luna instructed. I looked at her like a dummy. I couldn’t comprehend anything she was saying. When she noticed my shock and confusion, she shook me again. “Ginevra, run…run!” she screamed.

I gasped, my senses shipped back into me, and I took to my heels. Where was I going? I still don’t know. I was hearing the shouting of the students. I got to breathe. I hid behind a tall building, watching Luna as she stopped some of the students who tried to chase me. I watched as the cops stormed the scene, seizing Luna and forcing her into their van. Miguel has gotten the worst of me. He has ruined my life. The cops pulled his lifeless body into the van and moved off.

“Luna!” I wailed.

I wanted to run after the van. Luna didn’t do anything. I killed Miguel, I should be the one arrested. Why were they taking my sister? As I cried, I forced myself up and headed to our home. My safety was more important to Luna than to me and so, I must do as she said. I spent the night in a logwood cabin a few distances away in the woods. Luna used to relax there sometimes. I couldn’t sleep, the scenes of earlier incidents were all replaying in my memory. I cried and cried till my eyes were hot red and I could shed no more tears. Nature had it, I fell asleep at a point.

AUTHOR’S NOTE 💞

Woohoo! Hey, sweethearts! I’m glad I was able to finish this chapter. Not easy at all. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. The death of Miguel is the beginning of the twist and turns of this story. Keep reading to get a grip on what is coming. See you in the next chapter.