Chapter 01 - Nightmare and past

Chapter 01 - Must have been the wind

Solene

Walking, running, breathing hard was all I did to escape the guy who was chasing me. I can feel my knees shaking and also my chest throbbing. I realized that I was running for my life. This is not funny, I wanted to scream but who would help me anyway? It's just me, nobody else. 

"Where are you, sweetheart? Come here, we're not yet done having fun." I heard the man say. His voice was so deep that I couldn't even forget how does it sound like. 

Fear took over my body when I heard that creepy deep voice coming from that man. I don't want this anymore... this is so scary.

It was terrifying...

I entered a small street and found a big trash can. I hid there because my body could fit well behind the trash can. It was enough for me to hide. I was catching my breath when I decided to sit there. I can still hear that voice that's why I closed my eyes, hoping that he would not find me. 

I don't want this anymore...

I took a peek then breathed freely when I saw that the man was gone. I slowly walked away and decided to go home with cold hands. I guess I can't call it home because it doesn't feel like home. 

I found my cousin, Astria, and aunt sitting in the living room and seemed to be expecting my arrival.

"Why are you here? Are you and Mr. Spears done? Or maybe you ran away again?" Auntie asked me angrily. I'm used to the way they treat me, so I just didn't move an inch.

"No, I didn't. We're done, so I left. " I moved my gaze to my shoes. I didn't want Astria to suspect me if possible.

"Why are you looking down? You did something, right?" she asked. I know she likes to see me suffer.

I shifted my sight upward. They were staring at me with disdain as if I were garbage. I was on the verge of leaving, but I knew I'd get slapped if I did.

"Just make sure you're not lying because I'm going to kick you out of here. You're trash just like your mother." Just what I have said, I'm used to it and I can still endure.

"Get lost, I might end up slapping you," she said.

Before I could leave, I caught Astria smiling wide from ear to ear. It was really obvious that she loved seeing me suffer a lot. I guess that's what makes her happy and it's so cruel. She doesn't see me at all as her cousin. 

I closed the door properly then threw myself on the bed. It was a rough day and thank God, it's done. 

This is how my life has been since my mother passed away. My aunt used to give them money. I didn't even complain once or twice, because as long as I could live, I'd continue to live even though this world took away my happiness and peace.

I don't even know who my father is, and I have no idea where he went. I only had one picture of him, which was given to me by my mother before she died. In the middle of the chaotic thoughts inside of my head, my tears suddenly rolled down my cheeks.

I remembered my mother's words before she died. They played in my head. It's like she was whispering those words to me and her voice brought comfort to me. 

"Sweetie... you need to fight, alright? I love you so much and it pains me to see you struggling, so fight as long as you can." 

I looked in a mirror and nodded to myself. I wiped away the tears then forced myself to smile just for once. One thing's for sure... I need to get out of here as soon as possible. Right, nobody should tell me what I need to do because this is my life, and it is my right to take control, not someone else's.

I put all my belongings in the suitcase that my mom used to own. I also put inside the picture of us smiling. After I finished gathering my things, I peeked carefully and when I was sure that everybody was asleep, I went downstairs.

I sighed for a minute, then took a glance at the wall clock hanging on the wall. It's 10 p.m. I won't take back my words. I'm ready to leave.

When I went downstairs, the light in the living room suddenly turned on. I became nervous when I saw the whole family standing there and looking at me. H-how did they get here? I was sure that no one was in the living room. 

"And where do you think you're going?" Astria asked. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to stay calm. Right, I should show them that I'm not scared of them.

 My chest felt heavy and I was sweating. What am I going to do? Do I still need to go back? 

"I knew you were planning to escape and I was sure you ditched Mr. Spears!" I breathed in and out as she shouted. The whole house almost collapsed because of her voice. 

"You were worthless!" My uncle added, and I held tight to the straps of my backpack. My fear doubled because I just knew what was going to happen next.

I just found myself being tweaked by Astria and slapped by Auntie while Uncle was just standing there, watching his wife and daughter do horrible things to me. I almost wanted to call all the saints to just save me from them.

When I tasted the blood on my lips, I forced myself to let go, and, thank God, I did. I started to cry helplessly.

I quickly grabbed my things then ran out of the house. I kept running while my tears were streaming down to my cheeks. I don't care if I trip over something, all that matters to me is escape. I've had enough of them. I want to live a new life, away from them if possible.

My whole body was shaking out of fear. I turned at the second street then prayed that I would be able to find a hiding place and God seemed to hear that. I found an abandoned house. I went there and I hid for a while. After a couple of minutes, I decided to go.

I closed my eyes when the cold breeze kissed my face and I wiped away the tears left on my cheeks. This is finally it... I will start over again and I will forget everything that happened to me there.

I kept walking on the cold street until I saw a bench. When my stomach rumbled like an enraged lion, I sat down. I realized that I hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. I accidentally touched the side of my lip and I felt the pain. It was all because of what happened earlier. I took out my wallet and sighed when I saw how much was left inside.

A bill for one hundred pesos. 

I guess I'll spend the night here. I was about to lay down when I heard a voice of a drunk man. I got scared of his looks.

"What does a beautiful young lady do here at night?" I swallowed hard when he smiled at me and it was a creepy one, I swear.

Dear God,

Please save me, again. I don't want to die yet. 

"Why don't you come with me? I'll let you taste the real heaven," he said.

He got closer to me and I was surprised the moment he touched my legs. I cried again, not knowing what to do.

"Please, no. I'm begging you," I said.

He pulled out a swiss knife from his pocket, and I have no idea where he obtained it. Then the next thing I knew... I was lying on the freezing street and I saw a light coming from a car.

Is this the end of me? 

_ _ _ _ _ _

I almost fell when I heard my phone ring. I got up, panting hard. 

Sweat was dripping down my forehead and my chest felt heavy and I could feel my heart beating so fast. My clothes were soaked in sweat as if I had bathed in the rain. I looked around and left, dazed for a moment. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw I was still in the room.

It was just a dream. No... a nightmare from the past.

I reached for my phone on the side table. My friend's name appeared on the screen. It was Ethienne. 

"It's good that you answered my call! I waited almost 30 minutes for you to answer my freaking calls! You seriously got me worried, you witch!"

I scratched my neck. It seems that she got bored and that's why she called me. She's always like that, so easy to get irritated. I was sleeping, so how would I know if she was calling me this early? Take note of the fact that she called so early in the morning.

"Oh, sorry. I just woke up thanks to your call if it's not because of you, I was probably still sleeping."

And the nightmare continues to haunt me...

I got out of bed and put my slippers on. I stretched for a few minutes because it was a good thing to do first in the morning. I heard her release a sigh. I'm sure that she was aware of what was happened. We were friends for so long and she already knew everything about me. The smell of my perfume, my toothpaste, the movement of my head, I'm sure she memorized it all.

"A nightmare visited you again am I right? It never really left you," I bit my lower lip. I hope she won't bring it up anymore.

"That doesn't matter anymore. It was just merely a bad dream." My mind was racing, possibly because I was overthinking things.

"Omg, stop girl! Stop! It does matter, of course, it was a freaking nightmare! Many people die in their sleep because of nightmares!"

My lips instantly formed a smile. And now? She's overreacting like she used to.

"Fine, fine. Why did you call?" I said then I changed the topic. If possible, I don't want to be distracted later while I'm at work just because of that nightmare.

"I got my salary so, I'm going to see you soon! Let's have fun, alright? I'm missing you so much, you witch."

"Fine. Just make sure to bring enough amount of money in case something happens."

I laughed when I remembered what happened years ago. She ran out of money because she was a spendthrift, but it's good that sometimes, she knew how to balance money. She didn't get to send money to her parents to pay for the tuition of Eithan, her younger brother who was already in college, and also to pay the remaining debts of her parents. 

"I know, so shut up. So anyway, let's see each other this weekend, alright?"

When the call was cut off from the other line, I gasped again. I will begin to face the reality of life again. I made the small bed that had given me comfort for four years.

I looked in the mirror and smiled, but it disappeared immediately because that smile was just a fake. I took the towel off to take a bath, but I then went back to the mirror and smiled again like an idiot. 

Woah, that was really fake though.

After a few minutes, I went straight to the kitchen and started rummaging through the refrigerator, which was covered in rust, but even so, it was still in good condition to use. I'm tough as this refrigerator.

My shoulder dropped and I seemed to lose my appetite. A bunch of plastic bottled mineral water was only left inside. It was a month ago when I last went to the department store because I still haven't received my salary for this month. Don't you think it was quite inappropriate and so rude for me to ask my boss for a paycheck advance before the payday could be even marked on our calendar, right? 

I made my movements fast because I had to do everything quickly. I don't want to be late for work if possible. That was a no-no for a full-time worker like me. 

THE THIRD FRACTIO

I've been working here for three years. Many also work here because the salary is quite large and our boss treats us like we are just his friends, not employees. This pizza parlor is as famous as its owner, Sir Gaius' third Ferrel. He is the titleholder of the world's largest pizza-maker.

"Good morning, what's your order?" I asked the person in front of me. He's been looking at the menu for about fifteen minutes now and seems like he can't decide what to eat.

"One large Hawaiian pizza, five stretò vlint, no ice please, five blinchè desserts, and cauffèn overload for five people, that's it. How much is it?" I typed all of it on the computer then looked at him again.

"That was three thousand five hundred, Sir," I said. Arche popped out of nowhere and I almost hit Maerchie's tray. 

"Let's switch Solene. Please bring the orders right to table fifteen. Thanks a lot!"  Arche said that it seemed that he was in a good mood today. I nodded as an answer then did what I needed to do. 

"Good morning, here's your order." When I lifted my gaze, my mouth parted. I regret that I took the orders that Arche gave to me. 

This can't be... Wait, what? Am I seeing things I shouldn't? Or maybe I was just in the middle of a daydream? I pinched my cheeks and it hurts so, this is real and not a dream. 

The shiver began to creep into my chest. I needed to get out of here, but it was too late when he noticed me. What is he doing here? What does a Camerone Vincei Mercer is doing here? Why is he here? I kept asking myself.

Isn't it obvious that he went here to eat? My God, Solene, you're so stupid sometimes!

"Hey, is that you, Solene?" My whole body stiffened when he noticed me and I just remained standing. It's been a while since I last saw him. 

"Who is she?" the girl asked. She was with Camerone, probably his new girlfriend. Yep, she was pretty and had class. Unlike me, boring and so plain. Right, It's better to be aware. 

"Hey, fucker! Whoa, wait, is that her dude? " I shifted my gaze to the owner of that familiar voice.

Herden, Camerone's bestfriend.

It looks like I really need to get out of here. It's not good anymore.

"Enjoy yourselves, Ma'am, Sir."

I gave them a small and fake smile then turned my back to them. Before I could even leave, someone held my hands. 

It was Camerone.

"Hey! Please hold your horses. How are you doing? How are things going for you?" He gave a small smile and I didn't bothered to smile back. That smile once deceived me.  

I wanted to give him a good slap because of that question. He'll ask me if I'm doing fine. Is he insane?

"After what you did to me, you'll ask me if I'm doing good? Yes, I was really really fine without you, can't you see it?" I sarcastically said. 

I forced to stop and calm myself because I still had respect for him. I'm a good person and I don't want trouble. I don't want people to think that my attitude was worse.

"Oh come on Solene. It's already part of the past and I already said sorry." I was stunned and stared at him for a moment.

Yeah, I guess he's right. He has a point and base of my reactions. It seems like I still haven't been able to move on from him. I don't want him to think that. I have already moved on a long time ago, but I just can't help but get hurt when I think about how miserable I looked back then, how devastated I was. I felt sorry for myself.

Does he think that a simple sorry will erase the pain I felt before? is it? what's the use of him being sorry? This is crazy. 

"Release me Camerone while I still have respect for you." He released me immediately, so I took that opportunity to get away. Sir Gaius approached me, so I fixed myself because I might be reprimanded.

"Are you alright? Is there something wrong? " I shook my head slowly and just smiled.

"I'm perfectly fine, Sir. I'll just go get a tissue in the stockroom," I smiled again, but he didn't seem fooled by my smile.

"If you're not feeling well, just tell me. I will let you rest for a day," he simply said, and it made me smile.

"Thanks a lot, Sir."

Camerone was my ex-boyfriend. We only dated for about a year and a half because I discovered his real deal, I was a fool for a year and six months. Suddenly, what he said earlier sank into my mind.

"Oh come on Solene. It was already part of the past and I already said sorry."

He was right, it was done and already part of the past. I pulled myself together because of my stupidity. I can't blame myself because I got hurt and the pain kept coming back to me. When I calmed down, I decided to leave the stock room with a tissue with me.

I just smiled and pretended that nothing had happened, that it was all just a nightmare.

"What happened to you? you seriously looked like shit," I was stunned by what Maerchie said. I just shrugged my shoulders. The nickname 'Mood maker' suits her well.

                                   _ _ _

Must have been the wind

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