Struck

Hera was catching her breath as she stopped running, her hands on her knees, her hair disheveled. She never thought Mr. Hemmingworth had followed her when she took her leave. She thought that because he was busy arguing with the principal, he would let her go for now. Far to the contrary, he was swift enough to excuse himself and chase Hera to know her answer. Sure, he said he’d kindly wait, but he wanted to confirm whether or not Hera would think about it.

To Hera, he was just wasting his time. There’s just no way she’d subject herself under his jurisdiction. Her gut’s telling her it’s not the right thing and, anyway, she hated the fact that he’d already talked to the principal with the transfer without consulting it to her first. Didn’t she have a will of her own? Why would they assume that just because the principal agreed and perceived it as an honor, Hera would have the same mindset? It’s just absurd and presumptuous. She hated it.

Looking over her shoulder, a small smile curved her lips. ‘Glad the old man didn’t catch up,' she thought, closing her eyes.

She kept her position for a minute, listening to the rapid beat of her heart. She’d never lie. She enjoyed running around. Though it soaked her uniform with sweat, it gave her an exuberant sensation she’d never trade for anything.

Once she was able to get a hold of herself, she then became aware of the silence reigning in the place. The deserted moor in the corner, the narrow and rough, crack-filled path, the rusty bars of the gate whose height was just the same as hers, made it clear that she was in their old exit.

This place had already been abandoned by the management. As to the reason, Hera was yet to know, and she found it easy not to care. Now she’s assured that the old man wouldn’t be able to find her since this place was only known for those like her who’s been in this school for six long years.

But taking no chances, she walked past the ruins of the poor guardhouse. Smiling beside herself. It made her feel so nice to thwart an old man who seemed desperate in taking her. What did it matter if she would take the offer down, anyway? They barely know each other and Hera’s sure they’re not relatives. Not that she knew her parent’s families, but she could feel that they have no relationship other than being strangers.

Hera ended up hissing when she found that chains were binding the metals of the old gate. She tried pulling the lock but, however ancient it looked, she couldn’t get it to open for her. Biting her lips, she clenched her fist on one of the thin bars on the upper part of the gate, thinking whether to trace her way back to their new gate or to just destroy this old one. She felt that the latter would cause her much trouble, so she’s not keen on picking it. It’s not worth the risk.

On the other hand, if she did go back to the new gate, there’s a high possibility that Mr. Hemmingworth was waiting for her there. Gulping, drawing some strands of her hair on her ears, she stepped on the first metal of the five metals lining in rows to the gate. It was lucky that the gap between the horizontal bars was enough to fit her feet; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to climb it.

The moment she was able to cross the gate, she cursed and kicked it, breathing rather fast. She would never dare try to do this again even though it was kind of fun. Smirking, fixing her hair, she jogged towards the parking lot where most jeepneys and tricycle were waiting for clients.

It only took her a twenty-minute ride before she arrived at the orphanage, unbothered by the dark clouds now floating in the sky, concealing the sun’s rays.

“Have you had a nice day?” said the guard as he handed her a pen.

Hera merely shook her head and signed the paper that proved she’s already inside the orphanage.

“Still not talking, huh!”

As usual, she ignored the comment. She was just about to walk inside when the guard cleared his throat. One of her brows raised. She tilted her head, glaring at the guard, though it wasn’t apparent due to her hair.

‘What now? Didn’t you have something to say?’

To Hera’s surprise, he smiled widely, clapping like a retarded seal. “Congrats for making it to a top-notch school!”

His genuine smile was making Hera’s stomach a little squirmy. She hated that they could easily curve his lips that way. Was it possible that he had such a happy life? If so, why was she subjected to the darkness?

‘I bet your parents were the ideal ones,’ she thought before shaking her head and walking away.

“Don’t forget to go to Ms. Tere’s office! She had a surprise for you!’”

Hera waved her hands in the air. She never thought the orphanage would know about it so soon. She just hoped that Ms. Tere wouldn’t pressure her into accepting it because it would only give her all the reason to reject it.

Every orphan she met congratulated her, though only halfheartedly. She didn’t know what they’re thinking, but she guessed it’s along the doubtful lines. Like for instance, she must’ve done something immoral to be able to qualify herself to a school where intelligence was the sword for survival. Ironically, that’s the very sword Hera was unable to wield, so she truly understood why it’s such a big deal if she had managed to pass their standard.

Passed the five facing houses, Hera turned, winding her way to the path that was so narrow she had to tilt her body to fit in there. She could see the half-body of the seesaw from where she was and a smile lit her face.

Ms. Tere would freak out if she wouldn’t meet her, but she’s done with all the nagging for today. She’d just save it for tomorrow.

After squishing herself in the overly narrow lane, Hera was then able to see the not-so-wide playground. The ground was covered with black sand that reflected the shadows of heaven. Occasionally, there was a sudden flash of lightning, just enough to illuminate the swing and the monkey bar standing five meters apart from each other.

Though the playground had lesser equipment to play with, it was still Hera’s favorite place. In particular, she had this certain fondness for the swing. Still smiling a little, she sat on its metallic seat, her hands clenching on the rusty chain holding the flat chair. Hera breathed heavily as the wind danced around the playground, making the sand groove with it.

With one last sigh, she allowed the swing to rock her world. She ended up closing her eyes when she flew in the air, the wind howling in her ears, together with the groans of the metal as though it was lazy to move.

As the beat of her heart started to feel a little bit enthusiastic, she found herself humming the same low rhythmic tune she always loved. It was blending precisely with the wind, serenading her soul and she was even more glad that she chose the playground rather than Ms. Tere.

However, while she was humming, the swing moving up and down, the rhythm orchestrating her ears reminded her of her mother. She opened her eyes abruptly but darkness greeted her. Her brows furrowed. She no longer was holding any chain nor was she sitting on a flat chair.

The only thing she knew was that she’s lurking in a shadow somewhere. It was only when a small fire started dancing on a candle did she realize where she was. She was sleeping together with her family in an old tent.

“Did the rain wake you up?” The soft voice sounded so near and so far Hera was left befuddled as to its origin.

She tried to narrow her eyes at the source of the voice, but the light from the candle was so small it shadowed her features.

“Momma?” The seven-year-old Hera had a toneless voice that was both soft and pitchy.

Her mother chuckled. “Of course, silly! Have you had a bad dream?”

A cold drip of water made Hera look up. The roof of the tent they were sleeping in already had little holes in it that almost looked like there’s a shower inside.

“Is this our home?” Hera blinked as a small drop of rain fell on her eyes.

“Yes, dear! Come here, I’ll help you sleep.”

Hera needed no telling twice. She laid on her mother’s lap, entertaining the rain dropping on her. While her mother brushed her hair, she was humming a rhythm so slow it sounded like it came from the depth of the ground. Instead of making her sleep, Hera found herself sitting straight, her heart beating fast. Shivers were running all over her body.

“W-What’s that… that sound?” She didn’t know why but tears started trickling down to her cheeks, her lips shaking.

“It’s your music, silly! Your lullaby.”

Shaking her head, Hera moved back from her mother who was grinning. “I-I don’t l-like it.”

“You’ll love it!”

And as her mother reach out to touch her, Hera found herself screaming, the thunder lashing out with her. She was back at the orphanage, cursing herself for remembering that cursed day. She didn’t even notice the rain. She’d been too immersed with that memory, and she hated that.

Looking up, she allowed the raindrops to cradle her cheeks, ignoring the flash of lightning. However, a thick voice of a woman echoed, disrupting Hera's train of thoughts.

“Is anybody there?” 

Hera looked around. A lady was walking toward her. She was wearing a green shirt with a short puff peasant sleeve and regular fit jeans. Her black hair was tied in a messy bun, some of its strands covering her forehead.

‘Who’s this bitch? I’d never seen her in the orphanage before.’

“You! You with a purple hair! I’m lost. Take me out of here!” Her barely visible eyes were fogged by the round glasses she was wearing.

Hera could guess she’s glaring at her, though. It was all the more reason for her to raise her brows. ‘Excuse me! I’m not your slave!’

“Are you deaf? I said help me out of here!”

‘Why did you come here in the first place? The path’s too narrow for you to just get lost into. This is too much for a coincidence!’

“If you’re just gonna stay there, frozen, I’m gonna beat that ass out of you to fuckin death! Come over here, You!”

Hera clenched her fist. Even with the cold drip of the rain, she could feel the heat surging inside her, along with the urge to smack this girl’s head off. It might make her understand that Hera’s never in the mood for any of her shit.

While they were glaring at each other, Hera’s face still concealed, of course, a clap of thunder so loud drummed in the sky, making the ground shook. Though Hera was shaken with the intensity of the thunder, she didn’t dare take her eyes away from the freaking lady who’s making her blood boil just by merely standing there as though she owned the place.

“You’re dead meat!” The lady sprinted toward her, her eyes bulging. Hera didn’t move an inch, letting her prey close the gap between them.

However, just as they were about to tear each other’s limbs, a streak of lightning flashed from the sky through the ground. At first, it was the monkey bar that was struck, the lightning looking more like a chain that was whipping in the air, punishing anyone that was within its radius.

There was a small explosion as the lightning hit the ground in their opposite direction making both of them stop, their eyes bulging as yet another lightning slashed on the playground. This time, they were its target.

As the lightning drew nearer, Hera suddenly saw her younger self being dragged out of the tent, crying her heart out. She tried to grab the tent but the man dragging her was so strong it was only ripped apart. The man then carried her on his shoulder. Hera looked up and found her mother counting the bills given to her, a smile on her face.

“Momma!” that was the last thing Hera said before the man was able to take her away from her parents.

And it was also the word she uttered when the lightning struck her out of her wit.