Raindrops against the window create a soothing chorus in the classroom.
Everyone had left from the extra hours of revision class that had just ended, leaving me alone in my seat. I was lying face down on the hard surface of my desk, my bag slung over my shoulder, ready to go home, but I decided to stay a little longer. Dribble, dribble, dribble... This is much more relaxing than being at home at this time. Mom will be busy preparing dinner, and Luca, my younger brother, will most likely be playing with his favourite Legos. And Dad will be there in an hour.When Dad is home, Luca is less likely to attack or annoy me.
Luca was diagnosed with a rare intermittent explosive disorder, which required him to attend a special school and undergo extensive therapy. Playing with blocks and drawing are usually the best ways to lift his spirits, but his episodes tend to occur when I'm at home. He couldn't be around me doing my own thing without having outbursts of rage like him. He refuses to be the only oddball, so I naturally become his human punching bag.I've learned over time that staying away from home when dad isn't around is the best way to avoid Luca. As I progressed through high school, the number of hours spent in class increased.
Detention in class? I'll be glad to have it, but I used to enjoy class detention! An additional hour of class? No problem, I secretly smiled while my classmates grumbled. I'm good at keeping my eyes open while my mind wanders. Staying in class to waste some more time wouldn't kill me. I tell myself as my droopy eyes become heavier due to the soothing sounds of nature. It's only a few minutes since I've fallen asleep.The pouring rain begins to tap, keeping me awake in my dazzled dreamy languid.
What time is it exactly? I questioned myself. I should have left by now, but instead of being driven away by our school security guard like a pest, I decided to drag myself out. But hold on... Something is wrong right now. My skin feels tingly as a result of the strange atmosphere. I had the distinct impression that "someone" was standing right beside my seat. I have the urge to open my eyes before I realise what is going on. A joke? Is Samuel Jin playing a joke on me? It's impossible, he's not like that. And then something unexpected happened...The person is now extending their hand to remove the hair that has been covering my face, their fingers' calluses standing out against my skin.
While thinking how to escape the situation, I remain firmly seated while my heart rate gradually rises. By stroking the corner of my lips, the person displayed increased boldness. The stench of smoke gets stronger every time they breathe. I used all of my strength to knock the opponent off its feet once I was no longer able to tolerate it."Ahh!" He screamed in agony.
Even though I was unsteady from my sudden movement when I hit the person, I at least managed to hurt them. When I turned around, I couldn't believe my eyes at the person who was attempting to take a chance on me. He was none other than Mr. Bong, the security guard at our school. "What are you "What are you attempting to achieve?" I exploded. Backing up, keeping a safe distance between us.He wipes the blood from the corner of his lips. I had hit exactly in his mouth area. Adjusting his composure, he approached slowly towards me. "Young girl in your age must be in raging sexual hormones, right? You are actually luring me to do things to you, am I right?" He said in his semi-whispered tones.
Sneering, he is unaffected by the pain I had caused him. "Come, don't be afraid. After the first time, you will be begging for more. Or Is it, you already have been with a man?"
The sickening raspy in his tone disgusted me, my heart almost skips a beat as his hand tries to reach for me.
"No! You are crazy, go away! I'm telling you!" I had never been this terrified in my life. My insecurity at home had me misunderstood by the adult, exposing my vulnerability to the perverts.
"Stay away from me! You can't do this, " I snarled. Looking for any device around me to be used as my shield. Other than chairs and tables, there is none.
"Baby girl, I have shut down the camera surveillance system. Our secrets will be safe, don't worry. No one will be here at this hour, I assured you." He said, approaching closer to me, almost had me cornered. "It will be fun, trust me, baby girl..."
Psycho! He tried to speak in a way of comfort, but all I see is a dirty villain and nauseating person in front of me!
What are the first rules in any dangerous situation?
DON'T PANIC.
But, damn, I'm scared!
He tried to grab me and I act just the right time by pulling a table from my side, putting a barricade over us, and turning to the other side.
I think it had hit him somewhere as I heard him flinching away, hissing in pain with a loud thud, yet I didn't bother to look back if he is alright.
My instinct is to save myself, thus, I make a dash out towards the open door for escape.
At this hour, there won't be any single soul mingling in the building. Class ended at 5:30 pm, but our class is the last leaving today after Mrs. Sue's extra hour revision session.
Idiot me, I never foresee the inevitable of a pervert in a school which supposed to be a safe place for us!
Sprinting along the empty walkway, I regret being inactive in athletics. This short run had me gasping for air, yet, I refuse to look back, the pouring rain doesn't bother me.
Caring less for my dirtied soaked shoes, I drag my feet toward the bus stand a few kilometers away from the school. I think I have run far enough, even if he catches up with me, there is nothing he can do to me in the public. Shivers wouldn't stop running over my body, trembled even in my breath, panting out of air. I take a seat to catch my breath, hugging myself hoping it can reduce the chills I feel. It takes a few minutes to calm myself when I spotted a black sedan pulling over from the corner of my eyes, I start panicking as I heard the door pushed open and someone is descending. My very first instinct is to escape, running wildly in the opposite direction without even looking back. The footsteps of the person become intense and I sense that I can never escape this time as he is at last able to grab me by my elbow. I come to a dead-end, left with no choice, covering my ears I shouted to the top of my lungs, co
Morning comes rough for me, I woke up soaked in cold sweat and headache. I'm pretty sure I had taken all the safety measures to avoid getting sick from coming home drenched in rain yesterday. But, I guess the incident had messed up my immune system.I have serial nightmares of Mr. Bong chasing after me, and I couldn't forget his sinister sneers that keep echoing in my mind.Forcing myself out of bed, I get ready for school.The whole process takes a ton of my energy, one moment I wanted to give up for school today but then Luca will be home earlier, and afterward, mom will be restricted to go out to spend time with Luca.The therapist said bonding time with Luca is important for his recovery.Go to hell with the advice, Luca would be glad to torture me for the rest of the day, and then mom will be coming over blaming me for the mess he creates. I guess our age gaps that make the difference, we can't get along well, no matter how.I have to get to school no matter what, I told myself, I
A ruckus filled with the shattering voice of cries coveted my eardrums as the dead body splays by their eyes to witness. I couldn't move. Definitely, it was our school security man, MR. BONG. Am I still in one of my continuous nightmares? Please, I wanted to wake up! His pale face indirectly faced me, empty eyes staring back at me, sending churn to the pit of my stomach. Implement a lucid image of his death to the back of my mind. I put my hand over my mouth to muffle a scream while the paramedic roughly snatched the linen, giving me an annoyed glance as he put it back to its place. Did I accidentally injure him? Does he bleed heavily to his death? A shivers run through my spine, thinking, should I look back yesterday, just to make sure he is not hurt anywhere, will he survive? So, now... I'm a m
"Shh... Don't joke on things like this Lana, " Samuel blurted in a half-whispered tone, putting his hand over my lips. "You going to get in trouble."Tears welled up my eyes. I do hope that all of this is only a prank, but Mr. Bong is dead, and I'm officially a criminal. I weakly shove his hand away, "Sam... I'm the last person he met. He tried to... " I hushed, chin trembled, and an involuntary whimper escaped my lips.Staring back at me, he realized that I'm not kidding him. He is silent but at last, he exhaled, coming closer putting a hand over me, and crushing me to his everlasting safe haven body. "I'm sorry, don't say a word anymore.""I'm scared. I didn't mean to..." I convinced him with my voice muffled to his chest."Hush... I know, I understand, anyone in your place won't hesitate to stab him to death..." He comforted me, tightening the embrace as I sobbed uncontrollably."I don't know he got injured. I'm selfish, I should have checked if he was ok back then..." I babbled, cr
A thousand rays of the morning sun escaped from between the blinds. I used to love being near the windows, but every now and then each time my glance turns to the exact spots where Mr. Bong's body lay, a cold shiver runs down my spine, and my palms couldn't stop sweating in the cold air-conditioned room. I have to keep telling myself over and over again that it wasn't me that had him killed, I didn't stab him, someone did. And that someone, is among us... It is day four after the incident, there is no new clue of the case, crime scene investigation and evidence collection were completed and we had been allowed to move back to our classroom yesterday. I didn't take leave from school the day after the incident. When I woke up that day later in the evening, I was in Samuel's guest room, he had offered to let me rest in his guest room once I have taken the medicine provided by Ms. Oh. I'm running with fever again on that day, and Samuel said that I keep mumbling in my sleep that he ha
The soft bell chime indicating that school is over for today sends a sigh of relief throughout the class. We say our salute to Mrs. Sue, the mathematics teacher, then gather our belongings to leave. I stuffed my notebooks into my bag and went up to Samuel who was already waiting outside with his three other best friends. "Hey, Lana what's up." Jerry Chon, the boy with the most adorable eyes and sweetest smile welcomed me. "I'm good, thanks," I replied while giving way to a girl who is flirting with Jason Bak without seeing that she almost bumped into me. Anyway, can't they simply wake up to the womanizer who would never commit his heart to any of them, but then there's Jason, all confident... Good looks are definitely a plus. I saw Naomi being the last exiting the class, I try my luck to talk to her again as she approached us but Nelson Kim had already overtaken me. "Goodbye, Naomi," Nelson uttered with a smile. His dimple deepened, showing off his charms. Now I understand why Na
"No. I'm sorry Lana. I didn't mean that way. I mean, you should at least have some basic to be on yourself," He said as he put down his food, using his other free hand, he tilts my chin, forcing me to look at him. "You are going to die before entering the battleground, do you think this is wise?"Always with his broad point of view, somehow he had accidentally become my counselor as we grow up.Damn, I must be in a serious lack of common sense.Meeting his gaze, I'm overwhelmed that it is him from the beginning. As I drifted into his dreamy brown eyes, he breaks the spell by giving me another flick on the forehead."Ouch!""Gosh, stop looking at me like that," He said, lightly pushing me away from him and continuing to enjoy his meal."That's hurt, you shouldn't treat a girl like that," I grumbled, covering my forehead to soften the mild pain he caused to me."Well, I treat every girl good, except you. Eat your food, I got a new clue to share."Jerk! I wanted to say that much to him, y
The dim light poles along the winding alleys illuminated shadows to the pavement Naomi stepped on. Commuting back home after her self-study in school, this is the long stairways she had to walk up daily, to her home at the top of the alleys. For an outsider, this hilly neighborhood gives an illusion of a romantic getaway as it has the closest space to a better view of the moon. Yet, with the chipped paint of colored houses along with the distinct lack of planning development, this place is soon to be abandoned. Sooner the neighborhood will be only occupied by the elderly and bad memories. Because in reality, living in peace doesn't enough if the stomach goes hungry... The younger generation believes that they can only dream in the land of skyscrapers overlook the run-down neighborhood she lives in. Naomi's sister was one of them, she runs away from home five years ago, leaving behind her aging parents with her litt
The room felt heavy with unspoken tension, the kind that seeped into the walls and lingered like a storm waiting to break. Jason stood near the window, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, gazing out at the city skyline. The glittering lights mocked him, a chaotic reflection of the battle raging inside. His jaw tightened as he exhaled slowly, the sound barely audible over the hum of the air conditioning.Behind him, Jerry sat at the table, methodically sorting through his medical bag. The precise clink of glass vials against one another was the only sound, a steady rhythm in the charged silence.“Jerry,” Jason began, his voice low, almost a growl. “I need your help.”He didn’t look up immediately, but Jason noticed the subtle stiffening of his shoulders. When Jerry finally met his gaze, his expression was guarded, his movements deliberate as he closed the bag.“I’m already helping you, Jason,” Jerry said coldly. “More than I should.”Jason turned, his expression dark. “We’re not
I lay motionless, every inch of my body weighed down by exhaustion. Outside the bedroom door, I could hear them.Jason and Jerry, discussing my condition in hushed tones.I strained to catch snippets of their conversation, words like "dosage" and "observing" drifting through the crack. They sounded calm and steady, but to me, it felt more like they were plotting my imprisonment.Then I noticed it.Jason's phone rested on the seat where he usually sat while keeping watch over me. The screen glowed, a recent message half-typed, abandoned in his haste to follow Jerry. My heart thundered in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins.This was my chance.Ignoring the throbbing pain in my stitched hand, I dragged myself to the edge of the bed, fingers outstretched toward the phone. I trembled, fighting to steady my breath.My mind raced as I navigated to the contacts list.Nelson.He was my only hope. After the heated argument with Jason days ago, I clung to the belief that Nelson would n
For the next two days, the walls seemed to close in, inch by inch, and despair began to creep into my bones. I had hoped that playing the part, feigning obedience, would give me some space—maybe a chance. But Jason didn't leave the apartment.Still, he stayed, his presence shadowing me with its quiet, unnerving calm.Most meals arrived at the door, delivered with barely a sound, a silent reminder that I was cut off from the outside world. Jason set up his laptop on the counter, working without a word. Though he gave me the freedom to roam the living room, even watch TV, it felt orchestrated. As if he wanted me to feel relaxed enough to drop my guard.I tried to distract myself with the television, flipping through channels for anything that could pull me from this claustrophobic existence, but nothing caught my interest. Every laugh track, every news anchor's voice felt hollow, echoing against the surrounding silence.There was no way out. Every door locked from the inside, every windo
Jason stepped out of the shower, his movements relaxed as he wrapped a towel around his waist, droplets of water clinging to his skin. He noticed immediately that Lana was not in her room, but it only deepened his calm. He knew that there was no possible way for her to get out.He had seen to it. She was safely contained, her every means of connection to the outside world secured or removed. He'd thought through each scenario, each potential escape, and he knew with certainty that the only way she was leaving was with him, to Granata.As he dried his hair in his room across from Lana's, Jason glanced at the clock on the living room wall. The time was nearly up. He needed to change her bandage. He draped the towel around his shoulders, with a steady breath, he padded toward the kitchen, a small smile curving as he found her there, sipping a glass of water. She turned at the sound of his approach, her expression calm but distant, masking the tension he knew was hiding underneath."I hope
My arm throbbed lightly, a raw, stinging reminder of the wound left from yesterday. I winced, testing the movement, but relief washed over me when I realized it wasn't deep enough to slow me down.I needed to move fast, to be quiet. The shower hissed from behind the closed bathroom door, the only sound in the apartment. I took a quick, steadying breath.If there was ever a time to get out, it was now.I padded across the living room, feeling every muscle tense with purpose. When I reached the front door, my fingers went to the lock.I froze.That unyielding panel of numbers stared back at me, unmovable and impassive. I punched in the only codes I thought might work. Birthdays, common combinations, even random sequences. But each attempt ended with a sharp, unforgiving beep. My heart hammered in my chest. He had activated the security locked down system, blinking red with each failed entry.With growing dread, I tore my eyes from the door and cast a frantic glance around the apartment.
I blinked awake, my eyes adjusting to the dim light as I took in the soft shadows of the room. My hand throbbed slightly, wrapped in a fresh bandage.The antiseptic smell lingered, a reminder of how closely Jason had hovered over me. It felt like a weight pressing on my chest, this feeling of being caged. I needed to get away, away from his grip that seemed to tighten with every passing day.I shifted on the bed, letting out a quiet sigh. A warm hand squeezed my shoulder, gentle yet firm. Jason's voice reached me through the haze, soft and careful. "Hey, you’re waking up. I’m here.”Blinking, I opened my eyes, struggling to bring the world around me into focus. My mind felt heavy, muddled, and it took a moment to recognize where I was. Jason’s face hovered over me, a faint, reassuring smile on his face.The sunlight seeped through the blinds, casting soft, crisscrossed shadows over the room, grounding me slightly in its warmth. As I looked around, my eyes caught on the IV bag, nearly d
Lana began to stir, Jason felt a flicker of hope. He gently squeezed her shoulder, his voice low and soothing. "Hey, you're waking up. I'm here." Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a mix of confusion and fatigue. He smiled reassuringly, hoping to ease the disorientation that seemed to cling to her.The sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting soft shadows throughout the room. He glanced at the IV line, noting that the bag was nearly empty. The remnants of the medication administered by Jerry would soon be out of her system, and he hoped that would bring Lana back to herself."Here, drink this," he said, pouring warm water into a glass. He carefully raised it to her lips, watching as she took small sips. "You need more restful sleep." He added, wanted to ensure she felt comfortable and cared for."Jerry came by to check on you earlier," Jason explained, keeping his tone gentle. "He set up the IV to help you recover. It's almost done now." He gestured toward the line on her arm. "He
Jason eased Lana onto the bed, taking care to settle her comfortably before pulling the blankets up snugly around her, cocooning her in warmth.He brushed his fingers gently through her hair, smoothing out any strands that had strayed, letting them slip like silk through his fingertips.A mix of tenderness and guilt deep within him stirred, he lingered a moment longer, his gaze tracing her face as she slept, realizing just how far he had gone to keep her close, even if it meant crossing lines he'd once vowed never to cross.Making sure she was settled comfortably, Jason moved to close the blinds, casting the room into darkness, softening the edges of reality.The dim light created a quiet cocoon around them, shielding her from the world beyond those walls. He lowered himself onto the mattress beside her, the mattress creaking slightly under his weight.He observed closely as the tension in her expression eased, her brow softening as the pain began to recede. Her bandaged hand lay limp
I sat on the edge of the bed, gathered my belongings with trembling hands, stuffing clothes and a few personal items into a suitcase. I promised myself I would return once things were stable. I can't stay here any longer. Not after everything that had happened, not after the mess we were in.Jason had been kind, too kind, but everything had spiraled out of control. I couldn't face him. Not after what he'd done, after the lines he crossed.The guilt gnawed at me, and I couldn't tell where my own sense of shame ended and his manipulation began. I needed to get out.I needed to breathe.As I zipped the suitcase shut, a wave of panic tightened around my chest. What would Jason say? What would he do? My mind flashed back to our last confrontation, the way his eyes had burned with hurt and anger.I took a deep breath and opened the bedroom door, cautiously stepping into the hallway. The living room was empty.No sign of Jason.Maybe he'd gone out. Keeping my steps light, I wheeled my suitca