Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Aurora’s Point of View

I look at the clock, it's already 11 pm but I am still wide awake. I am planning to leave the house tonight.

Maids are already asleep and I think more than five people are guarding the house. My parents are not here. Well, they don't usually stay in one place. Their life is always in danger.

I left everything that can easily track me. I am excited to see Xynthea and tell her everything. I know that she will be scared but I hope she can understand.

I opened the window and the fresh air greeted me. I look below and I jump even though my room is on the 3rd floor. I was trained to jump off buildings anyway.

“Whos that?”, I heard footsteps just near me. Shit! I didn't know that these people could notice something quickly.

I saw a light and I squeezed myself in this cold wall.

“Meow!”I forgot to breathe when I saw a cat jump off from the bush. What was that?!

“What are you doing there?”My heart was beating so fast when I heard another voice. I thought they found me!

“Ah. Nothing, just a cat”, the first guy answered and when I heard their footsteps away from me I let out a sigh. That was so close!

I stretch my arms and legs before I run fastly. I climb the wall and I smile when I jump from the other side. Easy as pie.

I wear a curly hair wig just above my shoulders and a thick circle glass before I run once again until I reach the bus stop. I don't know if there is still a bus at this hour but I have no choice. I need to use public transportation if I don't want them to trace any of my work.

I sigh happily when I see a bus waiting for the passengers. This is the last bus I guess.

***

I stopped walking when I saw Xynthea’s house. It is just a small apartment but it's fine since she is the only one living here. She was an orphan and she is a working student.

I knocked on her gate but it seemed like she was sleeping widely. I tried to contact her once again but still, no one answered. I guess I have to stay outside for the rest of the day.

“Miss. Miss”

I opened my eyes slowly and a woman in her middle age greeted me.

“Beggars are not allowed here” She said that made me frown.

“I—Im not”, I said and I quickly stood up but I noticed the newspaper fell on the ground. Oh God, I just use it to cover my body! It's so cold.

I saw the lady shake her head before she continued watering her plants. She didn't believe me, did she?

I look at my wristwatch and it's already 6 am. She's probably awake readying herself to go to school. I knock on her gate almost three times and yet no one is answering.

I take a peak on the gate. Isn't she here?

“Miss, no one was living there”, she said that got my attention. Did she mean Xynthea is out of her place?

“May I ask where she is?”, I asked. Still looking inside her apartment.

“She? You mean the girl living in this tiny apartment?”, she ask and I nodded although I don't like the term she was using. What's wrong with having this tiny apartment? It is still a home for Xynthea.

“She is already dead”, she said and I stopped for a while.

“What?”I can't process anything. Maybe she was pertaining to someone else.

“She took her life a week ago. Do you know her? Is she your relative?”, she asks the following like a real gossiper.

My hands are constantly shaking and I close my eyes tightly to think better. I unlock my phone and I go to the gallery to find Xantheas pictures. I need confirmation.

“I–Is she the girl you are talking about?”, I said, trying to clear the lump in my throat. I showed her the picture and she nodded.

“Yes. That poor girl, tsk, tsk”, she commented and I almost lost my balance.

“Sh–She takes her own life?”, I said looking at her picture. I am the one who captures that moment and it was taken just months ago.

“Yeah, she jumped from their school's rooftop. They say she was depressed that's why she did that”, the middle aged woman explained.

“Excuse me?”, we both look at the woman who seems to be the same age as this woman but she is much more sophisticated.

“Do you know Xynthea?”, she ask me using a soft melody. I nodded and she gave me a small smile.

She holds my hands and I almost throw her if I haven't stopped myself. She led me to the gate and she opened it. I took a glance at the woman and she continued what she was doing.

“I am her landlady and you are the first person who visited her after her death”, she said and I am just following her every movement.

“I can't believe she took her own life. The last time we talked, she was so happy and laughing. But I guess it is just her coping mechanism. If you don't mind, what is your relationship with her? This is the first time I saw you”, she asked.

“I'm her best friend”, I whispered. Enough for her to hear.

She opened the door and I saw her room.

“The investigator said it was a suicide. No one opposes that's why the case was considered close”, she explained. But something isn't right.

Xynthea can't even kill a cockroach. What more to hurt herself and worst take her own life.

“You can stay here for a while. Xynthea paid for an advance two months. My house is just there, come if you need something”, she said pointing to the left corner of the house butI didn't respond.

I fell into deep thoughts. That girl, why didn't she tell me about what's happening to her?

“Wh–where is she? Where was her body taken?”, I ask while looking at her picture on the mini table. I want to visit her. Even though I'm already late.

She didn't say anything, that's why I looked at her.

“I–I'm sorry. But they th–throw her body”