Chapter 2 by Fathiah Zarafi

Dinner was, well awkward so to say. Mary Anne kept trying to make me to speak while I pushed my lasagna around the plate. Tristan was a different case altogether; if he wasn't ignoring me, he would snicker at my awkward replies of his mother's questions. Mary Anne offered to do the dishes so I went straight to my room after dinner.

"Knock, knock."

I swiveled my desk chair to see Tristan standing at the opened door. He walked in slowly, his gaze landing on my suitcase still filled with clothes.

"You're not unpacking?" he questioned. I shifted my eyes, not wanting to tell him I was uncomfortable here in his home.

"Maybe tomorrow. I'm still jet-lagged," I lied naturally. Tristan nodded mutely. I didn't know of he bought it but he sat down on the bed slowly, looking everywhere but me. A pregnant pause drifted between us, making me squirm in the tense atmosphere.

"Did your mother send you up here?" I asked hesitantly, breaking the silence. Tristan's cheeks reddened, much to my amusement, as he rubbed the back of neck bashfully.

"Um yeah, she did actually," he admitted sheepishly, "she just wants you to feel at home."

I frowned at the word 'home'. This place wasn't my home and it never will be. I spun my desk chair around so I was facing the window instead of him.

"I'm doing just fine. So you can go now," I muttered rather coldly. Tristan mumbled something incoherently under his breath before shuffling out of my room. He paused at the door to bid me good night which I half-heartedly replied to.

That night, I took a couple more of my sleeping aids to block out the nightmares. But as I expected, it came anyways.

A little girl was kneeling on the dirty floor, her back to me. She was wearing a white dress that was stained with mud and her brown hair was tangled around her small shoulders. Somehow, seeing her petite frame convulsing with sobs drew me to her. With small steps, I approached the girl cautiously. As I got nearer, I could see her bare arms covered with scratches, some new, some already healing. I placed my hand on her shoulder delicately as to not startle her.

"Are you okay?" I asked gently. The little girl didn't answer. Instead, she turned around slowly to face me. I immediately flinched back and screamed as I saw nothing but blood covering her face.

"Run," she whispered, getting up to her feet, "run before they catch you too."

I retreated back but my steps were matched by hers. The girl reached out a hand shakily to grab the edge of my shirt.

"You're not safe here, Alyson. They're watching you."

My eyes widened when she pronounced my old name. But before I could ponder on this mysterious creature, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. I looked down and was horrified to find a blade protruding out of the middle of my torso.

"I told you to run, Alyson. I told you," the girl sighed sadly before vanishing, leaving me alone to die.

"Adele! Time to wake up, dear."

My eyes opened groggily to see Mary Anne's head peaking through the small crack of my door. I threw the covers away and got ready sluggishly. Today was my first day of school. I didn't want to go through this again, I didn't want to make new friends but I decided any place would be better than stuck here with Mary Anne pestering over you. I settled with a purple sweater, jeans, my old boots and pulled my hair up in a ponytail.

It looked like I was running late since Tristan was waiting for me at the door impatiently. When he spotted me descending down the stairs, he put on his coat and waited while I did the same. Mary Anne bid us goodbye as we walked side by side towards the school. It was only a few minutes walk but the silence between Tristan and I was enough to last a century.

"So," he started suddenly, "nervous yet?"

I nodded my head and continued to stare at my boots as they walked on the frozen pavement. Soon enough, we arrived at the school gate which was already flooding with students all bundled up in their coats. I tried to stay inconspicuous when we walked through the crowd but most of them already stared at me as if I was a mythical creature, whispering amongst themselves under their breaths. Just as I stepped inside the hallway, a mass of red attack Tristan. He emitted a noise upon impact but laughed right after.

"Slow down there, G. You knocked the air out of me," he chuckled. The girl, with straight red hair that fell just below her chin flashed a bright smile at him. Suddenly she froze, finally noticing me standing awkwardly next to them.

"Oh, who is this?" she asked Tristan curiously. He cleared his throat uncomfortably, as if ashamed to be associated with me. What a jerk.

"Er, this is Adele, my um—cousin. Adele, this is Gina, my girlfriend."

"I didn't know you had a cousin, Tristan," she gasped, studying me for a while.

"I just moved here," I answered. Gina smiled at me politely before turning her attention back to Tristan. She tugged on his hand, whispering furiously to each other. I shifted my eyes from the couple to scan my new school. Truthfully, it was far worse than what I imagined. The lockers were small and cramped, the walls painted a dull grey and it reminded me of a prison. I was trapped here.

"Um, Adele?" Tristan waved a hand in front of my face.
"Yes?"

"Gina and I promised uh—to meet our friends at the compound so I hope you can go to the principal's office on your own?" he spoke casually. My mouth dropped open to protest but his girlfriend interrupted before I could.

"The office is just right down the hall, sweetie," she pointed a painted finger straight ahead of me before dragging Tristan to God knows where.

I mentally scoffed at him. Leaving me all alone in this school while his girlfriend and he were off groping somewhere. With a scowl, I stalked towards the direction Gina showed me. Luckily, I didn't get lost trying to locate it and I obtained my timetable just before the bell rang. One glance at the little white paper in my hands had me groaning. First period, Algebra. What a way to start a day with a subject I was already failing.

I hesitantly made my way inside room 203. Most of the students were already in their seats, chatting animatedly to each other. I sat in an empty seat near the back, hoping to draw less attention to myself. Soon enough, the teacher walked in and the class started.

The teacher resembled my father in a way, making my heart ache for him. The way he dressed, the gentle yet firm tone in his voice made my lips quiver with suppressed emotion. I had to bury my face in the textbook to calm down. It wasn't until my name was called that I realized I was staring at the same page. I glanced up to see Mr. Charles looking at me expectantly. Numbly, I walked to his desk and ignored the curious glances from the students.

"Yes, Mr. Charles?" I asked once I reached him. Mr. Black handed me a piece of letter in my hand before smiling at me.

"Read it once you get home," he said simply and dismissed me. I didn't wait. After class, I sneaked into the restroom and locked myself inside a cubicle.

I tore the envelope open with shaky fingers and scanned the paper.

Sweetheart,

If you're reading this, then I am most probably dead. I'm so sorry I had to leave you like this; I never meant to burden you. But don't get worried, I'll always protect you in life or death. The person who handed you this letter is your new protector. He is undercover so play along with his schemes. He is your only hope. I will never let anything harm you, my dear.

I wrote this letter to you, Aly, is because I know you're the strong one. You always were in our family. Take care of your sisters and do not trust anyone for danger lurks where you least expect it to. I can't explain why I have to go the way I did but I was prepared for this day. Once again, please forgive me for leaving you in such a harsh manner. Always remember that I love you with all my life and never go to sleep without remembering this, my little angel. I will miss you so much but try to live normally without me around, I know you can do it.


Love,

Dad

Sobs escaped my lips as his words sliced through my heart. I couldn't believe it; he knew he was going to die and had prepared everything for us. Us.

"Bu—but I can't take care of Lucy and Sarah, Dad. They're already dead. I'm all alone" I sobbed to the air.

I didn't care that someone could hear me crying; all I did was clutch the letter from my father to my chest and let the last remainder of him washed over me. He was protecting me, even beyond the grave.

"I love you," I whispered before burying my face to my knees. I have never felt truly scared and alone up until this moment.

Labels: Protected