BANG!
The deafening sound of a gunshot echoed as a child suddenly sprinted toward me, shielding me with her own body without a second thought. As the light caught her face, her features became clear—a young girl with short hair, her eyes fixed on mine, brimming with tears.
She collapsed into my arms, the weight of her body bringing us both to the ground. She looked up at me and forced a smile.
"Save yourself," she whispered, as blood began to trickle from the corner of her mouth.
"Lyn."
The name and the face of the person who constantly haunted my dreams were finally clear. It was always the same scene, over and over—a terrifying, traumatic memory that felt like my conscience was screaming at me.
In the distance, the sound of sirens grew louder. Help was coming to save us from this nightmare.
"Lyn, just hold on a little longer. We're going home," I sobbed, cradling the friend who was willing to give her life for mine.
The police and paramedics arrived and rushed her into the ambulance. They placed an oxygen mask over her face and started an IV, but then, the heart monitor flatlined—a single, straight line on the screen that changed everything.
The Revelation
I slowly opened my eyes. I was becoming accustomed to this dream; there was nothing I could do to control it. I sat up and stretched. It was only 2 in the morning. Feeling parched, I decided to head downstairs for a glass of water.
I crept down the stairs, but as I approached the kitchen, I heard voices. I paused to listen.
"Auntie, it's for her own good. If you return her to her real parents, I'm sure she'll be better off," Camille said in her usual condescending tone.
What was she talking about? Who was she referring to?
"No! Alice wiil stay here, she's my daughter !" my mother cried. I could hear the heartbreak in her voice.
"Honey, didn't we discuss this before? When Alice reached the right age, you promised to tell her the truth," Uncle, added.
Confusion turned into cold realization. I didn't even notice the tears streaming down my face. I stayed rooted to the spot, even as my heart felt like it was breaking into pieces.
"If you won't do it, Auntie, then I'll be the one to tell her that she's adopted," Camille snapped.
I didn't stay to hear the rest. I quietly retreated to my room and began packing my things. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. What did I do to deserve this?
I tied several blankets together and secured them to the window. I couldn't use the back door because it had been locked for years, and the front door was too loud. I climbed down and walked away into the night. I didn't know where to go, but I avoided Bryle and Kianna's houses; my mother would look for me there first.
I ended up at a quiet resto-bar far from home. It was nearly empty, giving me the solitude I needed. I walked up to the bar and ordered a drink—something strong enough to make me forget my problems for a moment.
Time passed
As I was leaving the bar later that night, I suddenly felt something sharp pressed against my side. A man was standing directly behind me; I could smell the stench of alcohol on his breath.
"Hi, beautiful," he whispered into my ear.
"W-What do you w-want?" I stuttered. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would burst. One wrong move, and it was over.
"You know what I want. Just make me happy for one night," he said, burying his face in my neck. I began to cry, paralyzed by fear and unable to break free from his grip. The blade pressed harder against my skin.
"Please, Stop this," I begged.
"Weren't you ever taught any manners by your parents?"
A sharp, confident female voice cut through the air. The man froze.
"And who are you? Gusto mo rin sumali? You've got a nice body, too—" the man sneered.
"Hey, Alice. Don't look back," the woman commanded. I froze. How did she know my name?
A moment of silence followed, then a dull thud. I turned around to see a woman wearing a black cap and mask, a black blazer, and a white tube top. The man was sprawled on the pavement next to the knife. I couldn't tell if he was even breathing.
"Don't stay in places like this if you can't fight for yourself. Go home," the woman said seriously.
"I... I have no home to go to. I ran away," I whispered, hiding my face. I didn't want her to see me like this.
She walked over and took my arm. "Come with me."
I followed her, having nowhere else to go. She led me to a black car in the parking lot and sat in the driver's seat. She pulled off her cap and mask.
My eyes widened. She was beautiful—fair-skinned with a sharp, elegant nose. I suddenly remembered her.
"I recognize you... Y-You're the woman I bumped into , right?" I stuttered. I grabbed the cap she had tossed into the back seat and covered my face with it, dying of embarrassment.
"Maybe. What a coincidence," she replied.
"I'm sorry," I muffled through the cap. I slowly lowered it, only to realize she was leaning her face very close to mine. Everything seemed to shift into slow-motion. I leaned back until I was cornered against the seat. My face flushed hot as she moved closer.
"W-What are you doing?"
She glanced down at my chest, making me panic, before meeting my eyes again.
"What do you think?" she asked with a smirk.
I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing myself for a first kiss from a total stranger.
"Done," she said.
I opened one eye to see that she had simply reached over to fasten my seatbelt. I realized I was pouting, expecting something else entirely.
"Let's go?" she teased, glancing at the road.
I was utterly mortified. What is wrong with you, Alice?!