Chapter 119 Into the waves
>>Seraphina
My heart raced as I burst out of the front door with my little sister cradled in my arms. I had no idea where I wanted to go or what I was even going to do but the moment I stepped outside and turned my head around, I spotted something.
It was pure coincidence that I was able to spot the other debt collectors making their way toward my house, before they could see me. The urgency of the moment amplified the thudding in my chest, and my eyes widened as I spotted them lingering on the road above. The area I lived in was a sloped place, in the poorer part of the town. So many people who had business here would park their car far away and walk.
It worked in my favor. But their presence alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine and I turned away.
Shit
Hulio wasn't alone?
...
Come to think of it, he never came alone before. They always came as a gang to intimate us. That's a thing these low life people do a lot. I felt disgusted as I realized why Hulio came early and why he came alone. It was solely so he could have his way with me.
Eris hugged me back tightly and I clenched her tiny back in my arms.
In that split second, instinct kicked in, and I swerved away from the direct path to the road, opting for a side alley instead. The narrow passage felt it would shield us momentarily from the looming threat.
I ran with all my might. I hadn't eaten since yesterday but I still squeezed out all the energy so I could escape. Not that I had much but I had to get away. As we emerged onto a quieter street, I spotted a taxi lined up along the curb.
It was probably the only time where I had luck shine upon me. Otherwise things only tend to take a turn for the worst.
I ran to it, waving my hand to show the driver I wanted a ride while my anxious gaze darted back to ensure we weren't being followed.
The taxi pulled over, and with a quick glance over my shoulder, I opened the door and gently placed my sister in the back seat, buckling her in and then took my seat beside her.
"Please, drive," My voice still had hints of shakiness in it, may it be from all the running or from the event that took place before that. But, I chose not to think about it.
As the taxi sped away, the weight of the situation settled in, and I couldn't help but steal one last glance at the fading figures on the road
I don't think they noticed me... I would have seen someone running after me if someone had,
I turned my head away, then glanced at the taxi driver. I saw him look at me through the rearview mirror, and I saw how his gaze dropped and how he focused on my hands.
!!!
I closed my fists and turned them upside down.
There was so way he didn't see the blood on them but it was funny how he didn't even ask me about anything, almost like it would be too much of a bother to do that.
All he asked was, "Where to?"
"I-" My mind seemed to buzz, "I'll tell you when to stop. Keep going." He didn't reply to that but kept going.
Eris didn't make a sound. For a five year old kid she was very docile. I'm sure kids aren't like that, they're very noisy at her age but she isn't. If it was a normal child, she would be constantly asking questions like, 'Where are we going? Why are we going? When are we going to get there?' But she said nothing.
I stared out the window as the car kept going. I knew my life would end in shit. No matter what I tried, no matter how much I earned, it would never give me anything in return.
Eris placed her head next to me, leaning on my arm since that was where her head reached. But since she didn't say anything, so I didn't look back at her either.
I simply wondered if there was something I didn't do to make my situation better. Something that I could have done to make it all work out?
Should I have run away? But where could I have gone? For someone like me, who didn't even get to go to highschool, I would not have survived anywhere. I can only get part-time jobs and most of them I got because of my looks. People always said I was pretty but this face has caused me more trouble than success.
I saw my faded reflection in the window and a worn-out girl, who looked tattered, was looking back at me. Someone tired of everything.
I had a roof over my head here. The house I lived in all my life belonged to my mother and after her death my father took it. I don't think I could have afforded the rent anywhere. I looked away from the window, glancing at Eris who had silently sat leaning on me, staring at the road ahead.
And I couldn't have left Eris behind.
I looked out again. The beach came into view.
Weird
The beach is far from where I lived, not even in the direction of the city. I stared at the view. I guess the driver made the decision on his own. I don't know what went through his mind that he brought us here, but it wasn't bad.
I kept staring at the view. The sandy area in contrast to the blues made me want to stop here.
"Here," I told the driver, "Stop here," It felt like this was a perfect place for an end.
And maybe because it was in the middle of the week, there was no one there. The place was wide and empty.
The driver stopped the taxi and I walked out alone without looking back. Eris panicked when I didn't pick her up but she came running after me as I went down and walked on the light brown sand with my worn out sandals.
The melody of the crashing waves serenaded me as I stood on the sandy shore, right where the water met the land, gazing out at the vast expanse of the ocean. The horizon seemed to stretch endlessly, merging the sky with the sea.
The salty breeze played with my black hair as I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the ocean. The cool sand under my feet provided a grounding contrast to the boundless blue in front of me. I felt a sense of numbness wash over me, telling me to get lost in the waves.
A sudden impulse stirred within me, drawing me towards the inviting embrace of the water. There was this voice in my head, telling me it was fine to go in. Step by step, I waded into the gentle surf, the coolness enveloping my ankles. It felt nice but my walk ahead was cut when Eris grabbed my hands.
"Sera," She squeezed my hand and I looked back at her.
Right...
I still have her with me. What do I do with her? She was looking back at me with a worried look in her eyes. Those small yet big round eyes were asking me if I was going to leave her behind.
I shouldn't have brought her with me. Not when I want to leave...
I stared at her, anxiety filled my mind. I thought about leaving her there but leaving her alone made me feel fearful. How will she go on without me? Who would feed her? What if Dad comes back and beats her?
I turned around, presented her with my open arms that she climbed into without a second thought and I picked her up in my arms while she wrapped her legs around me.
I turned towards the sea and began to walk again.
Eris clung onto me tightly, as if holding on for life and I wrapped my arms around her firmly. The water felt cold but I didn't stop going and soon it was up to my knees.
People would say, "Better days will come"
I don't think so,
Not anymore. Not after so many days of just misery. I paused, took a glance at my blood stained hand which made me feel nauseous.
Especially not after today. There are no 'better days'
I clenched my fist, then brought it back to support Eris's weight. I think I heard some cars pull up on the road that I had left behind, and I heard the muffled sounds of people as well but there was no need for me to focus on that.
I was leaving it all behind.
The cold began to seep into my bones. Holding Eris close, I continued into the water, each step deeper into the sea.
I heard the sound of splashing behind me, like someone was running toward us but I paid it no heed. There was nothing in this world that I would look back for.
The waves came on stronger, pushing against us and Eris flinched.
"It's okay," I whispered in her ear, "It's going to end soon."
I held her close. She was the last remaining thing that had kept me going.
Only her
As we moved forward, the waves lapped around us, making it harder to go forward but I had no intention of stopping myself.
The water got till my chest and I just needed to go a little further. Just a little more.
A few more seconds and then it'll be all over.
I was ready to let myself go when the water splashed like crazy behind me and out of nowhere someone grabbed my hair
!!!
"Got ya," He yanked my hair back, not only causing me to stop but also get my neck pulled.
"Hey, hey~"
A tall man with Ash-gray hair and gray eyes popped his head from the side and looked at me, "Where do you think you're going, kitten?"