From The Other Side

CHLORIS POV

Mom wasn’t home to drive me to school. She has an out of town seminar. As always… always busy with her job. And I was used to it. In my fifteen years of existence in this world, I used to play a role of an excess baggage of my mom. And my grandparents were her “baggage counter”.

I was just one year old when my Dad died in a car accident. I was ten when we moved out from the place of my grandparents. My mom was just asking her “baggage counter” to look for me when she was not around. When I reach twelve, Mom hired a nanny for me. And I was like, seriously? I am not a kid anymore. As a matter of fact, I can fix my shits together. Why now? Why not when I was just a kid? My questions had been answered as soon as the nanny she hired started her job. Mom wouldn’t be home most of the time. If she does, she will come home late at night. She just hired her substitute. Pssh!

Mom was a VP for Marketing in a big toy company, the WonderLand Co.—the company were she put her loyalty for a long time. That company actually steal my mom away from me.

Mom would always told me that what she was doing were all for my sake, for my future or whatever. But the idea that my Mom couldn’t be with me because WonderLand Co. needed her too, keeps the burning resentment inside me. How come that whatever she’s doing were all for me, when she wasn’t here beside me when I needed her the most? She can’t even make time for me.

I used to do nothing but wait for her to be home, wait to be with her. I always longed her to come. Every time we have school activity, I was always anxious and hoping she’ll come for me. But at the end of the day, she would always disappoint me. It wasn’t just once, nor twice but many times. My aunts and uncles replaced her as if they were the ones I needed. I used to feel like an orphan whenever she doesn’t come for me.

So, when I reached high school, I choose to distance myself from my Mom. I’ve gone tired of hoping and expecting her to give me time and attention. I’ve gone tired of hoping she’ll choose me over her job. And it seems she was not bothered at all. Whenever I keep silence she wouldn’t even dare asking me what’s fucking wrong or Am I fucking okay. She didn’t even change our set up. She used to travel there, travel here; seminars here and there. Yes, she showered me material things. She would always give me gifts when she came home after her business travels. But those were not what I needed. I so damn needed her!

Just like now… I fucking needed her now!

I run as fast as I could. Three guys were chasing after me. I think they’re my age or a year ahead. I just came out of our subdivision and was about to go to my school. I was waiting for a cab, but unfortunately, none was passing by. I decided to walk, hoping I’ll found a taxi. I haven’t gone far when I collide with a group of male teens. I didn’t mind them and continue walking when I noticed that they were following me. I walk faster and faster until I found out that I was almost running. And I did run as I saw they were speeding along as well. They were chasing me. Unfortunately, the vacant lot was a long way to go before I reach the public parking.

Dead-tired yet I couldn’t stop from running. I couldn’t let them catch me or else, I’m dead. Whatever their intentions on me, I knew it wasn’t good. With those red eyes, I knew they were high on drugs.

“Hey! Wait! Why were you running?”

“We just wanted to give this back to you. This hanky was probably yours. You dropped it, didn’t you?”

Out of curiosity I turned to them. But it was a wrong move. It was just a trick, because none of them were holding a hanky. They just wanted to distract my focus in running away. And my huge mistake is that I let them lure me. Because right now, I just have a bit distance from them. Any moment they will catch me already.

Someone grabbed my hair and pull it painfully. I stopped from running while my books dropped on the pave. Two of them grab me on my arms. They made sure that I won’t disappear just yet. I was shaken as I face the other guy.

“Fuck! You really did make it hard for us to catch you, ee!”

“W-What do you want from me?” I asked as I trembled with fear.

I think they were really my age. This guy must be the leader of the group. But what the hell did they need in me?

“We just wanted to introduce ourselves, why did you run as fuck just like that?”

“I-I am r-running late in school. I need to go. Please, let me go.”

I was frustrated to free myself from the two guys. But they were grasping my arms tightly. The leader evilly laughs at me as if the situation is something to be glad for.

“Just don’t go to school and join us.” He said, encouraging me as if I am a dumb.

I tried to free myself as hard as I could. But the two were strong. I have no matched in them. I don’t like what I am feeling. It seems like I was surrounded with strong predators. And a meek prey couldn’t survive in this alone. Oh, God. Please help me! I shouted for help. But none come. And I know, if I wouldn’t be loud, no one will notice this scene, no one will rescue me.

“Shut the fuck up!” Their leader slapped me so hard as if my ears turn deaf.

If I fight back, I knew I wouldn’t stand a chance. But as long as I can do something to save myself, I’ll do it. I shouted for help once again as they plodded me away from the road. I cried hard as I shout at the top of my lungs. The one started to cover my mouth. It was then when a motorbike stopped in front of us. It was such a relief when the guy from the motorbike went down and undoes his helmet.

Young, tall, lean… a serious looking and so much of a handsome guy.

It was Flame!

And just like his name, his eyes seem to blow in raging fire while walking near to this three fucking assholes.

“Flame…” I heard myself uttering his name. He’s the only person who could help me, right now.

I don’t even know what happened because they fight each other already. Flame is at a disadvantage. That was the first thing came in my mind. Three against one. And the three act as one as they attacked Flame. My eyes couldn’t keep up with the fighting scene in front of me. And it seems Flame didn’t mind fighting the three. I couldn’t believe it that right before my eyes Flame punched the remaining daylights in them.

My energies drained as I sat down the pavement. Those assholes run away as they curse and threw threats against us. I didn’t know that Flame was really strong. I’ve never seen him in a fight. I always knew him as a quiet and calm person. I’ve even thought that he had never into a fight all his life. That is why I was surprised to see him fight all those three bad guys.