Shadows Of The Past II

"I promise I'm not," Jason said, his expression earnest. "I understand your fear. Just take your time."

After a moment, Clio took a deep breath. "I'm Clio," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Nice to meet you, What are you doing out by this time? It's not safe here," Jason suggested, glancing around.

"How about following you to wherever you're going?" He added

Clio nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. "Okay, but—"

"I won't let anything happen to you," he interrupted gently. "You have my word."

As they started walking back, Clio felt conflicted. She had always been taught to be wary of male strangers,she had this belief that there wasn't any difference between a man she calls her father and any other guy she was gonna meet, yet there was something about Jason that seemed genuine. Perhaps this was a chance to find someone different, someone who respected her.

"Thank you for what you did," she said, suddenly aware of the warmth spreading in her chest.

"Just doing what's right," Jason replied with a reassuring smile.

With each step back to her mother, Clio clung to that flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, not all men were like her father.

"I can continue the journey alone. Thanks." She said suddenly

"Hmmm,are you stopping me from moving further?" He asked in surprise

"I'm not. I don't want my mum getting angry. Thanks once more" Clio replied and walked away immediately

"And that's just it. I'm not surprised though, judging from the first day I saw her" He mumbled to himself as he watched her disappear into the thin air.

He turned back afterwards,and started walking back to where he had earlier met her. A vibration sound came through his pocket,it was a phone call.

He quickly picked the call. "Hello..."

"Hey man. Where you at?"

"The convenience store close to Belgium High School. I'll be back soon"

"Jane was raped,I'm at home right now about heading for the station with dad" The voice dropped the news

Jason scoffed, pretending not to have heard the statement that was made earlier. "Jane was what?? Are you playing a kind of prank with sister?"

"Come home right now!!" The voice echoed and hung up

Jason quickly ran to his car and drove off to his family house.

As Jason sped down the familiar streets, his mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions. Jane was his younger sister, the one person he had always felt protective of. The thought of anything happening to her ignited a surge of anger and fear within him.

Arriving at his family home, he rushed inside, the door slamming shut behind him. His mother was pacing, her expression a mixture of worry and disbelief.

"Jason, thank God you're here," she said, her voice trembling. "I... I don't know how to handle this."

"What happened?" Jason demanded, his heart pounding. "Where's Jane?"

"She's in her room. She doesn't want to talk." his mother replied, tears glistening in her eyes. "She was out with friends, and..."

Another wave of fury coursed through him. "Who did this?" Jason asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"We don't know yet. She just got back and told us," his mother said, her voice cracking. "I should've known better than to let her go out."

"Your dad and Dreck just left for the station"

"Don't blame yourself," Jason said softly, heading toward Jane's room. "Just let me talk to her."

He knocked gently on the door. "Jane, it's me. Can I come in?"

"Go away!" her voice sounded small and shattered.

"Please, just let me in," Jason pressed, worry gnawing at him. After a moment, the door creaked open, and he stepped inside.

Jane sat on the bed, her eyes swollen and red from crying. "I don't want to talk about it," she said, turning her gaze away.

"I know this is hard, but you need to tell me what happened. I'm here for you—always," Jason said, sitting down next to her.

"I was just walking home with some friends. We stopped at the park," she began, her voice trembling. "And he... he just grabbed me,my friends couldn't help,they all ran away."

His heart sank. "Did you see his face?"

"N-no," she stammered. "He had this strange mark on his ear. He just came out of nowhere, and I was so scared. I couldn't fight him. I thought I would die."

Jason felt a rage boil within him. "You're safe now, Jane. I won't let him hurt you again," he promised fiercely. "We're going to get through this together."

The sound of sirens approached, and Jane flinched. "The police are here," she whispered, anxiety flooding her features.

"I'll be right here," Jason reassured her, squeezing her hand. "You don't have to face this alone."

"Let's go to the sitting room" He added and they walked out of the room

"Make sure you answer whatever you know,don't hide anything,okay?"

"I won't" She muttered

As the officers entered, Jason stood back, allowing them space. They spoke with Jane, asking gentle questions, while he remained close, ready to support her at any moment.

After the officers left, Jane fell silent, staring at the wall as tears streamed down her face. "What if they can't find him?" she whispered, fear gripping her.

"They will," Jason said fiercely, his protective instincts surging. "And if they don't, I'll make sure you're safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Just then, Greg,Jason's Dad and Dreck walked in, their face etched with worry. "Is she okay?" Dreck asked

"I'm fine, Dreck," Jane said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jason looked at his father and mother, determination in their eyes. "We'll handle this as a family. No one will hurt her again, I promise."

The five of them huddled together, the weight of the situation heavy in the air but bound by their shared resolve to heal.

In that moment, Jason vowed not only to protect his sister but also to speak out against the darkness that had touched their lives. No more silence. There would be justice. And with that, their family would rise beyond this pain.

When everyone had returned to their rooms, Jason remained in the sitting room lost in thought.

"The guy raped his sister near a store,could it be the same guy that had an encounter with Clio??" He though and exhaled heavily in confusion

"If it is so,then who could this man be?" Jason thought and stood up immediately, walking out of the house

"You're leaving again without me?" Dreck voice came from behind

"Didn't plan to disturb you" He replied

"You call finding the culprit that raped my sister disturbance?? I can't believe you Jason" Dreck hissed and walked past him straight into the car,while Jason followed behind

As Jason was about entering the car,he saw a figure in front of the building. He squinted his eyes to make sure his guess was right.

"Clio...!!" He called in shock

"Ja..Jason??" She called back from a distance