Chapter 2: Connection

The next day, I went to the police station to check if Yvaine was still there. When I arrived, they immediately recognized me.

"Hi, Khrizel," a woman greeted me.

"Hi, miss."

"Are you here for Yvaine?" the police officer asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Well, she already left. She left this morning." She gestured for me to sit in the office, but I declined. After all, I was just there to check on Yvaine.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"She will be adopted by Mr. Hiromi—Mr. Lin said he knows someone who can take care of her."

I wasn't sure who she was talking about, but I didn't want to get involved. "I see. Is she in good hands?"

"She will be, don't worry," the father of the boy we met yesterday suddenly appeared.

"Hello, sir," I bowed my head.

"You're being too formal; just call me Mr. Lin," he said. I frowned. [So this is Mr. Lin.]

"Don't worry. Mr. Hiromi is a great guy." He took a sip of his coffee. "Well, I'll be going now. I have more cases to solve," he sighed and walked away.

___

As time passed, my life felt miserable, but at least I had great friends. They were the only blessings I had, and I didn't want anything to happen to them—they were my true family.

I was making dinner when suddenly my phone rang. It was Mom. I picked it up.

"Hello, honey. Good evening," I could hear her sweet voice.

"Hmmm," I replied with a cold tone.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine!" I said with a cheerful voice, even though if I admitted that I wasn't fine, she wouldn't care and would just send me money.

"Listen, your sister wants you to come to her birthday."

"I don't have money, and I don't know how to commute," I said while stirring the curry I was making with my other hand.

"Don't worry, we'll pick you up, to—" Before she could finish her sentence, I interrupted her.

"Listen, Mom, I can't come, even if you force me."

"But your sister wants you to be here."

"Do you even want me to be there?"

"I-I, Khrizel, listen," she sighed. "I'll send you money, okay? I'm sorry."

"Money is not always the solution, Mom."

"Don't talk to me like that." She sighed again. "Listen, you will come, just for your sister."

Before I could say anything, a voice was heard on the other line.

"Honey, who's that?" A man's voice came through—must be her new husband. My mom replied,

"Nothing, sweetie. I'm just calling the bakery for Zoey's cake." My heart shattered as I heard what she said, hiding me from them. Before she could say anything else, I ended the call. After a moment, she kept calling me back, so I just powered off my phone.

The next day.

Bam!

A loud sound of metal heard as i was crashing through the pile of metals "you ugly slut!" Anita shouted at me and threw all the trash on the trash bin, there was no one around and where just in alley an alley that no one walks around "how dare you laughed with him, his mine, remember that" she said with a deadly eyes.

I spat on her face "you're a bitch" i said and she was disgusted and furious she then kick me with a high heels and that just stab my stomach.

"One more time i see you with him you be hiding" she then left with her minions, i just sit there for a moment and then look at the bright sky.

"This world sucks" i then wipe the blood on my mouth after that i start walking down hill to the street while eating ice cream to cheer myself up when a car start to follow me, i ignored it at first thinking they just gonna pass by after all this is a street, but they just follow even my speed, i rolled my eyes, annoyed by them so i knock the window's drive, thinking this is was mom's doing to force me to my sister birthday.

"Listen I'm not going to the party i already told my mom about that, leave me alone or I'll call the cops" my two hands on my waist and just walk away.

"What birthday?" I heard a familiar voice. I looked back at the car and saw Yvaine in the back seat, gazing out the window. 

"Yvaine!"I was both shocked and happy. She stepped out of the car and hugged me. It hurt when she embraced me, but I hid the pain. 

"How are you?" She asked, letting go of the hug. 

"Fine,"I replied with a smile. 

"Stop lying. I can see the bruises all over your face." Her eyes pierced into mine. "Who did this?" 

"It's nothing. I just fell down the st—"

"Stop lying," She interrupted, Her voice firm, as if She could see right through me. 

Just then, another girl stepped out of the car. She had striking cornflower-blue eyes, black hair, and cobalt blue tips. Standing next to Yvaine, the two looked like yin and yang. 

"Oh, this is Azurine," Yvaine said with a smile. "Her father adopted me."

Azurine looked elegant but distant. With a straight face, she gave me a polite bow. 

"Good afternoon. You're Khrizel, right?" Her tone was cold and uninteresting. 

I nodded and smiled at her. "Nice to meet you, Azurine." Then I turned to Yvaine. "Why are you here, anyway?"

"To thank you—and the officers who helped us," she said, offering me a calm smile. 

I smiled back. "That's nice." 

"I want you to come with us,"she said, gently pulling my arm. 

"Uh, well, I don't think I can," I said, stopping her. She looked at me with pleading eyes. 

"Why not?"

"Well, you've already seen me, and I'm glad you're doing fine. But I have to be home."

"Well, we will tell your father tha—" Yvaine began, but Azurine interrupted her. 

"Stop forcing her," she said in her composed, refined voice. 

"Okay," Yvaine mumbled, looking down as she let go of my hand. Azurine entered the car without another word. 

Yvaine was about to follow when I stopped her. "Okay, I'll go," I said with a smile. Her eyes lit up, and she excitedly pulled me into the car with her. 

I felt nervous but decided to stop thinking about my father and just enjoy the moment. 

When we arrived at the police station, the first person we saw was Mr. Lim. 

"Yvaine and Azurine, what are you both doing here?"he asked with a curious expression. 

"We're just here to visit," Azurine answered in her usual cold tone. 

"Hi, Mr. Lim! We brought a gift," Yvaine said brightly, handing him three bags of donuts. 

Mr. Lim accepted them with a smile. "Thank you! Is Xiao here?" Yvaine asked eagerly. 

"Oh, sorry, Yvaine. Xiao's at school right now," Mr. Lim replied. 

"That's fine, Mr. Lim. After all, we came to visit this place and thank the officers who helped me," Yvaine said warmly. They exchanged smiles before Mr. Lim turned to Azurine. 

"Azurine, how's your father?"

"He's fine," she replied blankly, then bowed slightly. "Thank you for welcoming us here." 

"Oh, no need for that," Mr. Lim said, gesturing for her to stop bowing. "Everyone is welcome here. And thanks to your father, this station has grown, with more facilities and even an ambulance."

"My father is glad to help." 

We stayed at the station for a while before leaving for dinner. 

"Where are we going?" I asked. 

"We're going to eat. I know just the place," Yvaine said with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. 

We arrived at a restaurant—a fancy one. I couldn't believe my eyes. This was the first time I'd ever seen such an elegant place. 

"I don't have the kind of money for this," I said awkwardly. 

Yvaine chuckled. "Silly, don't worry. We've got you." 

"You don't have to. I d—" Yvaine gently grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face her. 

"Khrizel, you saved my life. You deserve this. Actually, this isn't even enough to repay your kindness," she said with a warm smile. "So don't worry. Let's just enjoy it." 

I smiled back at her, but deep down, it still felt like too much. 

After dinner, they paid the bill and we headed back to the car. I looked at the time—it was already evening. 

[Oh, sh*t, I'm dead.] I started to get nervous and glanced at Yvaine, who was talking to Azurine. 

"Where should we go next?" Yvaine turned to me. 

"I think I should go home. It's 7:30, and my father must be waiting for me," I said, trying to calm myself. Yvaine started to look sad. 

"Okay then," she said, smiling at me before telling the driver to head toward my house. As we got closer to the entrance of the street, I told the driver to stop. 

"Drop me off here," I said. The driver stopped, and I looked at Yvaine and Azurine to say goodbye. 

"Why here? It's too dangerous. We should go to the front of your house so we know you're safe," Yvaine said, her concern is warming my heart. 

"It's fine, Yvaine. No one will harm me. I've been here for years; they know who I am. I even have a friend here who protects me,"I said, trying to reassure her. But her face still looked worried. 

"Well, we're coming with you. This is still a dangerous place. There are thugs and bad people here. This is a bad neighborhood,"she insisted. 

"Yvaine, I'm fine. You should go," I said, opening the door and stepping out of the car. "Goodbye, Yvaine, Azurine. I had a wonderful day today. I hope we'll see each other again," I smiled, but before Yvaine could reach me, Azurine stopped her. 

"Be safe,"Azurine said coldly. I smiled at her and closed the door. 

As I started walking, I could tell they were following me. Well, at least someone cared about me. Though I lied about being okay, every time I walk through here, a group of men starts catcalling me. That's why I'm scared to walk here, even though I've lived here for more than a year. 

I reached the front door, gathering all my courage because I knew what my father would do. I looked back to see if they were still following me. I saw their car leaving, and then I looked down at the door, holding the doorknob as I braced myself. 

I opened the door and immediately saw my father sitting on his bed, a large wooden stick beside him. He turned his head to me, his eyes red. 

"Why did you just get home now?" he asked, grabbing the stick and standing. 

"I..." I couldn't say a word. I was so scared. 

"Where have you been? It's evening,"he said slowly, walking toward me. 

"I'm sorry, Father!"I shouted, closing my eyes, ready for the hit. He smacked me with the stick on my left arm. The pain was unbearable, but I held back a scream. Then, he hit my legs repeatedly, and my legs collapsed. 

"I'm sorry, Father,"I cried, screaming from the pain. "I'm so—" but he slapped me hard, causing my body to collapse to the ground, and blood started dripping from my nose. 

"Don't dare to speak!" he shouted, continuing to smack me with the stick while I lay on the ground. After what felt like an eternity, he finally stopped. I couldn't move my body or speak. My body was covered in blood and bruises from his strikes. He stepped over me to leave the house, carrying his beer. I just collapsed on the floor. 

"Please save her!" I heard a familiar voice. I opened my eyes and saw a bright light before I drifted back into unconsciousness from exhaustion and pain. 

The next day, I woke up with oxygen on my mouth and nose, an IV drip in my arm. I started to look around, confused. [Where am I?] I couldn't speak properly, so I just thought to myself. 

"Thank you, Doc." 

The door opened, and I saw Yvaine. 

"Khrizel!" she exclaimed, walking quickly toward me. "I'm glad you're awake." 

I tried to sit up, but she stopped me. "Don't move yet. You're not completely healed." 

The next day, I was able to move a little and speak. Yvaine and Azurine were sitting beside me, talking. Suddenly, the door opened, and Mr. Lim and Xiao walked in. 

"Hi, Khrizel. How are you?" Xiao asked. 

"I'm fine, thank you,"I replied, smiling at him. His father looked concerned and walked toward me. 

"We found out who did th—" Mr. Lim started, but I interrupted him. 

"Don't arrest my father," I said coldly. 

"Khrizel..." I heard Yvaine's voice, full of concern. 

"This is just cruel," Mr. Lim said. "This is not right. No one should treat their child this way." 

"I don't want to talk about it. Just don't arrest him," I said, looking down and clutching the blanket. 

"Khrizel, this is not right. We need to do something," Yvaine said. "This isn't going to stop. Why are you defending your abusive father?"

"You can leave him, Khrizel. This has to stop," Xiao added.

"Shut up, both of you!" I shouted. They both looked surprised.

"Listen, Khrizel, why are you still staying with him after everything he's done to you? Why?" Yvaine said, her voice was full of emotion.

"I've got nowhere to go," I said, my voice trembling.

"You can live with us. We'll help you," Yvaine insisted.

"You don't understand, Yvaine. He's the only family I have," I replied quietly.

"You call this family?!" she exclaimed, her frustration clear.

"Yvaine," Azurine said softly, looking at her. Yvaine immediately changed her tone.

"S-sorry," she said, lowering her head.

"Yvaine, I know you're just concerned, but I'll be fine. There's nothing I can do but help him. He's been through so much," I said, trying to explain.

"And what about you?"Yvaine pointed at me. "Even if he's been through too much, why does he have to take it out on you?!"

"He needs me. He can't take care of himself, so I'm helping my father," I explained, my voice breaking.

"Where's your mom?" Mr. Lim asked, his tone gentle but curious.

"I don't have one," I said, avoiding their gazes.

"Is she dead?"

"No," I replied softly. They exchanged glances.

"Where is she?"

"With her new family... she's with my sister."

"Does sh—" Mr. Lim started to ask, but I interrupted him because I had had enough.

"YES! SHE KNOWS I'M BEING ABUSED! THE REASON MY MOTHER LEFT MY FATHER IS BECAUSE HE WAS ABUSIVE, AND SHE CHOSE MY SISTER OVER ME... OVER ME!" Tears started to fall. "She kept saying she would take me with her sooner. It's been eight years, and I'm still waiting for my mother to come get me. She kept making promises but never followed through, hiding me from her new family." 

I started crying silently, and Yvaine hugged me tightly.

"We're sorry,"she whispered.

"Just leave me alone, and leave my father alone," I said, pulling away from her hug. Azurine grabbed my shoulder, and they all quietly left, giving me some space.

Continue ~~