4 Chapter 4 - Claude's POV
I don't know what's gotten into Athy
She hasn't played with me she doesn't even come out from her room
Athy is always the one who keeps on coming here but recently
She became quiet
So I decided to go to her house this time!
I know Athy, if I just visit her she would be like the old Athy!
I thought positively
But for some reason I have a bad feeling
"Aunt Rosalinda!"
I shouted
"Oh! Claude, what are you doing here?"
She asked confused
"I'm here to play with Athy!"
I answered cheerfully
Just as I mentioned Athy
Aunt's expression became grim
Huh?
Why did something happen to Athy?
"Claude, I apologize but Athy isn't feeling very well lately"
She answered sadly
Athy?
She's sick?!
Why did that dummy not tell me?
What happened to Athy
I went home after that
Days have passed
Months gone by...
But no sign of Athy, I waited for her to get better but I started to get angry
Athy didn't even let me know how she is doing
That dummy would not do that
...
I thought to myself
What if Athy doesn't want to be my friend anymore?
...
...
...
.....
No...
No no no no no no no no no no!
Athy can't forget me!
Without her!
Without Athy...
All those will keep on happening again!
those dark times when Athy's not around!
Athy's is the only one who understands me...
*Slap! Slap!*
"Claude Ceyon de Leon! I told you many times that's not the right pronounciation!"
*Slap!*
"Claude! Stand straight!"
*Slap!*
i kept on crying but mother won't stop hitting
She only hit me harder
"Ouch mother *sob sob* it- it hurts"
I beg desperately I cried many times
But mother...
Mother won't stop looking at me with hatred
I'm scared... Mother is so... Scary
I keep trembling
~Slap!~
"You are part of the de Leon family! Don't cry like a fool!"
she slapped me again
but this time i tried looking up but mother...
mother's eyes...
"I hate you so much..... You.... Disgust me"
She looked down at me with so much hatred
She hates me
Mother hates me so much...
*Sob Sob*
I ran away after getting punished by mother
I hid outside the garden where there's pretty flowers
Whenever mother punished me
The garden is the only safe space I have
*Rustle Rustle*
!
Someone's here?!
There usually is no one here, but why now of all times!
...
Should I kill them?
Just like mother said
The de Leon family are strong, they must not feel emotion...
Should I kill whoever's out there?
I'll just blame it on mother and said that she forced me to
Everyone would believe a child who's injured and beaten up, this would be good
I just have to kill
Yes Kill....
...
!
No what am I thinking?
Kill??
No!
I can't I should not!
I fell to the ground and closed my eyes and covered my ears
I need to cover my ears so I can't hear them!
I need to close my eyes so I can't see them!
Stop... Stop stop stop!
~mumble mumble~
I kept on mumbling trying to stop myself from thinking of killing anyone
But I did not notice nor hear that they were approaching me...
That She was approaching me
"Um- Excuse me? Are you ok?"
Huh?
Someone asked if I'm ok?
Who is it? Such warm voice
I stopped covering my ears I opened my eyes and look up to a beautiful girl
Light blue silky hair, beautifully golden eyes, red lips like the rose's petal
Who is she?
"Who are you?"
I unconsciously asked
It was rude for a gentle man to be seen in such a state
and I also used informal speech
O- oh no is she going tell on me? Is mother going to know?
Am I getting beaten twice today?
I trembled, I'm shaking just by the thought of it
But she answered
"Hello! My name is Athanasia Zen les Acrez but you can call me Athy!"
She said it with a cheerful smile she's so kind
But in the state i'm in I looked down
I was to embarrassed to look up again while she looks so pretty with her puffy purple dress
While I dressed in white with dirt and wrinkled clothes with bruises on my body
"I- I apologize miss right now i'm too embarrassed to look up, you look so beautiful and I looked dirty"
I'm about to cry infront of a stranger, my bruises, my injuries hurt so much
"Oh right! Please forgive me!"
She yelled
I looked up in hurry i'm anxious I don't want to be left alone
I'm scared!
"Wai-"
I was about to stop her but then she grabbed my hand
She helped me up and
"Let's introduce ourselves again later after we treat your injuries!"
She said in an excited yet saddened tone
How can someone be so precious
I want her to stay by my side..
I need her in my life...
I have to have her
...
Athy and I became friends
We kept playing in the garden
Whenever she sees me in bruises she takes care of me
Her eyes were only for me
Athy is so sweet
I just want to lock her up...
...
What shall I do to keep her with me?
Should I lock her up?
Yes that's good...
I should hide her somewhere and she can only see me and only I can see her
She can't ignore me anymore if it's just the two of us I should-
I was thinking about something but she kept calling me
Snapping her fingers and I got back to reality...
"Hey! You keep staring at me"
She spoke angrily
"Ah-"
Is she angry does she not want to be friends anymore?
Is locking her up the only way?!
"Hey kid! I won't be your friend anymore if you keep mumbling there! And you also haven't told me the reason you've been mistreating me"
She looked at me glaring she keeps furrowing he brows
No I don't want that!
I still want to be friends with her
She was about to walk away but I managed to stop her
"No!"
I shouted I nervously looked up and shes still standing there
"I- i'll tell you, so please don't stop being my friend"
She looked at me then nodded
She sat down on the grass and asked me to take a sit too
To be continued~
