"Witch she's a witch!!"
"She should just die!!"
"Why care for such a burden?!?!?!"
"Whore!"
"Pig!"
"Good for nothing child!!"
"Criminal!"
"Dispicable!"
"Disgusting!"
When I was a child, at age of 7, I was called many things from the people around. The names I didn't know off where unknown and always kept on piling up.
I didn't know why they called me such a thing though. I always thought that it was a good thing, but when I sat at a chair and waited for my parents at the principals office, I knew it wasn't that good because everyones hands pointed at me.
____________________________________
4 months earlier...
"Sweetie, are you okay?"
"Mom, why do we have to move?"
"Oh my sorry sweetie, it's just daddy and I have very busy work okay."
"Okay."
"Come now, don't feel so down I'm pretty sure you'll make new friends at your new school."
"......."
Her mother looked at the mirror at the rear backseat.
Her mother knew the girl was upset that they had to make a sudden decision at a cost when she was still enjoying my time at my original home. But it all seemed inevitable at the current age she was at, not understanding what went behind the scenes.
This time they would start a anew in a another state. New people; new school; new friends; and a new home that would likely suit her comfort just like her previous home did. To begin with, her mother drove her to her new school.
"Alright here we are," her mother said when entering the school gate.
At first glance, the school had garned a simple but yet complexity surrounding the place. It was huge. Like a mansion, it was as if she was entering a castle. And it was also this new found change in her life that it made her hesitant, and feeling overwhelmingly shy, but also around the corner she did have a tendency to wonder about this new found home.
"Here dear here's your lunchbox, water bottle, and bag. Enjoy yourself there okay."
That was the last thing her mother said before seeing me off as she was taken into class.
"Alright class we have a new addition. Please make her feel welcome," the teacher smiled and introduced me in front of my new class.
This was the part where she would introduce myself in whole class. Although, she was still hesitant to speak up front.
"Okay maybe we can try another, I'll introduce her...."
"M-my name is Lanesra.....and I look forward to being part of your class!" She promptly announced myself to the class just upon realization. There if she wasn't sure enough if it would work, she took a small bow before everyone else.
How incompetent? It was embarrassing, and I'll get the blame for it. However, the class wasn't nearly that rowdy receiving my greetings instead they had small talks here and there, just as confused as she was.
"Oh Lanesra....okay you may take your seat, but where should you go. Ah, I know. You can seat next to Chloe," the teacher pointed to the girl with the ginger coloured hair.
Just like that, Lanesra was fitted into the class. She didn't talk or even interact while class resumed; she took part in the class as it was her regular day to school.
The bell went off - kids rushing out - Lanesra was the only student to leave last. The class teacher saw her, and directed her to the lunch room. She sat on her own and prepared to eat.
"Excuse me.....are you Lanesra," someone from behind lanesra spoke.
Lanesra turned around suddenly and was met with a girl with ginger coloured hair.
Although lanesra could only stare first at her, she took it upon herself for quite sometime before she actually replied to the girl, "Y-yes....that's me."
"Oh that's fantastic," the ginger coloured hair girl happily said.
The ginger girl then sat close to lanesra just a bit too close where she began to forward herself to lanesra taking the most of lanesra's space (not dramatically that is, but just curious).
"Oh oh by the way my names chloe I'm the one you were sitting next on the right, it's very nice to meet you, can we be friends...," the girl named chloe was talking so fast that Lanesra couldn't keep up. Soon she'll be engulfed.
"What are doing chloe?" Another person said.
Lanesra turned her head again to same spot chloe stood and was Mey with a other girl. This time her hair was black.
"What? I'm just talking to my new friend," chloe said.
"Is it really so, or are you trying to suffocate her," the black hair girl replied back with a serious face.
When Chloe looked back she felt unnaturally surcumed to her overjoyed atmosphere as she stared at Lanesra's eyes, and filled to the brim she immediately stepped back, "I'm really sorry! Will you forgive me."
Lanesra was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say. But that's when the black haired girl moved in and sat next to the two girls.
"Hello there it's nice to meet you, my names lannethe...and that there is Chloe, I'm pretty sure she already shared her name yes," Lannethe introduced herself in a chilled manner.
Lanesra nodded signalling a yes.
"Good, and I'm really sorry about her, she can sometimes be of a bother," Lannethe added.
"Am not."
"Yes you are."
"I AM NOT."
"Oh so you really don't remember that incident do you," Lannethe recalled.
"No no no no no no no."
Lanesra could watch the two girls talk to each other like real friends would be.
"I-Its....okay," Lanesra whispered.
The two girls stopped there argument.
"See, she gets it," Chloe said.
"Chloe can you just stop."
"Fine."
It was really fun seeing the two act differently on each other - being friends. It also reminded Lanesra about home. She wanted to know if she'll ever visit there soon enough as she looked down on the floor.
"Anyways, if you don't mind, I want to be your friend.....and that also includes Clhloe," Lennethe said infront of Lanesra.
Lanesra thought it out, and for a second she wanted to quite, but at the bright side she'll make new friends.
"Y-YES," Lanesra said surprisingly and hesitantly.
"Cool."
"Hey, your forgetting me too."
Just like that, Lanesra's new life had began, but with a little more than just the two friends she was going to make along the way.
Then suddenly, Lennethe called.
"Alright, you guys can can come out. Stop pretending and say hello."
From the corner of Lanesra's vision, a couple of kids, roughly her own height and age - older and younger age as well - came crawling out like a swarm of insects.
"E-excuse me....can I be your friend."
"Me too."
"Me three."
Like that, Lanesra was surrounded with lots and lots of kids wanting to be friends with her. The shyness that once enveloped her had ceased to exist, instead she was shocked, shocked that it wasn't her but it was the other kids.
After a long day, the sun was almost reaching the horizon. Not yet, it seemed. When the school bell rang, it immediately was a response for every-child in the school come rushing out of the front door exit to get pickeded up by their parents who were patiently waiting for them outside.
As for Lanesra, her ride was just in time to meet her. Like everyone else, she was also excited and full of a fun loving smile. She saw her father and ran to him. Behind every corner, there were parents greeting their kids with a heart warming embrace. When she was about to reach her destination, a cute voice called her name.
"Lanesra!"
She turned to her back and saw it was Lennethe. She could see her waving at her with a smile before hopping onto her car.
"New friends, is it?" Another voice spoke, this time deeper.
When Lanesra turned back, she was a little spooked by this person. It was her father. Her faced turned red as innocent as she was.
"Dad!"
"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to," the Father said, "I mean we should be headed now."
Finally calm, Lanesra and her father took off.
~~~~~~
Set place in a beautiful neighbourhood where trees and vegetation are aligned in every foot side corner, a two floored house is always put behind. In one of the houses, it is the new home for Lanesra and her family.
Just parked near the house, Lanesra was brimming with excitement as she was the first person to get out of the car. On the other hand, her father was left alone in the front seat. Not that it was a bad thing, but they just came from the shop leaving him with the groceries - a heavy load - in the back of the car - the trunk. It really is a pitiful turn of events. What was suppose to be two people handling the groceries together, was left with one man to do the job. Regardless, the Father wasn't pressured or in any way upset. He just had a small laugh when he looked at Lanesra.
"Well, that just leaves me," the Father said in satire.
Leaving the car, the Father got out and went straight away into the trunk of the car, unloading the groceries and stuffing them wherever he could; carrying the heavy load with extreme effort. As he made his way to the front door, he could hear Lanesra shouting at him to hurry up, and if he wasn't already fully aware, he was doing he's best to do so.
"Dad, hurry up!" Lanesra shouted.
At the porch of the house, it took a while for Lanesra's Father to unlock the front door. Because why wouldn't he be. He was the only person there carrying all the groceries. He puts some of the plastic bags down and rumages through his pockets.
"There we go," the Father said highlighting his luck, and findings for the key. Then he used it to open the door.
When the door was unlocked at that very moment, it wasn't the father who was the first to take lead, instead it was Lanesra herself. She rushed right infront of her Father, startling him in the process. Again, the Father wasn't sure to be angry. Lanesra's approach were all he knew true, and what he was expecting of her to do at first hand. So he let her pass.
Inside the house, Lanesra saw intertwining directions: to the kitchen, to the living room, and upstairs. She went upstairs. Running without her ever stopping, it only took her about a couple of seconds before she returned back downstairs and headed the other directions - the kitchen first, the living room last. The light pant of her breathing was her only reward as she again arrived where she started. She then asked her father who was partially inside the house with all the groceries within his hands.
"Dad, where is Mom," she desperately asked the Father.
The Father seeing her confusion replied, "I'm afraid she's at work," he moved between sides, "She'll be coming home at a later time."
Lanesra's voice fell silent. Her movements not moving as excited as she was previously, her head hanged like a puppet only supported by her neck. At close inspection, it was as if she was about to shed tears.
"B-but...I wanted...to s-showww Mom," her voice broken separately.
When the father saw her child at such a state, he's eyes sparked into action. Putting down the groceries just beside the door, he walked passed her, kneeled down, and comforted her shouldering his arm onto hers.
"Hey, Lanesra," the Father spoke softly, "I know that Mom isn't here right now. We all trying to get everything underway, that includes Mom. And usually she would stay home, she now has to work - the same goes for me."
Still unresponsive, Lanesra didn't flinch. He could see that she was feeling very upset that the one person that she could always play with and tell her worries at home was gone, while the Father attends for work during the weekdays. Now it was just going to be her.
The Father then thought of something to soothe the child's misfortune. Right on the bet, he knew exactly what to do with this type of situation, if he was right about it of course. Always spending time in the office, day-in and day-out, he never quite caught the relationship between his daughter. But what is likely the most impressive thing has he learnt when a kid would want. Sweets he thought. That was one point he knew, but because he only took the idea into heart from a friend at work.
"I'll tell you what," the Father changed his tone, "If you get changed, wouldn't it be fair if I made you a sweet treat."
Suddenly compelled by her father's words she asked, "A treat?"
"Yes, indeed," the Father said again, this time more persuasive on his word, "How about it?"
"Yes please," as if the worry had faded instantly without a trace, her voice became apparently joyous.
"Alright, I'll meet you at the kitchen," he stood up and went in the kitchen with the groceries, "Oh and if I forget, this is a surprise."
For a young girl at her age, she was really almost that equivalent to an adult. Taking on orders like it were just fun play to her - she is cooperative. With this stand, she gladly wiped her tears, and straight away went upstairs to take a bath. After she was finished, she changed and walked back down.
Once Lanesra was close to the other side (the barrier that separats the kitchen and the hallway leading to the stairs) of the house descending calmly down the stairs, her nose picked up a delicious scent coming from the on her right.
Lanesra sticked her foot on one, and the other followed. Her face filled with uncertainty, she was proplexed. It was then, at that hour, her Father recognised her entering through that way point.
"Your finally here," the Father said, his expression turned into a gleaming cheer.
Lanesra made her way to her Father without saying anything until she was close enough to the kitchen desktop where her father was at.
"What's that smell...," Lanesra curiously asked, "It really smells good."
Noticing the daughter's curiosity, the father replied back wanting to please her wonderful mind, "It really does," as he whipped up something that the daughter couldn't see, but turned around, and placed it on a plate just where she sat, "Here you go."
The Father was happy with his effort in preparation for this suprise but when looked into her daughter's facial expression, it seemed as though was not in the right move just after he had put the plate beside her.
"What's wrong?" The Father worriedly asked, "Is the suprise not to your liking."
"No," she answered.
"Is it the mood.'
"No."
"The weather?"
"No."
"Is it.....the food."
She nodded.
Although the Father didn't know why he wants to know why.
"May I know why?"
"Mommy says, sweets are bad,"
"Does she now?" The Father asks.
With that, the daughter shakes her head up and down slowly. It was going to happen anyway. The father didn't have much experience being at home, and although he wasn't as qualified to be much of a caretaker he could he see that could find his way around this obstacle. And to do that, he'll need to make it as playfully as he can be, maybe even better than the mother.
"Well, how about this," the Father moved in closer, "Just for now as your father I helpily allow you, that my daughter, can eat sweets on this one particular day. How's that."
"Really!" The daughter said.
"Yes, really," the Father cheerfully agreed.
"But won't mother be angry," the daughter reluctantly said.
In this moment the said, "Don't worry, this'll be our little secret."
With the that out of the way, the daughter was bright and smiling yet again. Getting her father's approval she immediately indulged in her gluttonous desires and enjoyed the dish her father made for her.
~~~~~~
20:45 pm
It was night-time. The air was cold and filled with silence all around.
"Ah, finally I'm out," a female voice said.
This female voice was Lanesra's mother. She had just finished work and is heading out of the main exit. As she was suppose to be the caretaker at home, she isn't. Just like her husband, they'll be both working to provide. The building the mother she just came out from is one of those job listing she is attending and she was gladly accepted since she was transferred. For now, she's at her first day and everything there seems to be harder than her previous work henceforth her tired expression and voice.
"I wonder how Lanesra and my darling husband are doing," she told herself.
'But first I hope there is a tax nearby.'
The mother then called a taxi which so happen to park nearby. She got in, told the driver her destination, and left as soon as possible. It was a typical night. So typical that the town or should I say state's traffic jam was a bit of grinning headache. Due to the traffic jam, it took the mother to arrive an hour and 20 minutes in. That made it past 10 o'clock time.
"Thank you very much," the mother got out of the taxi and handed him the cash, "Keep the change."
"Oh, thank y-you.....very much," the taxi driver's weak and old voice sounded.
Lanesra's mother walked down leaving the taxi behind. The taxi had left her at the nearest bus stop, four houses until she could reach home.
She walked. When she came close to the house, the house lights were on, so she knew that maybe they weren't yet asleep. At the front of the door, she used a spare key to unlock the door and proceeded to step inside, "Hello, I'm home," as soon as she did, someone had already come running at her and calling her.
"Mommy! Your here," Lanesra shouted at her running profusely at her, "I have so much to tell about school."
"Yes I am, my sweet little girl."
"How's work?" The Father walks in asking her.
"Good, Good," she softly replies.
The Father comes in and they have a kiss, their lips touched temporarily.
"Here, let me take that for you," the Father gets her wife's bags.
It is then the wife is free from the heavy baggage. Free at last, she holds Lanesra's hand and they walk into the kitchen. Aside from the chilly night, the inside of the house provided nothing else but to keep warm and safe.
'Huh, bliss....'
After their small walk, the mother questioned Lanesra curiously, "So, I see you and your Father weren't bored while I was away."
"No, daddy and I did played lots."
"I see."
As the mother looked around, her daughter was merely telling her about school - paid attention but little to no sight. She becomes calms. Her eyes landed her on the kitchen utensils and other objects. Some plates in the sink, and plastered wrappings, disposed along with plastic in the trash bin. She thinks. And on that note of thinking, she finds it a bit strange.
But before she could process it, her husband comes in after putting the bags aside.
"Alright, that's done," he said.
But when the father walked in, he found that her wife was standing steadily stable.
He asked, "Is there some wrong, darling."
"Hmmm, no," she said, "But there is.....did you cook."
"Ahhhh....yes."
"Really?" She says putting her hands on her hips, "What did you cool?"
When Lanesra heard this, she said this, "Mommy I'm going to play there."
Confused, the mother stopped Lanesra before she could step any further, "Wait. Hold it, right there."
She added, "You know there is something fishy going on here."
"Mind telling me what you cooked."
"Well, I Ah,.....that would be a secret," the Father weeked at Lanesra.
"Lanesra."
Nothing.
Catching wind of such a suspicious activity going on as of right now, the mother was quick to act immediately. Annoyed that no one was being cooperative about her kind gesturing question, the only thing she would do was to play along, and see, if there was a result. She warned them.
"Oh, I see now,"
"If there is nothing to say, then I suppose it is better that we should go to sleep right away. Alright, sleep time - ."
The plan was suppose to break the tension but unfortunately it worked the other way.
"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, please don't! I don't want to go to sleep!"
It was Lanesra. She was crying. Near as she can be, Lanesra was in spoon full of tears raining down her cute red cheeks. Her face swollen like a puffer fish.
The mother kneeled down.
"Don't cry, Lanesra. I was just kidding."
"So tell me, why did you not answer me."
"I-its because....if I...tell you,....you will get angry. Daddy baked sweets for me, so mwheee keep it....secret."
"Did he now."
The father's eyes rolled the other way, away from the powerful stares coming from her wife.
"It's alright. No need to cry, I'm not angry."
"Really."
"Yes, I promise."
Her mother nodded in approval. She then got back up. She held Lanesra's arm gracefully.
"So if I'm not wrong, was there a piece left for me."
"Yes, there is," Lanesra cheerfully said but still sobbing a little.
"Come then, let's eat together . Would you like that?"
"Yes," lanesra said and hopped on to get the sweet cake piece.
While the daughter left it was the wife and husband that remained.
"So, care to explain," the wife asked her husband.
"Well it's a bit of a secret."
"Fine then. You'll talk about while we're at the living room."
That was it. The husband thought that he would be getting a mouthful from her wife instead it didn't come. He'll just have to wait for it. Or he's going to do it anyway.
The family are left alone as they interact at the living room. Away from them, outside the house, it is still night time. At a vantage point, it can be perfectly seen that Lanesra's house aligns in accordance with other houses, the same shape, the shape design and space, lighting dimly in the night time hours.
_________________________________________________________
3 Months, 29 Days Later
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!"
Just after four months living peacefully in the state, my life suddenly turned upside down without warning or any sort of clear signals.
I could hear them - the innocent screams coming from my classmates. There horrified voices stretched out from their very lungs. This had me think to myself. Like a dart and the target, I wasn't too sure where I'll land.
'What just happened?' I asked myself and afraid.
This was the first. The First I have ever seen blood. I was at a point of horror, standing still like a wooden tree its roots planted in the soil, I waited for anyone to arrive. And indeed, it was.
One of the teachers who our screams arrived at the scene in no less than a minute. What she saw made her want to vomit.
"What happened!" The teacher voiced out.
"Oh, no..."
The teacher was quite and her face was becoming as frail and grieving.
"....Lily?"
"Who did this?," she added again.
Although I wouldn't know or no one would know I was so shocked to see that everyone, my classmates, whom I've known and made friends with for the past months all of their hands were pointing at me. Right at that moment, I didn't do anything much. But what was skin curling was that the teacher looked at me with an odd expression. It wasn't the one's I was accustomed to. Cheerful and joyous. No. It looked scary and unhinged.
The next thing that came after that my memory was all a blur, but I could make of little of what I remembered. The feeling of being dragged. The feeling of contempt. The feeling of uneasiness.
Then I was put in a room - a room I was not sure off. It was pitch black. I cried. I pleaded them to let me out. This took hours which later on made me give up. And then it happened. The door was unlocked. To my relief my parents had arrived and hugged me for my safety.
From then onwards, I was sitted on a chair - outside the principals office - while my parents had a talk with the principal.
My parents took their time; and I could hear them arguing, even though the wall behind was blocking their voices from permeating through. As time went on, I was left to wonder - my head looking down on the floor.
The place was also filled with silence.
From the place I was sitted, I didn't see any person come walking my way or the hallway.
Moments after, my parents came out of the principals office with fusing nostrils and gleaming eyes.
~~~~~~
Weeks have passed and our life hasn't been the same since that incident: the death of one of my classmates. Everywhere we went there was always someone or a group who'd look at us with scorn.
My dad and mom had it rough.
Not only was I a figure of killing as they wanted to believe, my parents were also blamed on my behalf.