PROLOGUE

“Whatever you hear, don’t scream,” i didn’t get a chance to speak up when my Mom hid me inside the broombox.

I could hear their screams and cries while they were mercilessly massacred. I peek on the small hole while trying my best not to scream from sound of the gunshots. My tears flow down like a river when I saw my family lying on the floor lifeless. My Dad protectively embracing my Mom and my little brother while lying on the floor.

“No!” I slowly screamed. One of the men look around when he heard my muffle scream. I immediately covered my mouth using my hands when it suddenly walks towards where I hide.

“I think I hear someone,” the floor creek as his weight shifted to his footing. He cracked his gun while quietly made his way towards me. 

I closed my eyes firmly while covering my mouth with my own hands to suppress my scream. I prayed to Him, begging Him to cast away the bad guys. I silently cry as the person slowly walking to where I hide.

“Boss is here!” I automatically opened my eyes when I hear their conversation. I silently sobbed and peaked at the small hole while listening to their conversation.

“Where’s the girl?” a low baritone voice asked his men.

“She escaped, Boss. Probably running away from here right now,” I stop my breath when suddenly the man who answered his question suddenly collapsed on the floor with blood sprouting in his neck. 

“Don’t give me that fucking answer and find her!” his booming voice is enough to make me shiver.

I waited for them to be gone and slowly get out from the broombox. I look at the floor covered with blood. Walls had been worn out, things were scattered on the floor, and my family. My loving precious family.

“D-Dad? M-Mom?” Lumuhod ako and was about to hold my family when suddenly a man in a black suit came in front of me.

“There you are,” Nakangisi nitong saad habang papalapit sakin.

Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at lumayo sa kanya papaatras. “Please, please don’t kill me” I pleaded as I slowly and carefully take a step back.

“No, I won’t kill you, unless you escape,” Kinuha nito ang kanyang baril at kinasa habang papalapit sakin.

I cried while taking a step back and pleading him not to kill me. He raised his hand with a gun and was about to shoot my head when suddenly a loud bang echoed the whole place. I shouted and covered my ears as the armed man in front of me stumbled in the blooded floor. 

“What are you waiting for? Run!” a loud voice from the front door echoed in the house. I tried to search the owner of the baritone voice but I stopped myself and immediately run through the back door. 

I run and run, not giving a hint of looking back. I cried as I run the endless road with the scorching heat above me. I was wandering the unknown place not minding the people who’s staring at me. While walking, I scanned my appearance; worn out T-shirt and jeans, messy hair, and bare footed.

I look around the city, hoping someone would give me food or water.

“Aliyah?” I look at my back when someone say my name.

My tears flow down as I saw my Aunt holding a groceries in front of me. “T-Tita”

“Tell me what happened, Hija,” She give me foods and drinks as I sit in the sofa. After she saw me wandering in the big city, she immediately take me to her house.

“W-What?” her eyes widened after I tell her everything what happened in the house.

“I-I still don’t get, why would someone do this to us?” I sobbed as the fresh scene starts to crawl inside my head. “I don’t know why would they murder such innocent people,” Tita Celia stood up and hug me tight, gently stroking my back to comfort me.

“I’m sorry if this happened to you, I’m not even there to help you. If I only know that would happen,” I shook my head and carelessly wipe my tears away.

No matter what I do, it already happened. They’re already gone. I can’t believe I lost my family instantly. The pain is too much, and it kills me every time I think of it. I already miss them, my little brother, my sweet Mom, my loving Dad. I can’t help but to mourn. Of all people, why them? They didn’t do anything wrong.

“I can’t live without them,” I sobbed as my tears flow down in my cheeks. “I-I can’t do… I-I don’t know what to do anymore,” Tita Celia hushed me and hugged me until I was dozing, but before my eyes closed from tiredness, I saw her wipe her tears and say something.

“From now on, you’ll gonna stay here with me. I’ll help you grow again, if being a second parent to you will help you free from your nightmares then I will gladly do it. I will protect you no matter what happened. I will continue your parents promise to lead you on the right path so you won’t get lost. Sleep now, my little morning mist.”