A police car with two officers in the front seat drove through a narrow path in the early morning hours. They were completely absorbed by the blaring old-school tune on the radio."How's your daughter doing at school, Jerry?" The officer in the driver's seat inquired as he deftly maneuvered the car around a sharp turn. "I'd say she's making commendable progress for a girl who once despise opening a book. I just hope she doesn't deviate from her intended path in life." The officer named Jerry responded casually."Isn't that what we all want for our kids?" The driver laughed.They were completely at ease as they drove down the road, completely unprepared for the unexpected obstacle that brought their journey to an abrupt halt. A dark, bedraggled and hungry figure suddenly appeared out of the blue. "Watch out, Kent!" Jerry yelled, causing the police car to skid to a halt just yards away from the enigmatic silhouette.“Phew!” Kent exclaimed almost breathlessly, "That was close. But wha
"Gen!“Genova’s angry steps halted to hear her name. She turned her head to the side and saw the familiar figure hiding behind the bush of roses that stood as a fence outside the condo.“Irene!?” Genova was surprised. “What are you doing here? I mean… how did you find this address?”“Come quick. I will answer your questions once we have fully escaped your parents,” Irene said, beckoning her friend to hurry towards her.“I heard the little argument between you and your dad. Are you alright?” Irene asked as they moved in long strides toward the flashy car parked just a couple of feet away from them.It looked familiar. However, Genova couldn’t point out where she had seen the vehicle before.“Yeah, I am good! Let's just get away from here,” Genova responded.“Sure! Someone is dying to meet you!” Irene smirked.&nbs
“Will you two quit with the saliva exchange? It's grouse!” Irene pouted at the two who had been eating each other's lips for no less than ten minutes in the school garden. “Look away if it gives you an eyesore!” Genova said drily. “Whatever!” Irene rolled her eyes irritatedly. “Break is over; we still have classes to attend. I suggest you either take this somewhere private or continue when you get home and focus on making sure you make it to the final exam. I will leave you two to it either way.” With that, she pushed herself off the wall her back rested on and proceeded to the lecture hall. “I should go,” Genova said while wriggling out of Noah’s limbs. “But I don’t want you to leave.”“Come on, Noah, it is only for two more hours.”“Who knows if your dad will prevent us from seeing each other again?” Noah pointed out. “I am not going back there again!” Genova felt rage building inside her as she recollect how her dad had slapped her. He went too far! “But I will leave for
In a dimly lit room in which the only source of light was the gentle rays of sunlight reflecting through the tiny space that the thick and vintage curtains hung on the double door window missed covering, a small figure could be seen curled up in a queen-sized wooden bed. Her mid-waist fiery hair was sprawled over the soft pillows - a stark contrast to the grey cotton linens. She let out a low groan as she slowly drifted awake from her deep slumber. Her head was pounding as though she carried the weight of the entire world alone.Genova's groggy, sapphire blue eyes took a moment of adjustment to her surroundings and noticed she was back in her bedroom. A slight frown graced her smooth and youthful forehead as she wondered if yesterday's event was only her imagination?!Could she have merely dreamt of all that happened on her sixteenth birthday?She shook her head to arrange her thoughts, but the pounding in her head was impossible to ignore. It was making her reasoning and focus unsta
"Well, your father and I both decided to have you move in with your aunt in Wooddale." She continued, "You know your chances of finding a better job are higher in big cities. A small town like Roseville has too little to offer a girl like you, my child."Genova went stiff upon hearing that. Her eyes shut up at her mom, looking so taken aback.Mary let out a deep sigh seeing the look of shock on her daughter's face. Admittedly, the older woman had expected this exact reaction because anyone close to them would have deduced how inseparable their family of three was. Genova was a child who had never been away from her family since the day she came into their lives. So this sudden news would surely be hard for her to digest. Leaning over the table to take her daughter's hands, "Child, as parents, you have to believe that we will always do what's best for you. Your betterment will always come before ours. And this decision is one that we have pondered greatly about and decided it was th
Genova inched closer to her mom and wiped the tears away from the older woman's eyes with her thumb."Mom, dad. Please take good care of yourselves. I will phone you once our flight lands in Wooddale," she said while fighting back her own tears.Mary sniffled. "Okay honey… please be safe out there.""Be vigilant and always watch your back. Big cities aren't that safe for young girls like you; avoid getting deceived by some bastards that might try to sweet talk you into doing anything with them." Her dad chimed in.Mary and Genova both turned to look at him and burst into laughter.The man's jaws were clenched as though the mere thought of it was about to make him go on a killing spree."Our little girl isn't a child anymore, honey. She will find her right match one day and have her own family. I'm even more glad she's being sent away because no man will dare to pursue her knowing her dad will rain hellfire on them," Mary chided her husband.Ferd uttered no word. However, one could tel
Eva decided to spare the girl, who was all flushed from her tease. "Okay, Gen, let's head home now, shall we? You must be tired!?Genova quickly nodded her head. Indeed she was exhausted. And thank God her aunt wasn't planning on teasing her even more. She would have blown up for real if this had gone on. "Let me help with your luggage," Eva said with her arm stretched out to grab the large red suitcase. "Oh, I can manage-" Genova trailed off as the elegant woman beat her to it. "I know you can manage, dear, but let me at least be a good host and a supportive adult," she stated while transferring the baggage to her most significant hand. Genova tucked locks of fiery hair behind her ear, and her lips stretched into a smile. "Thank you, aunt," she muttered. "My pleasure. Now let's get you home."-----Unlike many who chose to live in a city's center, Eva's house was far from it. The ride took them 45 minutes.Genova was amazed at how much Wooddale had developed over the years. She
Genova only got an hour of sleep before she began to twist and turn on the bed. Something was urging her to take a walk in the forest and the pull was incredibly strong. She had tried to fight it during the past thirty minutes but each preceding second made it impossible to ignore. Unable to endure the compulsion any longer, her blue eyes finally snapped open while blowing a puff of frustrated breath. 'Now, why on earth is going for a walk so important? Where did this sudden energy materialize from?' Genova pouted because she could barely keep her eyes open not more than two hours ago. Genova continued to huff and puff while venting her displeasure on the pillows for a few more minutes until she couldn't fight the call anymore. 'Fine. Perhaps that walk isn't a bad idea after all. Anything that will douse this unwanted energy so I can get a good sleep is more than welcome.' She sat up on the bed and stared at her reflection in the vast wardrobe mirror facing her bed with a frown.