2 Chapter 1 : The Unidentified Symbol

-

Stop! aaahh! Stop, Please Stop!

"But, sweety, you should come back."

NO! I don't want to!

"Sweety, please, we need you."

Just let me go, I don't even know you! Cut this crap!

"I'm sorry, sweety"

...

I woke up, with cold sweat running down my forehead, as I stare down at the yellow almost golden mark on my wrisk.

By far, It seemed to glow whenever I'm scared or terrified. I didn't really know what exactly is the reason behind its lighting, but I kind of figured this one out ten years ago when a loud crash and multiple bangs of gun echoed through our neighborhood one cold night. I still remember.

Street lights blinked outside as trees swayed back and forth due to the speed of the wind. A mob of people were seen panicking and running for their lives, while I watch them as I sit on the couch in our living room.

I was scared back then, no, I was insanely terrified back then. I couldn't do anything to help my mother as she locked our doors while holding a bunch of clothes, and begin to take hold of a bag big enough to fit in with those clothes and garments we have, as father pushed some furnitures to the side while still holding a coat that he quickly put on as he glanced at me.

He walked straight to me and grabbed me by my arm and carry me to the hallway to the back of our house with my mom following us. I didn't know what was happening, I was five back then. I can't absorb all of the things that occur that night in a single flash.

All I know was I'm really terrified that time. Dad closed the back door , turned to our car and immediately open the backseat and let me in, as he and mom get into the frontseats.

I was shaking and sweat all over my body, as I glanced up on the window looking at people covered with blood lying on the ground, when a sudden pain rushed through me. I almost fainted because of the illness , but I manage to stay up for quite a while and in an instance it hurt no more. I was shocked, not by the sudden disappearance of the pain, but by the bright light that formed on my birthmark. It glowed, it almost covered the whole car. I tensed up, not knowing what to do, or what would I say to my mom. She then looked at me with worried eyes and that's when I blacked out.

That time I considered that it was all just a dream, 'cause it never happened again.

Not until my seventh birthday, when the same dream first came up on me. I had woken up breathing heavy and full of remorse, it glowed up again. I can't control myself, I just cried there in frustration.

That's when I knew this reason of glowing. The same thing happens every year, but now, it's a little different, I didn't cry, nor did I feel anxiety, maybe because I'm getting used to it. After this eight long years.

All my life I've been wondering what should be the meaning of this mark. I had tried asking my parents but, they'll just shrug it off and tell me I'm special and unique. I didn't bother asking them again 'cause they might answer me that way all over and over.

I shoved the thoughts away and looked at the clock on my bedside table, it says twelfth midnight. Gosh, it's already my birthday. I might sound crazy, but I really don't like this day. Every year something bad happens or even worse, the dream is an excemption to that.

A lightning flashed in the sky, as I looked at the window near my bed, and a thunder roared from afar. I sighed here we go again.

That's the last thing I remember before I drifted to sleep.

~

"Dear, wake up! Breakfast is ready." My mom said as she knocked on my door.

I slowly opened my eyes and tried to adjust with the light coming from the window.

"Alright mom, I'm coming." I got up and a sudden dizziness striked through me making my eyes blurry. Not again.

I hang on the bedside table almost stumbling my ownself down and take my medicine. I sat up on my bed, closed my eyes and tried to compose myself. After a few minutes, I felt relieved. Thank God.

I ran to the bathroom and get ready for who knows what, maybe a vanilla coated chocolate cake or maybe a trip to somewhere out of town, or ... or a brand new iPad! Yeah, it could be one of those things, I'm their only child it wouldn't hurt if they spoil me right? haha

You see, I'm used to surprises from my parents every year it's not like I'm excited or what. I'm still certain that something would happen again, something bad, as I remember my dream from last night.

I stand up and head straight to the door and down the hallway down the stairs. I placed a smile on my face and quickly turned the knob to enter our kitchen.

"Good morning, dad, mom!" I greeted them excitedly, as I stared at them at the dining area.

"Morning , love, Happy Birthday." Dad said with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Thanks, Dad" I walk up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek, as I turned to mom.

"Dear, what took you so long?" Mom said a little worried. "Did it come up again?"

Though she doesn't mention it, I knew what she was talking about. Ofcourse, my disorder.

"It's nothing mom, just felt like a little dizzy, don't worry about it." I said as I sit beside Dad.

"You sure?"

"I'm certain." I said smiling, so this won't go any further.

Mom just smiled back and let out a feeling of relief.

"So, It's your birthday, my princess, as you have known for the past fourteen years of your life, we've been surprising you , by any gift or a trip.." Dad started bringing a new topic.

"U-huh" I said feeling uncomfortable, like there's gonna happen I didn't expected.

"Well, we have been there to all of your birthday celebrations, and it's your fifteenth year today. You've grown up so fast, I mean, I can still remember--"

I cut him off, not wanting to listen to my childhood story, I mean what's with all the dramas?

"Okay, cut this out , Dad, what do you have for me this time? or maybe what's the problem?" I stared at him confused as he stared back at me tensed.

"You see... " He's so tensed, why? I sigh as I waited for him to finish his sentence.

"Yan, please tell her, I can't do it." My Dad pointed out.

"What is it mom?" I turned to mom confused as hell.

"Well, honey, you see I had a call from Mr. Evans last night, he said that he would love to bring my works international as I really had the talent of my own, he also said that he wants me to prepare a show in Rubia for the next few weeks or so, for my own introduction there. I immediately take the offer , not knowing it would also start today until Mr. Evans called me again earlier.

"I can't really turned this down for the celebration of your birthday , I'm so sorry, dear, then, your Dad---"

"Honey, please, take it easy there." Dad cut her off.

"I will James."

"He had to go to somewhere near North Safyro for the rest of the week until next month, also starting today, because of some issues about our company there." Mom continued as dad trailed off again.

"We're really sorry for all of these. It's the first time, and we know you're not used to it. We don't have a surprise for you either, and we'll be gone for the rest of the week or month, Forgive us love, I mean I think I can manage for today to celebrate your birthday, but, without mom." Dad said looking very uncertain about what he said.

Is it obvious ? My dad has the softer spot than mom, I mean my dad goes mushy and treats me as his princess and baby, a precious one and his super overly protective of me, really, even some dust on my shirt he won't allow, he said it's because of the bacteria that might be there. Okay, he is really that overacting. I know.

Mom on the other side, is well, a mom. I mean she take cares of me with her motherly love just like all the other mothers, and she's the one whose responsible for desciplining me, when I messed up. A little turn of tables huh?

But I don't really get into such mess, the last one I remembered was when I was ten, I ran out of our school entrance and head straight to a car I thought ours, I then bumped into someone as I turned away from the car, someone called our headmaster.

I was shocked, then she smiled at me a really sweet one. I felt relieved, but after a few moments she grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to her office inside the school. She scolded me about why would I went out in school hours and don't even take a glance back at the guard shouting at me. Ofcourse, I have my own reasons, but, unfortunately, she didn't bite it. She then called my mom and tell her about this. I was so nervous heading home as I know what would happen.

My mom also scold at me and grounded me for a week, also confiscated my brand new cellphone for a month. You see I'm not that used to being scolded and all such things, so I put on a mental note that I would never ever do any thing like this again, but someone does it for me. Hey, I'm not really a trouble kid.

So, going back to the topic at hand, I just stared at them blankly. After a second or two, I burst out laughing, I mean that one that you hold your stomach because of so much amusement. That's it.

"That's a--a g-ood one--m-om---d-ad!" I choked on my words as I continued laughing.

"But we're not kidding, love."

"I know!" I said wiping a tear out of the corner of my eye.

"Honey, what is she up to? Why is she laughing ? Did she had a fever?." Dad asked mom.

"No, dad" I said finally recovering from amusement. "I don't a have a fever, I mean o, c'mon, I'm already fifteen , I can take care of myself, it's just so amusing that I expected more to come than you two being out for a month. I mean really, I'm expecting more of 'Dear our business is going down, we're poor now or, or, or.. Love I don't have a gift for you, I ran out of budget or maybe even, Hey, you have to know you are not our child we just adopted you or something. I really thought much."

"You're not angry or mad or upset at us?" Mom said.

"Why would I? And besides, mom, that's a real good opportunity for you, and dad don't talk to me like that, we both know that you will miss me much than I would miss you, as for the company, it's ours, I'm soon to be organizing that and I wouldn't let myself be the reason of it's lack of management."

"Though, we'll be going on your birthday, like today! I mean I can still manage my time and go to North Safyro tomorrow to celebrate this day with you."

"No again dad, It's really okay with me. What time will you be out?"

"We're leaving at ten, love, and by the way you are living for the rest of the month at your Aunt Lulu's. I'll just drive you there, later, after packing your things up."

"Aww, I thought I would be all by myself, It's much fun here alone."

"You know you can't, dear, we need someone to take care of you while we were gone, and besides your cousin Cynthia will be there and your best friend, Hermes is just along the neighborhood."

"I'm just kidding okay, I would love to live there for a while, and I kind of missed them too."

"So we're okay with that, here are some cash and your own credit card, you should be using this if the cash rans out. I trust you about being responsible at handling this, don't turn me down." Dad said while handing me a couple of bucks, and a golden credit card with my name on it.

"Seriously? woah! Thank you! You're the best parents ever! You said you don't have a gift! This would be enough you know!"

"Well, I'm glad you are happy , dear, now finish your food, and pack things up in your room."

"Okay, mom." I said as I grab my plate and put it in the sink.

--

"Love, hurry up! we're leaving." Dad yelled from downstairs.

"Coming, dad!" I quickly got hold of the two bags containing my clothes and other garments, and also put on my shoulder bag which contain my cellphone, and other gadgets.

It wasn't long enough when we got to Zephyr. After half an hour, I guess, we got there, and before I could get out of the car, Mom being mom told me a lot of do's and dont's, and we said our goodbyes.

Well, here goes nothing. I thought to myself.

A sudden crash was heard inside Aunt Lulu's house, as I made my way up the staircase infront of the lawn to their front door. I immediately ran to grab the knob and open it. I was shocked.

"Hermes?"

•••