8 Chased Away From Home

Elena withdrew 500 euros from her savings and took the money to the Angelo Cemetery Management office. Once inside the office, she would hand it over to the management staff.

A manager who introduced himself as Mr. Russo waved at her and told her to sit down. Then he took out some documents from the cabinet. He checked the data and nodded.

"Have you brought the money?" Mr. Russo asked.

Elena nodded. The money was in the brown envelope. Elena took it out from her sling bag. Her heart trembled when she gave the money. She really wasn't willing to part with the money she'd worked so hard to save for college, but she knew she had no choice.

She could still earn money and could go to college next year, while the graves of her parents could not wait. Elena was still bitterly looking at the envelope.

Mr. Russo took out the contents and counted the money. "It's not the correct amount."

Elena was taken aback when she heard the man's words. "But why? Didn't you ask for 500 euros for the lease?"

"That's just the arrears. This year's lease has not been paid," said the man curtly. "The total is 600."

"What?"

Elena was devastated. Losing just 500 euros from her hard-earned savings was enough to make her sad. It took her almost six months of living frugally to save that much. Now, she only had 70 euros left. She had to start saving from scratch.

And even now, Mr. Russo said the money she gave was still not enough to pay the lease for her parents' graves?

"Since you've already given 500, I can give you a little leeway," Mr. Russo saw her shock and felt sorry for Elena. So he spoke patiently. "You have a week to give the rest. It's only 100 euros. If you don't have it next week, we will have to remove your parents' graves because you haven't paid the lease for the current year."

Elena bit her lip. "Please give me some more time."

"I've given you time. A week is maximum."

Elena wiped her eyes, holding back the tears that were about to fall. Where could she get an extra 100 euros in a week? Her salary from the minimarket was very small and only enough for her daily needs.

Seeing the girl's gloomy face and teary eyes, Mr. Russo felt sorry. He finally sighed and nodded. "Okay… one month. Not a day more."

Elena let out a sigh of relief and bowed her head in thanks. "Thank you very much, sir. I'll try my best to get the money."

The officer nodded. He took a receipt book from the drawer and made a note of payment. "Sign here for payment of the past arrears."

Elena came forward and then signed it.

"I await the repayment and the rest," said the man.

"Thank you, sir." Elena put the pen on the table after signing the receipt. The man handed Elena's payment receipt and told her to leave.

Elena immediately left the office. Her heart was filled with relief that her parents' graves would not be removed. Before going home, she decided to visit the cemetery. There, Elena cried silently.

***

When Elena arrived at the apartment, Aunt Ursula was waiting for her with her hands akimbo.

"Hey!" cried the woman as she stubbed out her cigarette. She walked over and grabbed Elena's collar. Elena could smell liquor in her mouth.

Aunt Ursula spent a lot of money on alcohol since her husband stopped coming back from his work in another city. Elena later found out that her uncle could not stand his wife's attitude and had asked for a divorce.

Since the divorce, Aunt Ursula's behavior towards Elena had become more violent and she was drunk more often than not.

"W-what's wrong, Auntie?" asked Elena. She was starting to feel bad.

"I saw your saving book at the store," said Aunt Ursula curtly. "So, you have money? Did you steal my money from the shop?? How much have you taken from me all this time?"

"N-no, Aunt… that's my salary from the convenience store," said Elena, trying to free herself from her aunt's grip.

"You liar! Thief, give me my money back!" cried Aunt Ursula while hitting Elena's back as hard as she could.

"Aahh… it hurts!" Elena tried to dodge, but Aunt Ursula instead grabbed a broom from beside the door and chased after Elena. She beat the girl again mercilessly.

"Come on, give me back the money you stole! You thief! Ungrateful bitch! I raised you and this is how you paid for my kindness!!?"

"Geez, Auntie…! I didn't steal your money!!" Elena groaned and tried to block her aunt's punch, but when the broom handle hit her wrist, she screamed in pain.

Her aunt was like a demon who kept chasing and beating her, calling her a thief.

"Help! help…! Auntie, stop!" Elena screamed for mercy and asked for help, but no one wanted to help her. Finally, with a bleeding temple, she ran away from home. If she didn't save herself, she might die at the hands of her drunken aunt.

Aunt Ursula screamed, cursing Elena as a thief. Elena ran as fast as she could to avoid her aunt's anger. Slowly Aunt Ursula's voice faded away as Elena went farther away from the apartment building. Her body was shaking and her head and hands hurt from the beating.

The night had fallen and the atmosphere was quiet. Elena felt sick, cold, and hungry. She didn't even have a jacket to keep herself warm. There was nothing from the apartment that she could take with her.

Where could she go tonight with only the clothes on her back?

Elena held her bloodied temple and walked on aimlessly. Small footsteps led her to walk down the shop. When she came to a small alley, Elena saw three people buying drinks at the liquor store.

The men were laughing and suddenly fell silent when they saw her presence. They then whispered at each other and had perverted grins on their faces. Elena's instincts immediately told her that she was in danger.

CRASH!

Panicked, Elena walked backward and didn't see the large cardboard box behind her. Her body stumbled and she fell.

The three people looked at each other again and as if given the cue, they walked hurriedly towards her. Elena sensed the danger drawing near. Driven by fear, Elena immediately stood up and ran as fast as she could.

"Hey! Wait!"

The three of them chased Elena who was running aimlessly toward the alleys she was not familiar with. Elena kept running for help until she came to the main road.

Suddenly, a car stopped in her tracks. The girl immediately turned and raised her hand, stopping the car. She was very scared.

"Help me. Please, sir," Elena pleaded to whoever was in the car.

The driver of the car remained unmoved even though Elena had hit the windshield and kept begging for help. Because the person in the car ignored her, Elena felt her chest tighten. It's really very difficult to find good people these days who would help a stranger. She realized she had to save herself.

"Hey! Don't run away, beautiful!"

"We just want to talk!"

Elena gasped at the sound of the thugs' shouts. She looked back and saw the three people who were chasing her getting closer.

Elena ran back out of the way of the car. As her body passed, the man behind the wheel then lifted his face and noticed her face clearly. He furrowed his brows when he realized he had seen her before.