4 There's No Escape

We went home after my last test result came out and since the doctor gave me a permit to go home. We went to the market to buy some foods.

"What do you want for dinner?" he asked.

"Whatever you want as long as it's edible," I replied without showing any interest.

He buys a lot of meat. Chicken, pork and some beef.

"Will he cook for a lot of people?" I whispered to myself. I just followed him quietly from behind.

We arrived at his home after 30 minutes. He directly went to the kitchen while I directly went to my room. I stared at the ceiling and closed my eyes. I fell asleep for a couple of minutes and someone knocked on my door.

"Wake up sleepyhead! The food's ready," he said.

"And fix yourself. We have a guest," he added. He has a nice and big house I won't get startled if he has any guests.

"Miss Santos?!" I shockingly said as I saw Miss Santos sitting at the table while smiling and waving at me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her.

"I saw you at the market so I followed you. By the way one of my friend lives nearby and I just pay some visit so that's why," she replied.

"I let her in because she said that she knew you? Do you?" he asked me with a doubtful gaze.

"She's my professor at school," I answered.

We eat after that little talk. It's a little bit awkward and I feel uncomfortable—which is I don't know why. Miss Santos left after dinner. He did the chores and I went to my room I lay in the bed and stare at the ceiling. After a couple of minutes, I went out to the pool side and sat—playing the pool water by my feet.

"You can't sleep?" he asked.

"What do you think?" I replied.

"You're such a badass. You can simply say yes or no but you answered meanly," he said with such a complaint face.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked.

"Go on," he said.

"Why did you let me stay at your house?" I questioned him.

"Hmm… simply because you're homeless and you know no one here," He answered.

"But you don't know me either so, why? Do you like me?" I jokingly asked him.

"You know you're just sleepy. Go to bed and stop asking some questions," he replied and suddenly left me alone in the poolside.

I just watch him until he went inside the house. I turn around and stared at the night sky. "I'll be gone by tomorrow morning," I said to myself then sigh and I went inside my room.

I woke up as early as I can so that he won't notice that I'm gone. I contacted Miss Santos so that I can go with her and come back home.

"Thanks for letting me come with you Miss Santos," I said to her with a smile on my face.

"Nah, don't mention it. By the way, the man you're with? How's he?" she asked.

"Well, he's thoughtful and kind but sometimes annoying," I replied.

"Oh! I forgot to ask him about his name," I mumbled to myself.

"What you don't know his name?" she probably heard me that's why he asked me.

"Well, I'm annoyed because of him most of the time and I don't talk to him that's why," I said.

I thought Miss Santos will never stop asking questions. Luckily, that was the last question she asked. I took some sleep because I feel tired and I hate to answer Miss Santos's questions—I just want some quiet time.

"No! No! Mom!" I scream as loud as I can.

"You're just having a dream," Miss Santos calmly said while patting my back.

"A bad dream actually," I said.

"Miss Santos where are we?" I asked.

"We're in a rest stop. I wanted to take some pee so that's why," she said. I moved out of the car and sit on the bench to get some fresh air.

"Miss Santos, can you help me?" I asked her with some teary eyes.

"What? Is there a problem? You can tell me," she replied.

"What shall I do? I want to forget that tragic moment that I witnessed I still have nightmares every time I close my eyes. I can't control myself and I always try to harm myself. What shall I do?" I asked her and didn't notice that tears were started to fall from my eyes.

"I am also suffering PTSD right now. How ironic right?" I added and smirked.

I can see from her face that she's shocked by what I said. She's kinda confused and seems to ask a lot of questions so I come back to the car and pretend that I was sleeping. I only intend to pretend but I didn't mean to sleep actually. I woke up and wiped some tears flowing from my cheeks.

"We're here," Miss Santos said.

"Thank you for the ride, Miss Santos," I said and slightly put a smile on my face.

I watched her until she'd get back to her car and I wave at her to show some respect. I turn around and stared at the blue gate of my house. I cannot move an inch. I am scared that the memories will be back again. I stayed outside for a couple of minutes and went inside after heavy rain poured.

It is my first time sleeping in my own house after what happened to my mom. I felt sad—very sad. I sleep in my bedroom and stared at my ceiling. I can see that glow in the dark moon and stars that mom and I used to stare on. I didn't want to close my eyes but I can't help myself to not fall asleep.

"Mom wake up!" I opened my eyes and wiped the tears flowing from my cheeks.

It's already five o'clock in the morning and I need to go to school. I need to come back. I need to study hard because that's what mom wants. So, even though I have a lot of time before I go to school. I decided just not to sleep again. I went outside and I can see all those morning people who work so early, have exercise, or those persons who just want to wake up early like me.

I took a short stroll around the neighborhood because I thought it was a good idea—it just bring me back more memories with my mom. I went straight home after that stroll. I also start to prepare myself for school. I took the same road, bus, and routine from my everyday life but it seems that it feels a little bit empty now. Wherever I go, whatever I do it reminds me of mom. My memories seem to be a punishment. No, a prison rather—where I can do anything but no matter what it is there is no escape.

I arrived at school a little bit early—too early that I can count the number of people just by my hands. I didn't hesitate and went straight to my classroom—if Kylie sees me I'm sure she'll ask a lot of things. So, I decided on the quiet choice which is just to stay put and wait for my classmates and Miss Santos to arrive.

The school bell rang and it means that the first subject will start but Miss Santos is not yet in our room.

"Okay, class! I'm sorry for being late it's just I need to do some briefing for your new classmate. Okay, you may come in," Miss Santos said.

Some tall guy entered our classroom after what our professor said.

"Please introduce yourself," Miss Santos added.

"Hello everyone. My name is Joshua Williams. Nice to meet all of you," the new student said.

I thought I was just having a nightmare again but the new student became my seatmate and what startled me the most is that the new student is—that annoying guy.