Scarlett Pride

"WHAT THE F@#$!"

Scarlett exclaimed and stood in fury.

…

"Shhh!!!"

Everyone around her shushed her for her sudden remark in the public library.

Immediately she apologized to all for disturbing their reading time.

The public library was huge and open for all ages.

A magnificent place for book lovers and readers.

High ceiling…

And surrounded with book shelves filled of different genres of books.

Scarlett took the book she just finished reading and stomped her way to the librarian by the reception.

…

An old woman with her shiny glasses was on the reception typing something on her outdated computer on the desk.

"Excuse me Ma'am, can I ask for further details of this book aside from its title? I am planning to email the author or the publishing company of this book." Scarlett politely asked the librarian.

Upon checking the title of the book.

"Oh sorry, my dear! That book is one of the donated literary pieces here in the library. We do not have anything else but its title only," The librarian regretfully told Scarlett.

"How about the one who donated it? Can I ask for their details?" Scarlett insisted on finding out about the other details of the book.

"Forgive me dear! Such information is confidential. I am bound by law and our strict regulations not to disclose anything about our generous benefactors and donors. Privacy Act…" the librarian informed Scarlett.

"You mean… such details remain anonymous," Scarlett began to worry of not having anything substantial.

"Yes, unfortunately."

The librarian curiously asked, "What's the matter dear? Why do you look upset?"

"Well… this book meant a lot to me. It gave me so much hope about my life. About not giving up and despite all the bad things that happened to the protagonist, she remained positive, cheerful, and lovely. Eventhough... she seemed weak and hopeless... she still faced life positively."

She even added, "My biological parents even named me after the female main protagonist of the story because of having the same red hair."

"So, why get upset?" the librarian wondered.

"BECAUSE THE DAMN AUTHOR WROTE A BAD ENDING!!" Scarlett raised her voice.

Gaining unwanted attention from others.

"Oh my!" the librarian could feel the frustration of Scarlett.

"SHE DIED IN AN UNFAIR EXECUTION! AND THERE ARE TOO MANY PLOTS UNANSWERED..." she was desperately containing herself from bursting out.

"I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY JUST ENDED IT THAT WAY!!!"

A hint of tears almost fell from her eyes due to her own frustration.

...

Scarlett sighed in defeat and surrender.

"Anyways, thank you! Here's the book, Ma'am."

She returned the book and made her way back to her foster home.

…

[5:50 pm]

…

As she entered, her foster mother Laquifa called for her in the kitchen.

The scent of chicken adobo and kare-kare pulled Scarlett towards where the delicious scent was.

"Is that you Scarlett?"

"Yes, it's me… Laquifa!"

"Great, did you buy the loaf of bread like I asked you to?"

Suddenly, Scarlett remembered the errand she was supposed to do.

…

"OH! I forgot…" Scarlett apologized to her foster mother about her forgetfulness.

"Pft! But you don't forget going to the public library every Thursdays," Laquifa directly remarked.

"I am sorry!" Scarlett hugged Laquifa from behind.

Expressing her affection to her foster mother.

Despite not being her biological mother, Laquifa treated Scarlett like her own.

"So… can I have a taste?" Scarlett wanted to taste Laquifa's delicious adobo and kare-kare.

"NO! Call your siblings first. The three of them are playing or whatever they are doing upstairs," Laquifa refused on Scarlett's request.

Instead she asked her to call for her other foster siblings.

Just like Scarlett, there were other foster kids under the care of Laquifa.

"Okay, fine!"

…

She immediately went to get her foster siblings.

As Scarlett made her way to the stairs, she heard steps running as if they were running away from Scarlett.

"Oh, you think all of you can hide from me? Better hide well or else I will eat you all! I AM HUNGRY!!"

Voices of young children could be heard from one room.

'She is coming! She is coming!'

'Hurry! Hurry!'

'Eeeek!!!'

First, 7 years old hiding behind the curtains, being too obvious with his body shape.

Second, 6 years old hiding under the bed with her feet showing.

The third, 5 years old hiding just behind the door with her noticeable giggles.

…

…

Unfortunately, the young foster kids failed to hide from Scarlett.

They were easily found by their eldest foster sibling.

Screams and laughter could be heard from their shared room.

"Okay, enough everyone! Time to eat."

She gave everyone a hug.

…

Right after their dinner… Scarlett assisted their foster mother in cleaning up.

Telling her how upset she was with the ending of the book she was reading for a long time.

Laquifa gave her a piece of advice that not all things end in good way.

That in reality, there are things end badly for others.

…

[9:45 pm]

After cleaning down stairs and spending time with her foster mother, Scarlett checked her foster siblings if they went to bed already.

Seeing them tucked in their own small beds.

Discreetly, Scarlett went and gave a kiss to each of them.

When she gave a kiss to her foster brother, he told Scarlett how much lucky they were to have her as their protector and big sister even though they were not all blood related.

Altogether they said.

"WE LOVE YOU SCARLETT!"

"I LOVE YOU TOO!"

…

[10:30pm]

…

Scarlett was done with everything and was about to sleep.

Before she went to her bed.

She went to the window just like she usually does.

Looking up to the sky and wish upon the stars for a better tomorrow.

Then she prayed to the divine creator.

"Oh lord, you saved me from my own dark past and gave me such a beautiful family. I want to thank you for all the blessings you bestowed upon me."

"The good and the bad… I am still grateful for everything!"

"Just one more thing… why did Scarlett Pride's story have to end that way? I am not questioning your authority, Almighty!"

"But how I wish she had another ending to her story."

"Scarlett deserved better!"

"Anyways… Thank you, oh lord! All praises to thee! And to you we shall return!"

…

Moments after her solemn prayer, Scarlett went to her bed and closed her eyes.

…

…

~Hours passed~

An alarm suddenly woke Scarlett from her sleep.

Falling from her bed instantly.

Scarlett was greatly surprised by the alarm because she never had an alarm beside her.

-Thud!-

"OUCH!"

She began to look for the alarm without seeing anything but only dark.

Once she held the clock, she turned it off.

"IT'S SOOO DARK!!"

"DID I BECOME BLIND?? LAQUIFA!"

"I THINK I LOST MY EYE SIGHT!!!"

Then Scarlett realized, she had a sleeping mask on her eyes.

Immediately, she removed it upon noticing.

…

She was astonished at the sight of her surroundings.

Larger space…

High golden ceiling...

Silk fabric of her bed sheet…

Carpeted flooring…

Luxurious furniture…

Eye-blinding pink wall…

"W-Where am I?" Scarlett was confused.

…

Scarlett looked around until she reached upon a huge mirror.

The moment Scarlett stood in front of a mirror, she was dumbfounded at the sight reflecting from the huge mirror.

"Who is that girl?" further confused at what she was seeing.

Touching her face.

Going over every inch of her new body.

"I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING A PLASTIC SURGERY!"

"OH MY GOD! IS THAT MY CHEST?!"

Feeling the roundness and full shape of her own breast.

"Is this really happening or just a dream?"

Scarlett began to assume that she was dreaming and things were all but a cause of her hallucinations.

"Time to wake up now!" Scarlett thought to herself.

Usually when she wanted to wake up in her dreams, she pinch herself or hit herself as hard as she could. Trying to command her senses to wake her up.

But alas! There was nothing happening.

Still the same, red-haired with hazel eyes staring back at her.

…

One of the house maids knocked the door before entering with a tray.

"Miss Pride? Miss Pride? Are you awake?"

Scarlett wondered who was being called 'Miss Pride'.

"There is no Miss Pride here!" Scarlett answered.

The house maid chuckled and reiterated.

"There is no other Scarlett Pride in this world. Your voice tells me… it's you, Miss Pride!"

She continued, "So stop fooling around Miss Pride. There's a lot to be done today."

…

Then it dawned on Scarlett that the image reflecting in front of her belongs to Scarlett Pride.

…

"WHAT THE F@#$!"

…

<<<_TO BE CONTINUED_>>>

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