Part XIV

I called Jiro to confirm Ayame's current location, since yesterday he has been keeping a track of her, and he informed me that Ayame and the other guys who were involved in Hana sis's accident were at their usual spots and currently drinking alcohol and smoking. They were having a meeting of some kind, though Jiro wasn't sure what it is about, he mentioned that he heard Hana's name once, and they seemed agitated. I asked him to bring his men and hide nearby until I give a signal.

I walked out of the bathroom and approached my parents, informing them that I was feeling sick and wanted to rest, and would like to return home, Mom wanted to accompany me, but I refused and asked her to meet Hana sis and take care of her for the time being, and if I need anything, I will give them a call. Saying that I exited the hospital premises, and made my way toward their favorite spot, I could hear the devil's voice encouraging me 'Blood…give me blood to satisfy my thirst'. My expression was cold and emotionless like a stone devoid of any feelings, only their blood could reduce the inner turmoil that is going on inside of my brain. My body was still weak from yesterday's stressful event but my mind took me forward.

Ayame spoke to her men, they drank beers, looking stressed and anxious, who knows, maybe guilt finally dawned on them? But it's too late now, they should reap what they have sowed. I stood there quietly waiting for them to notice me, one of the boys turned his head as the beer bottle drops from his hand and rolls near my feet, I bent down and picked up the bottle, and he stood up shivering, at the same time rest of them looked at my direction petrified, cold sweat appeared on their forehead and as a reflex, they took a step back hesitating. What type of expression was I making? I don't remember clearly, my eyes were blurry with anger and hatred, and the only thought that kept repeating in my mind was revenge.

Ayame: (gulped her spit mustering up some courage while avoiding my eyes) W-What are you doing here brat?...

Me: I decided to give you the captainship. (Her eyes light brightly as she looks at me with excitement) But….I have a question before that. (I held the bottle tightly)

Ayame: What question?....(she gets annoyed) Ask fast, instead of wasting our time.

Me: (I stared at her with an unreadable face) Why...Why did you hurt her….(a cutting aura emitted from me which sent a chill through their spines)

Ayame: W-Who are you talking a-about…Don't ask nonsense questions….(she bites her lower lip while looking down with a face filled with guilt)

Me: Hana sis…why did you hurt her ….what did she ever do to you?!!! (I glared at her with murderous eyes)

Makoto: (one of the boys, rolls his eyes then gave a sarcastic reply with a smirk on his face) Because she was a bitch getting in our way, now she would understand better not to interfere in others' problems.

Me: (my eyes slowly moved towards him from Ayame, I raised my hand moving it a bit backward behind my ear then used all my strength and threw the beer bottle aiming at Makoto's head as the bottle broke, a few of the glass shards pierced on his forehead, blood gushed out of his torn skin, he fell on the ground losing his consciousness, everything happened so fast that others couldn't even react to the situation as I looked at his unconscious body giving out a sarcastic smile) Did I ask you? Next time, don't interfere while am speaking…..oh boy….what's the point of lecturing you, now that you are laying there like a log. (I picked up another bottle, concentrating on the remaining people) so ….who is next? (I smiled politely while asking)

Aoi: You Bitch! How dare you hurt my man?! Do you think that you will get away with all these! We are more in number than you! Do you think you can harm us! (he says giving out a battle cry while charging toward me)

Ayame: Be careful brother! She is holding a bottle! (she warns him)

Aoi who was blinded by his anger, ignored the warning as he advanced towards me, I swing the bottle smashing it against the right side of his face, but he failed to dodge because he was already too close, putting his hands on his face, he screamed in pain, lucky for him, his eyes were safe but his face was pricked and covered in blood, he tried pulling out the glass pieces from his skin as more blood poured out, Hayate was about to help him but Ayame held him back, scared that something may happen to him, Aoi wiped his face, clenching his jaw as he glared at me, he was about to grab me, when I kicked his knee hard, dislocating it, he fell down screaming in pain, 'Serves you right asshole, am not learning martial arts and boxing for nothing since last four years'.

Me: (I gave out a cold laugh) Aoi, you should start listening to warnings (he held his dislocated knee, twisting and turning in pain, I made sure to put enough pressure while kicking so that the knee joint breaks, though its nothing in front of what he did to Sis, I stood there watching him tearing up and crying like a child due to unbearable pain) Who said that I was alone? Look behind and you will understand the situation better.

They hesitated while turning around, Jiro and some ten boys were there standing with hockey sticks and rods, Ayame and the remaining two's faces turned pale as they tried to step back, but unfortunately, they were already surrounded, I stretched my arms, cracking my fingers to relax, one of them tried to run away but I extended my leg and tripped him, he fell down with a thud, I stood on his hand making him wince in pain, Ayame stared at Hayate's face wanting him to protect her.

Hayate: It was this bitch's plan! She provoked us against you! (he said pushing Ayame forward)

Ayame: W-What are you saying?! I just wanted you to scare her, not harm her or anyone else! (she said trembling her eyes moved nervously as her body shook in fear) ANNE! I didn't ask them to hurt Hana! I swear! (her voice got shriller due to survival intent)

Hayate: Stop lying! It was your plan…(he breaks into a cold sweat trying to avoid eye contact)

Me: (I yawned and rubbed my ear listening to them uninterested) Stop shouting or I will tap your mouths. (I smiled at Ayame saying in a calm voice) Don't worry Ayame…I know you don't have the guts needed to hurt someone. (I looked at Jiro) Don't touch her, she is mine, do whatever you want with the rest of them. Also, Jiro, keep an eye on her, and tie her up if needed, while I deal with Hayate. (I walked up to Hayate while staring into his eyes emotionlessly) Hayate….Do you know… Hana sis…took your name before passing? I wonder what you did…. To make her horrified of you, but not a problem, because you would end up in the hospital beside her bed. (my eyes were blank as I heard the Devil's sweet voice ringing near my ear 'Kill him…', there was murder instinct but I tried to control myself)

Hayate: I-I… d-didn't….(he tries to gulp his spit but his throat was dry, and his body trembled as he fell on his butt feeling weak and hopeless)

Me: Are you feeling unwell? (I tilt my head to the side) Hey someone give him some water, looks like he saw a ghost. (I gave out a sarcastic laugh)

Hayate: N-No need…(he stands up weakly) P….Please l….let m….me g….go. (he started stammering badly and took great effort to speak)

Me: Let you go….mhm… Hana sis must have told the same thing right? (I said playfully) You must have enjoyed right? While she must have begged you repeatedly (my upper body leaned towards him) Must have been thrilling watching someone beg you for their life while you ruin them mercilessly! I also want to enjoy that scene, so why are you trying to ruin it? (I pouted while scanning him head to toe) Don't be a spoiled sport, enjoy, just like Hana sis enjoyed when you broke her legs with hockey sticks, but don't worry, my hands are more than enough for you. Let's make it interesting, punch me as hard as you can, if you knock me out, you can leave without harm-

Before I could end the sentence, he punched me hard in my face, blood came out from my mouth and nose, as I hardened my face staring at him blankly, he shivers as he tried to punch me for the second time before his fist could reach me, I grabbed his wrist with my left hand and put pressure, twisting his wrist, he winced in pain, I punched his chest hard, there was cracking sound from his wrist bones, as the area gets swollen, I similarly kicked his stomach as he did with me, he curled up in pain wincing and crying asking me to stop, but it fell on deaf ears, I punched and kicked him continuously, until my clothes were stained with his blood, finally, Jiro had to intervene, pulling me away, or else Hayate might have died that day. I wiped my lips and nose off the blood while staring at Hayate's half-dead body with satisfaction.

Me: Don't ever….touch my face. (my attention moved towards Ayame)

She shivers falling on her knees holding my feet begging me for mercy, her eyes trembled, and I could feel tension over her hands which were sweaty, panic-strike her knowing that she will end up like the rest of them, Ayame's face looked pale, her eyes were blurry, she gulped her spit, taking out my handkerchief I wiped my blood stained fist and face, gazing at her in disgust, I bent down to take a better view at her face letting out a soft giggle.

Me: Why are you so scared?... I just wanted to give you a good news. You are going to be the new captain. I will let my mother know that I am retiring from the team and make you my 'replacement'. And don't worry about your brother and boyfriend, though I don't know if he is still your boyfriend or not, Jiro has already called for an ambulance. (I turned my head to the side still in the bent position) What did you tell them Jiro?

Jiro: Few 20-year-old men got drunk and started arguing, their argument turned into a fight as they beat each other with rods, and some are badly injured, I also informed the police station. (he says putting his phone back in his pocket, they placed the hockey sticks near the knocked-out bodies and took off their gloves.) Anne, we would be the eyewitness of the situation, so don't worry, we would make sure your name doesn't get involved.

Me: Don't worry Jiro, who in their right mind will believe that an eight-year-old came up with such a brilliant revenge plan and injured adult men? (I turned towards Ayame smiling at her as I grabbed her jaws tightly making her cringe in pain) Right, Ayame? I hope you would keep your mouth shut about this matter because…. (I forcefully opened her mouth using pressure on her jaw and stuffed the bloodstained handkerchief inside her mouth as tears rolled down from her eyes) I hope you don't want them to land up in jail for attempted murder, do you? (she shook her head agreeing with me) Good….so keep this deep in your mind, never ever…forget this day…. (I kissed her forehead before leaving her there, my body was covered in blood so I took a shortcut toward my home)

Later Jiro called to inform me that an ambulance arrived and they were admitted to the hospital, a police investigation was done, and Ayame informed them that those boys fought among themselves after getting drunk, Hana sis didn't file any complain against them, I dropped out of football team from that day onwards, and didn't dare to touch the ball for months, I started hating myself and took every chance to punish my body, that incident left a deep trauma inside my brain, I promised myself, that I won't let anyone harm those whom I care about, even if it costs my own life to protect them, I am ready for the price. I also started checking out schools outside Japan, as I started hating the place I live after the incident, it felt like a ghost was following me and haunting me about my mistake, and I felt like a demon who should be executed for its sins. The only solution that I found at that time was escapism, I wanted to escape from all my faults and past and have an entirely new beginning where nobody knows about Anne Elizabeth.

To be continued....