Chapter 2 : A Thief (1)

I looked at my reflection on the bathroom mirror. The mirror is dusty, but I can still see a bruised and bloody face, with messy hair and sunken eyes looking back at me.

I think this face is the worst look I have ever had so far. Not that I am pretty without these bruises, but normally I at least look presentable.

I washed my face in the sink, trying to wipe the blood on my face. The wound doesn't look bad. I don't think I need to go to the hospital for this.

Next, I released my hair tie and comb my hair using my fingers. It smelled like this bathroom, and sticky. My god, I need to take a bath immediately after this. After tidying up my hair, I tied it again in my usual pigtail.

My shirt was torn but thankfully I wore a white tank top underneath it. It's dirty, but I should be fine if I rushed back home. My long skirt must be dirty as well, but it's dark blue so it's not that visible.

I looked back again at my reflection in the mirror. The girl in front of me has long straight black hair tied in a pigtail. Her face doesn't have a particularly exquisite feature.

There is a wound on her wide forehead, while her thin eyebrow curled in a frown. The egg-shaped face is pale and swollen on one side of the cheek. Her ocean green round-eyes looked dull and tired. Her nose is red and runny due to being exposed to the cold wind. And her thin lips are chapped and pale.

Horrible, indeed. I guess there is some truth in what they are saying.

I double-checked my appearance, making sure I looked more humane, before I finally went out of the bathroom. After breathing the bathroom air for some time, the outside air felt so refreshing. I inhaled the fresh air for a while before making my way home. My body felt hurt every time I took a step, but I endured it somehow.

Upon arriving at a modern-style house with white paintings, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. The surrounding area was very quite to the point it almost eerie. My house is located next to a rundown apartment building. The building is pretty old and there is a rumor of ghost residing in it, so people usually don't come near this area.

It's a silly rumor. Before I moved here, I lived on the second floor of that apartment and there are no ghosts as scary as the people living in it.

I shook my head, forcing unpleasant memories to go away before making my way to the kitchen. The groceries I bought this afternoon were still lying on top of the table.

No, the groceries can wait. Right now, I need to take a bath!

After soaking in the warm water, I felt alive again. I threw myself on the bed and immediately winced in pain.

Ow ow ow, that hurts.

I almost forgot I had been beaten just hours ago. The bruises wpuld take some time to heal. The wound in my forehead had already dried up, so I will just cover it with my bang tomorrow.

Slowly, I shifted my body to a comfortable position. I rested my head on the pillow and instantly felt better. I truly am tired today. I worked part-time as a clerk in convenience store until this afternoon, then I went to buy groceries, and was beaten up in a disgusting bathroom. What a day.

My eyes caught a glimpse of a picture frame on my bedside table. It's a photo of me and Grandpa. It's been 3 months since he passed away, but I still missed him dearly. This house feels bigger now that I'm the only one occupying it.

After moved here, I spent a blissful year with Grandpa, before his illness took him from me. People always said I am a child of misfortune, and it was me who caused Grandpa's condition to worsen. But Grandpa always smiled at me and gently held my hand in his. He reassured me and comforted me when it should have been otherwise.

He said he was very happy having me beside him.

He said he likes seeing me smile.

He said I was his family.

My feelings grew heavy instantly. It's not easy for me to meet such a kind person, but he went away too quickly. There was nothing I ever do for him, but even after his passing, he still worried about me. In his last days, he wrote a will, passing this house to me.

I was not even his grandchild, yet he cared for me until the end. I didn't remember the last time I cried before Grandpa's funeral, yet on the night of Grandpa's funeral, I cried all night.

I smiled and caressed the photo of me and Grandpa. "If Grandpa sees me in this state, Grandpa must feel upset and sad. Don't worry, Grandpa. I am very strong. This is nothing for me."

Yes. Compared to the hell I was previously in, this is nothing.

Krssk... Krssk... BAMM!!

I was startled at the loud sound. What is that sound? It sounded like something fell.

I raised my body and gazed outside my window, but I can barely see anything due to the darkness.

Don't tell me, there is a thief outside?

That realization made me increase my vigilance. A sense of nervousness slowly arose. From the sound of it, it seemed like there is someone in the garden. I couldn't see anyone from here, but I assumed they were hiding.

This house is pretty big with a wide garden. On the side garden, near the wall separating this house and the apartment next door, there is a big tree. It'd very easy to climb over here using the wall and the tree.

This is bad. With my current condition, forget about protecting myself, I'm not even sure if I can run properly should the situation worsened. If the thief breaks in into the house, there is nothing I can do.

My heart was beating so fast. This dreadful feeling, it's been a while since I experienced it. I never felt this flustered even when Carla and her friends ganging up on me.