3. Where to Go

Hana, too, was shocked to see the person in front of her. "...Cindy?" Hana turns to Cindy and pinch both of Cindy's cheek. "OWWWWWW!" Cindy pulls Hana's hands away from her.

"Hey! Is that how you greet a friend which you haven't seen in forever?!" Cindy rubs her cheeks. She startles as she sees Hana in tears. "H-hey!"

"..You're alive?" "Alive? You think I was dead?" "They said you commit suicide?" "Commit suicide my butt." "What happen?" "Long story. What about you? What are you doing here?" "Long story too."

[Later that day]

Hana explains to Cindy what happen. "Oh my. I'm so sorry. It's a good thing that Uncle went into hiding." "Mm. What about you?" "I don't know what is going on. My mom told me to stay hidden in the closet. Later a group of men in black trespass our place and...shot my mom."

Cindy's shoulders slumps as she recalls what happen. "After they left, I came out of the closet, calling out for her. She slowly opens her eyes and told me to call someone who she trust. And that is uncle. I did and uncle took me in." "I'm so sorry." (That's right, Cindy's mom and my dad work for the same company....but what really happen?)

Hana looks at Cindy. "Hey, what does your uncle do?" "He's a leader of a mafia. Those men who were with me are his men. They're here to protect me." Hana nods.

"Cindy, can I met your uncle?" "Met him?" Cindy tilts her head. "What for?" "I will tell you later once I met your uncle. I'm not sure if it's safe here." Cindy nods. "Will pass the message to my uncle." Hana nods. "I have to go. It's getting late."

Cindy and Hana hugs each other then Hana left as Cindy watch her friend leaves. "Be safe, Hana."

Cindy looks at the men. "Let's head back." They nod and follows Cindy.

...

Hana returns home with Sora. Sora has fallen asleep. Hana then heads to Sora's room and gently put him in bed. She smiles as he sleeps so soundly. She leans in and kiss him on the forehead. She whispers; "good night."

Hana slowly left his room quietly. As she closed the door, she turns and sees Ivan. "Ivan." "Master Rui wants to see you." Hana slowly nods her head. "He's in the study room."

Hana then heads to the study room. She knocks on the door. "Come in." She grabs the doorknob and twist it. She enters in. "Heard you wanted to see me." "Have a seat." Hana sits across from him.

He hands her a piece of paper. She looks at it and her eyes went wide. The paper was a check of $10,000,000. "...What's this?" "Please leave."

He stands up and left the room without hearing her reply. She stood there for a while. Meanwhile, Rui went to his room. He lays on the sofa, sighing. (She won't leave. She won't.) Soon his eyes becomes droopy. He fallen asleep. Hana made the decision not to take the check, she heads to her bedroom. She packs lightly in her small bag, she packs a few clothes, a picture of Sora, Ally, Ai and Leo.

She then heads to her desk. She sat on the chair and grabs a piece of paper and starts writing.

Sora,

If you are reading this, I'm no longer here. I am sorry. I will promise you that I will come back once I'm strong enough. Be patient and wait for me. Make sure you listen to your father.

Sincerely, Hana.

She sets her pen down and fold the letter. She takes the letter and heads to the book shelf. She grabs Sora's favorite book and puts the letter inside. She shuts the book and puts on the desk. Before she heads out, she looks around the bedroom. She remembers how Ally sleeps over and they usually talks about their dream, how Ai used to come in her room to comfort her through the stormy weather. Hana smiles sadly. "Because of me, you're all gone. I am sorry that I am not strong enough."

She turns her heels and head to the door. She walks around the house and remembers how she first arrive at the mansion. "It feels like yesterday how I got here....when you all were here, alive." She stands in front of the gate, looking at the mansion. "Thanks for everything. I'm sure going to miss you all." She bows towards the mansion then left.

Sora gets up and went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. After drinking a small sip, he went straight to Hana's bedroom. He knocks the door but no reply. "Hana?" Knock. Knock. "Hana? Are you asleep?" He reaches the door knob and turns it. He walks in and his eyes widen as soon as Hana is no where to be found. "...Hana?"

He turns his heels and ran into his father's room. He bangs the room. "Mister! Mister!" Rui knits his brows with the loud bang at the door. He gets up and walks towards the door. He opens the door and was in the bad mood. "What do you want?!" He looks down and notices Sora. "You're not asleep yet?"

Sora puts both of his hands on his hips. "Where did you hide her?" "What?" "Where is Hana? And what did you do to her?" "What are you talking about? She should be in her room." "NO! I checked and she's not there, so...WHERE DID YOU HIDE HER?!" Rui ran passed Sora and heads to Hana's room. It was empty. (Where is she--? [gasp] The check! Did she actually takes it?!) He turns his heels and heads to his study room.

He turns the light switch on and spotted the check that was still on top of the desktop. He walks to the desk and touch the check. "Then where...?"

...

Hana then heads to the payphone. She calls Cindy. "Hello?" "It's me." "Hana?" "Can I crash into your place for a while?" "Where are you?" "Um..." She looks around. "Near Miller's Barber Shop." "Okay. Will come and pick you up. Wait there and don't go anywhere." "Okay."

Hana hangs up and waits for Cindy. A few minutes later, Cindy came with two other men. "Hana." Hana looks up and sees Cindy. "Cindy." Cindy takes her bag and gives to one of the men. "Let's go." "Mm." Cindy didn't ask Hana about why Hana is out here all alone. They both stayed in silent.

...

SLAM! Cindy slams her drink on the table. "What? He gave you the check!" "Yup." "And demands you to get out of the mansion?!" "Yup." "That son of--" Hana smiles as she looks at Cindy. Cindy asked, "What?" Hana shook her head, "You're the same as always. Getting angry for me. Picking up fights." "That's cuz you're too nice and too forgiving."

"You think so?" Cindy sighs. "Hey. If you don't have anywhere to go, stay with me." "Will that be okay? What about your Uncle?" "Ah. No worries. I will let him know about your situation. He'll understand."

...

Her uncle thinks about it. "It's alright." "Thanks, Uncle." "Mm." Cindy returns to her room where Hana is at. Cindy comes in and said, "It went well." As Cindy sits down across from Hana. Hana said, "Thanks Cindy. I owe you one." "Enough of that kind of talk. We're friends. We don't owe each other anything." Hana nods. "It's late. Let's sleep." "Mm."

That night, Hana couldn't sleep. She quietly sits up and sees Cindy sleeping so peacefully. She chuckles as she wipes the drool that was on the side of Cindy's mouth. Hana then slips out of the bedroom. She walks to the balcony, looking up at the stars. (Dad...just where are you...are you eating fine...?)

She lowers her gaze and sighs. She turns around and notices a figure leaning against the doorway. (Who...?) "You must be Hana." "...You are....?" "Cindy's uncle." Hana tilts her head. ".....You're Cindy's uncle...? But you look so young....aren't you a middle schooler?" He got mad. "I'm 29 for goodness sake."

Hana startles and apologizes immediately. "I-I'm so sorry." He coughs. "Ahem. You are welcome to stay as long as you like." He turns his heels and was about to walk away. "Excuse me." He stops his tracks and turns around to look at Hana. "You need something?" "Can you teach me how to fight?" His eyes widen. (Teach you to fight? What in the world is she thinking?)

She continues, "Many people died because of me. I want to learn how to fight, in order to protect everyone I love." He sees that she has the motivation to determined to get what she wants. He smiles. "Tomorrow at 8 a.m. sharp. Meet me by the car. I hate people being late." He walks away.

Hana smiles in delights. (Yay. A good start first in the morning.) Hana returns to the bedroom and sleep.

He then goes to his room and to his desk. He pulls up Hana's information.

(Hana Lu. 21-years-old. DOB: June 2nd. Hobby: Piano and gardening. Parents: Mother are deceased. Father: alive, in the record of murder, last location is unknown. A high school dropout.)

His index finger was tapping on the desk. "....high school dropout...? She didn't finish high school? Why is that?" He then grabs his cellphone from his pocket and dials a number. "It's me. Do me a favor. Find out why Hana Lu didn't complete high school and report back to me." Before he hangs up, his eyes widen.

"You sure?" He carefully listens to the other end. He then hangs up the call and sets the phone down. "Suspicious men in black are looking for her and her father just like---" "Cindy's mother." He turns around and sees her by the doorway.