Chapter 4 - Claude's POV

I don't know what's gotten into Athy

She hasn't played with me she doesn't even come out from her room

Athy is always the one who keeps on coming here but recently

She became quiet

So I decided to go to her house this time!

I know Athy, if I just visit her she would be like the old Athy!

I thought positively

But for some reason I have a bad feeling

"Aunt Rosalinda!"

I shouted

"Oh! Claude, what are you doing here?"

She asked confused

"I'm here to play with Athy!"

I answered cheerfully

Just as I mentioned Athy

Aunt's expression became grim

Huh?

Why did something happen to Athy?

"Claude, I apologize but Athy isn't feeling very well lately"

She answered sadly

Athy?

She's sick?!

Why did that dummy not tell me?

What happened to Athy

I went home after that

Days have passed

Months gone by...

But no sign of Athy, I waited for her to get better but I started to get angry

Athy didn't even let me know how she is doing

That dummy would not do that

...

I thought to myself

What if Athy doesn't want to be my friend anymore?

...

...

...

.....

No...

No no no no no no no no no no!

Athy can't forget me!

Without her!

Without Athy...

All those will keep on happening again!

those dark times when Athy's not around!

Athy's is the only one who understands me...

*Slap! Slap!*

"Claude Ceyon de Leon! I told you many times that's not the right pronounciation!"

*Slap!*

"Claude! Stand straight!"

*Slap!*

i kept on crying but mother won't stop hitting

She only hit me harder

"Ouch mother *sob sob* it- it hurts"

I beg desperately I cried many times

But mother...

Mother won't stop looking at me with hatred

I'm scared... Mother is so... Scary

I keep trembling

~Slap!~

"You are part of the de Leon family! Don't cry like a fool!"

she slapped me again

but this time i tried looking up but mother...

mother's eyes...

"I hate you so much..... You.... Disgust me"

She looked down at me with so much hatred

She hates me

Mother hates me so much...

*Sob Sob*

I ran away after getting punished by mother

I hid outside the garden where there's pretty flowers

Whenever mother punished me

The garden is the only safe space I have

*Rustle Rustle*

!

Someone's here?!

There usually is no one here, but why now of all times!

...

Should I kill them?

Just like mother said

The de Leon family are strong, they must not feel emotion...

Should I kill whoever's out there?

I'll just blame it on mother and said that she forced me to

Everyone would believe a child who's injured and beaten up, this would be good

I just have to kill

Yes Kill....

...

!

No what am I thinking?

Kill??

No!

I can't I should not!

I fell to the ground and closed my eyes and covered my ears

I need to cover my ears so I can't hear them!

I need to close my eyes so I can't see them!

Stop... Stop stop stop!

~mumble mumble~

I kept on mumbling trying to stop myself from thinking of killing anyone

But I did not notice nor hear that they were approaching me...

That She was approaching me

"Um- Excuse me? Are you ok?"

Huh?

Someone asked if I'm ok?

Who is it? Such warm voice

I stopped covering my ears I opened my eyes and look up to a beautiful girl

Light blue silky hair, beautifully golden eyes, red lips like the rose's petal

Who is she?

"Who are you?"

I unconsciously asked

It was rude for a gentle man to be seen in such a state

and I also used informal speech

O- oh no is she going tell on me? Is mother going to know?

Am I getting beaten twice today?

I trembled, I'm shaking just by the thought of it

But she answered

"Hello! My name is Athanasia Zen les Acrez but you can call me Athy!"

She said it with a cheerful smile she's so kind

But in the state i'm in I looked down

I was to embarrassed to look up again while she looks so pretty with her puffy purple dress

While I dressed in white with dirt and wrinkled clothes with bruises on my body

"I- I apologize miss right now i'm too embarrassed to look up, you look so beautiful and I looked dirty"

I'm about to cry infront of a stranger, my bruises, my injuries hurt so much

"Oh right! Please forgive me!"

She yelled

I looked up in hurry i'm anxious I don't want to be left alone

I'm scared!

"Wai-"

I was about to stop her but then she grabbed my hand

She helped me up and

"Let's introduce ourselves again later after we treat your injuries!"

She said in an excited yet saddened tone

How can someone be so precious

I want her to stay by my side..

I need her in my life...

I have to have her

...

Athy and I became friends

We kept playing in the garden

Whenever she sees me in bruises she takes care of me

Her eyes were only for me

Athy is so sweet

I just want to lock her up...

...

What shall I do to keep her with me?

Should I lock her up?

Yes that's good...

I should hide her somewhere and she can only see me and only I can see her

She can't ignore me anymore if it's just the two of us I should-

I was thinking about something but she kept calling me

Snapping her fingers and I got back to reality...

"Hey! You keep staring at me"

She spoke angrily

"Ah-"

Is she angry does she not want to be friends anymore?

Is locking her up the only way?!

"Hey kid! I won't be your friend anymore if you keep mumbling there! And you also haven't told me the reason you've been mistreating me"

She looked at me glaring she keeps furrowing he brows

No I don't want that!

I still want to be friends with her

She was about to walk away but I managed to stop her

"No!"

I shouted I nervously looked up and shes still standing there

"I- i'll tell you, so please don't stop being my friend"

She looked at me then nodded

She sat down on the grass and asked me to take a sit too

To be continued~