Chapter One: Bloody Province

Life was never easy for me while growing up. Chaos was almost my archenemy, while silence and comfort became my reverie. Every day, it was always the same battles, the same faces, and the same wounds.

I wake up because of the loud noises coming from the living room, hearing the shouts of my aunt and uncle fighting. They usually do that every morning, and it has become just a normal thing for me. I opened the windows in my room and was greeted by the sun's comforting hug. I sighed and smiled while looking at the beautiful daylight; it was still a good morning for me, after all.

I like how the sun gives bright colors; for me, every sunrise is an opportunity to make a fresh start, a fresh day that we should learn to cherish.

I lazily went to the kitchen to find something to cook for breakfast. My uncle already left for work, and my aunt was in the kitchen sipping her coffee. She looks at me with an annoyed expression. I just nod at her and smile a bit.

"Just cook for your breakfast; I already had mine." She said without looking at me. I silently nod while opening the kitchen cabinet; I decided to cook pancit canton and pair it with bread.

"Do you have plans for today?" My aunt asked while I was preparing the bread.

"Well, Auntie, I was hesitating to ask you this. Can I visit Mom in our province? I miss her and my brother." I said while looking at her desperately. Her forehead furrowed a bit, and she stared at me with her usual annoyed expression.

"We do not forbid you in visiting your family, Nevy." Aunt Chelsea said in a severe tone. I looked at her and smiled.

"Thank you, Auntie."

The following days, I was already in our province visiting Mom and my brother. I really hope to stay here longer before our classes start. The province is my safe place, where I have my peace. I love the welcoming aura of the surroundings, the trees, the flowers, the butterflies, the view of the sea from afar, and the mountains where you can hear the tinkle of the river. Everything about this place made me realize that life is still worth living. I especially like this place because it has so many good memories of when I was a kid.

I am in my second year as a Psychology student at a University here in Cebu City. My aunt was the one who enrolled me in that University, and she's also the one who is supporting me financially. I admit she's not treating me fairly sometimes, but I know she still has a kind heart. Her husband looks at me like I am such a pain and a misfortune to their family, so they never get along.

"Ate Nevy, are you staying here for good?" My little brother asked me when he found me in our garden. I gazed at him and gave him a warm smile.

"Come here, my little Ruru." I hugged him tightly. I softly tapped his head before letting him go from our hug.

I looked at him seriously in the eye.

"I am just having my vacation here since I don't have classes yet. After that, I'll be back in Cebu, but if you will miss me, you can visit me there from time to time with Mom."

"I'm going to miss you ate. You know Mom, she doesn't like being in the City." He said while pouting sadly.

"Then I will visit you again."

"Promise?" He said with hopeful eyes. Seeing him like this almost tears me up. I swallowed hard and answered him. "Of course, my little Ruru."

I was utterly enjoying my stay here in our province and shortly forgot the burdens I left in the City. Every morning, I help my mother water the flowers and plants in our little garden while I spend the rest of the day reading my favorite books in my brother's treehouse. I also hike in the hills and enjoy the environment while looking at the calm sea from afar. The sea is calling me, but I don't have plans yet to answer it.

I take many pictures with this beauty to serve as a memory of this place while I'm away in the City trying to survive college life.

A river flows beneath this mountain, and at this point in its course, the river is very small and features some large rocks. The sound of the water cascading over the rocks is quite calming to me. I can sometimes spend hours sitting there and simply enjoying the sound of the water running.

I stared at the blue skies above me and took a deep breath. This place always gives me a serene feeling. I just remembered that I only have three remaining days in my stay here.

I was about to enter our house when I heard a little scream. It's as if someone out there was struggling with a monster. A familiar voice caught my attention; I immediately found where those voices came from. Again, I heard a cry and scared voices. I ran straight to where the cry came from and realized it came from my cousin's house. I froze for a second and panicked; what I saw was really horrible. I can't believe this man. My aunt trusted and welcomed him to their home; she even treated him like a family, and now what? The man that my aunt Marisa thinks can be trusted and can act as her own son is audaciously taking advantage of the innocence of her nine-year-old daughter.

I don't know what I was thinking, but all I remember is that I was drowned in rage. I lost self-control and was trembling with fear, disgust, and hatred when I immediately grabbed the axe that was sitting beside where I stood, and without any hesitations, I attacked his head from behind. I was defeated by frantic, and I nervously put the axe down while I almost fainted, looking at the blood running from the man's head. I just realized what I did. I hurriedly hugged my cousin, who was also in shock.

"Ate, what have you done? What have we done?" She's crying and shaking with fear. She's so scared, so I look at her in the eye to assure her.

"What he's done to you is unacceptable, so he deserves it, okay? Ssshh, stop crying. You are safe now." I said, acting brave while trying my best not to shudder; I want to guarantee her that everything will be fine.

"I will take care of this." I sincerely said to her without leaving her gaze.

"Ate, kuya Rino is not breathing." She sobs, and her voice is shaking; she looks so scared while looking at the man's body, which is lying on the floor, bathing in his blood.

I grab a piece of cloth and seize the axe, trying to remove any of my fingerprints. I keep reminding myself that this will be fine; Kuya Rino doesn't see me. But this will never change the guilt that I am feeling; I instantly become a criminal—a murderer.

"Come, let's get out of here." I offer her my hand; she vaguely grabs it. She followed me silently, but I could still feel her fear as her hands were freezing.

We stop in our garden. I made her sit in one of our wooden bleachers; I sat in front of her and seriously looked her in the eye. Her tears flowed endlessly, so I gently wiped them using my bare hands.

"I killed him. I killed Kuya Rino. This is my entire fault. If only I had told Mom what he'd been doing to me. If only I defended myself and reported him immediately." She mutely said like it was almost a whisper. She is shaking too much, a tear rolled from my eyes, and I can't help but feel terrible; she's been suffering a lot from that abuser. I hug her tightly and tap her shoulder softly.

"This is not your fault, okay? What he has done to you is evil, so this will never be your fault."

"But how about you ate? I involved you with my problem. I'm sure mom will find out soon." She withdraws from our hug and seriously looks at me; fear is still evident in her face.

"Don't worry about me, Gail. What's important now is that evil will no longer hurt you." I forced a smile and acted as tough as possible in front of her.

"This will stay between us, ate. I promise." She said while wiping her tears.

I hugged her tightly, and this time, I decided what to do.