His Erasthai

It's Him

Looking for a part-time job that won't interfere with the curfew hours is difficult. I already asked Rida if she knew of any part-time jobs outside school, but she just advised me to join one of the school clubs instead, saying they would pay me for my service.

At first, I thought she was bluffing, but later on, I realized she wasn’t. She even showed me the payments she regularly received from the club she joined.

Now, I'm wondering if the photography club still has an available slot—but I doubt it. Mr. Salt told me they could only wait for a week. Yet here I am, over seven days late, and I still haven’t told him my decision. Ugh! I should’ve agreed when he asked me again a few days ago.

I let out a deep sigh before deciding to go to the other building where all the school clubs are currently located. The school has different interesting clubs—some of them are varsity clubs, the artistry club, swimming, dance and singing clubs, the newspaper club, and many more. Hopefully, they're still looking for staff or have any available positions they can offer.

Anyway, Rida was with me a few minutes ago, but she had already gone to her next class. She told me I was exempted because of what happened and even informed my professor about it. Thinking I had nothing else to do, I decided to look for a job. Originally, my plan was to spend time with Tyler—my pillow. Yep! I name all my things, even my underwear. Everything I value has a name. It’s a secret I keep because it sounds embarrassing.

Maybe if people found out, they’d call me a weirdo or something. Not that I care.

I find comfort in my things, and no one can stop me from naming them. They're my non-living witnesses to everything I've been through.

I froze in place, staring at the gigantic tree near the infirmary building. Something told me to look up—so I did. And there he was: a human figure leaning against the trunk, sitting on a thick branch.

“Wait! Is that... a person?”

“Wait—is that a guy? Is he watching me?”

“But how did he get up there?” I walked closer. It *was* a person—but he quickly hid. I stood there for a moment, staring at the tree. I couldn't see him anymore. He was gone. I walked around to check the other side of the tree, but still—nothing.

“Where did he go?”

I couldn't make out his face—just enough to know it was a man, a silhouette.

Still, I stood there, staring at the tree, hoping to see him again or maybe catch him revealing himself.

I *know* my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

“Miss, watch out!” A guy near the pathway shouted, pointing behind me. I turned instantly.

“Oh no!”

A baseball bat was flying straight at me. I couldn’t move. I was so shocked I just froze and waited for the impact.

But instead of pain, I heard a loud *whoosh*—like a strong wind brushing past me.

“Are you alright?” A deep voice snapped me out of it. I opened my eyes and saw him tossing the bat aside.

How does someone even confuse a baseball bat with the ball to throw?

“Do you hear me?”

He was *so* close. Close enough that I could smell his fresh mint breath and the zesty coolness of his cologne. I was in a trance—I don’t know for how long. When I realized how close we were, I immediately took a few steps back.

Oh my god. It’s *him.*

My eyes widened. Our faces were *way* too close—like we were kissing from an odd angle.

“You can breathe now,” he said, serious.

That’s when I realized... I had been holding my breath the whole time. I stepped back again to create some distance.

My mind was racing, and my heart was pounding like crazy. It’s *him.* Again!

“Shouldn’t I get a ‘thank you’?” His question pulled me out of my mental chaos. And then it hit me—I’d been *staring* at him the whole time. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole.

Oh, goodness. This is *so* embarrassing!

“Uhm! Tha—thanks... uhm, excuse me.” I stuttered like an i***t. Gosh!

I turned and practically *ran* away.

What’s *wrong* with me?

But then—bam! I bumped into a solid chest. “Oh, gosh!”

How did he—?

“Running away again?” he said, dead serious.

“I already thanked you. There's no reason for me to stay.”

“You should look at me when you're talking to me, little one.”

I tried to escape, but not this time. His hand gently reached for my chin, lifting it up, forcing me to look at him.

“Look at me,” he commanded in a voice that was both dangerous and magnetic. His eyes screamed *danger*—but my heart... liked them?

Am I going crazy?

I’ve never gulped so many times in my life.

“What’s your name, little one?”

“I’m—” *No one. I’m nobody,* I answered in my mind.

“Hey, brother!” someone called from behind us. I didn’t see who, but I *knew* that voice was meant for him. He ignored it.

“Let’s go.” He grabbed my right arm.

“Wait, what?!” I resisted, trying to pull away. “Please let me go.”

“No.”

“But—”

He kept going. He wasn’t running, but it felt like we were moving *too fast,* passing rooms like we were teleporting. His feet were only walking... so *how*?

“Let go of me!” I begged. But his grip only tightened. I looked back, trying to see who was calling him.

“Don’t look back—if you don’t want to die.”

“What? What do you *mean*?” My heart started pounding, faster than before.

“Don’t ask if you don’t want to die. Now get in!”

“Oh, gosh! I don’t want to die!” I obeyed instantly.

He didn’t say anything after that.

A few moments later, we stopped. We were inside an unfamiliar, empty room. I was so disoriented from the twists and turns—I couldn't even remember how to get back.

“What’s your name, little one?” he asked again. Seriously? He’s still stuck on that?

*Really?*

I glared at him. “You! How could you do this to me?! Why did you bring me here?!”

“I needed privacy. I wouldn’t get that if someone kept pestering me.”

“Pestering you? Wait—are you talking about the guy who was calling you??”

“Him and many others. Now answer my question. I hate repeating myself.”

“I don’t remember your question,” I lied.

I wanted to annoy him—to get back at him for dragging me to this creepy place. We were completely alone here, and I was starting to feel *really* scared.

But then—he did something that brought all my nightmares rushing back. He pinned me against the wall, his eyes boring into mine. It felt like he wanted to devour me.

“Answer my question.” His threatening tone shattered me. All I could see were *their* faces. *Those men.* The ones I’ve been trying so hard to forget.

“Please don’t! I’m begging you... Please don’t—”

He let go. I collapsed and sobbed, vision blurred by tears.

I was trembling. “Please don’t...”

“Little one—” He tried to reach for me.

“No!” I screamed, hysterical. I cried uncontrollably, hugging myself. “Please help me, someone help me... Mom... Dad... Madi...” I begged as if I were reliving the past.

The memories of *that night* got clearer. The pain still sharp.

“It’s alright. No one will hurt you. I won’t hurt you.”

“No! Don’t!” I flinched and pulled away, curling up.

“It’s alright. I won’t hurt you, little one.”

I don’t know how long I stayed like that. But eventually, I felt two arms wrap around me, giving me warmth and calm.

I was too exhausted to resist.

So, I let sleep take me.