Chapter Two: To Know Where You Live

"When are going to release me?" I asked him.

This is my third day in this hellish room and for the past two days, he has done nothing but rape me repeatedly.

He shook his head and showed me his creepy smile. “Not going to happen,” he answered me.

My eyes widened and I stood from the bed. "What else do you want?! Aren't you done of me after all the shameless things you did to me? What else do you need?!" I shouted.

"I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, so I assure you that we will be together for a long time. You will not be able to get away from me. Remember that," he added before pushing me back on the bed.

I immediately got up and squeezed myself again on the head of the bed I was riding in. My tears flowed down my cheeks again and again. I folded my knees and hug it and as I did, the chain tied to my left leg rings.

What sin have I committed to punish me like this?

What did I do wrong to experience this situation?

And why of all the people who might do this to me, why it has to be the person whom I consider the older brother?

**

Nine days before the abduction…

"Oh, it’s Mikael," Kate pointed to Mikael who was happily chatting with his friend while walking along the soccer field.

He smiled as his friend Rafael told him something that caused his deep dimples to appear on both cheeks. The natural narrowness of its eyes also diminishes due to its gentle grin.

"Didn't he has a crush on you in high school? He courted, right?" Kate asked.

"We're just friends," I answered.

"To you, yes. But to him, I don’t think so,” Kate said again, shaking her head.

“I really only think of him as a friend and nothing more," I answered.

Mikael became our classmate in our third year in high school, he was transferred from our class from the next class to us. He was kind and so easy to approach, he was also the kind of person everyone will like to be friends.

Until fourth year came and we became friends, he confessed to me that he liked me. But like these times I am not ready to enter into a relationship.

I am young and I want to reach my dreams first. I told him that and said that I can only offer it to anyone as a friend.

He accepted it and remained friends with me until a few months passed and he fell in love with someone else. I was so happy for him, because he finally found a woman who could reciprocate his feelings. But that was also the time he started avoiding not only me but also Kate.

He said that his girlfriend was jealous of his female friends and he did not want them to fight so he chose to distance to us. We have done nothing but let him and understand his reasons. That's his girlfriend and we're just friends. It is natural for him to choose her over us.

"Tss. If only his girlfriend hadn't been insecure, we would still be friends with Mikael," Kate’s sentiment.

I just shook. How many times has Kate said that?

I just look straight at the field, towards Mikael particularly. I just watch them until they notices us. I smiled at him and he smiled back and waved.

Kate also saw that so she waved at them too. "Hey! Mikael Tiu. Come here!" Kate shouted.

The jogged to our spot. "Hey,” Mikael greeted as shyly. His cheeks were red and his hand was rubbing on his neck; Rafael just smiled from behind.

"Hey, your face! After what you did to us?” Kate asked arching her brow.

"Kate," I called her out. "Don't mind her," I added, smiling awkwardly at Mikael.

He smiled too before nodding. "It's okay. I'm used to Kate being like that," he replied.

Kate rolled her eyes said things about Mikael’s girlfriend. Mikael laughed even more because of that.

"Why are you so mad of Azra?” he asked with a smile as he held Kate’s hand because she suddenly slapped him on the arms.

"Isn't it obvious? It’s because I hate her for asking you to avoid us,” she answered.

Mikael released her and then put his arm around her shoulder. "You're just bitter. But seriously, we're done. We have broken up. So it's okay even if you fight her in front of me. I don't care anymore," he said with a shrug.

I turned to Rafael who was just quiet to one side. He just shrugged and raised a brow.

"You sounded bitterer than me,” Kate smirked and slapped Mikael's arm which was hugging her.

Mikael's laughter grew even louder before messing Kate’ hair. "Because I realized that I can't fool myself, especially when I really know who I want," he said smiling and its deep dimples were clearly visible.

He turned to me before nodding. "We have to go. We still have class," he said and before we could even answer Mikael were already dragged by Rafael.

"That's really rude,” Kate commented. I just shrugged.

I looked at them again and again on the side of the soccer field while talking seriously. Rafael shook his head slightly then turned to us again. It caught my eye. He fought with me for a moment before he voluntarily avoided and smiled bitterly.

"Hi Sierra, Kate," Vincent greets us. We are now in the school canteen and are currently eating lunch.

"Hello," I greeted back. Kate just stared and continued to eat.

"Can I sit?" he asked while holding his neck and slightly smiling. Expecting.

"Is there anything else we can do? You've already put your food here," Kate said.

"Kate!" I called her right away. "Go on, Vince. We don't mind," I turned to Vincent.

"Thanks,” he replied.

Vincent is my classmate in almost all of my subjects, both minor and major. He also have the dream of becoming a doctor in the future.

But Kate does not like him because of an accident few weeks ago; Vincent accidentally poured a chocolate drink on Kate’s uniform.

"What are your plans for students' week?" he asked.

We have students ’week this coming week and every college department is getting ready.

"Nothing yet. We also have a booth, right? Maybe I'll just be there," I answered.

"Yes. We are doing a horror house. I think they will start making props later," he said.

"Uh. Is that so? All right, I'll just help later," I said.

Vincent and I talked until the lunch break was over. Kate, on the other hand, is just quiet.

"Oh god, Sierra! If only you could only see how he looks at you! Suspicious," Kate said after Vince left.

"You are so judgmental, Kate,” I said.

Maybe that's how it is when you are so angry with someone. You only see the wrong and bad side and you no longer notice its good side. But I know Vince won't do anything wrong to me. He is kind and we are friends.

“I’m saying the truth, trust me,” she insisted. I just shook my head and let her murmur some more.

"Hey, Sierra! You came," Jam greeted me when I entered the AVR. We will make our props here for the horror house that we will open for students’ week.

"I will help,” I said.

Jam is our senior and the current president of our college council.

"Why don’t you join the beauty contest and represent our college instead?” she asked with a smile.

I immediately shook my head. "Oh, no. I’m fine here," I refuse. I am contented with my dream of becoming a doctor to aspire more than that. And one more thing, I do not have the courage to do that.

"I was just kidding," she laughed. "Go there and help Anne Marie’s group," she added while pointing at Anne Marie’s group on the other side of the AVR.

I nodded and went to help the group. "Hi. Is there anything I could help?" I asked as soon as I approached Marie Anne's group.

“We really need a help! Thank, God you came,” Anne said and immediately handed me a few pieces of cardboard and a pair of scissors to cut out each letter we would use for the banner of the horror house we were going to build. I accepted that and sat with them on the floor.

It took us about three hours to make the props and designs before Jam announced that we could finally wrapped up and go home.

"Can I walk you home?" Vincent suddenly appeared next to me.

"Huh? But your way’s on the other way,” I said.

He nodded while smiling. "Yes. But I'll go with you. It's late, you might suddenly be kidnapped."

"As if they will get something from me if they kidnap me. They will just waste time and energy," I answered with a laugh.

“Kidnappers weren’t up for money nowadays, sometimes, they will do what you never thought would happen to you," he said on a serious tone. "So, let me walk you home to make sure,” he added while smiling and snatched my book from my hand, leaving me no choice but let him walk me home.

"We are here, you want you come in?” I asked Vince the moment we reached our house.

He shook his head. "It's okay. I’ll head home,” he said.

“Let me at least offer you a drink,” I insist.

“It’s fine, really.”

“You sure?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’ll just see tomorrow, I guess?”

"Yes, of course. Thanks for walking me home," I said.

"No worries," he said with a smile. “I’m actually glad to know where you live,” he added before waving his hand and turned to leave.