DISTRICT II: How does the bird sing? (District Series #2)

CHAPTER 1 - THAT SUMMER

CHAPTER 1

THAT SUMMER

RESIDENTIAL AREA NEWAR GRAND CHORAL SYNAGOGUE, ST. PETERSBURG  10:13

The doorbell rang just as when Eitan sat down after moving the boxes around. He looked up and met the eyes of his mother who is pouring water on their glasses. The coldness and awkwardness were still there.

"Proverit', kto eto." Eitan's mother said.

Check who is that.

Dinampot ni Eitan ang isang makapal na bimpo sa gilid at ipinasok sa bulsa ng kaniyang hoodie saka tumayo para tingnan kung sino iyon. Sumilip muna sa butas at nang makita ang isang beret ay saka dahan dahan na binuksan iyon.

"Who?" He asked.

The person in front of him lift her head and he already saw the bruise near her blue eyes. He then pulled his hand out of the pocket of his hoodie.

"S-Small cake for the neighbor." She murmured with her weak voice. "M-My father wanted to give this."

Eitan raised his eyebrow as he leaned his head out the door and looked around.

"Are you living with your father?" He asked.

The girl nodded. "We're at 4014."

"Your mother?"

"Just him." She answered briefly as she handed the box of small cake.

Eitan scanned the girl as he noticed a few more bruise she tried to hide with her tattered sweater. A small beret on top of her blonde head and her suspenders that is loosened from each sides.

"We don't accept any gift for safety purposes." Eitan said.

"O-Oh, is that so.." She murmured as panic visited her eyes.

Eitan sighed. "However, if you eat with us we'll accept that."

"Huh? But how?" 

All she knew is that the guy from next door was pulling her inside, it scared her for a bit but when she met his mother, she quickly loosened up and sighed in relief. She sat down in front of the hosts of the house.

"What's your name?" The mother asked.

"F-Filipa, Ma'am. I am also called Phillie. We live at 4014." She murmured.

"Phillie then." She smiled gently as she put a fork and plate in front of her. "We're on your care from now on. This is my son Eitan, you can call him Ei."

"Mom." Eitan stopped his mother.

Phillie nodded. "T-Thank you for having me."

"Oh don't be silly. We should be the one thanking you for giving us food." The mother said.

Slowly, Eitan saw a ghost of smile on the girls lips.

After a small talk, Eitan was ordered to send her out the apartment once again. Ngunit bago pa makalabas ay nagsalita siya.

"Is your father hurting you?" He asked.

Napatigil sa paglalakad noon si Phillie ngunit hindi nilingon si Eitan. With that, Eitan knew already what is happening.

"It's not that I care but tolerating such actions might lead to something even more dangerous." He added.

Phillie looked at her side. "Don't even try to interfere with my life."