Enchanted

Chapter 14

Sabrina

The crisp autumn air tickled my nose and the sound of autumn leaves crushing against the ground became clearer in my ears.

I was not lying in my comfy bed anymore. I was in a moving vehicle, on the road heading somewhere away from home. My head was spinning and I have no idea how long have I been in the car.

I sat up straight and tidied my unkempt hair which was all over my face. The time 8:05 am was blinking on the display mounted on the dashboard in the middle of the car. I looked out of the window at the strange surroundings, rubbing my eyes to adjust to the brightness.

"Mummy, where are we going?" I was puzzled because she never told me we were going on a road trip. She probably did not hear my soft almost-whisper voice instead, dad who was behind the wheel replied, "We're going over to your aunt's."

"Aunt Lola?" This time no one answered. The rest of the 3 hours car ride was quiet until it was so unbearable dad turned on the radio to listen to some news.

It is not Aunt Lola's house. The house stood out because of how distinct it looked compared to the others- grey-painted walls, casement windows with curtains drawn, stepping stone pathways leading to a mini garden at the side and two Chinese lanterns hung at the porch.

The house gave me chills and I could feel something crawling under my skin. I have never visited any of dad's side relatives and this Asian-style design was telling me it is time.

Dad took out 3 luggage from the trunk and walked over to the door and rang the bell. I was still wearing my blue pyjama with a kitty-soft toy in my hand, standing behind mum and dad patiently waiting.

The door opened with a clack and a middle-aged woman appeared with her hair tied into a messy bun and glasses on top of her head.

"Ann, this is Sabrina. She'll be under your custody from now on." Dad stood aside so my aunt can get a good look at me.

"Hello, Sabrina. I'm your aunt, Ann. Welcome to your new home." She reached out her hand trying to take mine but I stood there startled.

Welcome to your new home. The words were ringing in my ears and my body felt paralysed. I may not understand the meaning of custody at the age of five but these four words explained everything. This was a one-way journey with no return ticket.

"Go on, Sabrina." Mum beckoned me to step into the house. I shrunk to the blind spot from the front door of my aunt's house, going against her instruction.

"Sabrina," dad said my name sternly. His face was serious, no part of him showed any sympathy or remorse. I turned my head to mum hoping she could stop whatever that was happening but she did not move her muscles. Her eyes as sharp as razor sliced through my heart, deep clean leaving my soul lingering with the wind.

Dad took two steps forward and grabbed me by the wrists, causing me to wince because of the intense pain detected in my hands. "Sabrina, listen to your aunt. She's going to take care of you from now on."

There were no question marks in his sentences, all of them were instructions. He handed me to Ann like I was a pet who ran away from its owner, his voice and his actions were nothing like a father. We may share similar black hair, slightly small almond-shaped dark brown eyes and willow leaf-shaped eyebrows but am I even his daughter?

"Sabrina, be a good girl, okay? Most of your favourite toys and clothes are in these bags. Your aunt will buy you more." Mum tried to console me with her softest tone. I could hear her voice cracking between words like she didn't want me to let me go either and put the blame on dad but none of it matters anymore.

I am an orphan and my parents didn't want me anymore.

"Would y'all like to come in for tea?" Ann asked politely like she was British. "No, thanks. I have work today and I'm late," dad answered coldly. "Alright, bye then."

He turned his heels and walked to his shiny polished metallic grey BMW, mum followed closely behind. Not a single goodbye, let alone a hug or a kiss on the cheek.

"Please don't go, I promise I will be a good girl!"

I flung my eyes wide, inhaling deeply to supply oxygen to all parts of my body cells. It had been a while since nightmares visited me, crept on me when the lights are off. I flipped to the right side and checked the time- 7:56 am.

Today was a Sunday meaning it was Pete's rest day. No loud rumbling engine to disturb my sleep, no tyre screeching to wake me up from my horror past.

7.56 am is considered early on a lazy Sunday as I usually wake up around 9.00 am. However, I forgot to draw the curtains last night and the Sun broke into my room like a burglary, conducting heat to every corner of my room into an inferno.

I quickly got onto my feet and made my way to the bathroom before the heat and the remains of nightmares in the room swallowed me.

Sabrina, look at you. Pathetic little bitch that no one gives a shit about.

The mirror reflected my empty soul that cannot be seen with bare eyes. The outer skin is just a shield to prevent others from seeing the ugly and to prevent the soul from leaving the body, that's all.

I turned on the faucet and let the water run down. I splashed my face with water to bring myself back to the present but it was useless. When I looked up at the plane mirror, my true self lay nude before my eyes.

The bathroom walls narrowed like it was ready to carve me in. My heartbeat rate sped up and I ran out of it and took two steps at a time down to the hall.

A hall so quiet and peaceful until it felt eerie. Chills shivered down my spine. I guessed as long as I am within these four walls, I am trapped in the time loop of that autumn 12 years ago.

That's where you're incorrect, Sabrina. You will be trapped in the time loop till you face it. The place and the time don't matter as long as you're alive.

5 more days until Ann returns. 5 more days for me to accumulate my bravery before I ask her the very question I kept in my heart for so long.

I have to do it myself because nobody can help me.

I snapped back into reality when my phone vibrated on the kitchen table. I don't remember placing my phone there, I wondered.

Cedric: Hi, Sabrina. This is Cedric Orlando from Spanish class, in case you're wondering :)

A smile grew on my face. The message somehow acted like fresh water pouring into my wilting heart, seeping into its core and sprouting the seedlings into bountiful flowers.

I swiped open the chat and texted him back. All of the devilish thoughts drew back into the shadows and slowly disappeared as the Earth rotates and shifts the Sun's position.

You: Hello Cedric Orlando from Spanish class, what are you up to? :)