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Crumpled and thrown

4. Crumpled and thrown

I tiptoed and then pressed my ear on the door. I was in the middle of what the fuck and what the hell which is the word ‘the.’ It is the adjective or an article that starts any sentences or any freaking stupid miserable life. And that is my life, I thought. The door was cold, like my heart who felt cold and afraid of what will happen to me soon. I could hear the door opens. Then, footsteps and finally, my mother’s voice.

“Have you seen my daughter?” she said.

“No, I haven’t seen her Mrs. Anderson.”

Silence.

“If you ever seen her, please call us okay?” father said.

“May I know what happened, Mr. Anderson?”

“Nothing to worry about boy.”

Another silence came and I heard the closing of the door. I hear footsteps coming towards the room. I opened it, and Edward smiled. I felt relief.

“Thank you, Ed.”

“It must be hard for you. You’re not crazy, but I couldn’t believe that you can see ghosts.”

I sat on the chair, so as he.

His room smelled great. No smelly socks or stale foods.

“Have you seen the movie, The Sixth Sense?” I asked, and then he nodded.

I went out from his room and grab their phone and dialed Chip’s telephone number. Edward was busy in the kitchen preparing some foods to eat. He knew how to cook?

“Oh, hi Chip,” I said over the phone.

“Why’d you call, Meg?”

“Something happened. I’ll just tell you later. Er. Chip, can I ask you something. A favor.”

“Sure, sure. What is it?”

“Can I stay in your house? I’ll tell you what’s really happening. I’m at Ed’s house. I need your help. Hurry up, Chip. Please.”

“What did Ed---“

I cut our conversation when Ed walked towards me. I smiled as I stare at his annoying eyeglasses that made me feel worthless in terms of knowledge. If I see someone who wore it, I didn’t see them as having visual impairment, instead I see them as smart looking chimpanzees and I pity myself because of that and because I couldn’t ace my tests.

“Did you call Chip?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You’re safe here.”

“I know, but—“

“You don’t have any trust on me? Am I not a trustworthy kind of person?”

“No, no, no. I didn’t mean that thing Edward. Of course, I trust in you.”

He stepped back and gently sat on their old couch. He diverted his eyes away from me. Then, a minute or so, there was a knock on the door and I was startled. I was frightened and I started to step back away from the door until I heard Chip’s voice shouting my name. Ed stood and opened the door.

“FUCK YOU,” Chip bellowed and threw a fist on Ed’s bony face. He was thrown away like a crumples paper that was threw on the trash bin. He stayed on the floor, with a blood on this face. I gasped, like a late reaction or someone gave a joke but I laughed so late.

“What did you do to Megan you wimp?!”

“Chip, no!” I exclaimed before he could kick Ed’s body.

“He was trying to save me. I stayed here because...I…Oh my God!”

I saw mom and dad behind Chip. My heart beats wildly like Tarzan meets Jane. The pounding of my heart was like a train, a fast train, ready to collide to another train. Ed wiped his bloody face and tried to stand.

“Come with us now, Meg,” father pleaded like talking to a dog. Then I saw another person behind him. It must be the doctor or the nurse or the staff of the place where I’ll go. My sweat started to form on my temple and armpit.

“What’s happening?” Chip asked, confused.

“Megan,” Ed whispered.

“Come with us now sweetie, we brought no harm,” mother said and took a step towards me. Her line made me remember of some alien-themed-movie.

“NO! I’M NOT CRAZY!”

“Who’s crazy?” Chip asked unknowingly of what’s happening.

“I’M OKAY! I’M NOT CRAZY!” Tears came as I saw the men wearing in all white uniform approaching towards me.

“DON’T TOUCH HER!” Ed bellowed, his voice nearly broke. He covered me, staying me way from the men. The Men in White.

“She’s not crazy!”

“Edward,” I whispered, as I could taste my own tears.

And before I knew it, I was in someone’s car. Sitting on the backseat together with my parents. I was sandwiched by them with the bruise and scars in my arms. Edward didn’t able to save me from the Men in White who sat on the front seat. I kept on crying, mumbling words and saying I’m not crazy. My arms were in pain. I cried because of it. I cried because Ed and Chip didn’t save me. I cried because I’m leaving Ed, I haven’t told him that I write stories and no one knew about it except my friends who gave me stupid criticism that didn’t help me as a writer and I cried because I wanted to kiss Chip again. I cried because of my true-crazy-parents, they should understand me. They should hear my side rather than my wailing.

I got no clue to where they’ll put me. All I knew was that it would be like hell or more than that. They didn’t speak a word, even the Men in White. I just stared blankly on the dashboard, thinking how I could escape. But it was way too far to happen. The car was running too fast, I’m in the middle of my fool parents trapped like a rodent and together with then Men in White. Those guys might be from CIA, I thought. They might name me Zero Zero Zero Dot One whatsoever.

The driver turned on the car’s radio and the music played.

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom let it be.

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom let it be.

Let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

“Fuckers,” I whispered.