Traces of Her

CHAPTER 10 Past

KATRINA  was glancing at her son Stephen, who is sitting beside her at the window, spacing out, while they were at the public utility van traveling to Latao. The province of Bukidnon where the Haven Orphanage is located. She knows why his son is so silent while its own hand is clutching his own chin nervously. Joel is actually has a fever and couldn't fetch them while Philip couldn't leave the place for he needs to take care of the problem there. Speaking of problem, she never imagined her son would do that.

"Mom, Uncle Philip is on the phone looking for you!" Andrea shouted at her downstairs while she was upstairs on her room. Stephen is still at his room the whole day at that time when she told him he could not go.

"Coming!" she replied. When she went out of her room. Stephen suddenly went out of his room also. She glance back meaning fully at him and saw him bow down following her silently Hmm...what could it be?

"Yes, Philip what do you want?" she asked when she answered the phone. Stephen remained at the stairs listening.

"Kat, we need Stephen out here. Mish--"

"Haven't I told you that Stephen doesn't need to be there anymore. Miksha needs to be--"

"Her 'trauma' went back after she saw Niko bleeding when the boy accidentally cut himself with a scissor,"

"I can't believe this! Why did you let this happened!"

"That's why please let Stephen come here. I don't know what to do. She was screaming while the incident happened....Then she locked herself inside the closet...She won't let anyone get close r to her... She was spacing out and screaming,"

Katrina sighed," Philip, I think the girl needs an expert who can help her. I couldn't let my son  travel on his own," she said while glancing at him. He was already standing beside her and his hand formed into fist."Sorry."

"Mom please let me go there Mishka needs my help.--"Stephen said as soon she put down the phone.

"Stephen, I told you--"

Stephen rushed to kneel down, hold her hand pleading while crying, " Mom please! I promise, this will be last time I will see her. She needs me right now. Please!"

Katrina felt her mouth open in shock together with Axcel and Andrea who is just standing behind her.

We are nearing the Haven Orphanage," announced the driver.

"Oh, Yes," Katrina replied dragging herself in the present. The rain was pouring heavily outside the van. They ran when they went out the van to the gate. They forgot to bring an umbrella. They buzzed the high gate of the orphanage and they saw Philip opened it while in a raincoat.

"How was she Uncle?" Stephen asked while rushing inside the house. He didn't care if he is all soaked. He walked directly to Mishka's room.

"She's worst," Philip replied as they arrive in front of Mishka's room.

Philip took out the key and opened the door while Katrina is still wiping her own body with her handkerchief and Stephen was following. When Philip opened the door, there was silence. The room looks empty.

Stephen walked close to the closet, while standing behind him was Philip and Katrina. He knew that she is inside. Mishka usually hides there when she is in fear. He slowly opens it and saw her covering her head, quivering, while closing her eyes.

"Mishka it's me, your kuya Stephen," Stephen says.

Mishka turned pale while looking at him. Her eyes are unfocused. As if she can't recognize him. She shook her head and jumps out the closet while clutching the bear she was holding. Stephen grab her before she could ran outside the room, then she suddenly screamed while crying.

She slumped down the floor while shaking her head vigorously. Stephen hugged her tightly, afraid that she might never recognize him.

"Shh....Mishka it's me....It's alright..." But she suddenly struggled, kicking while trying to escape from Stephen's embrace. When she couldn't escape, she screeched and put her mouth on his arms that was around her, biting him.

Katrina was shocked of what Mishka did to Stephen, her own son. She rushed to his side to pull Mishka away when she saw blood dripping out. But before she could touch Mishka Stephen said," No Mom, let her be....she needs it..."

"B-but your bleeding..." Katrina said in panicked grabbing Mishka away from him.

"I SAID 'NO'!" Stephen shouted at her covering Mishka away from her.

Katrina was shocked of how Stephen reacted. Philip was already at her side, shook its head and pulled her away keeping distance away from Stephen.

"Go on..." Stephen said encouraging Mishka "If this could ease the pain you are feeling... I am just here Mishka..."he said soothingly while whispering.

Mishka suddenly let go of his hand looked at him." Kuya Stephen?..."

"Yes...I am," he replied smiling.

Mishka suddenly embraced him tightly, while sobbing when she realized that it was really her kuya Stephen.

Katrina, Philip and the others was in silent when they saw Mishka calmed down.