S.O.S

Chapter Four - Forgotten But Not Gone

It was mid of July in the year 2000, the weather was perfect for playing outside. I close my eyes and I can see it so clear.

"Wakey, wakey." he pulled my blanket and I slowly opened my eyes. The sun shined through my window so bright that I barely stare to the window. A smile rosed to my lips as I found his figure before me, I jumped of joy and lingered my arms around his neck. He lift my body up and took me outside.

"But I haven't bathe yet." I cheerfully said.

"Doesn't matter." he smiled and he lift me to his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"It's a surprise." he winked and sat me down the passenger seat in his old Toyota.

He took me to the beach and cheer of excitement came out from my tiny lips. He put me down and I immediately ran towards the shore. I sat down and let the tide washed my body, soon I was wet of saltwater.

"Come over here, sweetie!" he called and I ran joyfully towards him. He greeted me with some fresh coconut water and grilled seafood in skewers placed neatly before his lap.

I thought I'd never been happier than I was that day. It's not because of the delightfully refreshing coconut water nor the scrumptiously tasty seafood - well it sort of is to be honest - but mostly because of his presence near me. He was actually there, next to me, watching him smile and laugh with me under the bright light of sun, in the hot weather of summer. His eyes shined as he took a glance at me.

He carried me on the way to the car, while I was busy licking on my vanilla ice cream. He also bought me a beautiful new sundress because I soaked my clothes in the water. It was the happiest day of my entire life when suddenly cops came out of nowhere and took him away from me. I dropped my ice cream to the ground as I fell off his arm. They cuffed his hands together and I cried, "Daddy come back!"

That was the last time I ever saw my father.

---

After my short meeting with Andrew, I finally feel the presence of a friend near me. He gave me his number so I could easily get to him when I'm not doing good, just like primary school.

I went home before the sunset because I felt so sleepy after finishing the burger I had at Andrew's stall - it's not technically his stall but he was in charge he said. I've planned on taking a cold shower and get some sleep ASAP.

The house was as dark and silent as a graveyard when I got there, the whole resident was out, I assumed. I switched the lights on and half-ran to my bedroom. Gosh, my legs felt like they're about to fell off from their joints. I soaked them in a bucket of cold water and felt so much better when I heard somebody slam the main door and shouted.

"Help!"

Could it be Danny? But the voice was unusually heavy and he didn't normally cry for help. It's impossible for me to get out of the bathroom with my body fully naked and wet. He could wait until I finish shower, I convinced myself.

"Where the fuck is everybody?!" he yelled once again. Noises of props being kicked and dragged started to be heard as well.

I still heard him shouting and yelling swearwords all over the house while I was in the bathroom but I didn't response, not a single word. As soon as I finished bathe, I ran downstair and found him.

"What the hell?" I said in such a shock. My eyes bulged at the sight before me.

"The fuck have you been doing, you whore? Didn't you heard me calling?" Danny grumbled while his hand keep holding his bleeding chest.

"What happened?" I asked. Not answering his question, just stood there staring at him. I didn't make any effort to help him, not because I didn't feel bad for him but I just had no idea about what I was supposed to do.

"Promise me you won't tell Mom." he stared at me carefully.

I nodded.