Chapter 3: Hell at door 44

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The sun was beginning to set, so I decided to escort her back to her place.

"I'll walk you back," I offered, standing up and taking her hand.

"So are you going to come and play at my place?"

"No, I'm just going to walk you back home."

"But why won't you come inside?"

"... My aunt will get-- worried." I said, my mouth making decisions before my brain did, "and it's a manners thing."

"Oh, alright!"

We strolled off and went behind the building. It wasn't that different from mine, but the smell of paint replaced the cigarettes. We walked up the stairs, our shoes echoing in the quiet complex.

"There's my apartment," said Valerie, pointing to the red door furthest away from us.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Bye, Sabito."

"Bye, Valerie."

She ran to her door, and I went back down the stairs and out into the open. My aunt doesn't care about me. She's probably on the sofa sleeping, smoking, drinking, or something like that. Ever since mum and dad died, she was the one who had to take me in and "look after" me. Dad really loved me, and I really loved him. But aunt Gemma doesn't love me at all.

He said that mum passed away while she was giving birth to me and that she thought that I was the best thing that happened in her life. He taught me how to look after myself, and he taught me all the things to become a "gentleman." But then a taxi driver ran him over.

And I never saw him again.

The last time I did see him though, was under the car.

So after that, aunt Gemma took me in. Apparently, she looked like my mum a lot, but if my mum really looked like that, I'd be mad. Aunt Gemma doesn't know how to cook or clean, but I'm glad I do. She doesn't know anything, and whenever I ask her to read a book or help me out, she'd always say she was tired or busy. I guess smoking on the balcony is a very tiring job, and it's the only job she has.

I turned my keys in the lock and headed inside.

A loud snore greeted me home. I wonder if we have anything left in the kitchen, or maybe I used the last egg...

I shoved my shoes under the collapsing shoe rack and washed my hands.

Today was my lucky day, there's one egg left. And I've found a packet of instant noodles too.

Egg and noodles for dinner tonight.

After I made my dinner, I walked through the hallway and into my room carefully, making sure that the soup didn't spill. While balancing a pair of chopsticks on top, I tried to look out for any rubbish or empty bottles that lay on the floor. Finally, after a long journey from the kitchen, I reached my room. I kicked the door open and placed the bowl on my desk, setting it on a coaster. A quiet groan came from the living room, and I froze.

Great, that creature's awake.

"Hey Sabito, what are you doing?"

Footsteps staggered down the corridor, each leg dragging itself up to my room. Every step grew louder and louder as they reached the foot of my door.

"I just made myself some dinner, that's all."

"Why didn't you make some for me, huh? You selfish little brat," she sneered, narrowing her eyes at the bowl of steaming noodles.

"You were asleep," I explained, "so don't expect me to feed you with your eyes closed."

She scrunched up her nose and frowned. That's funny, just a whiff of the noodles was enough to make my stomach growl with hunger and satisfaction.

"Don't talk back to me," she hissed.

"You asked a question, and I answered it."

I turned my back on her and inhaled the aroma of chicken and processed vegetables.

Dad, why did you have to leave?

Dad, why did you have to leave?

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