The Angel has Horns

Chapter 9. What makes a Sadie

"I can't wait to see how Sadie's doing."

Sabina and Saniel are currently walking home after buying at the grocery. It was actually a long way home because the local store near Saniel's home was closed due to a recent robbing incident. So, they had no choice but to go further and end up on a grocery store which is a few miles farther than the one nearby. They decided to walk home than to take a public transportation because the weather was sunny and windy; perfect for a good stroll. Even though her feet ached because of a certain walk of death with Lucifer Sadie earlier, she couldn't help but appreciate the provincial scenery and being away from the city lights once in a while. Now, they are on a path full of trees and rice fields with no houses in sight, and the breeze she is feeling just makes her want to stay on the place even longer.

Earlier at the grocery, Sabina insisted on buying a month of food supply for the family instead of just buying lunch which would only fill a stomach for an hour. She also added some hygiene supplies and Janna's necessities such as her diapers as Sabina remembered not seeing one on her bed earlier.

The boy though just shrugged when she asked if it is okay and even though she did not directly received a thank you, Saniel did so by being an extra gentleman and assisting her on getting groceries. Sabina looked at the boy walking beside her once more.

Saniel is a type of boy who is silent yet is full of curiosity. It's evident that people cannot force him into a conversation but when something gets his interest, he voices it out by asking. Also, he looks and acts like an adult back when they were still at the house. When she and Sadie were fighting, Saniel was just calmly taking his silence instead of throwing tantrums like a normal 10-year old kid.

Sabina cannot point it out but there's something in Saniel that somehow reminds her of her stiff sister.

"How old are you exactly, Saniel?" she asked.

"Ten. Eleven next month," Sabina nodded at him and looked at the path ahead of her.

"So you'll enter junior high next year." Saniel mumbled a silent yes as an answer.

"Which school are you going to?"

"I... I'm not planning to continue." That made Sabina halt her steps.

"What?"

"I need to help."

"What? What help?"

"I need to work."

"Work?" Sabina could not believe what her ears are picking up. "Saniel, you're still a little boy. You're not fit to work just yet."

"I need to."

"No, you don't."

"But I have to."

"That is absurd. Your father wouldn't consent it."

"He doesn't need to."

"He doesn't ne– Are you serious?"

Sabina couldn't believe that he was fighting with a child yet what surprises her more is how it seems as if she's in a debate with an adult.

"Yes, I am!" Saniel screamed. Sabina looked at him with wide eyes, never missing how his face showed anger and determination.

"Last night, there were loansharks on our house and they had beaten up my father. They said to him that they must pay what we owe or else they'll hurt us. I don't know what child trafficking is but that's what they said about us ending up in if father fails to pay."

Saniel sat on a nearby tree and closed his eyes; staying quiet as if his energy was sucked out after his outburst.

Sabina, on the other hand, was crushed at what Saniel told her. Child trafficking? That's a crime offense. To know that a little boy was able to experience and witness such violence and cruelty makes her feel so devastated. Saniel's just like those kids she met on the secluded communities she visited. If not uneducated, victims of traffickers and syndicates.

Sabina sat quietly beside him and understood how it must've been hard for him to share a painful memory; especially if it was just hours ago. Having nothing to do, she just simply took in the sight of view before her.

The gentle wind was passing by quietly and the trees create such beautiful sound as it sways. Sabina hummed in satisfaction. The sun, even though it's already close to mid-afternoon, was not too hot on her skin and the place was so quiet that she can't hear anything but the sounds of nature and the smell of fresh air. Sometimes, Sabina wondered if what she would be like if she was born away from the city; away from the scrutinizing eyes and just simply existing as a normal girl. But then again, there are also others who are wishing to have all her privileges as well so who was she to complain?

After a good amount of minutes, she turned to him with a smile.

"You know, you remind me of someone."

Sabina thought that Saniel will continue on being quiet but it shocked her when he opened his eyes and answered. "Who?"

"Sadie." The boy turned to her with questioning eyes.

"Why? Do I look like a girl?" Sabina gawked at him and can't help but look in amusement.

So, there's still that little boy personality in him.

Sabina chuckled at the innocence of his question.

"No, silly. You see, Sadie is the type of sister who was toughen up by the people around her. Between the two of us, she was forced to grow up at an early age while I was pampered by dolls and anything rainbows." She chuckled at the memory. "Even though I was technically older, Sadie saw how important the legacy our family has started and willingly took over the job little by little until she created her own name."

The boy nodded as if he understood what she was telling him.

"So, how do I remind you of her?"

"Sadie is a girl who was molded to be tough. That's what defines her and it's what sets her apart from me." Sabina leaned a little closer so that they were of eye-level. "You're a strong boy, Saniel. Kinda like Sadie, too. And I know you'll have a good future ahead of you."

Sabina didn't know why but it looked like she saw fear on Saniel's eyes before being cold once again. He looked away from her yet she saw how his nostrils flared once and how he gritted his teeth. Because of this, she saw his silence as the end of the conversation so she did not ask further and just gave a little smile.

"It's okay if you won't tell me everything. Heck, you barely just met me. We all have secrets that we can't tell. That's why they're called secrets."

It took a while before Saniel's stiff form became relaxed and how his gaze lifted to her.

"You have secrets too?"

"Who doesn't?" Sabina chuckled bitterly. "The only difference is that, if my secret is found out, they will hate me; despise me even. Especially her."

"Her?"

Sabina looked up at the now gray sky with a painful smile.

"Sadie."

***

👀

This will be probably be the only chapter which will feature Sabina's thoughts. Probably.

Happy reading!

–Shimee