Chapter 2 The Accident

SERAPHINA

"Oh my god, Yuki! Get out of here! Shoo! Shoo! Go home!"

I shouted as I ran toward a familiar fluffy dog tangled up with a stray in the middle of the road. My face twisted in disgust as I held up my umbrella, using it to pry the pair apart before things went too far.

I pointed at Yuki-our long-haired mutt Dad had begged his boss for years ago. "You horny little thing! We don't have money to feed a litter of puppies if you get knocked up!" I snapped.

Yuki whined, clearly disappointed her fun was cut short. I made a show of swinging my hand at the male dog, and he took off like a shot.

I glared at her. "And you! You planning to stay out here all night?!" She flinched and bolted toward our rickety wooden house.

I followed her inside, where I found Dad hunched over his phone-definitely gambling online again. I cleared my throat loudly, and he whipped around, pale as a ghost.

"S-Sera!" He stuffed the phone behind his back. "Been home long?"

I shook my head. "Just got here, Papa."

If only I could tell Mama about this. He looked hooked on the damn thing, and it scared me. But he just raised an eyebrow like nothing was wrong.

"Hmm. Well, get inside then. What are you staring at? The dishes are piled up in the kitchen-wash them before you cook dinner."

I forced a smile. "Yes, Papa. I'll take care of it."

He went right back to his screen. Not a word about how my day went, if I was tired, or what I might want to eat. No surprise there.

I didn't waste time heading to the kitchen. Even from the doorway, I could see the mountain of crusty plates and pots-they'd clearly waited for me to get home before doing a thing. I was drained from classes, and this was my welcome. I'd grown used to being treated like an outsider in my own family, but it still stung.

As I scrubbed away at the grime, Mama walked past. Her face soured the second she saw me.

"Really, Sera? What kind of young woman comes home this late? Good grief-you're always nothing but trouble!"

It's barely five o'clock. I bit back the words. Arguing never helped; she'd just yell louder.

"I'm sorry, Mama. Classes ran long."

"Tsk! Hurry up! Hera will be home soon, and you haven't even started cooking yet." She stomped off, heavy footsteps echoing down the hall.

I sighed and kept washing. Hera was two years younger than me, but we were graduating college together-I'd had to take two years off when Mama made me quit to work. I had no choice but to agree.

My stomach rumbled as I finished up-I'd skipped lunch to save my allowance. I got to work right away, boiling rice and frying up canned corned beef from the town's relief supplies.

"Mama, dinner's ready. You should eat first," I called out before heading to my room-the walls were cracked, and the roof had a hole big enough to stick my head through.

I changed clothes but stayed put, waiting for them to finish eating. I knew they'd never want me at the table with them-it was always this way.

I still didn't understand why they hated me so much. Even as a kid, they'd treated me like this. I'd asked if I was adopted, but they swore we were blood-said a DNA test would prove it.

I let out a long breath and looked up at the sky through the hole in my roof. "Really, Lord? You love giving me challenges, don't you?"

When I heard their dishes being cleared, I finally stepped out. I was starving.

"Mama, did you save me any food?" I asked quietly.

"There was some left, but we kept it for Hera. We forgot about you." She laughed, but there was no warmth in it.

I dropped my gaze. Of course it's for Hera.

"Okay, Mama. I'll just go to sleep then."

She raised an eyebrow. "Fine, sleep. Why the long face? Are you mad you didn't get any food?!"

I jumped at her shout and shook my head. "No, Mama!"

"Don't give me that look, Sera. Get a job if you want to eat! Dammit, you're always bothering me."

I turned away, my jaw tight, just as Hera walked in from school. "Hey, everyone!"

Mama and Dad rushed to greet her. "Our beautiful girl! Even tired from class, you're still stunning!" They kissed her cheeks, cooing over her.

"Go eat, Hera-we saved your favorite for you," Mama said softly.

I bit my lip and headed back to my room, staring at the wall as my mind raced.

That's all I've ever wanted-for them to treat me like their princess too. We were both their daughters, so why was I so different? Why did they hold every bit of care back from me?

The pain was sharp, but I didn't cry-I was used to it by now. Even so, a part of me still ached for the love they showered on Hera.

I slapped my cheeks hard, then pinched them to snap myself out of it. "Come on, Sera. You're tough-this won't break you. The Lord must have big plans for you!" I forced a laugh, whispering the words to myself.

Sleep was better than dwelling on things. I had an event at school early tomorrow, and I needed to be up before dawn.

"Mama, I'm heading to school!" I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the quiet house. She could be anywhere-her room, some corner of the yard-so shouting was safer.

I waited a few seconds, but no answer came. I scratched my head, panicking-I was already running late. I needed to ask her for a hundred pesos to pay for something my savings didn't cover.

"Mama?" I called again.

I was about to give up and leave when I heard footsteps approaching. Mama rounded the corner, phone in hand, a strange smile on her face.

She looked me up and down, her eyes narrowing when she saw my backpack.

"Mama, I have to go-"

"You're not going anywhere," she said firmly. My brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean I'm not-"

"Quit school, Sera." She stared at me with a cold glint in her eye, then smirked. "There's a better life waiting for you."

My chest tightened with unease. I forced a laugh. "Mama, come on-it's too early for jokes-"

She cut me off, grabbing my arm so hard I winced. I'd never seen her like this.

"I said you're not going. Do you understand me?!"

I gasped, then found the strength to pull my arm away.

"I'm going to school," I repeated, and ran for the door.

"Sera! Get back here, you little brat! I'm talking to you! Sera!" I blocked out her shouts, sprinting down the dirt path away from our house.

What is wrong with her? She'd seemed happy just a minute ago-why was she taking it out on me again?

I shook my head as I walked, knowing I'd never make the event on time now. I'd had to walk since I couldn't afford fare, and the school was just ahead.

Great, Seraphina. Real smart. I messed up my hair in frustration. "Why do you always land yourself in this mess?!"

I muttered to myself as I trudged onward, just a few steps from the school's back gate. I could already picture my teacher scolding me and my friends teasing me-but none of that mattered when I saw the black van pull up beside an old woman.

Then I saw the glint of a knife.

My eyes went wide as they shoved her into the van. Kidnapping? Oh my god!

I acted without thinking, charging toward them as I screamed. "Stop! You can't do this! Let her go!"

They turned to look at me-masked men, all of them. I hurled my heavy backpack full of books at one of them, then rushed to the old woman, who was slumped against the van, bleeding.

"Oh my god! Are you okay? Breathe slowly!" I pulled out my handkerchief and pressed it to her wound, holding tight to stem the bleeding.

"Who the hell are you?!" one of the men snarled.

"Help! Someone help us! They're trying to kill her!" I yelled at passing cars, my voice cracking with fear.

The men panicked, clearly not wanting attention. They started climbing into the van, but my eyes were locked on the man sitting in the passenger seat-he was staring right at me. We held each other's gaze for a second too long, and then something sprayed into my face.

"AHHH! My eyes!" I screamed as searing pain shot through them. I couldn't open them, couldn't see a thing-whatever they'd used burned like fire.

"Argh..." I groaned, but forced myself to keep holding the old woman close. Tears streamed down my face from the pain, my eyes squeezed shut.

"Hold on, ma'am," I whispered.

But the pain was too much. The world went black before I could feel if she was still breathing.