Chapter 3 Parents Feud

"Yes, the inferno is upon us. All malevolent forces have emerged."

The uproar from downstairs, replete with agonizing screams and the disconcerting sound of vases and glassware shattering, could have roused the dead from their slumber. I had no doubt that the delicate flowers I had diligently nurtured each day had become unfortunate casualties in this tumultuous maelstrom.

With a profound sigh, I stood amidst the chaos. My backpack, thoughtfully packed with just enough clothing to sustain me during my impending absence from home, was ready for the journey. I conducted a final scan of my room, a swift inventory to ensure that I had not overlooked any indispensable items. All appeared to be in order.

The plan was uncomplicated: I would execute my getaway through the window. The constant turmoil of my parents' ceaseless quarrels, the reckless flinging of dangerous objects, and the venomous exchange of words had reached a point of unbearable intensity. The voices of my parents, tainted by anger and loathing, reverberated in my ears like an unending tempest.

Within our estate, their residence had gained a notorious reputation-a dwelling that neighbors would point at with accusatory fingers. It had become an inferno, a location where the fiery disputes between my parents never seemed to subside.

They were so indifferent to their own standing that they chose to address their conflicts through violent means. I had wished countless times to vanish from their lives, believing that without me, they might finally find a way to reconcile and search for me together.

Their affection for me was boundless, yet their disdain for each other was equally profound. Or perhaps it wasn't. When I turned sixteen, everything altered; it was as if some malevolent force had emerged from the depths of hell and taken residence within their souls.

With careful precision, I executed a daring leap through the window that had served as my designated escape route. My backpack hung securely from my shoulder as I traversed the garden, making every effort to move in absolute silence and not alert Roger, the sentry who guarded our door, as well as our cherished canine companion.

I adjusted my hoodie to obscure my disheveled hair, perhaps to conceal the shame that was gnawing at me.

Opposite our residence, there was another residential building. The upper-floor balcony of that building provided an unobstructed view of our house. Three individuals were positioned on the balcony, peering intently in our direction, taking notes on what they could later use as gossip throughout the week. Meanwhile, others in the vicinity were preoccupied with walking their dogs around their respective properties. It was abundantly clear that they were making a concerted effort to eavesdrop and glean information from our affairs.

I cast one last glance over my shoulder at our home before making my decision to depart. In the distance, I could hear Roger, our faithful dog, emitting silent, mournful sounds. It seemed like even he longed for a chance to escape.

I had no intention of taking my car; after all, I was in the midst of a hasty getaway, and using it would only draw attention. My destination was Helen's place, and I needed to get there promptly before my dinner date arrived, so I had to secure a taxi.

Surprisingly, I managed to hail one on the spot, a rare sight in our neighborhood. Usually, I would have to use a ride-hailing app to summon one, but now I found myself comfortably settled in the back seat of a taxi, feeling somewhat out of place.

I provided the driver with my intended destination and then shifted my attention to the scenery passing by outside the car window.

My initial intention was to contemplate my parents and the concerns I had for them, but a distracting aroma within the vehicle captured my senses. The cologne the driver was wearing exuded an unmistakable scent reminiscent of the ocean or a beach, which instantly rekindled my fondness for coastal landscapes and left me yearning for a seaside excursion. The fragrance was a delightful combination of citrus and seaweed, presenting a distinctive aroma that exuded masculinity. I couldn't help but offer the driver a faint smile before refocusing on the view outside the window. It was as if that cologne had the power to transport one to a heavenly realm and back.

Throughout the entire journey, the driver and I maintained a silence that persisted until we departed the suburban neighborhood. After approximately twenty minutes, we arrived at Helen's residence. I settled my fare and expressed my gratitude to the driver before making my way towards the front entrance.

As the door swung open, Britney, Helen's younger sister, greeted me with a beaming smile. I affectionately bent down and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead before making my way up the stairs to Helen's bedroom.

I knew Helen's house like the back of my hand, feeling like a part of their family, and I couldn't help but wish that my own family could experience the same level of happiness.

Upon entering her room, I discovered Helen seated on her bed, a laptop resting on her lap while she had headphones in place. As she caught sight of my unexpected arrival, she swiftly removed her headphones and hopped off the bed, an expression of surprise etched across her features.

"Oh no, not again?" Helen carefully assessed my appearance, noticing the bags in my hands.

"Yep," I sighed, surrendering to exhaustion and flopping onto her bed, my gaze fixated on the ceiling.

Helen joined me, sitting down beside me. "Why didn't you call me? I could have come over to pick you up."

"They might have noticed if you did. But this time, I want you to tell them I'm not here."

"Hm," she huffed with a hint of skepticism. "They most likely know you're here." She gave my back a comforting rub.

"I just wish I could disappear, you know? Go missing for more than a week so it would finally sink in for them that I'm gone, and they've lost me."

Helen chuckled and reclined beside me, her hands interlocked behind her head, while I lay with my hands on either side of my buttocks.

"Unless you plan on eloping with Kyle, there's nowhere you can run, sweetheart. Besides, you're not leaving my sight, at least not anytime soon!" Helen teased.

I rolled my eyes and let out a playful groan. "Well, it's a good thing I've got you, because now... we can get down to business." I sat up and playfully slapped her exposed belly.

"On the other hand, it's quite convenient that your parents had a fight today. You won't have to explain why you're spending the night away," I mused. Helen had a point – their argument gave me the perfect excuse for my night with Kyle.

I let out a groan and covered my face. "Oh gosh, I'm still so nervous. I don't know how it's going to be."

Helen sat up abruptly. "Should we have a refresher course on kissing?" She suggested with a mischievous smile.

I rolled my eyes once more. "No, my lips need to be fresh and untouched today. Only he can kiss them," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush. "Am I really ready for this?"

Helen grinned and lightly punched my shoulder before putting her arms around me. "Absolutely! Kissing isn't the hard part. The real challenge is when his... you know, penetrates your... well, you get the idea, your tiny Vagina!"

"Hush," I whispered, playfully covering her mouth with my hand. "You're making it sound like you're writing one of your steamy chapters."

We both shared a laugh and settled back onto the bed.

Helen wasn't a virgin; she had lost her virginity on her 18th birthday. Even though we were born just a month apart, we celebrated our birthdays on the same day, her chosen day for both of us.