Chapter 2 NEW LIFE

"Boo!" I heard someone scream behind me. He was expecting me to freak out, but I didn't. I just stared at him weirdly and walked inside the cafe.

"For once, Selena, try to pretend as if you are shocked, or, should I say, try to reply to humans when we talk to you," Jason said to me. He has been trying to make me talk to him. But I don't. He even does different things to make me talk to him. I just left him standing there and went to change my dress.

And I slipped. I winced not because I fell down but because my bruised part touched the ground.

"Yay, and the freak is back." I heard cheers. I stood up from the ground, cleaned my worn-out dress, and went to the closet to change it. It has become the norm for me. Beatrice and Jenny always do all sorts of things to hurt me because Jason talks only to me. Well, I don't mind since I am always abused at home. I no longer see it as pain.

I changed my dress to cafe wear, still putting on my pop socks and scarf around my neck. I don't show any part of my body outside since it's full of bruises. I don't want to be asked questions about why I cover up another reason to be called a freak. Thank goodness when they hit me, they don't touch my face.

I came out of the changing room, started my day, and ignored both girls glaring at me.

Not quite long ago, people began rushing in. I and Jenny are in charge of serving the customers, and I trust that sometimes it becomes a total disaster. I hope it doesn't happen today. We heard the bell ring again, signaling that more people were coming in. Today is going to be a busy day.

After my shift ended in the cafe, I collected my pay from my boss. I went to my next job, which is the library. I enjoy working here most because I get the opportunity to read some books without my boss knowing because she is not going to like them. Getting there, I saw my boss rushing out with her dress already changed.

"Oh, thank God you are finally here; I am running late," she said, and she ran out.

Hmm, I breathe in the smell of books. Damn, I love it a lot. I am an art student, and I have always loved reading books on history. I planned to study history and international studies if I ever got the opportunity to become a student in college.

I wanted to check on the books to read, but a book drew my attention to it: "MIRACULOUS WOLF." I was suddenly drawn towards the book, but I stopped myself. Why should I believe in things that are not real? My grandma does tell me stories about them, and they all end up being interesting, but I didn't feel like reading them. I just went for another historical book; it won't be bad to try this one. I took it and went to the front seat so I could enjoy it and also be observant about who went in and out.

I was so focused that I didn't know when the four-hour shift was over. Thank goodness I set an alarm on my phone. I quickly went to return the book, having in mind that I was going to continue the next day. I handed the shop to the next person having her shift by this time and left the library.

Leaving the library, I felt someone gaze at me. I checked my environment to see if anyone was staring at me, but I didn't see anyone doing so. I was kind of scared, but I didn't show it. I decided to walk fast since I was still feeling the stars.

Finally, I was able to get to the restaurant. I changed into my uniform and was about to go take orders when my boss called me to tell me he couldn't allow me to work here anymore. "Sir, did I do anything wrong?" I asked, almost crying. "Do you want me to explain the reason why you can no longer work here?" He asked me, getting irritated. I breathed in and out and walked out of his office. I quickly went to change my dress so I could leave the restaurant.

"I do get fired from most of my part-time jobs because the customers complain a lot about me dressing weirdly and not talking to them.

I decided to move around first to breathe in the fresh air before going to the mansion. I never call it home since it isn't home to me.

A few hours later, I decided it was time I went to hell and called the mansion, and I started feeling the same gaze on me again. I quickly took the bus so I could feel at ease, but it didn't work. Immediately after I went to my stop, I rushed out of the bus, running straight to the house.

Getting into the compound, I was kind of happy. I went to my comfort zone. I was shocked. My whole room was a mess. What happened here? I quickly rushed to the place where I keep my money, and it was still there. I checked the box given to me by my grandma also.

I am very sure that stupid brother of mine is behind this. I was kind of angry. What the hell? I rushed into the house and was met with two strange faces, along with dad and mom. They looked shocked at me when I came in.

"What are you doing here?" Dad screamed at me. "I came to make dinner; I am sorry I distracted you." I quickly said that and turned to walk out quickly.

"You can go, cook; the guest needs to eat, you know," Mum said, glaring at me.

I rushed into the kitchen to do the cooking. When I was done, I decided to take the food to the dining room before calling them, but I was shocked when I heard what they were discussing.

I heard my dad say they are going to make me sleep in the mansion today since my room isn't in good condition, then they can come to pick me up when I am asleep. What the heck? Which father does that to his child? I was shocked. I can't allow this to happen, so I need to be fast with my plan. Perhaps I am also going to leave the house tonight.

I pretended as if nothing happened, went to drop off their food, cleaned the kitchen, and told them their food was ready. I was about to leave when I heard one of the strangers ask if I wouldn't join them. I declined them immediately and dashed out of the mansion.

Getting to my room, I packed my necessary documents, money, and also my grandma's box. I couldn't leave it; she has always told me to keep it with me no matter what. One day I am going to find some answers in it. She also made me promise not to ever open the box until I am twenty, which will soon be two months away.

I was about to leave the room when I heard someone clap behind me. Oh my God, my cover is blown. But one thing is for sure: tonight I will leave this house, and nothing's going to stop me. I quickly removed my pocket knife from my bag and hid it in my pocket. That was close. I nearly forgot it. I turned to see the intruder and saw James.

"Bitch, are you running away without even telling your lovely brother? It's not fair, you know." I didn't reply to him; I just held my small bag tightly. He came close to me.

"You haven't answered my question, bitch." I used the opportunity of him being close to me, kicked him where his sun didn't shine, and stabbed his two legs. He screamed in pain. I ran out of the room and went straight to the gate. I met with the security and told him I was sent to get some things from the market. He didn't believe me at first, but I convinced him that I was telling the truth.

Then he finally allowed me to go out. I didn't waste any more time. I ran immediately. I don't even know where I was going, but one thing is for sure: I need to leave this city today so they don't find me.

I was in the room still crying about my grandma's death when my mom came into my room and screamed at me to stop crying. I should pack my things because I was going to start living with them that day. When I refused, my dad slapped me so hard that I saw stars that day. I first thought my dad hit me because I did something bad. But no, it wasn't; it has continued from that day onward; they hit me for any little mistakes and sometimes for no reason at all.

"It's in the dining room," I told her, trying to stand. She didn't look at me for one second before going to the dining room. I wince in pain.

I quickly finish my chores for the day and dash to my little comfort zone outside the mansion. I couldn't wait for more beatings. If my dad also meets me downstairs, he is going to find one thing or another to beat me. I got to my room and quickly cleaned my wound, dressed up, and went to my place of work.

On my way there, I felt my stomach rumble, and damn it, I forgot to take my breakfast. I will take some when I get to the coffee shop.

I work in a coffee shop for the first five hours, then I go to the library, where I always spend four hours. Then I go to my last part-time job, where I deliver pizzas to different houses. My parents only know I work in the coffee shop. And I would like to keep it that way.

I put on a mask so people wouldn't recognize me. I went to the train station I paid for, got my ticket, and was told it was going to leave soon. I was more than happy to go on the train, still being vigilant about my environment. Not long after our journey started, I watched as I left the city. I spent nineteen years of my life with my face filled with tears. Two hours later, I noticed I was sleeping. I tried to stay awake but couldn't, so I finally blacked out, praying that when I woke up it would be in a new city.

______NEXT DAY_______

I opened my eyes when I felt someone tapping me. I stared at him, confused, and then he asked for my ticket. I showed it to him, and he checked it and gave it back to me. "Welcome to City Y. I hope you have a nice time here," he said, moving to the next person behind me. I saw some people moving out of the train, signaling that we had to our destination, I came down from the bus, breathing in the air. "I hope this city is going to be nice to me," I mumbled to myself.

I have been wandering around for the past five hours trying to find a cheap place to stay, but I couldn't find any. I went into a classy restaurant and decided to get some food. I tried to find somewhere cheap but couldn't. I went into the restaurant and saw it to be very quiet. I went to order the food I needed. It was quite expensive, but I decided to take it since I would find a new job tomorrow. I promised myself I was going to be in my best way in this new city. I can't let anyone call me a freak anymore.

A few minutes later, the food was brought to me. I ate in a hurry because I hadn't eaten anything since two days ago. After I was done, I went to get coffee and left the restaurant.

I was still looking for a place to sleep that night.

Still walking, I began to check my bag for my phone without watching where I was going. I hit someone and poured the whole coffee I was holding onto them. I heard the person say he must be a guy. For God's sake, Selena, is this what you are going to start your new life with?

"Oh my God, are you okay? For fuck sake, watch where you are going, miss." I heard someone scream at me.

I fell to the floor, too scared to look up. Then I saw him coming closer to me, and I kept moving back, but he didn't stop coming closer. He brought his hands close to my face, and I flinched. I covered my face so he wouldn't hit me. I waited for a few minutes but didn't feel anything touch me. I look up to see the most handsome man on this planet, with hurt visible in his eyes. The coffee must have burned him badly.

"I am sorry I wasn't being watchful; please forgive me; it won't repeat itself," I said, almost with tears. But I didn't feel any movement from him. What is wrong? Why isn't he saying anything? Some minutes later, he came closer again and hugged me, sniffing my hair. I tried to push him away for two reasons: one because he was holding the part of my body that was hurting, and two. After all, I don't know him. But I couldn't do so because he was stronger than me. "I am sorry, but you are kind of crossing your limit," I told him. The next word he said changed my life forever.

Disengaging from me, his eyeballs were now deep blue and were shining brightly.

"Mine!!!"