Hidden Scars

Four victims have been murdered, and nobody knows who did it or why. Even the police are clueless. What's even more mysterious is that all the victims died in the same way. We're all on the edge of our seats, waiting for the case to be solved!

After catching a glimpse of the news on tv,I carried on with my journey. it's like the world is always quick to judge without knowing the whole truth. All you have to do is play the victim card, and suddenly you're seen as innocent even if you're the one at fault.

It's really frustrating to see the true victims being overlooked. I'm so tired of living in this kind of life, where the rich can get away with anything while the poor suffer for things they didn't even do. It's just not fair. And what's even worse is that the younger generation is starting to imitate these actions. Something definitely needs to be done to change this corrupt world we live in.

As soon as I stepped into my apartment, I went straight into the shower. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the weariness of the day. Once refreshed, I hurried into the dimly lit room, its shadows creating an air of mystery. With a camera in hand, I carefully positioned it in front of me, ready to capture whatever unfolded. The anticipation filled the room as I took my seat.

"Hey guys, I'm Alex. I want to share my life story with you". My childhood wasn't enjoyable at all. My dad worked as a taxi driver and my mom was a stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately, both my mom and I have been victims of domestic violence for as long as I can remember.

It was so bad that I would go to school with swollen eyes and broken legs. The teachers and principal turned a blind eye, and even my mom would try to cover up the abuse with makeup, thinking my dad would change.

But everything changed when a new teacher came along. She didn't ignore the situation like everyone else. She helped me, even though I was hesitant at first. In my mind, I felt a glimmer of hope that I could escape this miserable life, but little did I know that my mom would lead me into an even bigger misery.

One day,when I went to school,I played ignorant not hearing what the teachers said about me. But they weren't wrong at all,they are not my parents and neither were the government paying them to pry into the student private life,but still they word hurts,as I clench my chest,desperate to keep my tears in check. I control myself,as I wouldn't want anyone to intervene on the reason for my tears.

I carefully found my way to my classroom still feeling hurt by their words. Minutes later,the school principal, Mr Okon,came into our classroom,as we all got up to greet him. He then introduce the female beside him and said that this was our new teacher from now on,as he prompt her to introduce herself to us.

She did with a smile on her face. She was very admirable,as her smile was like a ray of sunshine,illuminated the entire classroom. I couldn't help but stare hard on her face before the principal drag her out to have a word or two,leaving me feeling a little bit disappointed.

After few minutes,she returned back into the classroom. Her warm smile,still vivid in the present of all. As she proceed in teaching,she somehow caught me staring intently on her,as she approaches me.

With every step she takes my heart race like crazy. Now,she's right in front of me,as the whole class gaze followed.I started feeling uneasy,as their collective stare made my skin prickle and couldn't shake off this uncomfortable feeling that settled deep within me under scenario.

Unknown to me,her eyes were fixed on my injuries,filled with concern as she asked with a smile on her face and with worried in her voice about my injuries. Now my bubble just burst,i stammer to even make a sentence.

All I kept saying was,"well...well...well. I could see she became irritated with how I kept repeating the phase "well" before she then proceed and also used the word,well?

Finally,a lie popped into my head,as I cough and with a soft,cute voice I told her I got hit by the door in my house that what caused my injuries.

I couldn't let an angel like this,see the dark side of my life,I just got to lie. Seeing she had nothing more to say,she sign and said next time,be more careful. I gave her my cutest smile before she left.

She was an exceptional teacher,as she engaged with us pretty well. It was now lunch break,all students were now out in the school compound,playing and laughing. I couldn't join in with the fun,as my injuries was a constant reminder of my limitation.

At the other end of the play ground,I could see my new classroom teacher and one of those teacher who spoke ill of me this morning having a deep conversation,I kept looking at her until both of our eyes locked,i quickly looked the other way.

After some time,the break was over and we all went back to our classroom. During the entire lesson she kept looking at me with eyes of worries and concerns,it makes me wonder what that female teacher had told her,for her concern and worried to have gone over board.

I could still vividly recall her name,Ruth. She was a really sweet and nice teacher. She always offer her warm smile and listening ear to everyone and went out of her way to support me,even when other teachers spoke ill of i and my mom she always steadfastly defended us,and that meant the world to me.

Every since that day,she always tried to get me to open up about my injuries, but I always persistently decline,unsure of how to articulate my pains in words. Then one fateful day, things got really bad at home when my mom was hurt by my dad. I was consumed by fear that I sought for refuge at my teacher's house . I knew where she lived because it was just five blocks away from school.

When I got to her house, it was written all over her expression of how shock she was to seeing me in this state,I couldn't even begin imagine how alarming my appearance could have been to her.

I told her everything that transpired at home every single day, really fast. Then we rushed back to my house. Surprisingly, my dad wasn't there, but that wasn't the problem. I was paralyzed with fear when I saw my mom lying on the floor unconscious. My heart raced rapidly,as i began to imagined the worst and couldn't breathe. Just the thought of losing my mom scared me so much.

Miss Ruth approached my mother,who lay unconscious on the floor,with slow and steady step.

After checking my mom's breathing,a look of relief cross her face before she tried to calmed me down,promising no harm will befall my mom.

I was still frozen in place,as if my leg were rooted to the ground. I mind was blank,with only one image dominating my thought:my mother laying flat on the ground.

Seeing I wasn't responding to her,she shake me hard,telling me to snap out of my thought and go look for help,unless something bad might happen to my mom.

Just that word alone brought me back to reality,as I ran out of the compound to look for help,not wanting anything bad to happen to my mom.

It was hard to find help these days,I beg and beg and beg for passersby to help out,but no one even look at my direction,thinking I'm a fake.

But luckily, I found a kind stranger who did help us. As he stop his car,wanting to know why a kid was in the middle of the road. I was totally mess up,I couldn't even construct a proper sentence,from the constant sobbing made it impossible for me to form a coherent sentence. My voice cracked, and my words came out in broken fragments, lost in the overwhelming flood of emotions.

Thankfully,he got to understand few of the word I was trying to say. He stepped down from his car and approach me. Looking up at this man's face,I saw him as an angel sent by God.

He was a tall, dark-haired man, with a lean built and strong jawline. Just when he was approaching me,every step he takes felt as if it was a king walking towards me,as his eyes pierce deep into me,I saw a glimpse of hope in them.

With tear streaming down my face,and having a runny nose he bend down,took out his handkerchief and wept my face clean.

Looking at me with a calm eye and said with an assuring tone,"nothing would happen to your mother"before he opened his car door for me to get in. With full speed we rushed toward my house as I continually kept giving him directions.

Within a blink of an eye we arrived at my house,storm into the compound and without thinking or having to introduce himself to miss Ruth,he swiftly lifted my mom up and took her directly to his car as miss Ruth and me following behind.

Immediately we got into his car,he hit the gas and sped off with full speed. The same way we arrived at my house that was the same way we arrived at the hospital.

He gently took her out from the car,rushing into the hospital calling for help before a doctor came and attended to us.

With the appearance of the male doctor,I was scared not because he was ugly of anything but just because,his clothes was stained with blood,this made it difficult for me to trust him with my mom's care.

His voice was straight and relax as he said "put her down" just immediately my mom was laid down on a stretcher bed. He began to examine her,I couldn't stop shaking,feeling distress and the tears flowed uncontrollably.

After examining her for some time,he looked at both miss Ruth and the kind stranger suspiciously before stating that "She seems to have been beaten pretty badly by someone". Announcing to the male nurse beside him to take her to the emergency room immediately.

His face wasn't calm anymore,as the bridge between his eyebrows squeezed together caused a little wrinkle on his forehead.

With this action of his,I became so uneasy as if my body wants to turn in and out. The kind stranger stopped the doctor with a grasp on the doctor's hand and asked what was the problem,he replied quickly,saying "she had an internal bleeding,which must be treated promptly if not it could become complicated.

Their movement was quit fast as if something bad was going to happen. Now,have reach the utmost peak of fear. Thinking of how my life would be,if truly something bad happens to my mom.

After the doctor went into the emergency room,I began to pace back and forth as my mind racing with anxiety,only God knows the news he was about to share to us.

Finally,he's out, it took him an hour inside the emergency room. As he approached us,all my focus was on him,his movement,and his facial expression. I kept watch on him,thinking I could get a hint on any news about my mother condition,but his face revealed nothing.

Now,as he stands before us,my eye still fixed on him. Miss Ruth worried voice broke the silence " how is she now?",I glanced at her before returning my gaze on the doctor,my eyes pleading for an answer.

The doctor face look very calm about the question,before he then replied that "she was fine". Just then I saw the nurses moving my mom out of the emergency room.

I looked intensely at the nurses before looking at the doctor with questioning eyes. He seems he understood my look and explained that they were just relocating her to another room.

I couldn't contain my impatient any longer,can "I see her now?"I asked. He reply was firm and simply "yes". Just then a female nurse passed by and was then called by the doctor to lead me to my mom's room. I followed her quickly and now I was already ahead of her looking back at her for quick movement.

She was quite slow as a nurse which was really annoying or was she doing it on purpose,who knows?. Anyhow,it took us five minutes to get to my moms room but we finally did. As I went into the room,running toward her bed,intending to hug her ,but just the sight of her condition,froze me in place.

All I could do was just to sit beside her and wait for her to wake up so we can leave the place i grew to dislike,as I constantly kept perceiving the strange odor of blood and hospital drug,which makes me at time feel like throwing up. As soon as I took my seat,I told her everything that happened today even though she wasn't awake.

I expressed my gratitude to the kind hearted man who I would always be grateful to for saving my beautiful mom's life. He did not only drove us to the hospital in his car, but he also generously helped with the bill.

Just then,miss Ruth entered the room,her caring eyes fixed on me as she approached me with gently hug. At that moment we heard a loud bang,looking directly at the entrance,I saw the person I despise the most.

My teeth clench in fury,ready to strike at any moment. With the dramatic entrance I knew my dad was an acting pro,always wonder why he never pursued in a career in acting.

His movement was quick. Now,he sits on the same bed with my mom. my angry began to level up,clenching my fist together.

He gaze at me with tears in his eyes,he was literally crying anyone who saw him in this condition would think he cared about his wife but I could see through his act,as I wasn't anyone.

Literally,after beating up your wife,left her at home to die,you suddenly appeared at the hospital,crying for the condition your wife's in,this is so absurd.

As his asked with sorrow in his voice,"what happened to your mother? who did this?" I didn't respond to his questions,directly turning my head to avoid his sight.

Seeing I wasn't responding,he lashed out at me intending to hit me,as I closed my eyes out of fear,expecting a slap on my face,but before he could,miss Ruth caught his hand mid-air.

Bang! I heard the hospital's door closed, looking directly at the entrance,I saw no one but the kind stranger.

Looking confused, as I saw how his eye darted back and forth at the three of us. Just then miss Ruth withdraws her hands away from my dad carefully.

The kind stranger seems to have understood the situation,as his brow furrowed in concerns. with a straight face,he walked majestically toward us,dominating the room at that moment, with his angelic appearance,combined with the sunlight illuminating him through the window,creating a theatrical experience of a beautiful man performances,or that of a model shoot.

His skin and clothing style matched perfectly with that of the hospital room wall, which has been painted pale blue,given it a kind of old school vibe. With gentleness in his voice and with a bold gaze, he said,"can I please have a word with you guys,outside the room,because of the kid?". My dad looked at him questionably, prompting him for clarification.

With this looked been given by my dad,he asked,his voice still cracking"what's this about", the stranger hesitated a bit before saying"I was the one who got your wife to the hospital" ,just immediately after this sentence,my dad expression changed, from an eye sending daggers to a grateful man's look toward the kind stranger,as his face soften,he puts on his best act,shedding crocodile tears,with a cracked voice,he kept repeating the word thank you, I rolled my eyes,feeling this kind of situation was so laughable.

Sniff! He began to shift his eyes,with a quick reflex,he wiped away the tears and runny nose. As he got up sluggishly from the bed. Their shadows collide,a part of them lay on top each other,moving slowly towards one direction. Before long they disappeared,as the sun couldn't catch a glimpse of them any more,finding their way out of the room,leaving behind a lingering fragrance.

As the kind stranger,miss Ruth and my dad step out of the room,the silence now dominates the space,with the flickering hospital room light,the smell of antiseptic and the sound of machines beeping,creating an eerie atmosphere like the calm before an horror movie unfolds.

Thank goodness it wasn't night time,when darkness envelop the world, creating blindness to reality,for us to then create a fragment of our horrific imagination.

Brr! As I felt the hospital cold breeze,I couldn't think much about this,my eyes darting between my mom and the entrance door, I was so curious about what they were talking about, but I couldn't leave my mom alone, slowly reaching out my hand and held her tightly,a look of concern flashing across my face. so I stayed and watched over her.

My gaze, fixed intensely on her,as my fingers caresses her hands,awaiting any signs of response. But just then,my ears picked up,as the silent reign is long over,being disrupted by a distressed man,who I believe is my dad.

From inside the room, I heard my dad shouting and arguing at the top of his voice,on a matter unknown to me.

Curious,but chained to my mom side,not wanting to leave her in this condition. His voice,now becoming aggressive as his real behavior showcase in front of everyone who sees him.

With the change in tone,something must have trigger him. The building seemed to be on the verge of collapse,so loud was his verbal attack.

But just as suddenly,his volume began to decrease,till I couldn't hear him anymore.

Slowly,the door cracked opened,as I saw two pairs of shadow moving closer to my direction,wondering where the third had gone.

But still yet,I'm glad he didn't return,seem he was thrown out of the hospital leading to his decreased in volume.

Suddenly,I felt movement on my hand,upon looking down,miss Ruth exciting voice was heard,saying"she's up...she's awake".

Immediately,I look down at my mom,my face lit up with exciting,holding her firmly in my hands,before the kind stranger left the room with urgency,saying "he was going to get the doctor",at this moment the room was filled with bliss that even a drop of woe,wouldn't change the energy.

Just then,my mom's face looking drained,kept glancing at her surroundings,feeling distressed and confused,especially seeing an unknown face.

Suddenly,with a weak movement,she tried removing her drip,plugged into her vein. My mind went blank with her sudden action,wondering why she was now doing this?

Didn't even know when my eyes became watery,as tears steaming down my eyes,looking at how my mom's acts,struggling within her self,who knows what's racing in her thoughts?

Miss Ruth approach her carefully,with every step she takes,intensify my mother's action. Reaching out her hands,she holds her firmly,trying to calm her down with smoothing words.

But got lashed at and pushed away,making her land to the floor. Now,my mom's focus were on me,as she tries to calm me down,wiping my tears away,but only made it worse when she said"sweetheart don't cry,mommy is here,let's go home."

Somehow,this statement seems to have turn on the switch that Miss Ruth kept aside. As she lashed at on my mom with a long forgotten calm face,saying"Home? The home that you almost died in,the home that inflict injuries on you and your son everyday,how do you expect this boy to grow up,without having mental problems? Tell me...how do you?.

My mom didn't reply,as she stopped stirring her body,sitting upright,enable to look up to face the harsh reality,with little movement her fingers twirling around each other. With this reaction my mom gave,miss Ruth then proceed by saying "I guess you don't have an answer."

Just then,the door swung open and Mr James entered with the doctor and two nurse,creating a little dust ,as they burst in.

The doctor,began examining her,while the nurses went directly to her to start checking her vitals. Still worried,as her eyes wander around.

I slowly grab her arm,it was a little cold,as I gently pat it,looking deeply into her eyes with assurance. Seeing her once tense face calm,I also let my guard down.

But just then,the smell of disinfectants and pharmaceuticals hung heavy in the room,a sharp chemical odor that make my nose wrinkle,leaving me in discomfort.

But luckily the medical team were done,gathering together discussing her result,before the doctor eyes landed on us,with his gentle smile,saying"don't worry,she is now in perfect health."

We all sign in relief,as we thanked the medical team,while they quietly find their out, leaving me with mix emotions,with tears in my eyes steaming down my face and a smile spread widely on my lips. I held my moms hand tight as a way of protecting her.

Click! A group of uniform officers march into the hospital room,all wearing the same uniform, I said to myself," this seems to be a police uniform",

A tall,fair,muscular female approached us,as the rest waited behind. Now,with her commanding aura,she doesn't seem like someone to be messed with,It made me shrink back within myself.

As she glanced at her surroundings,her gaze fell straight to my mom, "good day, ma," she greeted.