Trace of Ink

On a cold, lonely night, on the street filled with silence, a girl stood firmly right beside a rusty lamppost, unmoved. A soft wind blew her pale cheeks, some hair strands danced with its calm beat, she loosened the tight grip of her hands as a tear escaped, which she wiped violently.

A silent fury was suffocating her, the cold breeze of the wind had nothing to aid her aching lungs. As she held her balled fist into a firm grip, her nails dug into her palm. When a sound of a vehicle entered her ears, she slid both of her hands inside the pocket of her jacket, hadn't paid attention to how red it was. And took a huge breath to calm down her horses.

She raised her right hand three o'clock angle and a bus stopped, someone went down. Too distracted with her flooded emotion to the point that she forgot she was actually at a bus stop. She hurriedly slid her hand in again and disregarded her burning cheeks. She was embarrassed and bit her inner cheek.

She silently took the only vacant seat between a pregnant woman and an old man. The old man was snoring irritatingly while the pregnant woman was looking at her intently. Soon the man right beside the window reached his destination and she took his seat at once.

As she zoned out, a strong thunder startled everyone except her. She seemed hypnotized by the multiple drops of rain sliding down the window glass. All her attention was on the single drop of rain that was slowly tracing its path down as her tears slowly ran down her cheeks. No one noticed it since everyone was half asleep. Soon the rain stopped falling, she immediately wiped her tears.

The next stop was an unknown place to her, yet she decided to go down after paying. A girl with a slender body in a denim jacket was carrying bags. Her theory was, that girl with baggage would rent a new apartment. She took a vehicle with three wheels, so as she is.

She silently followed her, secretly praying that her theory was right. Fortunately, her theory came into being possible. They stopped in front of a small building. A three-story building with three rooms for rent on each floor. Painted with dirty white with a red roof.

"Good evening, madame. I didn't expect to be this late heavy traffic caught me. I deeply apologize, " the girl spoke.

"Not a problem, my dear. Here's your key, number five. Peter will help you out with that baggage." She lively answered and handed her the key. 'She must be the landlady', she thought. Before the landlady could get in, she hurriedly approached her. "Excuse me, madame." Her voice broke since her throat was awfully dry.

"Yes, my dear." Answered by the landlady with a full smile on her lips, revealing her perfect teeth.

"Do you still have....uhm a vacant apartment?"

"Lucky you! Of course, come on in. Let's talk about it in my office," she exclaimed. And held her duster to lift it a bit so she could take a huge step. "Sorry for this, we'll fix this as soon as we can." Pertaining to the broken bricks of their stair. As they entered her room the landlady started talking about everything.

"It's obvious that my apartment wasn't big or ideal for families so I only accept alone tenants as much as possible. For a small town, my Apartment was barely rented, not until now. You got the last vacant." She offered her water and a chair, and the girl gratefully accept the water. Then hesitantly took the green plastic chair, it was uncomfortably cold.

"Thank you." Yet she thanked her while checking the whole place, she almost jump off when her eyes fell on the lady's curious face.

"I've never seen you before, are you moving for good?" Asked the lady and she put her glasses on. She nodded shortly and looked away.

"Can I see your ID?" She asked while flipping the pages of her book, she lift her gaze to the girl when she didn't hear any response. The timid girl shook her head and her smile immediately faded. "And why is that?"

"I don't have an ID with me." She looked down at her black hooded jacket and her denim jeans.

"How about tomorrow, can you bring it tomorrow? I'm sorry dear, I don't just accept random tenants. I hope you understand."

The girl took a few blinks and slid her hand into her pocket. "I need the apartment now, I hope you can give this to me. Here's my down payment." She placed the thick blue cash on the table.

The lady eyed them like a hawk, grabbed and counted them. "Well, we can talk about it." She carefully slid the fifteen thousand pesos inside her pocket. "What's your name, may I ask, honey?" Her sweet smile and graceful movement instantly lift the tension.

"Fera Luzares."

"What a pleasant name, sounds like Pera a Tagalog(Filipino Language) word that means money. " The landlady spoke. "And how old are you?"

"Sixteen,"

"Such a fine young lady-" she was cut off by Fera's loud yawn. "Your sleepy and tired, I presume."

"Pardon me."

"No worries, here's your key. But never forget to drop your ID next time, alright?"

"Thank you so much."

"Ahm, I forgot something."

Chapter 1: Drowning in Loneliness

She easily found her apartment since the bold number 9 was written above the door. She stuck her key and twisted the doorknob. Grunted in displeasure as the inside view came into her sight. And slammed her door; emphatically closed her eyes and harshly let some air go.

After a long tiring trip and greeted by multiple shirts on the floor, empty bottles of alcohol, and the center table covered with junk food wrappers. While dust had taken over the whole place, switching the lights on would be more disappointing.

"Uhm, I forgot something."

"I haven't cleaned the room."

Those words rang in her ears, which she hadn't paid attention to. Though, what other choice does she have? She softly massaged her neck and let out a heavy sigh. The former owner didn't bother packing his things, it was flooding with shirts and trousers, literally.

"Knock! Knock!"

Fera raised her eyebrow in confusion, who would knock on my door this late? She thought as she crack her door open.

"Honey, sorry to bother you. But here are some cleaning materials, I know you'll be needing them," the landlady cheerfully spoke. She handed out a duster, broom, and vacuum. With numbers of trash bags, of course.

"Thank you,"

"Always welcome, if you need anything. Feel free to ask me, you can call me, Mama Tes." Fera moved her head up and down like a robot, her tired and dead eyes bore into the cleaning materials.

"I should go now, good night." When the landlady left, she finally shut the door and dropped them all somewhere. Took her jacket off and tossed it on the center table, then pulled out all the things inside her pockets such as her wallet, keys, and any small stuff.

She headed to the first room she saw, which was the bedroom, and went straight to the bathroom. It was messy too, but she didn't bother. She filled the bathtub with water and soap. Removed all her clothes then immediately hopped in.　

She laid her back and closed her eyes. And memories came rushing into her head. Her tears easily find their way out and run down her cheeks. She tried to push those memories away, but there was no way to avoid them.

'Go!' she heard her father whisper. His bloody hand held her cheek and tried to wipe her tears, 'Go now,' she continuously shook her head while trying to stop the blood from his chest.

'Promise...to leave me here alone, Baldo will take care of my wake.'

'Don't say that, don't say that. You'll be okay, I'll...I'll call the ambulance.' she stood up but her father refused to let her go. Beads of tears fell from her eyes.

'Promise me, Fera,'

She aggressively shook her head in disagreement. 'Dad, listen, I'll go get some help. And you'll be alright.' She wiped all her tears and tried to calm herself down.

'Please, promise me,' his voice broke, and hardly gasped for air. Seeing him in that state broke her heart into pieces as fell to her knees again.

'Don't do this to me, dad!'

'I failed you, I failed you as a father. As a protector, forgive me, my lovely daughter. Promise me...promise,' she gave in and slowly nodded.

'To where?' in the middle of her sobs. She had nowhere to go, her dad was her only family.

'Anywhere safe, always be safe my Fairly Raliya.'

That very tiny bathroom witnessed her silent sorrow. Faint sobs filled the whole room. She poured every tear while trying to avoid producing enough noise. She was gasping for air, asking for more, and drowned herself in the water.

As she ran out of breath, she sat up and pounded the wall as hard as she can. She had no clue how to mend her heavy feeling. It was drowning, suffocating. She clasped her palm on her lips and sobbed as hard as she can in silence. The water was cooler than ever, she felt the cold surface of the tub, and it went cold even more like happiness had left the whole place.

"Nowhere is safe, if I'm not with you." Words of a wounded heart sound fragile and meager, which would lash your heart out.

And a thunder resounded, not long enough the sound of water drops hitting the thin metal roof entered her ears. It seems like heaven heard her misery, and poured its condolences.

"KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!" Her eyelids were heavy and her head was pounding hard as she was woken up by a loud knock. Unwillingly climbed down from her bed with closed eyes but then immediately regretted it, cause she hit her foot on something. She furiously hissed and scratched her head.

"Good morning! Fera dear!" all her drowse had gone away, she even almost jumped by her landlady's lively greet. "How was your sleep? I'm sorry to wake you up. I have a breakfast for you as a peace offering since I couldn't help you clean. My dear, I have loads of errands to do for today, yes, today. And I can't be delayed," her vibe was full of life; on the contrary, Fera had exactly the opposite.

She slowly nodded and took the packed breakfast 'she said. "Thank you," her morning voice failed to sound grateful. Her blue duster paired with a blue flip flop adds her bright aura.

"Don't mention it! Anything for you. If you need anything, you can find me in my office doing my thing." She winked at her and smiled widely. Her tight bond and carefully tied hair don't suit her energy. She acts younger than she dresses and appears younger too.

"Duly noted, thank you again." her voice sounded meek and husky as she just got up from bed.

"I should head now, are you fine in here? Don't you have in concerns about your apartment?"

"I'm good," Fera felt guilty for her actions. The landlady was just checking her out if she was fine and doing well. "I'll just tell...you if I need anything."

The landlady gave her a warm smile, assuring her that she understood everything well. "Sure," and finally headed out.

After closing her door she checked the food and it smells really good. A weak genuine smile slipped from her lips. It looks delicious but her appetite betrayed her. She set the food down on the table then dived again back onto her bed.

Every part of her body was awfully tired. Exhausted and she felt like doing nothing. She rolled over and laid her back then hugged her pillow. Something made her feel down, even more, the frame on the wall was full of dust, her window had spider webs and even her ceiling was not an exception.

She had a clean and well-organized apartment that didn't fail to ruin her mood. Splendid.

"I should move."

She jumped off of the bed, good thing the landlady had prepared all the boxes and trash bags in the room. Placed all his stuff in a box. She didn't bother folding them up.

The apartment had two rooms one was quite bigger than the other. She put all the boxes in the smaller one and continued cleaning. After a few minutes or hours, her hair starts sticking to her body.

Gladly, she found a ribbon and tied her hair. She pulled her sleeves up and finish sweeping the floor. That was just the initial dust. And there were more. She started taking the curtains off and throwing them in the box until the whole apartment seems naked. Some furniture was placed on the floor as she dusted off the walls.

She zoned out and fixed her attention only on her business. She forgot that she hadn't taken a bath and breakfast. But that was all that she need, a distraction. She had no plans of getting away from her cleaning materials, but her stomach protested. After three growls from her traitor stomach, she gave up and find something to eat.

Perfect timing for the breakfast her landlady gave.

While enjoying her food, she suddenly stopped and oddly felt goosebumps. She hid her suspicious look and secretly glanced around. Only to find Mama Tes down pretending to sweep some fallen leaves. The landlady even pretended to do something, but when Fera wasn't looking in her direction, she would go keep her nose on what Fera was doing.

Nosy, all Fera could comment. Of all kinds of people in the world, nosy was her ultimate enemy. Lost her appetite again and stood. Her temper wasn't quite good and easily got irritated with everything. She took a cold shower and decided to go out shopping. Especially her necessities. She locked all the windows and her door before leaving and went down.　

As she went down, she wore her hood on and slid her hands into the pocket of her jacket. She stood nearby the road and waited for a vehicle. Every living creature had turned its head on Fera as she walk passed. She was not comfortable with their stares and she felt like sinking inside her jacket.

"It's in few blocks away."

She turned around to find the voice, a low voice of a man. When she found it, it was walking straight toward her so she take some steps back. But he passed her and she felt his chill aura, he wasn't a ghost or something spiritual. His strong perfume adds to his chilling aura. He doesn't look approachable and he sounds cold too.

After some few steps away from Fera, he stopped. "You're the new tenant, Am I right?" Fera stared at his broad back in a white T-shirt paired with grey shorts. "You're new, so they kept looking at you." I know. She answered mentally but didn't bother to speak.

Fera wasn't some sort of celebrity nor a model. She was just new and everyone was being nosy.

"You're heading to the market, I presume. You better follow me, if you want of course." She eyed him confused as he started walking.

She followed him but maintain their distance, in no time they reach the waiting shed. The sun was still out and striking hot. She saw the man entering the waiting shed and sat there.

Fera wants to avoid him at all costs, but she can't let herself die of heatstroke so she entered the shed at sits next to him at enough distance. She hasn't spoken a word so it was awkward the whole waiting. A bus stopped and some went down and Fera got in. They find their seat separately as possible.

When Fera saw the busy people, and establishments all over. Endless running vehicles on the road and commodities everywhere. There are different kind of store and shop, which offers various type of service.

She familiarized everything and wander around the market, also bought her primary needs, and enjoyed shopping for simple things.　

She enjoyed making herself busy and had fun walking around the new place. The new small town brought a sweet smile to her lips. It was genuine this time.

Before the sun could leave, she made sure she'd get home in time. She was tired but refreshed when she got home. Feeling sticky, caused by the sweats of drained energy.

She excitedly unwrapped her new things. It wasn't special but it seems some sort of achievement. Never expected the unboxing of a dozen of glasses of water was fulfilling.

Her new plates and kitchen materials. Everything was new and that made her smile. She had gone into the shower and excitedly use her new body soap, it was an underrated brand but seems the best for her.

Something stopped her for a moment as she remembered the man, who helped her earlier. She wondered why would he help a stranger like her. She doubted that it was just pure kindness, he might have something on his sleeve.

Every action had a motive.

Chapter 2: Phone Call

THE NEXT DAY was another day of cleaning. Her hair was tied into a messy bond, in her new nighties, she roamed around to plan everything. Haven't changed into her daylight clothes, when she stood in her leaving room with a huge smile on her face, feeling proud of her cozy leaving room or should I say corner.

"Kringgggg! Kringgggg!" A loud ring resounded, oddly the sound came from the couch, but there were none. Then eventually a black rectangular object lying on the floor came into her view.

"Ops, poor you." She spoke as she bent down to pick it up. It was around ten, when she saw the unknown number, she instantly knew who it was, but choose to place her cellphone in her pocket.

She continued to wander around her house and mentally listed all she needed. It'd be new curtains, paint, couch, center table-

"Kriinnngg!" She mentally hissed in annoyance and snatched her phone out from her pocket. It was the same number, but she was not ready to answer it. She turned it off and tossed it on the couch.

After a long tiring cleaning activity, she treated herself to a movie marathon. She went to her leaving room with chips in her hands. Turned her T.V. on while hugging a pillow.

No matter how hard she focused on the movie she kept zoning out. She was looking straight at the monitor but her mind flew to somewhere else.

The movie was a comedy but her eyes started watering. The movie ended but she was still looking at it. She rarely blink and started sniffing.

Before she could fall into sobs. She realized where she'd headed to. Immediately wiped all her face up and fix herself. But her eyes fell into the corner. Where her father's tiny picture in her newly bought frame was standing with a wide smile and a little Fera in his arms.

"Dad, am I disappointing you? 'Cause...I can't go on as what you want me to do." Beads of tears had dropped together with the atmosphere in the room. "I'm hurting, this lonesome is killing me. I feel like a broken thing that had fallen into pieces. And I am trying to find every piece one by one. I felt like..... dying." Her shoulder was rapidly moving up and down followed by faint sniffing.

"I did run as what you've said but all these memories kept on hunting me. But I should just let everything, I should forget it and bury it in the past. I'll do as you say.

Please guide me to every step of my healing, cause I'm wounded, severely wounded by your sudden death. I hate you for leaving like that, but you're my dad.

I love you.....dad."

After a few silence, she took a huge breath and set everything aside. She had room to be decorated. Before the day ended, she decided to finally pick up the phone. She sat on her couch but she almost screamed when she heard a loud crack.

A foot had given up, so she was sitting somewhat sideways. "Stupid couch."

She turned her phone on and a call immediately entered. She tapped the answer call despite her unwillingness.

"Hello, "

"Miss Fairly." The man called out her name.

"Henry,"

"Good afternoon, Miss Fairly. I have been trying to reach you. I would like to invite you for a meeting." The man called Henry didn't even bother to ask about her well-being. That caused her bitterness to spread out.

"I'm sorry for not being available for the past few days. Cause basically, I am mourning and I won't be available for the next few weeks or months. I hope your business can wait." She spoke in a monotone voice. Not asking but telling him to back off for a while.

"But we'll discuss your father's last will, Miss."

"I know, and that can wait. I hope you understand, sir. I just lost my father, and I can't face that yet."

"If that's what you wish, Miss."

"Thank you." The call had ended shortly. Fera's emotion had turned into stone. Not wanting to fall into sobbing again, forced herself the keep still.

The phone call had ruined her mood and decided to walk around the place. She went down ignoring all the stares they gave in her direction and some remarks of gossiping whispers.

It was a small town with fresh air, surrounded by trees. After walking for a few minutes she found a park, and her attention was snatched by the lovely sunset. She found herself on a bench watching the sun hide behind the mountains. Until the sun had gone down.

Thanks to street lights, she found the way back to her apartment. She almost regret that impulsive move, when she realized she zoned out while walking and completely hadn't paid attention to her way. Good thing she finally found it.

Before she could reach the apartment a fast motorcycle passed her, and the harsh wind blew her hair. He stopped in front of the apartment and took his helmet off.

The moment he took his helmet, Fera immediately recognized him. It was the man who helped her yesterday. He parked his motor after unloading his stuff, which Fera doesn't care about.

She walked as she had never seen him, he went up first, so Fera followed. She saw him opening the door exactly next to her, number eight.

She was about to pass him, but she stepped on something. When she looked down it was an ID. Nick Kingston Hernandez. She kicked the ID off him before heading to her apartment. He noticed it and picked it up. He looked at Fera and said none. He just shrugged and enter his apartment. So as Fera did.

What she did wasn't rude at all and she thinks that Nick didn't care anyway. She peacefully headed to her room and picked her phone up. She decided to call the person she trust the most.

"Hello?"

"9811145674," the only thing she said.

"1012387762, Miss? Where are you? Are you alright? Should I send a car to pick you up?" the girl on the other line spoke.

"I'm fine Lora, all I need is you to enroll me in the nearest school from my place and some school stuff."

"Copy, I have tracked your location and I arrange everything up soon as possible."

"Thanks, Lora."

"Anytime, ma'am."

She was cleaning the kitchen while humming softly. After the call, she faced her apartment again. She stopped washing her plate, cause she heard her door crack open.

Confusedly turned to check it, only to find her neighbor entered. She maintained her stone emotion and raised an eyebrow at the trespasser. Trying to suppress her panic. 'What the hell is he doing?'

He closed the door and lean on it. He crossed his arms and looked at Fera. His eyes landed on the floor and even check the whole place before turning to Fera.

"What do you think you're doing?" Fera softly spoke eyeing him like he was an alien or some sort of strange creature.

"I entered since it wasn't locked. Good to know that you can talk." And his sarcasm boiled Fera's blood. Her nervousness turned into annoyance, the moment he opened his mouth and spit those unpleasant words.

"Well, then get out. And I'll go get it locked this time." She slowly spoke as softly as she could. In the calmest and most composed tone but poisonous words. They both easily lift the tension.

But he seems unbothered and looked around. "Where are the belonging of the previous owner?"

"Why do you care?"

"Where are those?"

"I burned them," he doesn't seem to buy it. He stared at her, waiting for her to tell him the truth. "Out." She instead uttered.

"Fer-"

"I said out." 'Interesting, he knew my name.' Fera mentally mused.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Brilliant," But Fera didn't sound pleased.

"Okay, please. I need to see those things. This is important." Fera wasn't a fun of changing minds. 'If it was important then he'd be needing a warrant to check the whole place," she mentally vowed.

"Please, you're freaking me out too." She didn't sound begging or asking. Instead, she's demanding that he must leave at once.

'I have cleaned everything up, and I won't dare to mess with those disgusting clothes, again.' She secretly swore.

"Miss Fera, please understand-"

"Look I'm busy, I just moved in and I have tons of things to do. Can you see my dishes? And the whole place? Do you think I'm done? And do you think I'm not tired?"

After a few seconds, Nick finally sighed in defeat. He turned his back and went out. He never forgot to slam the door before leaving Fera alone.

"Thank you." She sarcastically said and washed her dishes. "Don't they know the word privacy? He just barged in and he demanded those stuff like I'm not the new owner, didn't even knock." She ranted.

She carefully rested her back on her bed close her eyes. She let out a contented sigh. And her phone rang, she reached out to answer it.

"Miss Fera."

"Yes, Lora."

"I have enrolled you in your new school. A few blocks away from your apartment. Expect that your things will arrive tomorrow morning. And your car, it will take longer if we'll transport it. I thought it would be better if we-"

"No, I'll be fine. I don't need a car."

"How about your meetings?"

"Cancel them all, for now."

"But-"

"I am mourning, they will understand."

"Copy that, how about your father's wake." Her chest immediately tighten as she heard the word father. "I'm sorry-"

"No, it's fine. Let Baldo take care of everything."

"Noted, ma'am. Do you still need something?"

"None, just please don't call me, unless it's urgent."

"Sure, take care." As the call ended, she tried everything she could not cry.

'Such a crybaby.' She mentally cursed.