It was clear. The sky in summer was always like this, crystal blue with small little clouds painted the background. It seemed like a year that she had not seen the real sky but the plain ceiling. The sun shone brightly but thanked the breezy wind, the golden light just warmed the day not baked the town when the wind cooled the city. copyright protection211PENANAAxgl4z2LAl
“Head homeward, little bird,copyright protection211PENANAjPEUkpqYy2
Fly up high. Thou art free. copyright protection211PENANAoX2huU0Tgc
Misery is no more. copyright protection211PENANAFBVdc23K7q
Time means not to thee.”copyright protection211PENANAmUO73Q7apW
“Why am I hearing people singing? Does the school choir come too?”copyright protection211PENANAtLl2rtM3Kw
“Mr. and Mrs. Romuller request the church choir to sing the song for their dead girl. They said it will help guide her soul to the right place.”copyright protection211PENANAkVlJuAFghv
“I’ve never heard of that.”copyright protection211PENANAFv3r0HcVBi
Bryce lifted her shoulders. “What can they do for the dead girl? We don’t know how to talk with the spirit…if there is any. It lifts up her parents’ soul.”copyright protection211PENANADFn1my3EsY
“Sonya.”copyright protection211PENANAvR19yKsxdC
“What?”copyright protection211PENANATP7wRuzzJi
“Her name.”copyright protection211PENANAz8RKKNkZ4C
“Oh.”copyright protection211PENANAEFAVYQUIS2
This is why everyone wore a black dress. She looked outside. Many familiar faces appeared. They were waiting for them, waiting for their loved ones to leave for the undisclosed journey. It was good to hear the song when her departure could be comparable to Sonya’s departure. copyright protection211PENANA6z0m8Y7tUc
“When is the funeral?”copyright protection211PENANAxrgAuCoOMY
“Tomorrow…why are you smiling?”copyright protection211PENANAwmYwWZK3f0
Alexis shook her head, “Nothing.”copyright protection211PENANArwiZXN5Hb8
Bryce threw her sister’s backpack on the table without carefulness. She was fed up. “You see it’s for you? It’s a song for dead people. You’re not going to die. The sister I know is stronger than the depressed one in front of me.”copyright protection211PENANAzERgRRejGy
It’s pain every time I move my arms. I’m not strong. I’m weak. “How it’s different?”copyright protection211PENANAda88ZP0mWk
“Don’t say that.”copyright protection211PENANA2s0Vm3NdEy
The girl saw the clear water in her eyes and it made her feel guilty.copyright protection211PENANA1BpXiKUPHE
“I’m sorry.” Alexis moved from the window. “I’m sorry. Okay?”copyright protection211PENANA0PCuCm8gvz
Bryce sighed, the anger faded away. She changed the topic so she picked up the photo album. “Here it is. I selected every photo that you look good.”copyright protection211PENANA0LF0G3jlrj
“You must give me tons of them.”copyright protection211PENANAKsADCGDRvd
The big sister could smile now. “And your favorite jackets, I put them all inside this.” copyright protection211PENANAGV4w6q3WPe
Alexis checked her belonging. Bryce prepared all her favorites stuff, including the CD portable player, a few CD albums of her favorite bands, and some books. “You’re always thoughtful.” The girl picked up the device. Bryce smiled a little with her red eyes fixing on the little sister.copyright protection211PENANAXS7eTltaQO
“Ma’am, where are they?copyright protection211PENANAzK9buPnpiP
“Who? Speak quickly girl,” urged Helga.copyright protection211PENANAwa4k3riCPa
“Mrs. Dobies and her sister.”copyright protection211PENANAvQnuH8KiBS
“They’re sentenced to death. Both of them have been taken to the capital for the execution.” copyright protection211PENANAUF7UxYkWTu
Alexis gave rolls of papers to Bryce. The papers and a pencil she asked from Helga. The policewoman acted friendlier after the incident. Alexis had the chance to kill her time in the cell by creating many drawings for Charlie. “My drawings of the elephant and others, Monkey wants to learn. Give him when he asks for it. So he won’t forget me.”copyright protection211PENANAh2R6BKtotC
Alexis picked up the pocket of her cosmetics. The girl offered her precious collection to her sister. “I don’t need this anymore.”copyright protection211PENANAewY1WHWwRp
“It’s your precious treasure.”copyright protection211PENANA17hFQxRK6U
“No, not anymore. You should take care of yourself. You’re beautiful. You should know that.”copyright protection211PENANA0WR0kPC6nD
“I’m already beautiful so why I need these things?” She jerked her brow up.copyright protection211PENANAnu0ACcUTRI
“Because you need a little help to make you shine.”copyright protection211PENANAC5JA4poBYJ
Bryce did not respond. Alexis counted the perfume bottles her sister packed them inside and selected only the best ones she could not miss. The girl just realized how spendthrift she was. She still loved these things and wanted to see herself walking on the prominent catwalk someday.copyright protection211PENANAy2Ye6JWUA9
The cop van was waiting outside, including her family. It was the day of departure. The authority announced the date yesterday. Mother fainted twice during the yesterday visit. The first time she fainted because of seeing Alexis’ horrible look and the second time when she heard the departure date. copyright protection211PENANAb5OT5SxYpp
The tears flew down Bryce’s cheekbones. It was too fast. A week of terror, a week of the great alteration, the Davis was going to lose one member. No tears from Alexis, she cried enough.copyright protection211PENANAm7GZwPkM3H
Alexis wore the jacket. “I know it’s summer but I need to wear it.” This time, her sister did not tease the little sis because Alexis wanted to hide all the bruises on her arms. The bruises were still evident. The girl hated to see the ugly spots on her body, especially that when the makers were the hideous rapists. copyright protection211PENANAOwkbzmjTxT
“Girls always take a long time.” Jesse’s voice was behind their back. He just entered the room. “All of your friends are talking with their families and you prefer to have the private girl’s talk now? That’s a shame.”copyright protection211PENANABABCXAUF93
She saw he was hiding his clenching fists, trying to be strong, trying to be the annoying brother, but all the Davis brothers and sisters were the same, not the good pretenders. Heartache on his face, she saw it clearly. Jesse thought he studied laws with the purpose to help the unfortunate people. The skill that would help the victim from the inequity, ironically, it did not benefit him to rescue his sister. His hand reached to touch her bruises on the small neck. Alexis confirmed that everything was fine.copyright protection211PENANAPzI71hgEQa
“Don’t judge the look by its cover.”copyright protection211PENANAe4w4fK2igE
“This cover is totally in the bad condition.”copyright protection211PENANAGIwJXWx25w
“They’re just bruises.”copyright protection211PENANAcZZnN3VQB9
“The wounds are in your eyes, my little sis.” He placed his hand on her head. “Remember the day I told you about being Mr. Brightside?’copyright protection211PENANAthOpFCbFhb
“Certainly.”copyright protection211PENANAgTekmovAal
“Try to be Ms. Brightside. I’m not with you anymore. I can’t protect you. You must take care of yourself. Protect yourself. Promise me, you’ll be fine. Promise me, you won’t let yourself be the victim again. You can’t rely on the others. You can’t expect a hero to come to save you. Promise me, little sister, until we meet again.”copyright protection211PENANAPUyigIgchY
Alexis looked at him and Bryce. Then she nodded. “Father taught us not to tell lies, not to give the promise we’re unable to keep. But I make the promise because I don’t want to be in that situation the second time. And I want to meet my family again.”copyright protection211PENANA0V6nB0TYVz
“That’s my sister!”copyright protection211PENANAtJtvl21cxm
“I’ve got everything. Let’s get outside.”copyright protection211PENANA9ARbfcelVn
The brother hugged her close to him. Jesse was secretly crying. “Nah, don’t cry. I’m trying so hard not to!” The wave of tears rose again. She thought her body ran out of tears. Perhaps, if she cried again, it would be her blood for sure. copyright protection211PENANAt3WBDBUU3L
Jesse’s chest was warm and protective. Like Bryce, Alexis saw him as the second father, a hot-headed dad, and a very good brother. “We need you. Our family needs you, my little Alex.” Then he released the girl. “Damn my eyes! If you tell anyone I shed tears, I’ll kill you both.”copyright protection211PENANAh461vxAJgQ
Alexis wiped the tears from his face. They were laughing without knowing why. It was hard to control the dam in the eyes. The girl did not want to see anyone especially, her mother, bursting into tears again. My little Alex, the name Jesse had called her before Charlie became their youngest brother. Three siblings embraced each other for the last time. The need of their embrace had never been run out.copyright protection211PENANAyfslmJBsy2
Alexis kissed both of them and they went outside.copyright protection211PENANAcIGOyAKBd1
She saw the cop van first even though it was parked far from her position. It might be because she saw the Romuller’s family next to it. When Sonya’s parents saw Alexis, they nodded their face, a symbol presenting their greeting before they were gone.copyright protection211PENANAFuYw36WRzc
Two days after the harassment incident, Bruce and Cameron were sent to the administrative court in Futuristic Metropolis, the capital and the same place where Ms. Stephen and Mrs. Dobies would be executed. Alexis heard that Mr. Dobies, her husband, took his children to follow them for the last farewell. Poor him, poor children, they’re too young to lose their mother.copyright protection211PENANAeNiy7AcxbP
Poor me too, too young to lose everything like this.copyright protection211PENANAC4hhRc0Wgc
She had never forgotten Sonya’s dead face. Her skin burnt and caused the eversion of skin parts revealing the fresh red meat beneath. All two eyes were burnt too. No matter how much she wanted to forget it, Alexis knew that it would never leave her memory, only if she was the dead girl too. copyright protection211PENANANzgO5xblL8
“You need anything?” Her father asked when seeing his children. He was waiting with her mother and Little Charlie. Her father inserted both hands inside his casual pants’ pockets and maintained the calmness as he always was. Her mother, on the contrary, wailed out loud. The girl hurried to her adoptive mother and gave a comforting hug.copyright protection211PENANA1BdF3lNgmi
“It’s gonna be alright, mommy. You tell me to have faith in myself. I have, mom. I have.”copyright protection211PENANAKJIAbAspZX
“Look at you, my baby.” She raised the girl’s chin and surveyed all the bruises on her daughter’s body. “How can I stop thinking that they won’t hurt you? Can we take her home? Can we? Oh, Caleb, please tell me I’m dreaming!”copyright protection211PENANAWoxE1y3xSS
Her father wrapped his arms around her mother’s shoulders gently. “Our daughter is strong. Are you?”copyright protection211PENANAJ9fhbpwKLG
Alexis nodded like a little brave child. She squeezed Charlie’s golden lock. “Be a good boy, monkey.”copyright protection211PENANAXBht4kDl1X
“I am!” Then his smile faded. “You must come back. I’m going to miss you.”copyright protection211PENANALyY0TBDdtB
The girl laughed tearfully. A few meters away, the cops uncovered the door at the rear passenger seats. It was the time to stop hoping for the alarm clock. Nothing could wake her up from this nightmare.copyright protection211PENANAqDJBMsirWU
This shit is real.copyright protection211PENANA2nrTYbuCbu
Her eyes wandered around to remember the town, the people. Alexis had never left the town for a long time. And this might mean permanence. Since she became Alexis Davis, San Bosa was her home. She had never imagined of the departure without the certainty of return. copyright protection211PENANAQZhjhV4l8i
Oslo was drowning among his family blessings and all the members had red hair. Those caramel eyes met her. He revealed a sad smile. They shared the same feeling—yearning for the life they would be deprived of. Next to the Jessens were the Millers and the Carters. Mrs. Miller wept heavily like Bianna while Belinda was crying on her boyfriend’s shoulder. Her close friends were comforting her.copyright protection211PENANAiUkc4QXi0p
June.copyright protection211PENANAboO7tAHsh8
You don’t really come. copyright protection211PENANAAb1Py26WiY
Not too many people came. The authority allowed only family and close friends. Therefore, Elodie and Davy carried a large bags of gifts from her other friends to give her (Wade’s and Oslo’s best friends did the same). Alexis had hoped June would come. It was a stupid hope.copyright protection211PENANAstUGCpCOI6
“Thanks for the delivery,” Alexis told them, eyes surveying what inside the bags and she saw many chocolate packages. “You guys aim at ruining my teeth!” Alexis cried.copyright protection211PENANA8YeNmYB8xc
“When you go, who I can talk with?” Elodie asked. Alexis looked at the sky to resist the tears before answering her.copyright protection211PENANAQe2tftUU13
“You have many friends.”copyright protection211PENANAHWkpN0A6ON
“But they’re not my best friends. Not the best like you…”copyright protection211PENANArWsZZxpuZR
“You can find the bestest friend.” Her thought wandered to June. “And I’m not the best friend.”copyright protection211PENANAGEf1jVWz5M
Eventually, Alexis embraced her little friend. “Don’t cry. You’re not a good friend with mascara thought it’s the best waterproof,” she told Elodie.copyright protection211PENANAeEdMLT3hz1
“You…”copyright protection211PENANAS5OFRtXr77
“It’s time. Get in the van!” Helga called through the megaphone. As soon as the cop walked straight to her, Davy pushed Elodie away (“Hey!” the girl cried.) He wrapped his strong arms around her neck. Warm as always, she could smell his cologne—the light scent of soft lavender and orange blossom with the airy feel. My gift to him. And the embrace she longed for and dreamed of…even he was not hers anymore. Alexis remembered their prom night well. His scent was the same but the girl had no fresh flower on her head and a blue velvet dress. Alexis wondered if she was not accused, how their relationship would turn to. Of course, she was the one who insisted the split-up. But even he had cheated on her, why Alexis still acted like an obedient girl in his arms?copyright protection211PENANAh0uwjc01wb
“If I could fix it…if I could turn back time, I wouldn’t do it. I’m sorry. I will miss you like crazy. I love you, Alex.”copyright protection211PENANAIqc1SQO3Fn
I love you too…more than you do. I’m fucking crazy about you.copyright protection211PENANAyP7tEKzYiv
Alexis mesmerized every detail on his face. Those eyes that melted her, the eyes she surrendered to. The intimacy they shared during the prom night was always vivid and it would be her forever awkward experience and a good memory.copyright protection211PENANAA8HR1nPArF
“Thanks, Davy,” replied she. It was unplanned. Alexis hugged him back automatically and tightly. His betrayal, June’s betrayal, she forgot it all. If I could turn back time…if this is not the last sign of his affection to me…if Junes just says sorry…His face was closer and closer. It was like they were about to kiss.copyright protection211PENANAh1yR95smC3
“Alex,” Jesse narrowed his eyes at them like a warning. They were not in the private place and her parents were watching.copyright protection211PENANAEuwaAtU9Qg
“It’s the last time,” she spoke through her teeth. Jesse squeezed her hair and pushed her to their mother. The heat boiled on her two cheeks. Davy always made her forget everything and if Jesse did not interfere, at least, she would have the last kiss.copyright protection211PENANAS0HU9eDFOC
Father and Mother laughed and it was the first laughed since she was arrested.copyright protection211PENANAMVAhJzP3gD
“I don’t have to do my job when I have Jesse,” her father said.copyright protection211PENANAIftc3ZKJrD
It was her mother who gave the last kiss on her front head. “I’m alright, mom. Don’t worry. I love you. Take care of yourself” She hugged her close. She was paler and thinner. “Mom, you have to eat more!”copyright protection211PENANA9DDSWjQGQC
“Come back to me. Promise me, my baby.” Bianna demanded. Her eyes met Jesse and Bryce and they were smiling. “Yes, mom, I promise. I try my best.” Then she wiped the tears from Bianna’s eyes. She was beautiful even nearly got the breakdown. “I love you, mom.”copyright protection211PENANArMIsWJ4Yp2
Alexis moved to her father, her lighthouse. “I love you, dad. Thanks for bringing me to your family. I…shit.” The wave of tears poured out finally. Why am I so weak?copyright protection211PENANARRXJxcmzOL
Caleb put his hand on the girl’s head. He raised the girl by himself for fifteen years. She was not an adoptive child but the real daughter. And she was loved so much.copyright protection211PENANAsTSSQJW9KI
“We love you.” As soon as his soft hand shed the tears on her face, the naughty tears kept pouring down. “I’m sorry. I try not to cry.”copyright protection211PENANArRZVINUw7i
“My love, you don’t’ have to. Being strong doesn’t mean you don’t have the heart.”copyright protection211PENANAj5jLgnstP5
It was just a second, two seconds, three seconds that she felt alive in their arms until the cops called the second call, waking her to face the reality.copyright protection211PENANAjMdsVym2D3
“Could you give us more time?” Bianna screamed, reaching her hands to her daughter. Caleb must hold her close to him. Joseph, one hand pulling her out of the family’s embrace and another pulling Oslo from his, dragged them to the van. Alexis hurried grabbed all her belongings and let him do what he wanted. What was the point of resistance? Alexis preferred to save her energy.copyright protection211PENANA4EfjoerPgw
“We will be the first group who return!” The girl shouted. Yes, it was the promise. Alexis felt like she had to speak something to assure them.copyright protection211PENANAS5ciJfh3EM
“Get on!” Joseph still wore those masks. But this time she did not a good obedient girl. Her eyes searched for them, her family and friends.copyright protection211PENANAWbrhQM4ajM
“Get on,” He repeated but his voice softened. Suddenly, she remembered what she wanted to tell him because at that time she forgot to do it.copyright protection211PENANAQchu1mW2Ew
“Thank you…for saving my life.”copyright protection211PENANACcO99ETSYH
The officer stared at her for a few seconds before leaving them to help Helga who was mingled with Wade. Both helped each other to let him get in the van. It was a very difficult work because the boy was taller than both of them and he resisted hard. “Give me more times, fuck off!” But Wade was defeated finally. He fell inside with Alexis and Oslo supported him.copyright protection211PENANAIcY95E9wwS
Belinda was the last passenger. She got in the van by herself. The girl was calmer than the day she had been judged as the convict. She was the only one who made the gorgeous leave. copyright protection211PENANAsPiTlMWP99
The door gradually closed and the kids still searched for their family. As the door closed completely, they still heard their families calling them.copyright protection211PENANAZvaGvdKfeY
“I thought I was dreaming during the past week.” The tallest boy confessed, “I thought…it was some mistaken…”copyright protection211PENANA27oxr8OE7q
“I need a big slap. I’m not good at waking up. My mom always slaps me on my back,” Oslo added, laughing dryly.copyright protection211PENANApwH6njz85K
“Do you want me to wake you up like your mom did?” Wade volunteered.copyright protection211PENANAZ86GjL8vvp
“I didn’t say anything like that.”copyright protection211PENANAHO5jxgecNR
Alexis did not join their conservation. She quietly arranged her things. The engine started. The vehicle moved. They were caged inside the rear passenger seats, listening to the mechanic moving. They were heading to somewhere, perhaps excessively far away from home.copyright protection211PENANAl674e4hZAH
No turning back, they were forced to move forward without the goal in their lives.copyright protection211PENANArhzt1A4Ip4
“Alex, there’s a note behind your back,” Oslo kindly told her. The paper note was in one of the jeans’ pocket.copyright protection211PENANAJYCE9gmn8Y
I’m sorry, it wrote.copyright protection211PENANAYCQVI4lpln
She thought of the one who brought it. Davy inserted June’s note when they embraced each other. Alexis knew it was June’s writing. The girl did neither smile nor cry; she felt relieved.copyright protection211PENANAkaqwGDRHs0
Apology accepted.copyright protection211PENANAGs5umKi3jV
Alexis looked around. Her friends sat in silence, perhaps thinking of their families. All shut themselves from the others for a while, obsessing in their thought. Two of them still had tears but on her face, all were dry.copyright protection211PENANAZJlc9fde4q
No time for tears, Alexis had the promise to keep.copyright protection211PENANAxE9lsYQKIJ
**********copyright protection211PENANAvwofIwc0OW
All he could do was watching the way she waved and smiled to assure them that everything would be fine. And she gave them the promise.copyright protection211PENANADyKfAnVAcZ
Every night, he prayed to God, asked him to save everyone but God missed to save this girl.copyright protection211PENANAgBoy34ZOfS
The door closed. He could not see his Alexis anymore. As the van moved, Bianna could not balance herself. The loss was too much, she fainted. And she fainted several times these days.copyright protection211PENANAFjTCQWoW5Y
“Bianna, my love?” He held his unconscious wife inside his arm. Bianna was not the only one who was heartbroken. Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Jessens also turned blackout. Only Mrs. Carter who still unmoved watching the van disappeared. She was such a strong lady even though he had the bad impression towards her on the first day of his daughter’s arrest. Now he respected her self-possession. copyright protection211PENANAO2Xlns32M3
Elodie and Davy kindly rushed to help their mother’s friends. They were good kids as same as his daughter. Davy sent him a bottle of cooling water. Caleb thanked him and as his hand received the bottle he found that Davy’s hands were shaking.copyright protection211PENANAaMMr7XBPzd
“I’m sorry, doctor…for your loss,” he said.copyright protection211PENANAy8PiZ0FSPu
“We’re so sorry.” The others kindly expressed their condolences as if their friends had been passed away. Yes, he meant all teenagers who came to send the four teenagers. Well, it might be the same. He thanked all of them. Elodie was still reluctant to go and he said it was alright.copyright protection211PENANAUEWp9WXCqs
“Take your mother to our car,” he asked Jesse. The son nodded.copyright protection211PENANAAcR3LpKbkV
“Both of you can go…and thanks for coming,” Jesse told Elodie and Davy.copyright protection211PENANAZbpj4nbWtb
“I’ll help,” His daughter’s sweetheart offered Jesse’s help. copyright protection211PENANAZ1lhE2DAjE
His son shook his head and carried his mother by himself. Jesse walked to their car tailed by Bryce, Charlie, Elodie, and Davy. Everything went silent when people began to leave the station. No one spoke. No one transmitted a sound. They were heading home after losing one of the members…friends…forever.copyright protection211PENANAhKIoXdE60T
Caleb was still standing at the same place. The emptiness inside his chest and head, the big hole that all air went through, this was how they called heartbreaking.copyright protection211PENANAUJu09AhL2d
“We will be the first group who return!”copyright protection211PENANAke5Ckt4Th9
He smiled to the emptiness. I told you not make the promise you can’t keep. copyright protection211PENANAcr27lqT3Vh
“My dear, don’t fail me. Don’t fail us,” he spoke to the wind, hoping it would send his message to his daughter. A few seconds later, as he thought his emotions turned steady, Caleb return to the family’s van.215Please respect copyright.PENANAzxxoCClaeW
copyright protection211PENANAs3fzQ3SoCA