Have you ever wondered what is good about rain? For my entire existence, the zeal feeling weeing rain makes me feel good that doesn't change a thing.
Well, the fresh droplets of rain create a sense of calmness that soothes my body and gives me satisfying chills. Indeed magical.
My lips weep down in a bold curve as I reminisce my teacher asking me one time why the rain makes me happy?
And there's this me, answering with a pleased smile saying; rain produces a sound akin to white noise. The brain gets a tonic signal from white noise that decreases this need for sensory input, thus calming me down. Similarly, the bright sun tends to keep us stimulated.
However, for today's weather, it's just gloomy. Poorly lit but not enough to rain, I guess. Yet still melancholy to my eyes.
"For how long will you stay there standing, Xiomara?"
I didn't budge an inch, but I frowned in disapproval after when mom poked my head using her fist.
My brows furrowed when I face her. She gave me a knowing look and I don't need another glare from her to understand what she's referring to.
"I don't have the slightest energy to attend school, mom!" my face was wry in disgust.
"And why is that?"
"I'm sick!"
Not specifically, but seeing those couples walking around in our school and do some sweet things makes me wanna vomit. Just eww!
It's the month of February, days of lovers out there to be exact. And this day is my biggest doom. I just hate valentines day, that's all.
My mother's eyes questioned me.
"You are not sick." an ugly, twisted expression showed up on my face.
"Mom...it's valentines day!" my voice sounded arguing though it didn't rise.
"Why do you hate valentines day so much?" my eyes bounds like a frisky pup.
"Wait, don’t tell me it's about your ex-boyfriend breaking up with you on the same date?" I emitted an audible sigh.
"Mom, this isn't the time to lose my cool. This conversation leads to nowhere!"
Her hard, loud laugh echoes in every corner of our house.
"You sounded bitter, Xiomara." I can hear the hint of teasing in her voice.
My eyes grew bigger.
"I am not!" I almost shriek while saying that.
I badly wanted to smack my mother's head but I know for a fact that it's not a good move.
"Defensive." she taunted.
"Mom, you're being rude about my feelings. I am so done with my ex, duh?!"
She shrugged. "Suit yourself. But don't skip school today just because of that."
"I don't wanna go!" I tramped my foot on the floor like a child whining.
"Whatever your reason is, don't let that affect you. Now go and attend today's events."
"Mom!"
"Don't make me repeat my words, Xiomara." her voice was arctic. Somehow deadly and authoritative.
I chewed my bottom lip. "Okay." Defeated, I murmured.
"Woah, woah. What an actual surprise that you came? Should I throw a party for seeing your presence, Mara?" I glared at him, making him raised both hands in the air.
"Don't start with me. And will you stop calling me Mara? It's Xiomara, you dimwit!"
He just chuckled at my remarks and put his hands down before putting them inside his pocket.
Tss. Acting cool my ass.
"It's too long, so better make it short. Might also call you love to make it shorter." I rolled my eyes at him.
This guy never changes. He always annoys me nonstop and won't halt till he never gets satisfied seeing me pissed.
"But seriously? I'm happy to see you."
"And I am not!" I shot back and walk past by his side.
That asshole's name is Herofus. I swear to God that he isn't my friend. But I don't know how the heck did I became his prey. He's a certified bully and I can't argue with that. I mean look at what happened a few minutes ago!
His radar is so fucking impossible! I made sure that I'm taking a small pace, avoiding people's eyes and making myself invisible to Herofus. And now? How come did he saw me?
Certainly, he just bumped at me and pissed the hell out of me. Damn that guy!
I am not his type but what the fuck come to his mind and kept on chasing me? He's a bully, yes. But it never occurred that he hurt me physically unlike others.
After I found out that my ex is cheating on me and he dare to break up with me, I'm not into boys anymore. I don't wanna have a guy around me to ruin my heart. I hate them. The enmity is boiling up whenever I see one. They broke my trust just like my father.
He broke my mom's heart after he abandoned us. I don't have any vivid photos of him 'cause I'm still a child back then when he left us. And if I will be given one, surely I will burn it and buried those after.
My hate for my father cannot be measured.
"Mara!"
What the?!
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I shouted when he got in my spot and blocked my way. I forgot that this guy is an athlete in any sports.
"Hey, calm down. I'm not doing anything."
"If you're not doing anything then get out of my way and let me walk with peace, will you?" I said with a calm voice.
I'm mad. But anger won't help me in this kind of situation I'm in.
Herofus is living trouble. And I'm not a girl who like dangers, hence better get out from his burning flame.
I'm not ready to get burned.
"What? I just want to talk with you."
God. Talking is a no-no. Being with him for just a second is a one thousand no and triple fuck with double damn.
Argh! I don't wanna have a guy on my side who did nothing but pester me! Why can't he get that?
"You are Herofus," I stated factly.
Damn idiot for nodding with a smile. Can't he get what I'm pointing to?!
"As I am saying-"
I cut him off. He deserved that.
"You are Herofus. Every woman like yo-"
"Precisely. Including you."
I snorted. Conceited jerk.
"No. I don't like you and never will be. Now get lost and find someone to talk to. Stop bothering me!" I yelled straight to his face and walked out.
I had a few paces, wandering my eyes around only to see couples doing some stuff. It's not my concern and not my thing, but I find it nasty.
For them, it's sweet and normal 'cause they're lovers but err, it's gross. Whenever I stare at them for a minute or more so, my eyes stings.
Eww. I'm not bitter. I just don't like those.
Good thing Herofus was out of my sight, for now. That guy is something. What's up with him and the chase? To annoy me? But he can't get any benefit from it. Perhaps, he find me as his new toy to play with. He's surely making fun of me.
That thought is making me wanted to beat the hell out of him.
"Xiomara!" I stopped and tilted my head.
Confusion scattered in my face when I saw who called me.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
I almost flinched when her hands gripped my arm.
"We need to get out of here. It will be raining in no time. It's not safe in here." her words baffled me big time.
"Mom, what? W-what the heck is happening?" I asked her, bewilderment clouded my thoughts.
"I don't have any minute to explain. Just don't be stubborn and come with me."
I don't give a fuck about those eyes prying at us. All I ever wanted is to know why she's acting like this. I don't know if my mother was just pulling this trick, but her face screams seriousness.
Every move of her was like she's afraid of something. And I found the way how she looks at the sky and muttered something I don't understand. She's speaking a different language!
What the hell is happening?!
"Get in the car. Now!"
"Mom, I don't understand."
"I have no time to explain in detail. People aren't aware but when the rain will start pouring, humans will go extinct."
That makes the whole situation complicated even more.
My mother drove fast. And it's my first time to see her like this. She looks scared and trembling for I don't know the reason why.
"M-mom, are you okay?" she glances at me and smiles at me, assuring me that it's fine. But I know that her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Something is goin' on, and I think it's damn bad.
A lot of questions are running inside my head. Why does my mother acting like this? Why is she so tremulous about the rain? There are more questions to ask, but I chose to keep silent this time.
The way she maneuvered the car and accelerated more speed, in no time we reached the house.
I heard the loud noise when she slammed the car's door after getting out. Present was blurred together, confusing me still further.
Puzzled, I step out in the car.
I followed her. And it shock me when she punched a code-behind my room's wall. A basement showed up in front of me.
"Mom! Please enlighten me! I need answers!" I inquired with a stunning face.
She bored her eyes at me and stared at me intently. Is that sadness mixed with the pain I see through her eyes? She can't deny that! It's fucking visible.
"Listen to me, Xiomara. Don't let anyone know that you are an Eleanor. Don't trust anyone and be safe."
She embraced me and why does it feel like this will be the last time? That thought pricked my heart harshly.
For no reason, my tears cascade from my eyes down to my cheeks.
Why am I crying?
"M-mom...you won't leave me right?"
She won't. I know she won't.
But her warm embrace departed which hurts me badly.
"Always remember that you're an Eleanor. Don't let them catch you. Don't let them use you. You're an Eleanor and that means you deserve everything. And when I mean everything, including this world."
At that moment, I know she will also leave me.
I found myself being pushed inside. And the last thing I saw is my mother's sweetest smile and alone tear that fall in her eyes.
"Mom! No! M-mom! Get me out of here! M-mom! Don't leave me!" I uttered a loud call or cry while banging the door with my bare palms.
Despite my cries and begging, my mother didn't open the door. And I know to myself that she's not here anymore.
She's gone. I'm alone.
How can I take this all?
My legs were weak, that's why I decided to sit in the bed. Funny how everything was complete here. It feels like I lost my strength the moment I was alone and knows nothing.
Why do I feel so betrayed? Like everything was planned all along?
I slightly massaged my temple. Irrational thoughts were attacking me.
My eyes darted to the small window. It's now raining. I remember my mom told me that there's something about the rain.
Is that true?
There's only one way to find out. I slowly walk towards the small window. I bent my knees to reach their level.
People were screaming. Blood was scattered around the corner. I heard their shouting while running for help.
I managed to look at the sky.
The rain was beautiful in such a way as to seem cannot be removed. But why does the rain became an infliction of a penalty as retribution for an immoral act?
Rain. It feels like it's punishing people. What the fuck is happening outside?!
I am not blind. Everything outside was in chaos. And I'm here inside, wrapped in complete disorder and confusion.
My legs trembled and I let myself fall to the floor. I hold my breath for a second before letting it out that turned into a deep sigh.
Why is everything so fuck up?
I don't know what to do. I can't even think rationally about this matter. My head was full of confusion. A lot of questions were ruining my mind. Nevertheless, I can't get an answer to any of my queries 'cause who the fuck will give me the key for the overflowing elicit information I want?I don't even know if these walls were protecting me otherwise blocking my way to escape.My head was aching from all these occurrences that caught me off guard. It was hard to stay dumb after everything that happened earlier.Yet, I'm alone and held responsible for my survival. However, I don't know where to start. I felt like a speck of dust on the floor, waiting for the wind to take me from its paradise. If only I could be sweep away from this hole.I got up. My tears dried up in my cheeks that I didn't notice. I chewed my bottom lip, eyes were wandering around these walls, finding somethi
"What you witness is just a tip of an iceberg." Everything went into a noose. My breathing became a rope, knotted firmly, making my chest yanked downward and upward motion in a turbulent course.I blink momentarily before glancing at him. His face is waiting for me to speak up. But how? I can't even utter a single word because I'm fucking busy calming myself!My valor wasn't enough to face the danger ahead of us. Especially in this battle, I don't know how to defeat. Is there even a way how?Moreover, I sense like I wanted to throw up and smack my head multiple times. Everything I saw is making me insane in a hardcore way."How did you survive?"What the hell?! So, he's fucking speculating that I should be a frigid cadaver right now?"I don't even know how the hell this world ends up like this." I hissed and gritted my teeth as I looked away.
3 hours later...Military BaseManeuver Base of ExcellenceTo crown it all, it comes as no wonder that their military base was massive. I was flabbergasted at how modern everything was. My eyes were greatly filled with stupefaction as I kept company with them inside.O-okay? Their military headquarters are hubs of activity, with facilities for housing, operations, cooking and dining, hygiene, equipment maintenance and storage, and even medical care and treatment. These expansive military camps can surely support populations of people.Too bad, half of humanity was undead, I supposed. I grimaced at that thought."Do you have enough food for these people?" I jolted a bit when his eyes squinted and darted at me.Damn it.My tongue protrudes and unconsciously lick my lower lip, and then blink. Not once but twice. My palms glistened with sweats too.
"I'm coming with you." I declared, showing tenacious zeal in my eyes."Silly, stubborn woman. And what can you do when everything muck up, huh? Trot and redeem your ass out and leave others behind?!" My eyes arraigned at him.This rough-hewn!"I'm coming with you and I don't accept fucking no!""Wow. You're ordering me now, huh? Who the fuck are you to decide?""Damn it, you jerk! I need to go with you to save my mom!" His eyes doubted me like he's validating the entire circumstances and my bidding."Your mom might be dead."That's it. Everything came dubious and I found myself in front of him as my knuckles hushed up in his damn face! It almost rip him off the ground. That was an arduous punch."Fuck you! Fuck you! She's not fucking dead!" He captured my hands and I winced when he tucked my arms behind my back.
We took a massive wary stride to locate the surviving troopers that are still breathing. I was prudent to the surroundings, feeling every pitch for the upcoming threat ahead of us.We deadlock in our track when we listened to the loud yell, withering while begging for remedy. I pursued the outcries from where it came from and I got dumbfounded by the various quantity of the undead sprinting toward the woman.I reared away from what I saw. Damn. I never comprehend this panorama. I couldn't even gulp the existence of what I vouched."R-run, Belle. Run!" I screamed, horrified by the ferocious phenomenon."W-what are you doing, Xiomara?" She shouted in reciprocal, motley with outrage and alarm."The woman was already infected. We can't save her! Now scamper quickly and lie low in a safer place. Don't you ever dare to quit and look back whatever happens.""Are you
Chapter 07Horrendous atmosphere howled roughly at us. The disconcerting feeling grovel and erupted my system. The atrociousness in my eyes was shuddering and tangible.I give attention to assorted coughs that came from Lieutenant. He's severely puffing 'cause of the collision that steers him to an indiscreet harsh tumbled.I bet, he's whipped by the collapse that snagged him unprepared. Too bad, he needs to endure that a bit further. We don't have to hold up otherwise we will be at risk. We must keep moving and get out of here right away.I proceeded to trudge at his smudge. When I got there, I settled my hand over his face and fondled it passively."X-Xiomara..." His muffled voice was impaired in stamina."Get up." My voice was supreme sovereignty in ordering him."I-I can't." His voice was creaked in anguish, annex by his tardy orbs."I think I crushed my bones. Just go and leave me here. I don't wanna
I've been here for two consecutive days and it's quite comical how they trained these fragile ones, chiseling them into a novice warrior. Pity."I saw you fight that night." He perched next to me.Forthwith, he became troublesome into an indigent person, huh? Well, I'm not the type of woman who is likely to kiss and tell. His queries subsist in peeving him since the last time we communicated and I'm not here to apprise him."Those strengths that you possessed and the dexterity with rapid momentum were startling. How did you do that?""Who are you to merit my answers?""There's something in you that made you unique from us. Now tell me, who are you or rather what are you?" His eyes clasps skepticism when he consulted me."Would you like to leap into your conclusions or perhaps, would you fairly stick to my rejoinder?"He got lulle
"I'll command them to back off." Even if he repressed the oscillation of his tone, I can still sense it no matter how arduous he lurks that to his sleeves.Pity."I thought you want me to have some fun?"He shook his head with a jiggling hand flapped on my face. "J-just forget it. I'm going."I can't prevent myself from chuckling 'cause of his remarks. He's appalled at how I fiddle his defrauding. At how I veered the plateau and busted him in his gamble and whirled myself as a naive one in his sight.Does he think I didn't know? For these facts, he can infer that an Eleanor haul a hoax to maneuver some askew shifts. Where he wields the sovereignty of his subterfuge but is later destroyed by the puppet.This is how Eleanor plays. Tricky, destructive, and above all, lethal to jeer for a wager."Xiomara! The news was up!" Exclaimed by Belle.