"Read...read....a...a story...f-for m-me...me...P-please, Cally."

I closed the book I was reading as she yanked me to her bed.

"What do you want me to read, hmm?, " I heaved a question. She took five books and handed them to me.

"R-read ... that f-for me ... until ... until I fall .... asleep," She said while staring in another direction and not at me. Her head was wiggling too, all the time when she speaks.

I giggled as I opened the first book. I should read five books for her. She can't sleep every one or two books. There should always be five books before she can slumber soundly. In the daylight, she reads herself. She has an autism spectrum disorder, So I need to understand her. She managed to talk well but as time went on, her condition got worse. If only we had money, it would not have gotten worse. I began reading the story until the fifth book, she was still not drowsy.

“ Once upon a time, a girl was standing up against the peaceful lake, crying. She wished to end her life, but when she was about to take a step, someone shoves her causing her to fell, luckily, the boy clenched her right hand but the boy didn't raise aloft her. She whimpered and crying out for help from the boy who pushed her. The boy was just looking at him, He was endeavoring to make a decision and his sense was hazed if he will help her or not. The boy made his decision and came out helping the girl. After He did it, He then ran away, leaving the girl who couldn't utter those words she wanted to say. After what happened, she always went to that place, looking for him-"

I stopped when I feel the hot liquid trotting all over my face. I shut it down carefully when I notice she was quiet, already dozing. I gradually stood up and fixed her blanket.

"I love you so much, Issy Cath, " I muttered and put on a kiss on her forehead.

I went directly to the kitchen and I was no longer surprised when I saw Mom wrapping an ice candy.

"I'll finish it. You're asleep, Mom," ​​ but she just jerked her head.

"We'll finish it together, so, just assist me. You still have tales for me," I laughed a little and started wrapping because I'm going to vend these tomorrow.

I'm not a storyteller, ah!

We were tight-lipped for a moment.

"The landlord was already inquiring me the payment, Cally," she sought.

I bestowed her a smile, "The following day, will he comes back?" She nodded.

" Don't bother, Mom. I'll look for two more jobs. We can reimburse the rent, hmm?," I swore at her.

The next morning I woke up early, even though I had just returned home from work. I have five jobs. I know it's hard but for the family, it's manageable. I perhaps only slept for two hours. I'm done selling ice candy. I'm also done cooking for them in the morning so that when they wake up, everything is ready. My mother will take my older sister to her school. I have not graduated from college. My mother made an effort to send me to school but I stopped because of the catastrophes of life. My income was so inadequate for food that's why I was forced to quit. I intended to come back when we loosen up but destiny can also be taken advantage of because my sister unexpectedly got sick.... maybe it's alright that I can support them. I could give up everything just to feed them three times a day.

"Two caffè latte and three frappuccinos, please."

"Hey, my cappuccino, miss?"

"Gosh, faster! Where's my macchiato?"

"Miss, two espressos and brewed coffee."

I was hooked in the sense when people rounded up. There are only two of us on duty right now so we have to step on it. There is also a promo today so there will be plenty of people who will come. Society is really weird, huh? When it comes to this sort of thing.

When my shift was over, I went straight to another fast-food chain nearby. It's a good thing that the owners where I worked, agreed that I only work a limited hours a day

" Uhm, Miss...” she looked up at the menu, uncomfortable. I think she's only a minor.

"4 Piece Chicken McNuggets, Egg McMuffin, and Sausage Burrito."

"Dine in or take out? " her eyes magnified as she stares at me. Her hand is twitching as well.

"Ah.....eh, we'll eat it at the table," I giggled at her.

Maybe it's her first time ordering here. She's such a cute girl. I saw my greener self from her. I was shy too when Mom asked me to order in the fast-food chain.

I ate lunch before taking off to the nearby market.

" You know the quote, time is gold, Cally? "

I smiled at him before getting into the jeep. " Of course, I know. Sorry, I was late, " he scratches his head.

" I have no words, okay. "

I will only go on three rides today because I have another shift in a convenience store.

"Move, there's still an available seat. Brother, move there first. Please move," he moved on with a glare.

"There's still a vacancy, sister, move a slight, " Her eyebrows rose instantly but I just smiled at her.

"This is absolutely how life works, it's tough."

The transportation was smooth and we arrive safely.

I was sweating when I arrived at the store. Seriously, I jogged it?

Hooooo! Fighting!

I will exclusively work until dawn now because the one who will replace me will arrive late. She phones me earlier about that. I've been working here for a long time so I'm very used to it.

I just leaned over while staring at the hand of the clock, yearning it will slow down. I want to slope first. I tight my eyes when the beautiful music plays.

"All you've ever meant to my life..." I accompanied the song softly.

I opened my eyes when there was a sudden smash. I don’t know which part that is. All I know is there was a smash.

"Who's that?" I shouted, but no one answered.

Is that my shift substitute?

Until my eyes caught the figure of the man in the darkness, but he immediately vanished.

In a few minutes, the one who will replace my shift arrived.

I walked quietly while carrying two chicken wings, my sister's favorite. I'm sure she'll be pleased with this.

I will pay the landlord half. My money is still lacking. I hope he has mercy for our situation now...

I hope he agrees.

I stopped when a motorcycle was moving toward my way. I lifted both hands, covering my gapes. A few more moments until the motorcycle stopped near where I was standing. My gazes dilated when the man took off his helmet, deliberately reaching in my direction.

Beat.

My grip tightened on the bag I was carrying and he was looking at it.

Beat ...

He is close...

W-who are you? Who are you? What d-do you n-need—

Without wavering. I run

Not in my sense, I run while he was still hunting me. My sanity had nothing inside but to escape from this old man.

" Everybody's going to be exhausted so just run, miss," He shouted and whistles.

I no longer knew what to do. I comprehended that later on, my body would get weak from running.

Even if I shriek for help, no one would help and heed me at this tardy hour.

I lost hope when he caught my hair strand causing me to pull out my tied hair.

" Gotcha! " I swiveled my back on him so I rapidly kicked the middle part of him. When I feel that he's no longer clenched my hair, I turned to face him and kicked it again. My eyes saw the knife on his side. I quickly took it from him.

"If I murder you here, they would probably call it self-defense," I looked up and smiled as I watched the CCTV footage, facing our area.

If I don't fight back, I might go home dead.

I backed away as he slowly stood up. I thwarted the knife when he was about to grab it from me.

I need to survive ...

Mom and Issy Cath still need me.

"I'm in a hurry, I'm sorry," I threw the knife off and commenced walking.

" But how about me? I'm interested in money and your body!"

I ran again, tired out.

I can't die.

Who will provide for my family in case I die today?

I didn't turn until, half a space away, I heard the sound of a gun.

I'm censured.

I felt an abrupt pain as though red-hot stuff had just been drawn across my upper arm. I heard another sound, I thought it'd hit me again, but I feel nothing. I slowly shut my eyes. Tears filled my eyes when someone held up me and whispered ...

"Wake up... Cally"

I opened my left eye, but I could no longer see his face because of the sudden weight of my eyelids.

But I saw its gorgeous eyes ...