Chapter 6

• THE 21st BIRTHDAY
• JILLIAN
• The sun rays have invaded my room through the window. It’s a bit open and the curtains are being flown by the air that’s able to come inside. Today is my birthday but I don’t feel happy or excited about it. All I see is this woman staring at me with her weird smile plastered on her face.
• “It’s time,” she said.
• “What if he forgets about the promise?” I asked her.
• “No. He won’t. He wanted to help you out of hell.”
• “Hell?”
• “This life you have with your family.”
• I stood up to prepare myself though nobody in this house cares about it. I’m all alone again and if they come home, I’ll only get new bruises. They also fight for small things. It’s annoying. Angelo is coming back. That only means I can see that mansion once again. I think I miss him.
• A smile curved from my lips as I watched the forest from the window pane. The wind is making the trees dance like it’s calling me again. As I opened the window, I was expecting his voice to whisper for my name again as the wind touched my face but no. I hear only silence.
• “Just trust him,” the woman said, still following wherever I go. It’s like she knows what I’m thinking. Now I’m bothered if I’m that transparent. I look at her trying to remember her name. I met her years ago but I can’t seem to recall what it is. Maybe she didn’t say anything.
• “When he promises, he keeps it. He is alive until now too because of a promise,” she continued speaking but it only confused me so I closed the window.
• “What do you mean?” I asked walking downstairs and she is still following me.
• “I’m sorry, it’s all I can say for now. I think I don’t have the right to spill the beans.”
• I did all my chores fast while she was just there watching me, waiting when I was gonna finish what I’m doing. Time flew fast, it’s noon but I still couldn't feel any presence of him. I’m starting to feel disappointed. Boredom is also starting to dominate me realizing I don’t know what to do next.
• “That’s it, I’m going to the forest,” I said standing up from the chair at the dining table. The moment I opened the door, a car arrived. It’s my parents. Did they just remember my birthday?
• When they walked past me, I laughed a little. They will never care about my birthday. I have no choice but go back inside giving last glimpse to that forest. My eyes are fixed again to the floor, doing everything they need like taking their shoes off their feet.
• “So, you haven’t thought about escaping again ee?” dad asked, patting my head like a dog. His smelly feet almost made me puke but I controlled myself not to.
• After they went to their room to rest, I decided to go outside watching the view of the horizon and then the forest. I am just there, sitting at the doors threshold until the sun starts setting. My chest started to tighten making some tears crawl down my face.
• “Jillian,” the woman spoke again trying to caress my back. It somehow made me feel better but it’s not enough. I cried even more all silent covering my mouth. There is no sound escaping though I want to scream my lungs out. This time I’m not alone but it’s still making me depressed.
• “Don’t you trust him? The day hasn’t ended yet,” she said trying to embrace me.
• Watching the sun completely out of sight is making me disagree with her but I stand up. I started walking faster than normal heading to the forest. It’s getting dark but I don’t care. Just like the last time I attempted doing the same action, I can’t find the mansion.
• “Jillian,” the woman called me but I ignored her. “Your parents,” she continued.
• “Let them search for me,” I said, harassly wiping my tears away. I’m already getting tired walking but it’s still the same sight of trees.
• “Angelo!” I called out his name but my voice only echoed. It’s already dark and I can no longer see things clearer so I stayed there. I cat down pressing my back on the tree’s trunk sucking some oxygen.
• I closed my eyes, burying my face on my knees while tightly embracing them. I felt so alone again. The wind blew a bit hard making weird sounds created by the leaves. If someone else is here, they will surely think that it’s creepy to be alone but I don’t. I can even sleep here tonight if the situation demands it.
• “Why are you so sad?” My heart almost popped out of my chest when I heard a familiar voice. I immediately lift my head. He is kneeling with one knee in front of me. “I’m already here,” he continued.
• Crying even more, I hugged him as tight as possible. He is back. After letting go, I took his hand as we walked through the forest. He is still wearing the same face, outfit and aura. He also holds me the same and I’m never happier all my life. My eyes laid unto the mansion. I missed the sight so much.
• We walked through the hallways before entering the huge door.
• “Happy Birthday Jillian,” he said when the door is finally wide open exposing what he prepared for me. It made me cry for happiness. The place feels festive with all the other beings I’m seeing. A lot of food is arrayed on a long table with dazzling decorations. The walls are filled with sparkling ornaments as if they are all real jewels.
• He let go of my hand but I didn’t care about it until the next thing he did. A woman much older than me came to the picture from the staircase wearing a white simple dress. I saw how they look at each other and it broke my heart. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek making her smile sweetly hugging him.
• I felt like my heart was shattered into pieces.
• “Angelo,” I called his name, making him look at me. “Who is she?”