C3 S03:First Prey

*Warning: Contains Gore & Bloody Scene*

The door creaked when I opened it, seeing my younger siblings sleeping soundly on the bed. I closed the door and changed into my pajamas before sitting on the edge of the bed, watching them. I fixed the blanket before brushing Ariel's head.

My eyes caught a small scar on the side of her forehead. Carefully, I brushed it with my thumb then covered it back with her bangs. I shifted my eyes to the frame, standing on the nightstand.

The last picture we took as a family in a ward hospital, after mama gave birth to Nash.

Mama was always beautiful but, in that picture, it looks different. She lost weight from losing blood.

Mama was holding baby Nash and little Ariel was sitting on the bed between her and me who's standing on the other side. While papa was standing behind me, looking directly into the camera with a smile on his face.

'If anyone saw this picture, they would think we were happy like a normal family.'

I curled myself and hid in the corner, covering my ears with eyes closed. This is what my little sister taught me to calm myself. And somehow, I've become so used to doing this every night since we lost papa.

Every time I cover my ears, it feels like I'm underwater and closing my eyes makes me imagine my body floating in the endless dark sea of nothingness.

'How eerie yet calming…'

There is a time when I'm also terrified of what happened in my mind. It's like something inside me tries to encourage myself to act out the same thing like what I fantasized. Fortunately, my siblings are the reason that managed to stop me from becoming my worst fear. The only thing left is my sanity.

'Will I stay sane like a normal person, or will I turn into something inhuman?'

~ ~ ~ ~

"Safiyya! Wake up! You're going to be late for school!"

I could feel my body being shaken by my sister.

I groaned and opened my eyes.

"What time is it?"

"6:02. Hurry up! Up! Up!"

She pulled both my arms to get me out of the bed but failed.

"It's still early, Ariel. Let your big sis sleep for another 10 minutes."

My body is still heavy from all the sleep.

Ariel pouted while crossing her arms. Quietly, she glanced and gave a signal to the youngest who was standing at the door.

A moment of silence before I heard Nash shouting "Cannon ball!". At the same time, something heavy trampled on my body.

This woke me up and immediately I looked at the thing on top of me.

"Nash! You little! Stop crushing me! I can't breathe!"

This time, Nash succeeded.

"Safiyya, school! School!"

"I know, okay! Okay! I'm getting up now!"

I sighed as I tried to put my feet on the ground. Nash is ready with my towel in his hands while Ariel cleans up the bed. Done showering and wearing my school uniform, I made my way downstairs. Ariel is already preparing toast and jam on a plate for us.

"Oh! You cut your bangs?"

"Yeah, I thought it would be cool."

I grabbed the teapot and made a cup of green tea.

"They look great on you."

"Thanks."

I sat at the kitchen table and fiddled with my new cut.

"Are you going home early tonight?"

She is pouring herself and Nash some warm milk.

"Yeah, I'm having an off day. Just want to inform you of this earlier. After I'm done with the stage performance, I've decided to resign."

Her eyes widened.

"What! You're going to quit?"

I nodded. My finger rubbing out the jam on Nash's cheek. This made him giggle.

"The final examination is coming, so I need to focus on my studies. Don't worry, I still have my allowance and money left."

"But... But... Why? Why do you suddenly want to resign, Safiyya? Didn't you love acting?"

I shrugged.

"Yeah, I did. I no longer have any passion for acting and I don't enjoy doing something I've lost interest in. Other than that, I'm worried for Nash."

Both of us looked at Nash, who's wiggling in his seat. He is happy eating his toast.

Ariel turned back to me when I became silent.

"What's wrong?"

I stare at that innocent face, shaking my head.

"I'm sorry for not getting you into the school."

Her lips curved into a smile.

"That's fine. I can teach Nash using the books from our neighbors. It's better than letting it slide to the waste bin."

I gave one glance at her trembling hands on the table. Carefully, I took her hand.

"As long as both of you are with me, you're safe. Don't worry too much."

She let out a small giggle.

"Okay. Thank you, Safiyya. I really appreciate it."

Seeing her face turning pale, I clenched my jaw.

If it wasn't because of that incident, that scar would never have existed. And Ariel will never fall into her own trauma.

~ ~ ~ ~

5 years ago.

"I'm home."

I greeted as my hand pushed the entrance door, letting out a breath before entering through. My eyes scanned my house as I took my shoes off, going to the living room while putting down my backpack in the corner.

I was walking to the kitchen when I heard the water running. I furrowed my eyebrows, seeing a small figure standing in front of the sink, as she was drying her hands. My eyes glanced at the food on the table before looking back at her when she turned around, facing me with a smile.

"Welcome home, Safiyya."

"You're still awake?"

Ariel walked over to the fridge and took out the milk, pouring some into a cup, handing it to me.

"I couldn't sleep so I decided to wait for you to come home for a while."

I stared at her blankly, taking the offered drink from her hands.

"You knew my class tuition would end late, right? You even prepared dinner for me. You know you're not supposed to be in the kitchen this late."

"It's nothing..."

"Ariel, don't lie to me, did you get a fever? Let me see."

I reached out and put my hand on the side of her head trying to check her temperature. But she flinched away and shook her head, avoiding eye contact.

"I'm okay. Really. Please just leave it alone."

I stared at her silently, waiting until she made eye contact with me again.

"Go eat, you must be starving right now. You need to get your rest."

She tried to change the subject and move past me.

I grabbed onto her arm and pulled her towards me. I pushed up her bangs. My eyes glinted with rage, seeing a wounded scar on her forehead.

"Ariel..."

I let go of her arm but kept holding onto her wrist.

"Were you protecting Nash?"

Ariel finally met my gaze, a bit shaken by my question. Her mouth opened but no words came out, her gaze dropping down to the floor. She stayed quiet for a few seconds before nodding, slowly.

"The one who made that scar, was it someone you've seen before?"

Ariel remained silent.

I purposely turned but she stopped me.

"No..."

She looked me in the eyes.

"He's not from here."

'He?'

I nodded, no further questioning.

"We need to treat that wound."

She looked hesitant but eventually followed me to our bedroom, lying on the bed beside sleeping Nash and I quickly washed my hands before taking a bandage and placing it carefully on top of her scar.

Done tucking Ariel to sleep, I turned off the light, leaving the door open just as tiny a crack as I headed to the other room. I opened the closet and took out my old backpack, checking to make sure everything I needed was inside before slung it over my shoulder and closed it. I mouthed the sandwich Ariel served before putting a mask on since thick fog bothers me. It always appeared at night and went out, creeped into our neighborhood.

I exited the house quietly, closing the door behind me with a soft click. At the same time, the clock started ticking at midnight.

~ ~ ~ ~

"Please! Help me find my sister! She suddenly disappeared after I went back home. We don't have parents. My siblings are the only family I have left! Please help me!"

A twelve-year-old girl running back and forth in the middle of an old road while crying desperately. In this kind of situation, any normal person would go away at once, ignoring this case.

Still not giving up, she approached a guy who's smoking nearby. He looked like a teenager.

The stranger glanced at her then turned his head around and continued to take a puff.

"Sir. Can you help me find my sister?"

He looked at the picture on the girl's hands before turning his gaze to her again.

"Nah! Never seen her."

"Please sir. If you can help me find my sister, I'll give you a reward."

The stranger put off his cigarette.

"Fine! But you need to show me the reward first."

The girl nodded eagerly and showed him the money inside her backpack.

He smiled and started looking around the place.

"Oh right! I saw her walking down there. Let me guide you."

He pointed randomly while she followed him from behind.

After six minutes of searching, they found a dark alley between two buildings with no doors. He watched his surroundings, making sure there's no people. A sinister smile crept up on his face as he quietly pulled out a small dagger.

"Kid, did your parents never tell you not to follow a stranger in a quiet place alone? Don't you know how dangerous it is?"

"Yes. Papa told me once. But, has anyone told you to never let your back be exposed to a stranger? Don't you know how easy it is to take someone's life?"

His smile faded quickly when hearing a clicking sound coming from behind him. His eyes widened as he glanced sideways. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed the muzzle pointing directly towards his back.

I glared at the man with a piercing gaze, waiting for him to make the wrong move.

At first, I was targeting his brain but realizing my height is smaller than him, so I changed my target and aimed at his heart instead. The result will end up the same. Death.

He turned around slowly with one hand gripping his pocket, hiding the dagger.

"Hey kid, are we playing police and thief right now? Are you going to shoot me with that toy?"

I just looked at him with a straight face although he couldn't see it.

He let out a breathy chuckle as he raised both his hands up slowly. Slowly but steadily backing away as if trying to get away from me, without breaking eye contact. Quietly he glanced at my backpack on the ground, hanging open.

'Was that gun hidden inside her backpack, under that money this whole time?'

He thought to himself.

"Why? Wanna play?"

I raised my eyebrows slightly.

He gave up all pretenses and started chuckling.

"Look kid. You can try shooting me, but I assure you that it won't work. It may seem like a toy, but I promise you I have a very lethal weapon. So, let's stop playing around, okay? Or you want me to kill you now?"

He had no clue about my abilities. For example, he didn't see the faint glint in my eyes or the slight shaking of my hands. He just assumed he could easily overpower me.

He was wrong though. I was waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

"Confident enough."

I muttered to myself.

Without wasting a second, I squeezed the trigger.

An audible click was heard when the bullet contacted his right ankle foot. His leg snapped loudly. He screamed in pain and fell on the ground. The ground was covered by his blood which spilled everywhere, emitting the smell of fresh death.

The familiar scents as in the past, where I was hunting a deer with papa, and we got trapped by a pack of hyenas. Somehow, I remembered the lessons he taught me.

'Pretend to dance on their palms. They believe they're the one in control, so they will try to crumple you with their power. Just watch them and be prepared. Once their vulnerable side shows itself, use your advantage to take out their lives with one swift blow. A weak prey cannot pose much threat to a predator. And if they're strong opponents, don't hold back, because the outcome will be the same.'

His words rang vividly in my mind as I walked forward.

Papa keeps repeating and brainwashing me to follow him. To become strong and fearless. In contrast with what mama wants.

The stranger looked in my direction, watching me getting closer.

"Are you mad?!"

He yelled.

"A little. You just won't stop moving so I need to make sure you can't run anymore."

Once again, I pointed the gun down at him.

Now he's on a below level of fear, knowing that death is staring at his face.

"W... Why... Why me...?"

His voice trembled. At this point, tears are streaming down his face freely. He could feel his breathing accelerating and his body shivered uncontrollably.

This is my favorite kind of prey. A weak prey. Once the opponent loses their composure, they will always be weaker. Like that one hyena where it can no longer run after I shoot its leg.

I sat down on one knee and leaned closer to him who's leaning against the wall.

"Are you asking me, why is this happening to you? Or why am I doing this to you and not to someone who deserves it more?"

Taking off one side mask, showing no signs of anger in my face.

"Now you finally see my face, you should've recognized me."

He stared at me, trying to understand what kind of monster was standing in front of him, wearing the mask of a human.

"No... I don't know you..."

He stammered out.

My eyes caught a box of cigarettes and lighter in his pocket. I took it out and lit up a cigarette with a flick of the lighter.

"This cigarette has the same scents as the one in my house. Will that answer your question?"

With that I pushed his hair to the side slightly, placing the cigarette between my two fingers with the burn end of it facing his forehead.

"A scar for a scar, a blood for a blood. Am I right, papa?"

I whispered to myself.

He screamed in pain as he felt the heat from the tip of the burning cigarette. Tears were running down his cheek again as he couldn't believe how much pain his body was going through due to me.

"Help! There's a mad girl trying to kill me! Someone save me!"

His sudden screams were so loud that they were echoing across the whole street.

"I don't care if they can hear you. It's pointless for you after all."

"Are you dumb? They will know that you're the killer after seeing everything."

"I never said they're going to see me shoot you."

I tilted my head slightly. After seeing his confusion, I added.

"If they arrive at the scene, they will see a man and a young girl. The first few things that came to their mind; s*xual abuse, trafficking, abduction. They will think you're the culprit and will immediately catch you because in their eyes, I'm nothing but a merely innocent victim. You will have no justice and everyone who heard this story will look down on you. That's how I imagined in the second scenario."

My hand went up squeezing his cheeks.

"How about the first scenario? Let me share it with you. I imagined that I'm going to *beep* your other leg. Then I did *beep* on both your arms and *beep* on your stomach using the *beep* countless times. After that, I *beep* your head, *beep* your face, *beep* some of your leftover organs to the wild animals in the forest."

I widened my eyes, trying to show my excitement and amusement. With every word I spoke, I could see his face turning paler and paler.

"Em swerry... E won do it aten (I'm sorry... I won't do it again)."

His pleading eyes were filled with terror.

I watched him as he started hyperventilating.

"You're lucky, my sister is still alive."

I stood up, taking a step backwards. My gun aimed right between his eyes.

"I'm not merciless like you saw but I'm also not merciful like you think. Consider this as your first and last warning."

Once again, the sound of gunshots rang through the air.