C8 In Danger Part 1

This afternoon, as usual, I worked part-time after school. The atmosphere looks quite lively today. Many people shop at the Mini Market where I work. Of course, this kept me and my other co-workers very busy. At first, I intended to tell Sis Bianca about today's events, but there were better times to chat amidst our busy lives. I don't want my work to be disturbed. That's why I pushed aside all thoughts about Luigi. I still need to understand why Luigi is always on my mind lately. Whether when I'm studying in class, daydreaming at home, or working like now. The figure of Luigi is constantly imagined in my head. What happened to me? I want to ask Sis Bianca's opinion. Unfortunately, I have to be patient until our work is done.

As usual, I serve customers in a friendly manner, always smiling and greeting customers, no matter how tired I feel. The cashier's queue was very long, and their groceries were expensive. The cashier's desk, which usually only opens one, now opens two. Sis Bianca and I served as cashiers.

"Please hurry up, I'm in a hurry," said one woman who looked nervous and impatient.

"Okay, Mrs," I said, still trying to be friendly.

I counted the groceries quickly, and when I wanted to return the change.

"No need, it's just for you to change," said the woman who had made me gawk. There was plenty of money left, but she ran off in a hurry without waiting for my response.

"Just accept it," whispered Sis Bianca, who might have heard the woman's words. "Consider it a bonus," added Sis Bianca with a chuckle. I'm surprised by this one co-worker of mine. Even though she's busy, she still has time to comment on what happened to me. There was nothing wrong with accepting Sis Bianca's suggestion, so I put the change in my trouser pocket. Then, I went back to serving other customers.

This busyness makes time seem to go by very quickly. Now the clock shows 9 p.m. It's time for the Mini Market to close. Apart from that, you can't see people shopping anymore. Indeed, this is how it is in the area where I live. The atmosphere is very quiet if it's already 9 p.m.

After calculating the number of groceries and equating it with the deposit money, Sis Bianca and I rushed to report it to the boss. Boss is pleased because the Mini Market is very busy, so the income is very large. Our boss is very kind, never hesitates to give bonuses to us when it's busy. That's what he's doing now, distributing bonus money even though it's not much, but it's enough to make us smile broadly. Our work feels appreciated by the boss.

As usual, every time we close, we pray together. We rushed to change clothes in the Pantry. After that, the shop door will be closed by a male employee.

"See you tomorrow, Serena," said Sis Bianca while waving her hand at me. She was ready to go.

"See you tomorrow too, Sis," I said while waving back.

After saying goodbye to all my colleagues, I walked alone towards the house. Indeed, this is what I do every night, walking alone because my home and the Mini Market are pretty close.

No one was walking along the road. Maybe everyone was curled up comfortably in their respective beds. Or they may be watching TV with their family at home. What is certain is that I am the only one who traces this lonely and dark road.

I looked up at the dark sky without the moon or stars. It may rain because the sky looks very cloudy.

Ignoring this eerie silence, I hastened my steps. What I want is only one, namely, to get home soon because the night wind feels cold to the bone. Even though my body was covered in a thin cardigan, the warmth still wasn't enough to dispel the cold wind tonight.

However, I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I felt that two men were walking behind me at this time. I looked back. Two men were walking right behind me. I brushed aside all negative thoughts. They are in one direction with me. I even quickened my pace, hoping my house would soon be seen.

However, I started to feel scared when I heard running footsteps right behind me. The two men caught up with me instantly and now stood before me. They intended to touch me, but I quickly shook off their hands and ran as fast as possible. I couldn't run towards the house because they were blocking my way. I ran back towards the Mini Market, hoping that one of my co-workers was still there.

"Help! Help!"

I kept running while endlessly screaming, but it was useless because the street was quiet, and no one was seen there. I was even more frightened when I realized the two men were still chasing me. The mini market where I work was deserted when I finally passed in front of it. None of my co-workers were there, indicating they had gone home. There is no choice but to keep running. There was a gap beside the Mini Market. I ran there and hid behind a cart that was placed there. My heart raced fast when I dared to peek through the gap of the cart. The two men were standing right in front of the Mini Market. They were looking around, looking for me. I kept wishing in my heart that they would not find me. My mind is blank. My brain can't think right now. Only fear filled my mind. If only there were someone I could ask for help, I immediately remembered Luigi. If only he were here to save me? As before, he always comes when I need him. This thought kept ringing in my mind.

"Whenever and wherever you need me, all you have to do is press the number one on your cell phone then you will be connected to my cell phone number."

What he said then kept ringing: should I contact him? Maybe he was already asleep because it was pretty late at night. I also don't want to keep bothering him.

"Where is the girl?"

I quickly looked ahead as the two men's conversation caught my ear.

"We have to look for her, don't stop looking before we find her. She must still be around here."

Hearing the conversation between the two men made me unable to contain my fear any longer. Finally, I took out my cell phone from my bag. With shaking hands, I pressed the number one. I stared at the cell phone screen, hoping Luigi would immediately answer my call. The relief I felt was immeasurable when Luigi's voice finally sounded, greeting me from the other side. I quickly put the cell phone to my ear.

"Hello.. who is this?"

I miss this sound. I can no longer hold this fear. My tears were already pouring out. As slowly as possible, I spoke to Luigi with a trembling voice.

"H-help me, Luigi," I whispered with sobs.

"S-Serena, what's wrong?" he asked frantically. I'm glad he realized it was me just by hearing my voice.

"There are two men following me, I..."

"HEY, I FOUND IT!!!"

However, before finishing my sentence, I was startled by the screams of one of the men who managed to find my hiding place. He called his friend to hurry over. This needs to be better. If the two of them get in my way again, this time, I doubt I'll be able to escape.

I again tried to run away, but the man caught me. He held my body, locking my movement because he was hugging me from behind now. I tried to fight back with a great rebellion. My hands beat the strong arms of the man who hugged me tighter from behind. My feet did not stay still, constantly kicking and stomping his feet. But my body can't be moved anymore when the two men are now gripping my body tightly. My hands were held so that I could no longer put up any resistance.

One of them started kissing my neck. I screamed as loud as I could, but no one came to save me. I thrashed when now only one person was holding me. My tears flowed even harder when the man kissing my neck intended to tear my clothes. He pulled my thin cardigan forcibly so that it tore in several places. I will not give up fighting them. I kicked the man standing before me, and he groaned in pain. I struggled violently and ran as fast as I could as soon as the grip of the man behind me was released.

"IMPOSSIBLE GIRL!! STOP YOU!!"

They were still chasing me. I ran as fast as I could. Unfortunately, their running speed exceeded mine, so they quickly caught up with me. Now, we are very close, and once again, they caught me.

I was about to scream for help, but one of them covered my mouth. Then, they forcibly dragged my body to a parked car. Maybe it's their car. One of the men sat in the driver's seat while the other held me tightly.

"Let go of me. What do you guys want?!" I snapped at them. Instead of answering, they just laughed at me. The car sped away without me being able to escape. I am still determining where they will take me. And this question was answered when they stopped at an empty plantation area. Many weeds grow tall, wild, and unkempt.

When the car stopped perfectly, I rushed to open the car door. I intended to run, but the man beside me was so capable of predicting my plans that he held me before I could get out of the car. Together, they carried me, who kept screaming and struggling. Unfortunately, there is no one here, no one I can ask for help.