The Last Letter

35

Chapter XXXV

Suzanne’s POV

I looked around for August everywhere but no matter where I go inside the village, I can’t seem to find him.

He left this morning and I haven’t had the chance to talk to him. I thought he was avoiding me and wanted to be alone since I was sticking to him like a magnet these last two days. I haven’t gotten to be close to our team mates either. Actually, I was with some of them earlier, hoping to make friends but I felt so out of place and can’t seem to go along with what they were talking about.

In the end, even though it brings me anxiety to explore a place I am not that familiar with, I decided to walk around by myself. In this way, I will have the experience for the next year that I’ll be on this trip again. By that time, it would be impossible that me and August will be in the same group again. I won’t have anyone I could stick around to so I’ll take the courage now.

You can do it Suzanne! I cheered myself up.

I walked around the dry market, hoping to find something like a souvenir I could give to Benjamin and to my grandpa and brother when I visit them again. I also bought local snacks I could share with August on the bus later. I used the pocket money I saved for this trip. I haven’t used a single dime of the pocket money my brother gave, I think I’ll just return or save that for emergencies.

I heard the locals having a conversation but they look really frustrated. I do not understand what they are saying since they are talking in their own dialect.

After buying enough souvenirs and snacks that I’ll take home, I ran my eyes around the area to pick out a place I’ll go into. A specific area called out my attention. We haven’t been able to explore more of this area of the village because it is quite far from the inn. In that area was where the elementary school was built.

Upon walking down the path to the elementary school to take pictures of it, out of nowhere, I heard what seemed like a child whimpering. I felt eerie since I thought I was just hearing things but upon walking around to see if the cries would grow louder in an area, I was convinced it was a real child. I don’t know what’s causing him/her to cry but it sounds like this child needs help.

There were only a few people in this area and some were heading to the market so I became more and more anxious as I walked around here. I followed the sound of the child crying and I heard it getting louder and louder as I took a step towards the houses.

I stuck my ears in one of the doors but it wasn’t that. I walked to the next door and the sound was coming from inside. I felt a rush of blood to my head and my hands curled into fists. I badly want to slam the door open to see what is going on inside but I’m contemplating if I should really do that. What if I am just overreacting and inside is just a child crying because of just simple things like he might be just hungry or looking for his parents.

But in the end, curiosity took over me. What if this child really needs help and I chose to leave him be? My conscience wouldn’t take it if that is the case. So I knocked on the door to be respectful to the owner of the house but to my surprise, the crying stopped.

“Is everything okay there?” I asked loudly enough to be heard inside.

I received no answer.

“Hello? Is anyone inside? I just heard someone crying so I just wonder if everything’s alright there?” I asked again and knocked on the door again.

“Everything’s okay!” A man shouted from the inside. With the way he responded, I was becoming more and more concerned that something bad is going on inside.

“Uhm are you sure? Do you need any help? Can you open the door so we could talk?”

“No, everything is okay. You should leave.” The man answered.

I stood in front of their door thinking if I should call for help or confront the man inside. If I take more time, the child could be in more danger and this man could escape.

I was startled when I heard a scream from inside. He said some words but I don’t understand any of it but that scream, was definitely asking for help. That is my cue. I kicked the door open with all my might.

The door slammed open and as I saw what was inside. I dropped the plastic bag I am holding.

I feel my heart racing, breathing shakingly.

Inside I saw a pale and malnourished looking child sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. He didn't have any shirt on, he only wore his pants. I couldn’t see more of the room since it was dark inside. On the floor were broken bottles of beer and hundreds of empty snacks.

Memories of the past suddenly came flushing through my mind.

I saw the little kid crying, burying his face in his arms

A beer bottle flew in front of my eyes and slammed on the wall just beside me. I crouched down and tiptoed inside.

The man inside spoke an unfamiliar language angrily and judging the tone of his voice, he was definitely drunk. He stood up so I immediately hid beside the shoe rack, and covered myself with the curtain. The man went outside and I think he is looking for me

“Hey!” I whispered and rolled a marble on the floor towards the child. He looked up and saw me hiding under the table.

I gestured for him to run fast into me and so he did fast but just when he was in front of me, the man’s shadow emerged from the door.

I felt extreme pain as he dragged me outside by my hair. He pushed me so hard on the wall, hitting my head. My head hurt and became dizzy so I leaned on the wall. I couldn't stand my weight after I hit my head so I stumbled down and I landed my hands on a bunch of broken glass beside their house. I felt tears rushing down my face as I saw my hands and arms and bleeding so much. There was still broken glass stuck inside my wounds.

Despite the pain, I stood up really fast and pushed him down with all my might and luckily, he became out of balance and stumbled on the floor. I headed inside and dragged the boy outside, telling him to hold into my shirt.

Now that I see him in light, he has so many bruises and some of them are turning violet and black. He has a black eye and his lips are bleeding. My eyes become watery as I look at him.

We ran to the market and when they looked at us, they were so surprised to see me bleeding.

Some of the big men went to the place we ran from and the women on the market called for something that I could ride to the hospital. That’s at least what I thought they were doing since I do not understand a thing. I still feel dizzy but I do my best to stay awake. My schoolmates who were in the market thankfully knew some emergency tips so they helped me cover my wounds. I wouldn’t know that my head is bleeding if they hadn’t told me.

I held my hand tight to the child beside me. The ladies dressed him in clothes and gave him some food and drinks.

I saw the professor in charge of us running towards me and was in a panic mode. The head of the village also arrived with a pickup truck me and the child could use to go to the hospital. My professor escorted us all the way and I told him every information about the incident, not missing any details even if it’s small. He said he is really proud of what I did but told me that I should’ve called for help.

Thankfully, I didn’t fall asleep in the hospital. I was awake for most of the important procedures such as checking if my head is alright and dressing up my wounds properly.

My professor got a phone call from the and when he came back after taking the call, he told me an unfortunate news.

The man earlier was the father of the child and he wants to sue me for trespassing and damage to property. He wants me investigated right now.

I felt my blood boil in anger. How can a father do that to his own child? Oh right, my father did the same.

The police and some of the villagers went to the hospital to get me investigated right away. With my professor beside me, I stood up without fear to confront that man. With all the evidence in my body and in my camera, the child’s physical condition, this case would be in favor of us. We left the child, Joseph, in the hospital but we promised that we will come back from him.

We went with the police and told them every detail that I told my professor. I also presented evidence on my camera as well as the bruises. I told the police that he should sue me for those petty charges and I’ll definitely sue him for domestic violence, neglect, child abuse, and the list goes on. I’ll make sure he’ll rot in jail.

With the evidence submitted, they would just need the statement of the child and then he will be brought into an orphanage since the case was in our favor.

But the same as my case in the past, it wasn't as easy as it sounds. Lots of investigation and court trials are needed to fully win the case.

My heart goes for the child who remained strong despite the hell he suffered everyday. As we saw him before leaving, he was smiling and thanked me so much for saving him. As much as I do not want to leave him, we need to go back to the university to report. My professor said he will update me regarding the case as he will stand with me at one of the trials.

I really hope that Joseph will have his own happy ending, same as what I had years ago.

To be continued…