Divided heart

7. become coward

"Hate will destroy you if you don't destroy it first."

-sin-

There was no other way. Sooner or later, that ragged girl would surely notice my presence. Fear paralyzed my reaction at that moment; I could only stand frozen in a sea of adrenaline.

Whether it was because of the prayer I offered at that time or just sheer luck. Suddenly, the front door of Candy's flat opened. The girl stopped abruptly and looked anxiously towards the source of the sound.

A large man entered my line of sight, his hairy hand grabbing Candy's hair without a word. His lips parted as he delivered a hard slap to Candy's face.

The girl was thrown to the floor, gasping for air. "What are you doing...?"

The man spoke in a low voice. Although it wasn't clear, I could read his lip movements.

Candy didn't answer. The man's face grew angrier. His eyebrows furrowed tightly. He raised his foot and kicked the girl's side. Once, twice, three times. I gasped and squeezed my eyes shut, unable to bear witness to the violence inflicted on Candy's helpless body.

Even though the girl's actions were wrong, it didn't mean she deserved such brutal treatment.Especially from a member of her own family. That man must be Candy's father. Their faces were strikingly similar: aquiline noses, thin lips, and high cheekbones. Candy looked just like him, but in the female version.

I sighed and opened my eyes again, curious about Candy's condition. Her father stood silently watching Candy curl up, clutching her stomach. The small girl's body trembled violently with pain; my conscience was stirred. Empathy made me want to run and save her.

"Why are you doing such strange things again?" This time his voice was clear enough, as my ear was pressed against the wall.

"I'm sorry..." Candy replied.

"Do you like making a fuss and seeking attention? Do you want everyone to know about your abnormality?"

Candy sobbed. "I'm sorry, Dad!!!"

"You've apologized many times and you keep repeating things I don't like." The large man clenched his fist. My heart sank at his actions. Oh no, he's going to hit her again.

"Do you know what punishment a naughty girl like you deserves?" The man grabbed Candy's neck, dragging her towards the kitchen sink.

"Dad, Dad, please...!" Candy clutched his shirt, trying to get away from him.

The man in the checkered shirt slowly turned on the water, plugging the kitchen sink drain and letting the water fill the basin. Candy cried even louder; no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't escape her father's strong grip.

My heart pounded faster as the water level rose. The man forcefully pushed Candy's head towards the sink. Candy's arms gripped the edge of the sink, but the thin girl's strength was no match for the man's.

No... no... no... she could die.

The first dunk. Candy's head surfaced after a moment. The girl gasped for air, a labored breath. Before she could take another, her head was plunged back into the sink. Candy's legs kicked wildly as she fought for her life. Again, she was lifted just as she reached her limit.

I can't just sit here. How much longer can this girl hold on?

Each time he submerged it, the duration increased. By the fifth time the man submerged Candy's head, the girl's body jolted once, then went still, her thin arms falling limp without further resistance.

Without thinking, I ran towards the door, tripping over a chair and ignoring the pain,

Don't die, please wait for me!!

I pressed the doorbell of flat number 19 repeatedly while banging on the door.

"Excuse me... excuse me...!!"

Fear increasingly gripped my heart. Frustration made me kick the flat door like a madman.

I almost fell when the door suddenly opened. The large man glared, his wet hands on his hips.

"What do you want?" he asked unhappily. The man's thick eyebrows furrowed sharply.

I tried to peek past his body. Seeing my actions, the large man immediately blocked me with his body.

"What do you want? Haa...h!!" His voice now sounded intimidating.

Unfortunately, I hadn't thought of a reason beforehand.

"It... It...", I stammered, confused. How could I explain that I had just seen him torture his daughter? I could be certain my head would be in the kitchen sink next.

"Don't bother me...!" The large hand gripped my collar.

"Thief..!" I cried out in panic.

"What?" He raised his eyebrow in disbelief.

"I saw the thief again on the ceiling. He moved to this flat earlier." I lied. To be honest, the trembling in my body hadn't stopped since then. What if he knew I was lying?

"Thief...? Where..?" His voice rose an octave.

"Up there..!" I answered, pointing randomly at a section of the ceiling. "Maybe he's still here..!" I don't know where the courage came from, but I pushed the large man aside and entered without permission.

My eyes scanned the kitchen. The thin girl was still there, curled up against the kitchen counter. Wet hair covered Candy's entire face. I wasn't sure if she was still alive in the dim light of the room.

"What are you looking at?" The large man's hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"No, is she alright?" I have to admit how cowardly I was at that moment. The girl was only a few steps away.

"That's none of your business!!" He pushed me away, still gripping my shirt tightly. He pulled me out the door.

"I didn't hear anything at all. If there's a thief, I can handle it myself." He emphasized each word.

He shoved me hard.

"Don't ever bother my flat again, mind your own business!!" The door was about to close in my face.

"What...?" The man clicked his tongue in annoyance. My foot reflexively stopped the door from closing.

"Candy...?" I blurted out. Oh, damn. My lips accidentally uttered the girl's name.

The man's dark eyes widened. A slow, crooked smile appeared. But the smile didn't reach his eyes. He looked more like he was grimacing. "You know Candy? My daughter...?"

"I... I....., I" stammered. Damn it. I really wanted to punch myself in the mouth.

The man slowly lowered his head, studying my face. Bit by bit. "Are you the new resident in the flat next door?"

Sweat dripped, soaking my shirt. The man's gaze was terrifying. I nodded nervously.

"Why does your face look familiar?" he asked.

"Huh.....? What...?"

His rough fingers played with my hair. He moved closer. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. His eyes narrowed sharply.

My instincts screamed a warning. I immediately pushed the large man away, ran to my flat, and slammed the door shut.

I was trembling uncontrollably. He knew me, why did my face look familiar to him now?

Who is he? What about Candy?

Who am I?

All the questions swirled and overlapped, confusing my thoughts.

More than anything, I hated knowing how cowardly I was.