Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 10

I covered my mouth in astonishment. This is greatly overwhelming. My hands squeezed my mouth shut to prevent the screams of joy from leaking out. It's absolutely amazing! Oh my gosh! I can't wait to tell my sister this good news!

I scampered to my little sister's bedroom but she's still fast asleep. The morning's miff with the neighbor didn't budge her at all. I laughed a little when I saw her drooling in her sleep. 

"What do ye look so giddy 'bout?" Tootch snuck on me from behind and gave me that dazed elated face. With the money, we might not be able to afford a house in the city, but houses in the suburbs are large and reasonably-priced, we can purchase a home and a car. I can't stand my elder sister and her lover. In my mind, I just have to bear with them for a bit. At long last, I'll be able to enjoy peace and comfort with my sister.

"None of your business!" Inserting the ticket in between the pages of the newspaper as fast as I could. I took my sister's laundry and mine and arranged them nicely in a bag so I could wash them later. With the new house, we'll be having our own washing machine, refrigerator, heater, TV, computers, PlayStation, Xbox, cellphones... It's a hassle being unable to contact my sister when she's at the center. This is also a good chance for me to take my sister to a good doctor for better treatment options.

I took the laundry at the back and opened the tap. I pressed my ear on the wall to check if my elder sister and Tootch are still inside. They still are and they are murmuring and talking in low voices. It's hardly audible that I can't comprehend what they're talking about. Lucky is still asleep. I guess yesterday's trip left her very exhausted. I'll give her the rest she needed and share the good news later. I'll bet she'll be ecstatic and ask for toys this time. It's been ages since I bought her something new. Most of the things she has given are hand me downs and from charities. But hey, it's alright. I think it's better than letting their original owners dump them in landfills.

After doing the laundry, I hang them out to dry. The weather isn't that hot, but it's windy and the skies are clear. I'm not going to worry if it rains, so I don't have to watch and check the skies the whole day. 

The loud banging in the kitchen caught my attention. It's Franny. She used the frying pan to hit the side of the windows. Demented wretch! It's her way of saying she's hungry but she's too high to speak clearly. I took the pan from her hand and acted as if I'm about to hit her on the face. She just stood there, she goaded me to hit her but I know both of them are going to give me a trashing if I do. 

I turned my head around to see if Tootch witnessed what happened. Weirdly though, she isn't around, then I heard her bike purr outside. I wonder where she's going especially in the state she's in.

Franny entered her room, but not without checking on Lucky first. She's still our sister, but I'm sorry to say that this "display of affection" is too shallow for me to appreciate. If only I can drill into her head that being a responsible and sober sister is what it takes for us to respect and love her, I had probably done that a long time ago. But her oxygen deficit head won't certainly understand it. I'll be taking away Lucky with me, without her. She'll be keeping that violent woman with her and I want a change of environment, a change of pace with and for Lucky.

I prepared breakfast and set the table for me and Franny. I went to Lucky's room and whispered to her ears. I opened the curtains in her room much wider and let the sunlight set on her face. "Morning little cherub..." I greeted her.

Lucky's eyes slowly opened, she peered on one eye and then the other. She gave me her most beautiful smile. If it's possible, I would've tickled her and do some pillow fights. But what's important is she's here, she's with me and we're happy.

Then the door of our house flew open, I hugged my sister instinctively. 'What the heck was that?!' 

Tootch, with two muscular, tattoed guys came into view. And Franny went to my room along with Tootch and their friends, throwing things around. 

"Hey!" I screamed on top of my lungs. I took a knife from the kitchen to fight them away, but I was met with a punch on the face, a tooth fell out and I spat blood out. Lucky screamed and I heard a loud thump. She probably jumped out of bed in alarm and is trying to get to me. "Do-oo-n't..." I slurred. My head's spinning. I pushed myself to stand up but I can't even sit up straight. I can only look and watch as they rip the boxes from the drawers off. 

I cried helplessly on the ground as they finally found what they were looking for. The lotto ticket...

Tootch kissed the ticket and hugged Franny to give her a disgusting slobbery kiss. Their friends howled in excitement and reiterated their share of the payout. Tootch nodded her head many times and promised them their portion of the money. She walked towards me and kneeled. She slapped the ticket on my face and said, "You're planning to keep this all by yourself, huh? Damn selfish..." And she hit me on the cheek. I grunted in pain.

"Stop! Stop!" Lucky screamed at her room's door. Franny stepped over me and took Lucky and carried our youngest sister in her arms. "Franny, tell them to stop. Please..." My little sister begged. Franny ignored her request and went outside. Tootch followed and I tried to grab her by the ankles, but that earned me a kick on the stomach. 

"Trina! Trina!" My sister shouted from afar. "TRINA!" She shrieked. With all my remaining strength I got up, limping to the door.

"Stop! Don't take her away!" I shouted. "Lucky! LUCKY!" I shouted. Instead of Tootch's bike, they have a jeep with them.

"Don't let them take me!" Lucky screamed. The neighbors opened their windows and doors to check what's the screaming is about. But when they saw the two burly guys with my sister and Tootch in the jeep, they ignored us and closed their homes. My little sister is trying to squirm away from Franny's hold. She stretched her arms trying to reach me, her skin and bandages turning red from her blisters.

"Franny! Tootch! Don't take Lucky! Stop! Don't leave!" I stumbled on my way down the steps. I get up with difficulty, it's becoming hard for me to breath. The car engine started and Lucky's screams become louder. Tootch yelled at her to shut up but Lucky didn't stop.

'No, no, no...' This is not happening. I'm just about to check a good house for us to move in. I was about to...

Tootch asked her friends to step out of the car and take care of the trash. They complained at first but Tootch ordered them to step out and do what they are told. She even added that they can do anything they want with me. "Consider it an additional reward..." She said maliciously. Now they eagerly stepped out of the jeep. Lucky cried out to Franny and cried out that I'm going to get killed, but she doesn't care. The car started to run and the three of them left.

The evil intent on their faces is terrifying. I limped towards my neighbors and screamed for help. Nobody opened their houses for me, much less go outside and help me. One of the guys took a long wooden pole lying around in the streets. I tried to run but I can only manage to walk faster. I saved my energy for escaping these two. 'Should I keep on running? Can I fight them?', thoughts reeling inside my mind. 

I decided to take a very narrow route going to the next block. I crouched and tried to squeeze myself in. But I felt a rough hand on my shoulder and I was thrown out, my back hitting the pavement. The two of them laughed maniacally and called me 'sweetheart' and 'babe' as they try to undo the buttons of my shirt and unzip my pants. I kicked them as hard as I could but they use the pole to strike my body when I resisted. I think they broke some of my bones. My breathing becomes labored and my cries came out as wheezing.

I wouldn't give up. I shouldn't give up! And someone shouted towards our direction. The man kneed one of the guys on the face and punched the other. But these are strong guys, they tried to hit him but the man evaded. He caught the wooden pole midair and pushed it on the sod's stomach. The muscular guy spewed out blood and the man took the pole forcefully and beat the two of my attackers repeatedly and mercilessly.

Tootch's friends lied motionlessly on the ground. The pavement is now covered with their blood. 

"Trina? Trina?" The man held me in his arms. It's Israel. "Are you alright?" His eyes filled with concern and worry. He's still breathing strenuously and he searched my face for injuries. 

"Lucky..." I sobbed. "They took Lucky away..." I cried violently in his arms. Israel hugged me very tightly and tried to comfort me. He asked about Franny and I told him, she and her girlfriend are responsible for taking Lucky away and for leaving these guys up to harm me. "Help me, Israel.... Please! I beg you! Please help me find my sister!" I wailed and he promised in his life that he would, no matter what it takes.

He took my face with his hands, still warm with the blood of the guys he has beaten up. "I will! Okay! Don't worry. We'll hunt them down and get your sister."