I am Darling

My Revelation

I am Darling, I was Invincible. And it gave me the thought of fighting for the ones I loved. Thank God Dad was out of danger. I could have lost Dad but he fought for his life and he conquered the impossible. I was indeed my Dad’s girl. The toughness, the fearless and the stronger side of him.. I got it all. Hoping to survive all of these too. Summertime and I had to focus myself to my purpose. Assuring myself to find something useful for the case to move a bit. When Dad had regained the strength while still in the hospital police went over to interview him. Mom and I were encouraging him to recall everything he could remember during that night. He then stated “I was waiting for my daughter to go out from the gym after a play when I saw a man in a hood came from behind and started pushing me back to my car. I wondered what he was doing, I thought he wanted to take my wallet, or wanted me to drive my car for him to go somewhere but I was surprised when he suddenly grabbed a knife from his pocket and stabbed me so many times. He was saying something I can barely hear while losing it. He was saying.. Stupid.. sooo stupid?.. I don’t know.. I was numbed after.” The police asked if he had seen his face but dad said no. He noticed the knife that was used had a hook on its spine. After hearing that, I could confirm it was the same culprit from the very beginning. I was his primary target.

We went home when the Doctor had already advised. We took Dad to his hometown for his full recovery and safer vacation at the same time. Again peaceful moments embraced my being for a long period of time.

I went back school for some unfinished requirements and tried to start my own searching for justice. I passed by some carpenters on the oval ground fixing some bleachers. Lots of steels were scattered all around because of so many broken bleachers being fixed. Rhea was there. Her obligations as a working student never stopped even summertime or Sundays. I was helping her with her tasks and she was also providing me my needed books in the library. While keeping ourselves busy, we talked about the incidents and how my dad survived it. “Your dad is a good man that’s why he was still given a chance to live.” Rhea said. “Who would have survived those cruel stabbing on his body..?” she added. “I just thank God for it.” I replied. “I am really hoping for hope that no more victims will be added on the list.. it’s making me crazy now.” As we were talking, we heard noises outside the window. I wondered who they were so I peeped and saw those girls and guys who Jessy and I made trouble with last time. They were laughing, teasing and shouting at each other and didn’t care of the quietness of the place. “What are they doing here? I asked Rhea. “I don’t know.. maybe some activities at the gym.” Rhea told. “Hmm.. I thought so.. I knew that girl in a white skirt.. she doesn’t like me.” I said. “Why.. was she one of your “victims” before.. Ha ha ha..?” She asked. “Yes. And she tried to avenge by almost slapping me but Jessy was there and scared the hell out of them.” I replied. Rhea also peeped on the window and she recognized those companions of the girl. “Those with her were the group of the guy whom Jessy punched, so they unite now ha..” She told. “Where is Jessy?” I asked Rhea curiously. “She had been quiet all this time. She used to make herself always visible but now I haven’t heard from her since we are in vacation.” I said. “Maybe she’s just charging up, she had been busy for the plays last time and she deserves a rest.” Rhea told me. “Yeah.. yeah.. she deserves a rest..” I seconded.

We kept ourselves busy so we could finish our works early. Dad and mom would be waiting for me restlessly again. After my research I then came to Rhea showing the murder weapon the police showed to us. “So what are you going to do now?” She asked. “I am planning to ask some people living near the murder sight of Gwen. It’s just few blocks away from here.” I told her. “Next is Shawwie’s home and third would be here in school, Coach Jim’s murder. Do you wanna come with me?” I asked. “Isn’t it dangerous for us investigating?” Rhea asked uncomfortably. “The villain is just out there, we don’t know if he is just waiting for us to do something and bounce back. I am being concerned for our safety.” She added. “I know, I know but I promised to do something for them and really.. it’s fine if you won’t be able to come. I want you to be safe.” I said. “Are you sure?” She asked me. “Of course I’m sure.. I’ve planned for this the whole time and no turning back.” I replied to her. “Promise me one thing. You take care of yourself.” She asked. “I promise.” I told. We packed our things and went downstairs. She turned to me and said again. “Please take care, Darl..” Rhea reminded again. We were about to go our separate ways when this girl and her group drew near us. “Well, well, well, look who’s here guys.” The girl told her company. “We don’t want any trouble so back off.” I told them. They again conveyed those silly laughs and said to me. “Why? can you do something if we want trouble?” She said it to my face. “Enough, Caren, we were working here. Stay away from her.” Rhea said in a commanding voice. So Caren is her name. It’s different if you are a working student you almost know everyone. I’m not surprised Rhea knows her. “Where’s that crazy giant girl you were with, she had to pay for knocking me out..” The guy told with a bandage on his nose.“Leave me alone you guys please, please.. it’s getting late I have to go.” I begged. Of course I have to beg. Numbers game was not favoring us and I also have some investigation to do. “Ok, do you want me to request for all your suspension when school opens?” Rhea scared them. As if nobody heard what Rhea said. I was beginning to get worried. These set of lunatics were ready.. ready to put up a fight. “Why.. does your friend has a curfew now? I thought she owns her life, isn’t she the boss of everyone?” That Caren taunted again while keeping on pushing me back. Her other friends were just waiting for a signal to show aggression. They were all desperate and I thought if they were all on drugs. I saw some of them sniff something like a dog and I had to be ready. Rhea had to stay away from here. She has nothing to do with them. This is all because of me. I don’t want her to be involved. I still knew my defense mechanism. Thanks to Coach Jim.. I maybe young but I have a body of an adult. My muscles already developed on my early age because of those activities and defense techniques I was joining. But I was alone and they were a dozen. I was already memorizing the blue print of the school. I was looking around.. Where to go, where to run and where to hide if the commotion started. But Rhea had to get out of there. I should protect her. I saw her so uneasy. I know that she too had a bad feeling on these people. The drugs were already swarming on their body. I whispered to Rhea “Go as fast as you can and get some help, I could handle them at least for a while.” “I can’t leave you here alone.” She disagreed. But I kept on insisting her to “Go.. go. Go now.” She made her move and slowly going away. “Leave Rhea alone. It is me you want, you mad people.” I ran and took them all to the oval ground. I placed myself as bait for Rhea to run away from us so she could get some help. I found some pieces of steel being used by carpenters a little while ago while working here. I used it to defend myself. Then I saw Rhea made it to the gate exit. And I was in great danger with this bunch of addicts in front of me. This was my first time to actually fight and use my skills and I did great job during practice said Coach Jim.. but this wasn’t practice anymore. I was already holding the long stick convenient enough for me to hold. In my mind I could take them one by one with this. The guy threatened me.. “So you think you can hurt us with that stick?” and they all laugh like insane people. I was getting ready for that first attack. I had to focus. Then the three girls came rushing and made their first move. So I wagged it, moving and spinning from side to side and one by one I saw them kissing the ground. I was shocked I could actually do that in real life. The guys followed. They were beasts. They were not themselves anymore. They were terribly high on drugs. Four guys attacked at the same time and same things happened. I beat them out with my stick. They were crawling on the ground and made them angrier. They again stand up on their feet and began attacking and I was able to hit them again. I was just contented that the rest of the guys were just enjoying the tumult and never bothered to assault me. The girls again were about to assail when we all heard voices shouting “You all.. Stop that.. stop that.” They were our Security Guards. With them were Rhea and Jessy. They all both ran to my rescue and they made it just in time. But the addicts never listened. They all horded me but I had able to defend myself again with my lone stick. Jessy came running and I was again shocked by the way she fought. She punched those guys in the face again, defend himself wisely and brought them all to the ground. She banged their heads on the bleacher and boom.. they got fainted. It was an exciting moment. I never thought I could do like that in an actual fight. I was convinced. I was doing a great job during practice and I was proud of that. Jessy was also a revelation to me. She could fight like hell. Our securities called the police. The unconscious ones were awaken and they were all brought to the station after questioning. Most of them were definitely on drugs said the authorities. But before going they never stopped threatening. “You were lucky, your puppets came.” The guy said. I was just staring at his bruises and replied. “Maybe you want more of that.” What a day. I had found my strongest point. I know really how to defend myself. I thought it was just all for fame. I discovered I could use it to defend my loved ones.

I then hugged Rhea and Jessy so tight that I was again lost for words. I was so glad Rhea wasn’t hurt. She had the chance to call for help and she also got Jessy. I asked Rhea “Where did you find Jessy?” Rhea answered. “I don’t know about her, she just appeared and came running with us to rescue you.” I was wondering so I asked Jessy smiling, “Where did you go, studying kung fu?” “I hope so.” She answered. We all laughed and enjoyed the company of each other. I never insisted on asking where she had been because I was thinking she was just enjoying vacation time. “We missed you Jessy. Rhea and I had been busy lately here in school.” I told her. “I’m happy to see you again.” Glad to know that I had again new found friends. Though I was afraid for them but I had to be strong and face all the coming challenges. I know something odd would surface again. I may never know when but just getting ready was all I could do. It was getting dark and I had to cancel my purpose for that day. I had to go home.