Seven Names (Skills Series #1)

Prolouge

Chaos. Yes, the house is totally in chaos. We are suppose to have a pretty happy vacation since I just graduated, but look! My mom's nowhere to be found, she left us because she is so done with the cruelty of my father. My Dad, on the other hand, is sipping his favorite beer with my white-haired grandfather. My younger brother, Sun, is screaming loudly with bitterness after waking up without mom. My older brother, Hot, with hands intertwined, bowed down his head and teared up in silence. I, myself, cannot still grasp what had happened.

I went up to my room and lay down on top of my bed. This is not really alright and believing that everything will just be fine soon is near impossible.

My grandfather left after a few hours which made me glad.

Suddenly, I heard little sobs from outside my room. I stood up and before I can step my foot, I heard few knocks before my door. I opened the door and I was shocked to see that it is Sun.

I quickly guided him inside my room and let him sit on the corner of my bed. I hugged him and let him cry for a while.

He lifted up his pajamas and coat and I was surprised to see bruises on his arms and legs.

I quickly grab my first-aid kit to apply first-aid to his wounds. Tears continually flows from his eyes but he is not telling me anything. I am very worried.

When I noticed that he already calmed down, I ask him what happened and who did the bruises to him.

"Ate Day, Why?" he sob again. "Why can he do that?"

"Who? Who did what?" I replied confused.

I waited for him to respond but...

"Day!" Someone shouted. It is Kuya Hot who's about to enter my room. "Day, I'll borrow your---" His eyes were wide open and his mouth cannot find the words he wanted to say.

He rushed beside Sun and checked up on his bruises. "What happened, Sun? Who got you these wounds? Are you alright? You're crying? Why is he crying, Day?" Kuya Hot fired continuous questions.

We waited for a few seconds before Sun responded a soft and sad answer. "Dad"

My jaw dropped. First, it was the first time I saw Sun with many bruises since we take care of him too much. Second, I think, he is saying that Daddy did the bruises to him. Oh no! this is not happening.

"What?" Hot asked so much confused.

"Dad was so drunk. He hit me with his belt with no reason. He also use his bare hands to s***k me." He is trying to explain between his small cries. "I am trying to dodge but I can't" He cried once more.

Hot is in silence. So am I. I can't believe it but I know Sun won't lie.

"He's insane." That is Hot. "His actions are unreasonable. I'll try to protect you two as much as I can since the devil is inside our territory but I am asking you to still try to protect yourself if I'm not around. There will come a time when we will be freed from this chaotic and toxic cage."

Hot and I walked Sun to his room before I go back to my room.

Days had passed and Dad's cruelty increased. There are times where we can't dodge or run from his slap and punches. He hit us using different objects every time he's drunk. Sometimes we can run but sometimes we can't.

He is very unreasonable just like tonight.

We are expecting to see him arrive drunk at 2100H but it is already 2216H and he is not still around.

I'm putting clothes in my bag when I heard a creaking of a door. I opened my door a little to peek the living room. I am very stupefied to see that it is my father with another lady walking toward his room.

I closed my door slowly. Gosh! I cannot. This is insane. No, he is insane. How is he able to do these?

I continued packing my things. From clothes to my diaries and books to our family picture frame in my room.

I stood up and picked two sticky notes on my study table and wrote something on each of them. I walked slowly on the corridor going to Sun's room and there I left the first note. Slowly, I continue walking on the corridor to go to the next room which is Kuya Hot's room. I left the note on his side bed table.

I carried my bags and slowly stepped my foot. I look at my room once more. Beds and empty cabinets are what's left. I don't have any plans of coming back here. I'll make way to see my brothers again but never in this cage again. Also, I'm hoping to hug my mom again. I'm hoping to hug my comfort again.

I walked slowly to create no noise. I have few cash. They are my mom's graduation gift for me. I grab a taxi. It is near 0100H when I arrived in my destination. I stepped toward the door and knock. It was just seconds to wait before I hear the door opening.

"Day! Come on in. Let me help you carry those bags." She is Rencia. She is my friend.

"Thanks Rencia." We went inside and I saw a lady on her mid-30s in their living room, sipping her coffee.

"I'm glad you already arrived Day." She smiled at me.

"Thank you so much for welcoming me in your house, tita!" I beamed at her.

"Oh, no worries. Your mom had been so kind to me and to my family. What is it to let you stay here." She said. "I'm also worried about her. I'm expecting to receive a message from her about where she is and how is she but I did not receive any."

She is also down about the news the mommy departed.

"I know mommy is fine, tita. We will see her again soon." I assured her.

I have faith in my mother. I know she knows what she's doing.

Everyday is a struggle. There is only a month and a half left before I go to high school. I searched for jobs that I can do to support myself and my studies. I ask my friends' mom and dad, my teachers in elementary, and different other family friends who might be in need of a worker. It isn't easy since I'm not professional. I just finished elementary. Still, I continued the job-hunting.

Not many days after, one of my elementary teachers emailed me for a job opportunity. The next morning, I immediately go to the location she sent me. As I enter the office, I can quickly see few cubicles, some are occupied but some are not. I went to the main office at the end of the building. The CEO of the company checked my requirements and interviewed me before he announced that I'm accepted. The company was just starting. It is a publishing corporation and I'll be in-charge in copy editing or proof reading. They said I might do other jobs also if some workers are not around.

I'm glad! My first day is done. Everyone was kind, well, the workers are just few. The company also permits employees to sleep on a room in the office if needed. That is another thing to be thankful for. I'm ashamed to stay longer at my friend's house. I'm ashamed to tita and to Rencia. I'll make sure to return the favor they gave me.

While I was about to sleep, my phone rung. I rushed to answer it and I heard a voice from tita Leila, she is my mom's friend.

"Day! Good Evening. Sorry to disturb you this late." She said.

"Hi, tita! No, It's fine." I replied.

"My friend is conducting a workshop on painting. She needs someone to assist her. I want to recommend you. Is that okay with you?" She explained.

"Of course, tita. Thank you so much!" I am still stunned.

"No worries. I'll send you the details and her contacts. Good Night!" She said before ending the call.

I can't help but smile. The job is not so hard. I'm the one washing the paint brushes that her students are using. I also buy them their snacks. It is a great help for me.

On our second session, when her every student was already done. She asked me if I have interests in painting.

"Yes, Ma'am! I'm not so talented in painting but I know sone techniques."

She smiled. "Try on this canvas so I can see."

I picked the paint brush and some acrylic paint and painted a girl running with butterflies under the very bright sun.

"Oh! I didn't know your talent in painting is on this level." She said with so energy. She is surprised.

She asked me to work on her galleria since they are looking for painters or artists. I jumped out of joy after hearing her offer. I quickly accepted it after hearing what are the conditions.

Another good news was I can stay their also at night. They have rooms in the office where the staff can sleep.

One evening, a friend messaged me. They are hiring instrumentalists for their band. I accepted it just to hone my skills in music. I am not expecting to earn for playing but Youtube happened and we're happy for it. We are encouraged to do more music.

I started studying in high school and I struggled a lot. I study in the day and work at night. I play with the band during Saturdays and Sundays. It is hard but I am happy that I can survive.

A month before my first year in high school ends when a man aging 18 to 20 approached me and offered me a job. He said, he knows me and he knows I'm capable of the job. I was surprised to hear him say my birth day, birth place, and my current jobs. He knows many things about me but he is just a stranger.

The job that he is offering is related to solving crimes. I got interested in that. I was introduced with my other teammates and we use each others' code name to call each other. Our team is working for the government, that means they are the one paying for us. But our team is not introduced in public. We are a secret team.

I study and study while working and working. It was hard, never easy but I know there will come a time that I will be freed from this chaotic and tiring routine.