Hidden Paradise

24

“I never asked for you guys to trust me! YOU were the one who approached me no matter how many times I pushed you away! I was already bound to do this and I’ve trained for almost my WHOLE life, waiting for this moment, for me to finally be here and take back what is right! And you expect me to make adjustments f-for you guys who’s on the wrong side?” Amaris stomped her foot, stood up, then left us. The others watched as the scene unfold, unbothered to even care for us. “What…what now” Alex turns to me but I don’t hear his voice. The fact that she KNEW all along what was going to happen but lead us all here. No warning, didn’t even bother to stop us, and there wasn’t any sympathy in her voice, or tears that were threatened to fall down when she watched us suffer.

“I trusted her” my voice broke, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was impossible, yet…at this very moment, I don’t know what to do anymore. My grandmother had clearly warned me about this. That my trust was soon to be broken once I enter Paraiso yet, I never thought it would be her to do it. She warned me about it, yet I never bothered to listen, I never bothered to care at what she said, at all! I still went to the academy, I followed Amaris like the little foolish dog I am and look at where I am!

“We all did, but we can’t keep this- “

We both looked up as a loud lightning struck outside. The sky was painted with deep shades of violet and the strong air dramatically forced the window open. The scent of fresh blood now lingered in the air. I closed my eyes shut, not knowing what was going to happen next, but sure it wasn’t going to be good.

 I heard the sharp sound of glass shattering while the wind blew much harsh against me. “GET THEM” Amaris screams and heavy footsteps started to approach us. Did Alex try to escape? Seriously? But before I could open my eyes once more, a piece of cloth was wrapped around my head, blinding me. My hands were then free from the chains, or so I thought. Before my wrists could even take a break, they were both held together once more. This time, I felt the cuffs having a long chain, like a leash for your pet.

 My skin went contact with cold metal and felt tiny pieces of sharp glass while my body was getting dragged. The hands on both of my arms were harsh enough to leave bruises. “What’s going on?” Alex yelled while the sound of restraints echoed. No one seemed to be panic over the situation, it was as if, they were already familiar with it. “Put them with the others” Amaris demanded, nearly a whisper.

I turned around, my head turning left and right like a lost girl, looking for her mother. Sure, Amaris betrayed us but right now, I sure needed her comfort. Maybe because I got used to her touch and the way she comforts me made me stick to her like a gum and a shoe. “Amaris?” No one answers

The same cold metal touched my shoulders and gently pushed me forward. The sound of metal clicking was heard again, and I was right…about the chains attached to the cuffs. And just like that, we were both dragged like pets you would see in the park.

I haven’t heard Alex spoke up again or tried to restraint or complain or fight it off; Instead, all I could hear is his heavy breathing and low cries, every now and then. Hearing him cry made me feel uneasy. Sure, both Jason and Oliver cry occasionally but the last time I heard Alex cry was back when we were 7.

It was our second year at school and both me and Amaris found him crying in the garden. The same garden he always visits and stays for at least an hour after he enters the school gates. Teachers used to scold him for being in the garden for an hour, since his presence scares the other kids. Yet, somehow, he always manages to stay there for at least an hour on every first day of each year.

He was there in the corner; he was hugging his own body and had a hand over his mouth. When he turned to us, tears were streaming down his face. Quickly, he wiped them away and tried to get away. Except that Amaris stopped him.

“Why were you crying?” She asked him, her hand not letting go of his “I was not” Alex’s voice was filled with anger and tried to get away from us.

Usually, I would just let him go but instead, I just watch the two talk it out. Little me was also curious why he was crying though. “Let go of me” Alex continued to struggle getting away from Amaris’ grasp. He struggled for a good 5 minutes before he burst into tears, knowing there was no way he could get away. His cries were loud and annoying to my ears. When Amaris let go of his hand, he quickly sat on the ground and continued to wail, like a baby.

And what did Amaris do? She sat with him and slowly rub his back. “Come here” She pats the spot next to her, gesturing me to sit with her. Next thing I knew, Alex was opening up to us about how much it hurts him that others bully him and how tired he was of it. Amaris listened. She stayed and after Alex calmed down, “If you don’t like what someone is doing, tell them. You can always scream or cry AS loud AS YOU CAN., Okay?” That’s what she said.