Once Upon a Time in Siam

Chapter 3: The Death Hunt

Arisara

“It's not what you think Pauh ka," I explained to my father. I used honorifics when referring to him in an effort to quell his escalating rage. “Anurak didn't hurt me! It was the man you forced me to marry." However, those words did nothing more than elevate my father's irritation. I should have known given how highly Pauh regarded my husband.

“You expect me to buy that pile of sh*t! If one thing's clear, it's that tyranny runs in THAT family. It's no surprise that boy is theirs."

“This scratch is harmless compared to what Prayut does to me every night. Maybe if you spent less time with your wh*res and more time with your daughter you would see that!" I knew I had gone too far, but I've been irking to tell my father how much his infidelity bothers me. Even though two years have passed since mom, who I call Meh, died, all the vows he promised to her were all a lie. Together 'till the end my a*s.

I shielded my left cheek, which still had an open wound, leaving my right side vulnerable for the slap I knew was coming.

WHACK

“How dare you speak back to me you ignorant b*tch? And how dare you slander your husband? You have your position because you belong to royal blood. If not for me, you'd be just another sl*t walking in the slums selling herself to survive."

Even though my father was coarse and combative, he never spoke to me in such a condescending way. Maybe he was paranoid about the pack stability, or maybe he always thought of me this way, but his words meant nothing because I already knew beyond the facade he portrayed, he was a sickening person.

“Where is he?" my father aggressively inquired as to Anurak's whereabouts. My lips curled inwards like a wilted flower. Rather than being argumentative with my belligerent father, my body became a hollow carcass of which no answers could be found. When it came to annoying my father, silence was the best weapon.

He firmly grabbed my petite arms, shaking my body vigorously, like a child trying to release a coin from a piggy bank. I remained motionless. I would not betray the boy I grew up with, the boy who bandaged my leg when I fell from the rubber tree, the boy who held my hand for the entirety of Meh's funeral, the boy who had never betrayed me.

My father, being my father, knew how once I shut down, I was as good as dead.

“WHERE THE H*LL IS MY GAMMA!" he screamed, like a toddler looking for a misplaced toy.

“Right here, sir," Kun Chavoret obediently answered. Lucky for him, he was present when called, or else his head would be served to the guard wolves tonight. Despite his austere appearance, Chavoret enjoyed eating mango sticky rice in his free time, explaining his presence at the night market.

“I need ALL your wolves in the death pack sent out NOW," Pauh commanded.

“Mm..mm...may I ask who you are looking for, sir?" Chavoret stuttered as he was still trying to clear the evidence of sticky rice off his fingers, embarrassed to be seen by his Alpha in this state.

“Every second it takes to explain is another second that f*ck*ng boy has to escape. Now do your job, or I can find someone else who will!"

“Yes, sir!" Chavoret didn't hesitate this time knowing his job, and life, were on the line.

“And one last thing!"

“Yes?"

“Give me the rest of your sticky rice. I haven't eaten all day." I guessed there were more things I didn't know about my father, and one was that he liked dessert.

As Pauh was entranced by the mango sticky rice, I gathered Anurak's satchel and drawings, which were tossed amongst the mayhem of my dad's tantrum. I hustled back to the packhouse, clandestinely shielding the infamous leather bag under my shirt. Running up the stairs, way squeakier than I remembered, I worried someone nosy like Jaoying would catch sight of me. Thankfully, the house was quiet, with everyone out at Jatujak. Feverishly, I opened the gold-plated chest my mother gifted to me for my 16th birthday, and lay the satchel inside. It was the only place I knew my father wouldn't search because he thought my mother's cursed ghost still haunted it.

Anurak

I heard their growls. They were coming.

The death pack's howling didn't sound like the rest of Thonburi's wolves. These were killers and they had a perfect record.

The darkness should have been advantageous to me, however death wolves would easily pick up my scent. For heavens' sake I must have stepped on a Rafflesia on the way here because I reeked! As if I didn't already have a target on my back....

Blindly outstretching my arms, I felt around for my father's dagger. It was my only defense against death. It kept him safe through every battle, and I needed the same good fortune. Without hesitation I desperately ran further into the jungle. All around me was the color of black jade. My pants were severed by the vines sprawling on the jungle floor, leaving my skin vulnerable to bites and bruises.

If only I could shift like everyone else my age, I'd have a fighters' chance. My parents told me my mind was wise beyond my years, and shifting would make me too powerful. Bullies in the packhouse prison said it was because the Moon Goddess cursed me for being born to 'traitors.' Frankly, I think it was because I'm too small.

In the distance I saw a shade of color. It must be the way out. Following this hue of yellow like one would a compass, I reached for my satchel to grab a linen cloth to wipe the sweat before it entered my eye.

MY SATCHEL! It's gone! Where was it?! Turning around in the general direction of which I came, I extended my hands in front of me to protect myself from any potential hazards. That bag contained my last mementos from my parents. Losing them would cause another tear in my heart.

The howls were more distinct, and the clamor was significant. They weren't far away. If I wanted to survive, I had to abandon my search and continue forward. I had no time to second-guess my decision. The exit was towards the yellow.

Closing my eyelids, praying to the Moon Goddess to protect me, I darted towards the glimmering object from before. I winced as I trampled countless fireweeds, feeling sorry for the destruction, but also holding back tears from the pain of their sharp edges. My head rang from the reeds of bamboo delivering blow after blow to my temple. I must..have been..almost...there. Re-opening my eyes, I craned my neck behind me wondering where the yellow marking went. I saw it faintly in my rear view, signaling the Moon Goddess had blessed me tonight. I was going to survive.

...

“Gamma, where is the boy? I thought you said he would be here?"

“His scent is strong. Keep going."

“Gamma! I think I found something! It's glowing!"

“Tell me, Omega, what is it?"

“It's...it's, IT'S A VENOMOUS BUNGARUS...RUNNNNNNN!!!"