The Beautiful and The Terrible

Darkness. Chill. Despair. Was all Roseann could feel as she watched her sweet mother and tough father get beaten down by three skilled, big, black-hooded burglars. Her breath is shallow as her mother tightens her grip on the white—now stained with dark red liquid—undershirt of her father. She hadn’t missed how her father protected her mother’s head when one of the crooks raised the bat in an attempt to smash it on her. Of course, it didn’t help much. Her mother and father continued to cry in sheer pain. Each hit and kick brought a new wave of intolerable pain that 12-year-old Roseann could not imagine experiencing. Then suddenly, she found herself locking eyes with one of the crooks. Her ragged breathing completely stopped. She felt as if the massive closet she’s in was too cramped, despite her tiny figure. She took a step back, and that’s all it took for the man to come rushing to her hiding spot. Roseann jolted awake in her bed. Strings of sweat were displayed on her forehead. Breathing heavy and uneven. She found herself clutching her chest when the familiar pain occurred again. "Rose, sweetie, the same nightmare again?" She looked beside her and didn’t answer. The man had fallen asleep again anyway. She wiped the sweat off her face and then bent down on the floor. She retrieved the small box at the bottom of her drawer. Sitting on the floor while opening it, she saw the picture of her father and mother. Each face was plastered with pure joy and love. Staring at her from her hold. It’s as if they are really there. Never gone. Never left her. Roseann, still a child at heart, longed to feel her dear parents touch again. Desperately. She clutched the picture to her heart. Trying her best not to scream the pain in her soul so as to not wake the man in her bed. Mom, Dad, I promise I’ll avenge you. In the early hours of the day, Roseann is doing her daily morning routine. Stretching and moving her muscles. Executing kick and punch practices. It’s a normal day. One that is the same as yesterday. "Kick higher." Surprised, Roseann stopped mid-air, which eventually caused her to lose her balance. Breathing evenly. She stood up and dusted off her pants. "Aim for the chest of your opponent when you’re using your kicks if they’re as tall as you or maybe slightly taller. That would back them off and give you time to run away." The person said, "Like this." Roseann watched attentively as he demonstrated the more effective way of using kicks as self-defense. But she remembered something. "What if I’m not using kicks as self-defense. What if I actually want to kill them with it." Roseann was not asking a question. "You’d be imprisoned. The law prohibits killing without justifiable reason. And the only justifiable reason in this world that you could use is self-defense." Roseann knows that. Of course she knows. After years of studying law, she wouldn’t forget that one particular detail. "Yet the law still hasn’t brought me justice." She said mockingly. Getting back to her stance "Roseann, you know that the police are already working on the case of your parents. But it’s not easy. Their backer is a powerful underground organization that the police are trying hard to capture." He watched the girl, who was focused on her movements. He sighed. "Eventually, we’ll catch them. Do you trust me?" "I trust you, Uncle." She stopped and looked at him. With slightly heavy breathing, she gave him a soft smile. Genuine appreciation is evident. "Thank you for everything." Her uncle can’t help but smile too. "Always, Rose. Thank you for trusting me." "It’s almost six in the morning, Uncle. Don’t you need to get ready? Superintendent Bush might nag at you again for being a minute late." "f**k that old man." Roseann let out a hearty laugh. "Language, Uncle." The man looked at her, scrunching his nose. "No way. He deserved it. He’s only one rank above me, yet he’s acting all mighty." Roseann just shook her head while wiping her sweat. The golden rays of the rising sun are hitting her skin, making the sweat in her body glow. Living by the side of the river in Hourton has its perks. One, being able to watch the beautiful sun rise with no obstructions, and the other, being able to feel and soak in its warm heat. This time, the sun's rays cover Roseann from head to toe. And anyone who could see her right now would not be able to look away. Basking in the golden sunshine, with her golden hair gently blowing in the wind, and her childish facial features, anyone would be easily swept off their feet without a doubt. Roseann just smiled to her uncle. The act making her look even more majestic. "Let's go inside, Uncle. I'll make you breakfast." "Sounds lovely." And then they went inside their home. While Roseann and her uncle busied themselves preparing for the morning, one particular person on a marbled table sipped their herbal tea while facing a seemingly endless patch of colorful flowers. Their ashen hair dangled in the air, past their shoulder blades but above their middle back. The rays of early morning sun hit their whole being, their shadows casted on the column of maids a few feet behind them. Heads down but backs taut. "Lady, is there anything else you'd like for us to do?" Svelte hands moved to place down the polished cup on the sumptuous saucer. "Hm. I'd like for you to call Gustav and check again if the security team is ready to escort me." "I've talked to him earlier before coming to you, Lady. He assured me that the elites of his team are prepared to escort you today." The man, seemed to be in his late 40's, answered smoothly and plainly. The person, with a little tilt of her head, nodded in approval. The side of her lips quirking up to a small smile. "Very well. Thank you, Harold." Harold is standing a few feet behind the sitting figure, wearing a slick suit and donning an expressionless face, hair properly combed, making him look like a realistic statue. "Will you be going now, Lady? Should I bring your luggage down now?" "Yes, Harold. Get everything ready. But I'd like to stay for a few minutes more. I'd surely miss this garden while I'm in a foreign land." The Lady sipped her tea again. The herbal aroma can no longer be smelled by the maids as they were asked by Harold to prepare their Lady's things before leaving. "I have to agree with you, Lady. Nothing in this world can be compared to this lovely garden that your mother built, solely for you." The person smiled. The eyes are anything but. "How come I did not think of it that way, Harold. All this time my reason for loving this garden is because they contain one of every rare species of plants and flowers discovered by man." The Lady donned a smile, gesturing for Harold to stand beside her, but not too close. The tone of her voice is distinctly playful. Harold quirked up his lips. Both are obviously loosening up after the maids were gone. "I'm just a butler, Lady. I can't seem to think of it the way you thought about it." "You're anything but just a butler to me, Harold. You're a companion." Certainly not a friend. Is what in the Lady's mind. For her, the life she's living in and the luxury she experience everyday amounts to not having to call someone a friend carelessly. For anyone can be a foe in the blink of an eye that can shatter everything you built in your whole life. Harold smiled. It was genuine, however. "I have to ask, would the convoy pass by Hourton lake? I'd like to see it as well before leaving." The Lady spoke coolly. As if there's nothing in the world that could shake her calm and collected state of being. "Gustav said you won't, but if you must, I can pass him your words." Harold responded. "Please do. Thank you for your hardwork, Harold." Harold curtsied and excused himself to complete the task at hand. Few minutes later, the Lady left with the convoy of security accompanying her.