Lash
"16 3 19 19 8 12 16 3 4"
That is what's written on the mail that was sent for me. For a consecutive one month, I have memorized these numbers, but still, I couldn't figure out what these mean.
On my way to the library, I saw Artemis doing her usual hobby, crocheting. I tilted my head and watched her. She was pouting as she twisted the yarn to make a pattern.
"Anya!" she called. "Is it better with a bow?" she asked to her friend.
We're not talking for like a month now. After she kissed me on the lips, everything felt awkward. I know it hurt her that I pushed her, but I know that was good for her.
She's just a child. She's exploring, I know. She doesn't know what anything about intimacy means. And I'm a grown man already. I shouldn't let her mind be corrupted yet. She's so young and still an innocent creature.
Her porcelain-like skin, long dark brown straight hair, small face, pointed nose, cat-like eyes in the shade of bronze made her look like an angel sent from above. She looks like a goddess. The first time I saw her made my jaw drop.
She's drop dead gorgeous!
That night I saw her, I got a bit scared. Scared that the small girl in front of my door might be a fairy, not a real human. Because she's so ethereal to be true.
My nape heated as I watched her laugh with Anya, her friend.
She stood up and her long dress fell to her knees. I immediately stepped back so that she won't see me, and her day won't get ruined.
I saw her ran upstairs, and when she got back, she was already wearing a different dress, the light yellow one that made her look more cute. Her hair is now in a messy bun, and all I could see is her small, adorable face.
I followed her like a creep.
Fuck, Lash! Are you being a creep?
But why the fuck would someone care. As long as I don't touch her, or go near her. I'm not doing anything wrong.
She is now watering the plants, with her lips pouting.
Oh... Is she not happy with her chore?
A sudden loud smash of a metal disrupted the most beautiful view. I clenched my jaw when I saw the familiar black SUV that has been appearing on the CCTV cameras. It has no plate number and the person on the shotgun seat inserts the mail, making it impossible for the camera to see its face.
That SUV sent the anonymous letters for me.
I stood up straight from leaning on the porch when I noticed how Artemis stop watering the plants and went to check the mail.
Shit!
She picked one and I heard her scream. I immediately ran to her and just before she could fall, I wrapped my arms around her body to catch her.
She lost consciousness!
"Art? Art?" I called but when I realized she was really unconscious, I picked her small body and ran to the clinic.
Everyone on the living room gasped.
"Lash? Lash! What happened?!" Miss Claudia panicked.
They followed me on the clinic and Miss Leonarda hurriedly checked on her.
"Lash? My dear God! What happened to Artemis?!" She hugged Artemis and was really shaking.
"She checked the mails... The mails are covered in blood, she fainted," I said because they thought the blood was Artemis'.
"Jesus!"
Everyone panicked and was all hysterical. Other children were already outside the clinic, trying to peek so I closed the door.
When Miss Leonarda settled, I sat near the bed and caressed Art's cheek.
"She's scared of blood, since she was a child," Miss Claudia said.
"Is she fine?" I asked.
Miss Leonarda nodded. "There's nothing to worry about. Let her rest for now. She's a little dehydrated so she needs these..." She pointed at the inserted bag of dextrose.
I thank God she was less irritated to me now. The moment I knew she has weakness in blood, there was a part of me that wants to... protect her. From being hurt, from being scared, from anything that makes her feel uncomfortable.
Because to me, she's an angel. A fragile goddess.
"Anya, is she in your room?" I asked her friend when I realized that I inserted a wrong yarn to her crochet.
Anya who just got down from the stairs nodded. "Yeah! She said she'll just change and follow here," said she.
I nodded. A moment has passed but Artemis is not still here.
I ran my fingers through my hair, calming myself since I might just be overthinking.
My heart hammered for some reason. I stood up and hurriedly went upstairs.
Something's wrong.
I knocked on the door but no one responded.
I heard a banging, probably something hit a wooden material. I heard little screams!
"Holy shit!" I said and kicked the door, it opened immediately.
I saw the balcony being a mess. Curtains are ripped and I saw a man trying to cover Artemis' mouth with a handkerchief.
Fumming mad, I ran and landed my fist on to the man's cheek. He immediately let go of Artemis in total shock.
"Fuck!" he groaned.
"Bastard!" My other fist landed on the center of his face. I saw his eyes squinted in pain. I removed his black mask and saw his face.
A stranger.
I landed another punch and I saw his nose covered in blood.
My nape heated more in so much anger.
"Fuck you!" he shouted and pulled out a gun.
My eyes widened, I was not expecting him to be armed.
"Lash! Oh, my God!"
"Move away!" I told her and tried to get the gun from the man's hand but he was so quick.
He punched my jaw, making me feel dizzy a bit. He changed the position and now I'm already on the floor.
Three consecutive punches landed on ny face. I tasted blood. I chuckled.
"Piece of shit..." I said.
"It's your day, baby boy," the man laughed and pointed his gun on my forehead.
"Lash!" Artemis' voice.
"What do you need?!" I shouted.
The man smirked. "Mind your own business, fucker-"
I grabbed his hand and twisted it. He screamed in pain and let go if his gun, I pushed his weight away and grabbed the gun.
I pointed it to him this time. I stood up and he remained sitting on the floor, holding his broken wrist.
"What do you need?" I asked calmly. "You're attacking an innocent girl. How coward you are to even use strength on her," I added.
He laughed like a maniac. "I told you to mind your own fucking business!" He groaned when I kicked his face.
"Who sent you here?" I said, calmer. "Answer me or else, I will fucking kill you..." I threatened and gripped on to the gun, ready to release a bullet.
My patience was running low. I greeted my teeth and was about to blow his head when I heard a shout.
"Lash!" I heard Damien's voice. "Bro, come on, what are you doing?!"
It didn't stop me from pointing the gun at the man. I remained my piercing look at him, I could feel my eyes turning red.
The thought that he fucking touched Artemis with his filthy hands makes me sick. The thought that he attempted to kidnap her makes me furious as hell.
"You won't squeeze a juice from me, fucker!" The man smirked at me more.
I trembled. His face is getting under my skin. I gripped even more that I could pulverize the gun using my bare hands.
I released the bullet on his thigh, he screamed. "Fuck!"
"Man!" Damien ran towards me but stop mid way. I saw him panic in my peripheral vision.
"L-Lash..." Art's soothing voice.
"Who sent you here?" I asked coldly.
The man still refused to speak. This time, I'll blow a bullet on his head. I will never hesitate.
"Then fuck off," I said and tried to pull the trigger.
"Kalashnikov!"
Father Erick's voice echoed.
My eyes remained on the man and I saw how fear slowly filled his eyes as he looked at me. I remained stern.
His face changed. From menace to being like a scared puppy.
He stood up, knees trembling as he stared at my eyes. "W-Who are you?" he asked.
I tilted my head and he hurredly jumped off the balcony. I saw him ran as fast as he could the moment he reached the ground, and he disappeared.
I sighed. I should calm down.
"Holy mother of God!"
The sisters were in a huge havoc when I went inside and sat on a vacant bed. My heart was being wild, in so much adrenaline and anger.
The first one to approach me, was Artemis.
She held my chin up and our eyes met. My eyes softened as I stared at her.
"You h-have a cut! And your nose is bleeding! Damien, kindly get the first aid kit!" she said.
"I think we should bring him to the clinic-" Damien panicked but still ran to get Artemis' request.
"I should call the security..." Father Erick's voice, followed by the agreement of the sisters.
"Artemis, my dear... We'll take care of the security for now, please attend Lash," said Miss Donna.
I didn't hear Art answer. I remained looking at her. Our eyes met again.
She was looking down to me because I was sitting on the bed and she was standing right in front of me.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
I stiffle a smile. Her soft face changed. She looked mad all of the sudden.
She slapped my shoulder. "What's funny?!"
I bit my lower lip and groaned when I felt a pain.
"Do you know how much worried I was?!" she whined and her tears started falling. I catched them with the side of my index finger.
"Shh..." I hushed.
"Why do you have to save me, huh?! You should not risk your life like that! You s-stupid... You fool!" Her cries became louder and louder, it made her shoulders shake.
I pulled her and made her sit on my lap. "Shh... Baby..." I hushed her, with a small smile on my lips.
She buried her face on my neck, I could feel her warm tears.
"I was so scared... I almost lost you..." she cried like a baby.
I caressed her back to calm her down.
I closed my eyes as I feel her tightened her hug on my waist.
I'm in a big trouble...