Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother

I told myself I could do it. I could still be that cheerful young girl named Luna without him.

torrential rain had caused a brief flood to rise above curb–level. I couldn’t see the road or what was beneath my feet save for dark, muddy water.

It was a perfect metaphor for my current state after deciding to let go of Felix and stay away from him. I still hadn’t found a way nor knew what my next step should be.

I carefully felt my way into the water, tears falling down my eyes and blurring my vision.

I was aggrieved and angry. Why was I always the one left behind? What did I do wrong? I liked Felix so much and treated him like my everything. Why did he have to treat me this way in return? 1

Was shame the only result of liking someone?

I couldn’t hold back the tears as they fell.

I told myself not to cry. I had walked this street countless times that I could go back home with or

without Felix.

But I couldn’t control my aching heart. Tears continued falling as I saw Felix and Lilac running together, laughing in the rain in my mind’s eye.

I was so sad and aggrieved, yet I had no one to talk to.

Sadness filled my entire being.

The strong wind upturned my umbrella. I dragged my broken umbrella, wiping away the rainwater and

tears from my cheeks.

I faced the thunderstorm alone like an abandoned puppy, sadly licking my own wounds.

The strong wind slowed my path forward. The way back usually took only about 20 minutes, yet every step I took was strenuous. For every step I took forward, I’d be pushed back two steps by the wind.

I tossed the umbrella away after it became a nuisance.

The wind and rain were so strong that I couldn’t open my eyes. I could only walk back home based on

intuition.

I kept on consoling myself that I would be home soon. I just had to hold on a little longer. Mom, Dad, and

the warm light of home would be waiting for me.

As the night grew darker, the strange shadows cast by the streetlamps flitted through the buildings. They seemed like deadly beasts and monsters in the dark.

It was too late by the time I realized something was wrong with the ground. I couldn’t retract my foot fast enough. It felt like a large hand had dragged me down into a giant whirlpool,

The world swam before me as I landed on solid ground. Dirty water fell down on me like a waterfall.

I suddenly remembered Mom had told me this morning about an abandoned storm drain on the street. It was dangerous as it didn’t have a lid.

Based on her words, I recalled where it was and was certain I had fallen into it right now.

I was in a life–or–death situation less than two weeks past the last one.

I had Jade and my friends beside me the last time. But this time. I was all alone.

I thought my luck ended with Felix on that year’s Thanksgiving. Now, he was the bane of my existence. I would surely be down on luck with him around.

I fell off a cliff last time and down a drain this time. What about next time?

I didn’t dare imagine. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

As the water level quickly rose, I forced myself to stand up through the pain.

My right leg was numb. A large gash had opened up on my left arm. Blood gushed out profusely but was quickly diluted by the rainwater above. It then trickled down and disappeared into the water.

I leaned against the drain walls, watching sullenly as the water continued rising. The bells of death tolled

faintly in my ears.