1. A Phone Call

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you, sis?" I poked my head into my sister's room as she was getting ready for the party. "Woah... You look incredible. Is this really my sister?" I teased, making her toss her comb, which hit me in the chest. "Ouch!" I pretended to be in pain.

"Remember, you have to be nice when he arrives. Don't ruin my perfect night!" my sister threatened with a stern look. "And no, Bash will pick me up in his limousine."

"Are you sure about him? Don't you despise him? Since when did you become someone who prefers to compromise your principles?" I entered her room and sat on her bed as she adjusted her dress. Admire herself in the mirror.

My earlier compliment wasn't exaggerated. Helen, my sister, looked stunning. Her light blue satin A-line dress with lace accents on the open back was a showstopper. She looked no less glamorous than the celebrities on television.

"You know, sometimes love is just confusing. I don't even know why I'm so crazy about Bash, even though I used to think he was shallow and artificial. Ah, your coming here confuses me even more."

"Haha..." I grinned.

Honestly, in my heart, I couldn't help but find it strange how a guy like Bash Merrick suddenly took an interest in my sister, who usually had a simple and unassuming appearance. There was an odd feeling I couldn't shake off about how quickly their relationship had developed.

Bash Merrick was the son of our parents' employers. Dad worked as a gardener, and Mom as a cleaner for the Merrick family. I couldn't remember how long it had been, but our parents had worked for the Merricks since I was born.

My younger self and Helen were never allowed to play near the Merrick family's grand estate. In our small town of Dustown, they were the rulers because of their sprawling businesses, including real estate, food and beverage, hospitality, and other essential sectors.

They even founded The Merrick High School, for they were both celebrated and despised. It was common knowledge that all their business success came from corrupt lobbying of government officials.

Regardless, they also played a pivotal role in the local economy of this small town. For that, they were treated like royalty.

With all that reputation, how does a Bash Merrick behave? Well, he's definitely a piece of work. Arrogant, cruel, and downright insufferable. The school's bully, no less. Anyone can be his plaything, and no teacher dares to oppose him unless they want to be fired.

And getting fired means no chance of finding a job anywhere because their family controls nearly every field.

So, when I discovered that Bash had set his sights on my sister, my protective instincts kicked in. I didn't want her to be another pawn in the game of Bash and his lackeys, Terry and Lyan.

It was especially considering that I'd also recently become a victim of Bash's bullying. I couldn't bring myself to tell my sister what Bash had been doing to me at school.

"Sis, how did your university announcement go? I remember it was today, right?"

"Oh, right! I forgot because my attention was diverted preparing for this stupid event!" Helen slapped her forehead and hurried to her computer, frantically searching for her acceptance email.

I watched nervously as my sister's anxiety grew. It was a pivotal moment in her life. She'd been working hard for this scholarship ever since she entered high school, hoping to study for free and escape the confines of this small town.

"Aaaa!!!" my sister suddenly yelled. "I got in!"

"What?! What happened?!" Mom and Dad rushed in, their voices filled with concern.

"I got into Conroad University, guys! This letter states that we welcome you into our university's academic community... blah... blah..." Helen quoted the contents of the letter.

"Congratulations, dear... We're proud of you." Dad and Mom approached, hugging Helen. I stood up and joined in the embrace. I felt genuinely happy for her achievement.

"Thank you, Mom, Dad, and you too, little bro. This wouldn't have been possible without your prayers and support."

*BRUMM... BRUUMM...*

The sound of a revolving car engine from outside pierced our ears.

"That must be him! I'm heading out now, Mom, Dad. Goodnight!"

"Hey, where's his etiquette? Why didn't he come in and say goodbye properly to Mom and Dad, Sis?"

Helen just grinned and asked for understanding. Even without discussing it, we all understood that the ego of a Bash Merrick was too high to comprehend what etiquette meant.

"Yes, go ahead. Take care, dear," Dad granted his permission.

"You look so beautiful; may your night be as beautiful, my grown-up baby," Mom added while cupping Helen's face.

"Thank you, bye Mom, Dad, and you, little rascal!" Helen bid her farewell, waving as she disappeared through the front door.

I never expected that would be the last time I saw her smiling so radiantly.

***

*Drrt... Drrt...*

I was awakened from sleep by the vibrating sound of my cellphone, glancing at the green-glowing digital clock on the nightstand, which read 2:00 AM. Who could be calling at this hour?

I reached for the phone on the nightstand, but the number was unfamiliar. But I picked it up anyway. [Hello?] My voice sounded hoarse as I kicked the covers off me and sat on the edge of the bed.

[Dan! Help... Please help me!] It was my sister Helen's voice, filled with fear.

[[Hahaha...]] Laughter echoed loudly behind her, followed by Helen's increasingly terrified voice.

"What's happening, sis? Where are you?!"

[They... They forced me *sob*... Dan, they did it to me. All of them.]

"What?! Tell me now, where are you?!" I clenched my fist tightly, my fatigue disappearing instantly. I stood up, put on my pants, and prepared to get her.

[No... No, Dan, I know you'll just be another victim. Just tell Mom and Dad I love them both. And I lo-]

[Hey, who are you talking to on the phone?! That's my phone!] Bash's voice interrupted Helen's conversation, and Helen's panicked fear followed. I couldn't bear to imagine what was happening to my sister.

*Tuuut...*

The call was abruptly cut off.

"AARGH!!!" I yelled, punching the air.

Thinking quickly about where they might have taken Helen, only one answer popped into my head. It was a riverside cabin owned by the Merrick family, a place they used for relaxation after fishing trips.

Without thinking too long, I left my room and grabbed the keys to my old motorcycle—a payoff of my part-time job at the Merrick family’s fast-food joint - of course.

Just halfway to the cabin, I found Helen in a devastated state, lying by the side of a quiet road with nothing but forests. She was unconscious and without any clothes on.

I quickly exited the motorcycle and used my jacket to cover her naked body. Her condition was genuinely heartbreaking. After ensuring she was safe in the backseat, I clenched her hand onto mine and rushed her home.

I won’t even mention my parents’ reactions. That night went by so quickly. We took Helen to the hospital, where they confirmed that there had been a sexual assault. I couldn’t even imagine what they had done to my sister.

Seeing Helen lying unconscious with tubes and life support cables hanging all over her body, my anger suddenly boiled uncontrollably. I grabbed my motorcycle keys and jacket again, but Mom held my arm.

“Danzel, I understand your anger, and so does Dad. But I implore you to restrain yourself from acting recklessly. It's not that we don't care about your sister, but if you confront them, I fear you might become a victim too," Mom pleaded.

"Your mom is right, Danzel. I don't want another one of my children to end up the same way. We won't be able to bear it," Dad added sternly.

"I can't just let this go, Dad, Mom. They will become even more ruthless if we don't do something!" I protested.

"Not for now, Dan. I beg you. Stay here and support us, please," Mom's voice pleaded, making me sigh and relent.

They needed me at that moment.

*Drrt... Drrt...*

The sound of my cell phone rang again, and I saw that Lyra was calling.

"Hi, baby, I can't drive you to school today."

[Why? But I've been waiting for you for 5 minutes. If you had told me earlier, I could have asked someone else to pick me up], Lyra pouted.

“Sory baby, but this is about Helen, she-”

[What’s the big deal?! Your sister is such a hindrance! Never mind, I’ll go with Terry instead.]

*Click*

Lyra hung up abruptly; her nonchalant decision to go to school with another guy because I couldn’t drive her hurt me deeply. But because of my deep love for her, I brushed that feeling aside and focused on Helen’s condition and my family.

-

The next day at school, I arrived with an uneasy feeling. I looked around for Lyra. I was worried because I hadn’t been able to reach her since yesterday. I feared she might still be angry because I couldn’t drive her yesterday.

I searched for her all over the school until I heard the sound of her joyful laughter from the theatre room. As I was about to enter, I heard another sound that stopped me.

“Aw! You’re so naughty, Bash, stop it! Right there!” Lyra’s flirtatious voice called out... Bash?

“Hurry up bitch! Mine’s hard already!” Bash ordered.

My blood boiled as I peeked through the glass partition, witnessing Lyra on top of Bash's lap; her skirt had been lifted high, swaying so passionately.

“THUD”

The sound of the theatre door I burst open recklessly, “Lyra! What is the meaning of this?”

Instead of stopping, the woman I loved so much completely ignored my shout and continued their heat activity. They were moaning in pleasure with him until they reach their orgasm together. My world seems to shatter instantly.

“Oh, Danzel, don’t be heartbroken. You must have seen the situation here, right? I’m with Bash now. Because you know he can fulfil all of my desires, unlike you. What kind of a woman wants to go on a lame and boring dates all the time? Not me, ew... wake up from your dream ba-by, bye bye...”

“But I love you Lyra!”

“Pfft...” Bash laughed and yawned as if bored to my act.

"Danzel, you know it's not just you who loves me. I've been kind enough to be your "friend" for a few days out of compassion, but your dreamtime is over. It's time to face the real world, you poor man! Step aside; I want to spend time with a real man," Lyra pouted playfully at Bash, making me feel humiliated.