Drowning In Color | ✔️

Chapter Thirty-Three

I took my bike home, dropping her along the way, of course, and making sure she gets in safely. After all, I highly doubt Mario would be able to invade her house. Much less make it there before us, having to take the bus (I'm assuming) and all. Still, I kept an eye around as I parked in the garage.

I called her phone. Apparently, while she was in mid-game, judging from her playful screams. Nothing life threatening in real life, I suppose. I reminded her of the homework we had to do. And since I didn't want her anywhere near my place—not with him around—I suggested tutoring her through a call.

"Dad's gonna kill me if I blow up the phone bills."

I sighed. "It's not like you use the call function often anyway, but if that's the case, let's video call on the computer."

She hung up immediately. I'm assuming that means she's okay with it. I could have easily waltzed over to her place, but I didn't want to attract the fly anywhere near there. Although, I was curious as to how much he knew about us.

I watched her through the camera. Her solemn look while trying to figure out the equations made me wish I was there with her. And every time she looked at her computer screen, my heart raced as I hope she'd be looking at me. Though it's more likely she's playing some game instead, since I'm not there to supervise her in person.

"Hey Vio, you alright?" I asked.

She seemed distracted. "Huh? Yeah. Just 20 more clown zombies for the achievement."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't help but flash a slight smile at her carefree nature. To be fair, we had time on the weekends to finish this assignment. But there's gonna be a test, and I wanted to make sure she's prepared for it. Or maybe I'll just trust that she'll be able to make it through. After all, she got this far without me.

When (I'm assuming) she got her game achievement, she jumped up and down like a lunatic. A cute one. And I sighed in jealousy as she hugged the pillow instead of me. It's not like she could anyway.

"Hey Luka, is it okay if I hang up the call now? I wanna play some more, and I don't think I'll be able to concentrate on this," and she giggled.

I looked at the time. She could continue later in the day anyway. Although, knowing her, she'd just rush it at the last minute anyway.

My heart admitting how much it wanted to see her, I requested to go over to her place later at night. But she refused. She wanted her alone time. She wanted to be away from me; us at the moment.

Fair enough. I complied. She had her rights of privacy. Once she hung up I picked up a book to read it. Might as well finish it, since I could have long ago.

The door creaked. A pair of eyes met mine. I grumbled. What does he want?

I approached the door with him still there. He looked at me and then grinned. Said he wanted to hang out with me. But I scowled. I still hadn't forgiven him for what he had done.

He dragged me down the stairs and sat me on the couch. He searched for one of Mom's bottles. And I was so sure he's going to smash it on my head. I sat there, my body frozen in cold nerves.

But he gave it to me. No tricks, no nothing. I didn't want it. Mom would kill me if I take her stuff. Though I guess he doesn't care. It's never him who takes the blame, after all.

"Seriously. I'm not one to drink," I said nonchalantly.

He looked at me with a face of boredom. Then he called me a worrywart. Not that I mind. It's only an insult if you think of it as one. And why should I care if it's an insult coming from him?

"Come on, I just want to get closer to you. After years of not seeing each other, you're still not willing to give me a chance?" he said, almost convincingly. For a moment there, I almost took pity on him. "Just a small little toast, to mark the end of our childish little feud."

Nope. Couldn't believe him one bit. But if this is what it takes to get him off my back, I'd gladly take it. I took a small sip of the liquor. Strangely sour. And I hate it.

I looked at him dead in the eyes and told him, "You satisfied now?"

He shook his head. Then, with what seemed like a lunge at me, held my head in place and forced the rest of the bottle in me. I struggled for him to release me, but he's always been much stronger than me. I could barely even turn my head a couple degrees. I was choking. All I could do was try to swallow it all without puking.

"What the fuck, dude? What was that for?" I burst into anger, almost losing myself completely.

My shirt was stained with the poison which had completely soaked in. I took it off and tossed it into the washing machine, with the rest of the laundry that I was planning to do over the weekend anyway.

He followed me as I struggled to walk properly up the stairs. Is this how Mom feels like every day? I really should stop her from buying these toxins. Sure would save us some money for the bills.

Before I could tell what's going on, I felt a hard impact on my arm. Which probably saved my face from getting hurt otherwise. Something tells me I didn't manage to get to my bed—or room—in time.

I looked up to see the door in a distorted shape that did not resemble a rectangle anymore. I attempted to crawl my body to my room. But these damn arms of mine were too weak and wobbly to decide which direction they wanted to go in.

Just as I wanted to give up, I felt someone lifting me up. I was hoping for some warmth, but all I got were cold hands. Probably from the Arctic. I shivered. After they slammed my door shut, I took the effort to cover myself with the blanket. Whatever it takes to survive.

My head was spinning around. It seemed to be going more rapidly as time passed by, as the world rotated on its axis. Did I fall asleep? Was I ever asleep? These were questions being drilled into my brain, plaguing my mind and hurting me.

When I felt like I regained enough energy, I pulled myself up from the bed. The daylight totally threw my off as I looked at the clock. 6 o'clock. Until I realized later, when my mind was a bit clearer, that it was pm.

I looked at my phone. 12 missed calls from her. I attempted to call her back, only to receive the voice message given when one's phone is dead. Don't waste time, go to her place. Skip the parents. The priority is to make sure she's okay.

But how do I tell when she isn't there?

I ran back to my house like a maniac. I had to go find her. I opened the garage door. It was gone. That bastard.

Goddamnit. Without my bike... And I think I know who took it. I filed a police report.

It took them a couple of hours, but they managed to track the number on my license plate to the capital city. As to why it was there, I had no idea. I could only assume he was taking it out for a joyride and for some reason, decided to take Violetta along.

"So where is it now?" I questioned. I watched as he scratched the back of his head, trying to figure the answer out himself.

"See... Here's the thing... We're trying to get into contact with the local police. But even they say that it's going to be difficult. They were last seen in a district where crime is prevalent and hard to control."

Figures. I asked if there was anything we could do, and he shook his head. Way to be helpful, cop. Without thinking, I punched the officer's desk and he gave me a warning. To him, I looked as if I was pulling some sort of threat, which I assured to him wasn't the case.

I kicked around on the empty floor, thinking about what to do next. I pulled out my phone. Calling her wouldn't be of any help, but I knew someone else who might. I phoned him as soon as I got the thought. At this point in time, any bit of help is better than none.

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OMG! Violetta, Mario, and the bike are missing! When all hope is lost, what is Luka to do?

By the way, thought I'd ask, how do you find the story so far? Did you enjoy it? What about the poems? I may not be a great writer, but I really hope I was able to entertain you through my writing OvO