Demonic Crude

The beginning...

     Setting: Sumiko Saki is attending her first year of college and has decided to move into a city away from her small and spiritual town. The day starts with Sumiko packing the car and doubling checking her list before leaving for city. The excited freshman loads the car with large boxes and makes sure to bring enough things because it will be at least a half of year before she comes back home.

     "Don't take too much stuff!" Mother said and then hands her daughter a bag full of precook meals that will last her for the trip and another three days.
     "Mom, I only packed what I need and I don't have much personal things."
     "Sumiko, are sure this is the right path for you?"
     Despite what a great opportunity Sumiko has for her future, on the other hand, Mother has been asking that same question. With the large amount of nonstop college acceptation letters requesting for the student, it seems as if Mother isn't happy at all making the relationship tense and rocky. Sumiko keeps any ill feelings because she wants to make whatever last moment well just between the two.
     "I will be fine!" Her voice raises a little and the tone sounds irritate about Mother's worries. Sumiko stops herself before a careless fight might break out and is careful with her word choice.
     "Mother, you are being too anxious! Don't you want your first daughter going to college?"
     "Sumiko, as a child you were always been the shortest girl in the village making you the weakest and fragile. How are you able to live on your own?"
Mother is worried if her daughter is more than capable to survived in the strange city that is miles away from the safely of the home.
     "...you don't have to worrying about me! I have always been independent, I know how to fend for myself and I am the most reliable. Did you forget when I was left home alone while you and father attended the fields?"
     "Yes, you did by watching cartoons and scary movies while sleeping on the couch and smart enough to not answer the door..."
     Sumiko just proven her point that she isn't the child to be concerned about still Mother thinks otherwise. Next, Mother has a plate of fried dough sesame balls, snow white cube of sweet coconut jello, and little steam colored rice cakes.
     There is a slight smile on Sumiko's face thinking it is a good bye gift for her then her hands reach for the plate asking. "Are those for me?"
     The plate is about to be place in the greedy hands of Sumiko yet, Mother quickly rejects her then places all of the sweet delights on the ground.
     "No, it is an offering to the spirits."
     "W-what about me? Offer them to me!"
     Sumiko with her mouth open wide just pulling on Mother's leg because it is a rare for her to bake such delicious treats. Sadly the only time when these desserts are made is during special festival and large family gatherings.
     Mother sets the offerings to the side of the house along with a small bowl of rice, pieces of boil fatty pork belly, and a small cup of beer. With hand, she is burning some paper folded currency while mumbling a hymn.
     Then the flame engulfs the money gift as the golden and silver lining hastily turns into ashes. Sumiko watches from afar as her nose tickles from the particular minty and spicy scent of the paper as it stenches from the yard.
     "...phew...do you have to do that now?"
     The smell is unpleasant and the smoke escapes into the air and stings her eyes. Sumiko takes her hand to fan away any of the aliments and waits for a responds from Mother who ignores her daughter's comments then tends the fire pit.
     The raging flame burns wildly and then she adds more of the paper money into the pit of blaze. The currency is quickly smoldered and the bonfire is satisfy and then slowly dies. Mother feels unease from the fire and she pleads once more to Sumiko.
     "...can't you leave later today?"
     "Open campus is only for today with limited hours and I can't delay it because it is for required all income freshmen to attend."
     "But...if you leave...the protection of our home...ill things will happen and follow you."
     For the last 10 years, Sumiko and the family have been assisting Mother during her spiritual journey and at times, how can Sumiko believe everything her Mother said. Some of the things sound ridiculous and there must be a scientific reasoning. From this, Sumiko has enough of Mother's spirit reading and superstition. She rolls her eyes away then shakes her head in disbelief.
     "I don't think..." She said. "...evil spirits or demons are going to stop me going to college because I want to do something more with my life than stay here in this small village."
     "It is not a joke! Take the things I say seriously!" Then Mother hands her something small as it feels cool and smooth in her palm.
     Sumiko didn't look at the item and bluntly asks. "What is it?"
     Mother doesn't respond making her daughter taking a hint to finally open her hand. She sees a metallic and cooper fasten bracelet woven together using thick old fashion twine and decorated with dark green jade stones.
     "This? Really? Am I kid again? Mother, only newborns and small children wear this jade bracelet."
     "Never mind what age should be able to have this...just wear it and never take it off...no matter what."
     Sumiko chuckles and puts on the jewelry just to please Mother so she can get off her back.
     "Okay...if I wear this to make you feel better...then I will."
     Sumiko walks back into the house to gather more boxes to move. At last the car is pack with personal things and it is a new chapter in her life. Before leaving, Mother breaks a branch off from a nearby tree and blesses the car and wishes nothing more than safe travels for her daughter's college trip.
     Unlike Mother, her husband isn't concern for Sumiko's future instead he is glad one more is out of the house. A man with few words to say but this time, he scratches the side of his chin and casually speaks. "Think this thoroughly...do you want her to be like the...rest of the girls?"
     "I know...I understand...I just...wish...she wasn't so daring..."
     "Life is supposed to be a long journey and full of choices...do you want her to be married at young age like the rest of the village girls? Be proud that Sumiko's determined to be one of the few wanting to adventure outside the community."
     "Yes...however...the ancestors are not pleased with her living the kin."
     "Is it them...or...is it you who doesn't want Sumiko to leave? I on the other hand can't wait for the other children to leave the nest too..."

     The city life welcomes her as she will truly experience independence for the first time and be on her own.
     "Isn't this place great?" Sumiko starts to unpack the glass cups and fill one glass with soda as she hands the cool cup to Father. "The landlord just remodeled this place and everything is like...new again."
     "I see...well, I do feel more at ease knowing how this place has new wooden panels, the kitchen is clean and a new carpet for the living floor."
     "Are you still not convinced I will be fine on my own?"
     "Any parent will be concern for the wellbeing of their child."
     "Don't worry. The building manager is only one building away from me plus the campus is roughly an eight minute walk away. I won't starve or run out of supplies because there are nearby stores."
     She ensures Father and he finally lets his daughter become the independent woman which he raised her to be.
     He sadly said. "...make sure you'll call us...anytime..."
     "Yes, yes, I know! I am fully prepared! Remember, the last four summers I have been on my own."
     "Not really...you were with a group of summer camper and there was a staff...present at all times..."
     "Hey! I was part of the staff! It was my summer job!"
     Father can't believe how much his daughter has grown, once Sumiko was nothing but a sensitive child who cried a lot, nevertheless she is kindhearted and a very sweet child who tends to look at the brighter side of life.
     "Because you're my favorite daughter...I'm worry that you'll let a stranger into your home...just make sure you lock all the doors and windows."
      Sumiko laughs since Father is trying to hint a stranger will be a boy, his worst enemy who might one day take his daughter away and start a new life with her.
     "I am on the third floor...there is no way someone is crazy enough to climb all the way up here."
     Sumiko embraces Father for the last time as he stokes her on the head. Father tightly and firmly holds her and then he said. "Before I go...there is one more thing...make sure you keep that charm on you at all times."
     "Really? Did Mother put you up to this?"
     "Of course...but...my opinion is different from hers...I don't think you going to college is a fuss compared to how she thinks." He chuckles then continues. "...just between you and me...you have my permission to...take it off...whenever you are in the bath."
     She scoffs at the idea and thinks that isn't answer to the problem. "Thanks..." Sumiko said sarcastic. "...well...since we are on this subject matter...you try to not drink too much alcohol or leave the house and go out. Please remember to take your daily medicine and keep that high blood pressure under control. Most of all please try to minimize your arguments and bickering with Mother!"
     Father is baffle by Sumiko's concerns and didn't think his will being should be her top priority. He simply answers and jokes with her like a defiant teenage will say to end the conversation.
     "Yes, yes, why...aren't you acting like the parent now..."
     "Because I have too! It is my job...someone has to be the reasonable adult here and be man of the house..."
     "Oh please, not that lecture!" Father plugs his ear and walks away like a careless and being aloof with the serious matter.
     At times he may not much to say yet, he jokes around like an immature person who is in their careless late 30's despite his old age. "Well..." He switches the matter and becomes serious.
     "...before I leave...my rules still follows as...studying, having proper rest, please remember to eat, no partying...and most of all...no boys!"
     Afterwards, Sumiko enjoys school, meeting new friends, joining organizations, experiencing fun and exciting first times. Everything is going well and after a stressful end of the semester is now approaching with final exams, deadlines of long research papers, group projects and resigning for new classes for the next following year.