4 : Fly Away!

        I need some kind of express simoleons desperately, and I need it badly a lot, so I have to think genius this time. And by genius, I also mean to think wickedly, because I have no other choice. I have to think of every possible way. Every possible way and there you go. I have made my plan.

        I go to the Les SimPort Bank and make myself a loan. Yes, a loan. From the bruises on my face, I tell them that I need the money badly for medical purpose. They ask me, what do I do for a living? And I just say, “I work in a nursery. The payment is good but not enough for medication purpose.” After some pleading and begging for sympathy session, plus my innocent look, the bank officer finally approves. How cool!

        In a minute, the simoleons are transferred and from the calculation they made earlier, I manage to loan §16,500! And with a little cut out from my weekly nursery salary, I should be able to pay back within 5 years if... I feel like paying back.

        No, I am not. I am not going to work at the nursery anymore. I don’t give any damn notice, or call, or any resignment letter to my workplace. I just disappear, and within a few days, they sure would fire me. All I know, I am running far, far away from here. I withdraw the loan, all of them, buy a medium-sized luggage and put all my stuffs in there, including the simoleons. I book a plane ticket. I call a cab. And off, I fly away.

Goodbye, Champs Les Sims.

Where does Brianna fly to?

1)   Sunset Valley?

Check out Sunset Valley if you want to see Brianna goes on her life, trying hard to make a living, and create a legacy of her own. (Legacy Challenge)

2)   Twinbrook?

Check out Twinbrook if you want to see Brianna goes on her life, build a big, big family to fill her loneliness in new place. (100 Baby Challenge)

3)   Bridgeport?

Check out Bridgeport if you want to see Brianna goes on her life, in way different direction, finding the love of her life. (Love Story)

Make your choice! :)

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3 : Decision

        I open my eyes. Slowly. I feel my eyes spin. My head feels so heavy. And I gasp for air. Once. Twice. I sit up and look around. This house is so lonely, so quiet. I look at the wall clock, it strikes 3.40am. Where is Mum?

        I’m barely able to stand up. My knees feel weak. But I grab hold of the stool next to me. My head spins and I close my eyes. I breathe again. Inhaling as much oxygen I could. I know I must have passed out. Yeah, for being beaten by my stepfather, Pablo. The picture comes before my eyes.

        Remembering why I was beaten up in the first place, I find strength to the basement. Slowly pacing down the stairs, my heart beats so fast. My bed is upside down. The mattress is torn. My pillow is on the floor. Have they found my savings yet?

        I look under the bed. I once had stickered an envelope with an amount of simoleons in it. And it’s gone. They found it. They took it. No. They stole it. I cry my heart out near my bed.

“Why you do this to me, Mum? Have I been such a bad daughter that you treat me this way?” I murmur alone within my silent sobs. And I fall asleep.

        I promptly wake up when it’s almost dawn. The house is still quiet. I get changed into a T-shirt and a short. I go to the toilet and look at myself in the mirror.

“He hurt me.” I gently touch my cheeks. The bruises are stinging. I wipe the dried blood slowly with the tip of my fingers and I wash my hands.

        When I brush my teeth, a thought occurs to me. What if I run away from here? I’m sick of living with Pablo but I know Mum will never ever get him out of our lives. But what will happen to Mum if I leave her? Will she be hurt? But why she never seems to care of all the pains she’s going through?

“I love him, Brianna. And I will never ever leave him. Never, even with your life as the trade.” Mum once said that to me when I asked her to leave Pablo and those words keep playing in my head. I quickly finish off brushing my teeth. I have made my mind. I will leave. Period.

        I enter Mum’s bedroom when suddenly I remember Mum once told me, late Grandma gave her a pair of ancient gold earrings, and Mum loved it, and that Mum would never trade it with anything. I start searching for the earrings in Mum’s dresser.

        But, I have no luck. I couldn’t find the earrings anywhere. And I must hurry and leave the house. I pack a few clothes and buns for food supply.

        And I’m ready to leave. I double check my two mini bags. And I believe I’m good to go. I take a deep breath and I tell myself, this is the best thing to do, and that this is the best decision I have made, and never will I ever regret this day, someday in the future. And all of a sudden, tears well up my eyes.

“I’m sorry, Mum...” I whisper softly.

        I walk slowly out of the house. I don’t want to turn back but my heart keeps telling me to look behind one last time. And finally, near the mailbox, I turn to my back.

        I’m looking at a small house I was raised in, and now I’m leaving it. I see Dad reading to me storybooks. I see Dad carrying me on his shoulder around the house. I see Dad catches me when I jump down the big oak tree in front of our house. And tears stream down my cheeks. I wipe them away.

“I’m leaving it all behind. I’m sorry, Dad. I’m sorry, Mum.”

And I look at the house one last time.

“I’m never coming back here. Goodbye, memories.”

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2 : She's Hurt Even More

        One night, Mum’s out. I don’t know where she goes to because I just come home from the nursery where I part time work. I head to the basement, where my bed is. Yeah, I’d been sleeping at the basement since Mum married Pablo. And as I’m relaxing, he comes and stands near my bed.

“What do you want?” I ask furiously for his sudden appearance.

“You get paid today, don’t you? Give me the money.” He orders.

“No, I’m not giving you any!” I yell.

“Yes, you are!”

        I know he’ll do everything possible to get the money out of me. I don’t know what to do but run. I’m not gonna fight him. I won’t stand a chance. So, I hurry and jump off the bed. But he grabs my arm just as I’m about to pass him.

“Where do you think you’re going, huh?” Pablo pushes me to the wall. And worse, he tries to kiss me!

“Hell, you! Let me go! Let me go!”

“Give the money and I’ll let you go!” He pulls me back and forth, trying to search around my body for the money. I try so hard to fight back. And I end up stumbled on the floor as he grabs the simoleons I have in my side pocket. There goes my salary of the week...

“Give me back, you animal!” I abruptly stand up to face him again but he pushes me back. He even kicks my back.

“I told you, you have no idea what problem you’re getting yourself into if you try to mess with me. And right away, he leaves, which is a good thing at the moment. But then, he leaves with my weekly salary. And that’s not cool...

        When Mum returns home, she asks me if I see Pablo. And I just shake my head. I’m in no mood to speak to her.

“He must be at the bar.” Assuming that, Mum takes her old Sloppy Jalopy key and off she goes. I let loose my braid. I will be waiting at home, as usual. I will be daydreaming on my favourite old sofa, as usual...

        Layla rides her Sloppy Jalopy and as she walks in Pablo’s favourite bar, she sees him flirting and laughing with a young girl. She slowly comes closer but Pablo doesn’t notice her, perhaps for being too preoccupied with the young girl. Layla waits for the best time to approach him but what she hears and sees just can’t make her stand any longer.

“Pablo!” She screams calling him from behind.

“Layla, darling. I’m quite in a good mood, don’t try to ruin it.” Pablo whispers in Layla’s ears.

“Who is this?” The young girl asks Pablo.

“Could you wait for a while? I need to speak to this lady first. It’s important.”

And Pablo drags Layla to a side.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Layla asks. Pablo just smiles. He feels innocent, as always.

“Well, I’m just having fun. Oh, by the way, I have Brianna’s simoleons in here.” He taps his pocket. And that, straight away changes her whole mood.

“Nice!” And Layla burst out laughing, followed by Pablo. And they spend every simoleons away. And when they’re done, they come home drunk...

        I’m in the toilet, braiding back my hair when they get to their room. And there’s a long silence before I hear Mum calls me. I quickly run to her because I’m worried if Pablo has hurt her in any way.

“Are you okay, Mum? He hurts you again, doesn’t he?” I say to Mum.

“No. Give all your savings to Pablo, now.” Mum orders me and from the smell of her breath, I’m sure she’s drunk.

“This is not you, Mum. Don’t do this to me.” I beg for her sympathy.

“I’m not kidding, Brianna Schvanovki! Give all your savings to Pablo, now!” Mum yells at me. And when I refuse, Pablo slaps me hard in the face.

And I hastily run out of the room, crying. Pablo runs after me and grabs my arm.

“I’ll kill you!” I cry out in pain.

“The savings, give me!” He shouts in my ears. And he slaps me again.

        And again, he beats me up. I cry, calling for Mum’s help. And I beg for Pablo’s mercy to let me go. But he just ignores me. He slaps my face, hits my body. He kicks my back when I fall on the floor. And he keeps hitting me, until Mum comes and stands next to me.

“Just give the savings, Brianna. It’s as simple as that!” Mum looks me in the eyes.

“Mum...” I call for her sympathy within my sobs. But as Pablo’s foot thrusts my tummy, I cry out in pain again. And worse, I hear Mum’s laughing at my misery.

        I stand up in no minute. I can’t believe my eyes. My own mother laughs at my pain and misery! I just can’t stop crying!

“How could you, Mum? This is not you...” I cry. And just then, Pablo grabs me again and beat me, hoping I will give up. Mum doesn’t help me at all. She just stares with blank eyes.

“She just won’t tell where she keeps her savings, will she?” Pablo asks Mum. And Mum just lifts her shoulder.

“I don’t know, but why don’t we look for it at the basement?” She suggests and Pablo agrees in no time. They run to the basement, leaving me so helpless on the floor. I cry silently until I fall asleep.

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1 : She's Hurt

I have always thought that life could have been better if Dad’s still alive. I treasure my childhood memory because Dad was there. He kept me smiling all day. He would play tag with me. At night, he would read to me bedtime stories. On weekends, we would usually go fishing together. I miss him...

        Three years ago, Dad had an accident as he was fishing at the sea. People said that his small boat was shattered during a storm. I didn’t believe it until his dead body was found near the shore. I remember crying all night long. I was very sad because I’m not really close to my Mum. She rarely spends time with me since I was very little. It’s always been Dad who kept me company. When I was little, I didn’t understand. But as I grow up, I start to comprehend the whole thing.

        Since Dad died, Mum always comes home drunk, with this one evil-looking man, Pablo. She says that he’s my new father. A year ago, they got married. They always quarrel but they still stick together. I really don’t understand Mum. I try to talk this matter with her, but often she asks me to stay out of her life. But I care for her. After all, she’s the only one I have left in this world. Yes, alone. I have no ideas who are my grandparents or uncles or aunts because Mum had told me before that her marriage with Dad was unblessed. They were kicked out of the family hierarchy when they eloped to get married. And often, she would say how regretful she felt that she married my Dad. It tears me every time because I still remember Dad told me, “I am the luckiest man to have Layla as my wife, Brianna.”

        I look at the wall clock. It’s almost 12am. I’ve been dreaming too much. Mum should be home anytime, now. I should prepare her supper.

        And just then, I hear loud voices, shouting, from outside, and within minutes, Mum rushes in, following Pablo into their room. Within seconds, I hear them quarrelling again. I couldn’t catch the topic because Mum always speaks in her native Frenchsim language, a language neither Dad nor Mum taught me. But I’m worried. I’m worried that Pablo would hurt Mum again. I must do something! I cannot stay quiet anymore!

        I bust in the door. They’re still quarrelling. They do not bother me, as if I’m not there. And then, I notice Mum’s face is bleeding.

“You hurt my Mum again, you animal!” I shout at his face.

“Who the hell are you to stick your head in our business?” I ignore him.

“Are you okay, Mum? He hurts you with a light bulb again, doesn't he?” I turn to Mum.

She gives me no respond. She walks away instead. I turn my evil eyes to Pablo. He seems to be so relax as if he’s innocent. I summon all my courage and I burst out everything.

“You, animal! You’re such a coward, evil man! You keep hurting my Mum!”

“You have no right to say this, Brianna. I suggest you to keep your head out. Don’t dare to budge in because you have no idea what problem you’re getting yourself into.” He threats me. But, I’m not afraid. I must stand up for my Mum. My only Mum.

“I’m warning you! You hurt my Mum again, I promise you’ll be paid equally.”

“Oh, really? What are you gonna do? You’re gonna call the police? Go ahead. I’m not afraid.”

“I will kill you myself!” I scream at his face.

“Oh, you’re gonna kill me? Hey, nerdy. You can’t even stand up for yourself, why stand up for someone who clearly doesn’t need your help? I’m telling you a fact. She doesn’t love you. Suck it, Bri.”

“Of course she loves me! I’m her daughter! It’s you who ruins our lives!”

“Blaa.. Blaa.. Blaa..” Pablo gives me a face. He makes a puppet out of his hand and imitates me when I speak. It’s annoying.

“Just bear in mind. You’ll regret this!” I warn him one last time before I get out of the room. Before I leave, he tells me the same thing.

“Bear in mind, too, Bri. It’s you who’s gonna regret this.”

And he burst out his evil laughing. I just take a deep breath and get out to get to my Mum. She’s sitting on the old sofa. I come and sit next to her.

“Are you okay?”

She doesn’t answer.

“Speak to me, Mum.”

Still, she keeps quiet. But I see her eyes are moisted in tears. Abruptly, I offer her a shoulder, something I have never done.

“Mum, it’s okay. Everything’s gonna be alright. I promise.” And I reach out an arm to her and...

“No, thanks. I don’t need it.” She pushes me away. I am dumbfounded. And just like that, she gets up and leaves me. Again.

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