Chapter 1

✑ Chapter 1

AUSTIN was chugging down his bottle of beer while silently watching his friends, they are chaotic and filling every corner of the room with laughter.

It’s been 13 years since he was left alone, Austin is still holding on to his beloved parents.

In that 13 long years, he doesn't know if his parents are still alive, no news was given to him even if he tried to look for them. Still, no use.

He doesn’t want to jump into conclusions but he’s still praying for his parents.

His eyes shut closed when a memory from the past popped up as he put the empty bottle of his beer on the table.

“AUSTIN, honey, you’re almost 14. Are you ready? To face reality?” his mother asked, has worry written on her face.

He smiled to assure his mother. “You raised me to be always ready, Mama, I am born ready.” He glanced at his father that has a glimpse of hope on his face.

“Son, sorry we dragged you into this but I’m confident that you’ll be a great fighter even if times go worst you will surely can handle it.” His father ruffled his hair.

“We’re proud of how you’d become and I guess this is the last time we’ll hang out as a family after this we're all going to be busy from time to time."

In the midst of the moment, the room became quiet. As if an angel came that made them peace, his father's arms are wrapped around his mother's waist while his mother was holding onto his father's shoulder.

Even if their life wasn't perfect like what others have, they are still happy.

Their family got each other's back, even if life is unfair and sometimes worst Austin wouldn't wish anything because he got his parents and that is the best part.

Having a family that will continue to see him grow and improved.

"Who wants curry udon? I'll treat you, if the next day comes I'll be very busy and cannot do it again like before." she pronounced it lowly, it was sad to think that she can't be able to do her usual routine for her family.

Austin and his father looked at each other with the corners of their lips fell on the floor. But a seconds or so, their grinning faces returned then screamed.

“I want!” Austin even waved his hands with excitement to his mother.

“We missed this, darling. Of course, we do!” There was tenderness in his father’s voice.

Their eyes followed his mother that's started heading to their kitchen. Austin and his father's eyes met again, with their silly faces on it.

His father walked to the kitchen to join his mother while Austin ran upstairs to get his camera which he received from his parents on his last birthday.

He couldn't help but to smile bitterly when he roamed his eyes in his room. It's his last time to sleep there since tomorrow morning they'll going to SJ to start his training together with the kids which are the same age as his.

He landed his eyes on every part of the room, then slowly walked down the stairs while glancing the pictures that were hanging on the wall.

It was pictures of him with his parents, he couldn't contain his smile as he stared at it.

At first, he looked on the circle-shaped frame, it was a baby photo of him while his parents holding him, it was a picture when he was born.

The second frame was still the three of them on it. He was wearing his academic dress, it was his elementary graduation.

While the other ones, under the two frames, was the picture of him, his mother, and his father individually.

Austin didn't let the time past, he took a shot every angle of it. Even the parts of their cottage-inspired house was taken a picture. Not gonna miss any part of it.

When his feet guided hin to the kitchen, he sneered when he saw his parents dancing without music.

After that, he chuckled as he stared at his parents who are happily living their lives to the fullest.

Austin quickly took shots of his parents and when they noticed him they quickly shared a smile at him.

His father's hand was placed around his mother's waist, while his mother's hand are on his father's shoulder for support.

"One more, mama, papa," Austin repeated as he motioned his index finger on them. "Another pose please." his parents obeyed him.

His father bent down, he formed a rock n roll hand sign then he stuck his tongue out. His mother formed a peace sign pose while her left eye was closed, a wide smile was spread in her lips.

When they finished taking some pictures he stared on the screen of his camera, smiling. 

“You two look good,” he blissfully commented.

His father playfully tsked, “That’s why you’re good looking too son.” His father moved closer to him to look at the taken picture too. 

“Sit down. I'll prepare your curry udon.” Austin and his father were still teasing each other after they sat down.

“I'll be really scared if you grow up so much, son. It looks like you'll break every girl's neck like me," his father praised, he was acting to wipe his invisible tears." What if they'll know that I'm your father? They'll probably fell on me without even trying."

Austin laughed endlessly when his mother smacked his nape.

"Doofus! Your age doesn't fit your face don't be so high for yourself you flirt!" his mother exclaimed while looking at his father strangely with disgust.

“Darling! Don’t look at me like that, you're making me feel bad.” His father has this pain looked in his face as he turned his sight at his mother.

His mother rolled her eyes at his father. She sat after she served their food. She wiped her wet hands then lead the prayer.

They did not even have the chance to finish the prayer when a sound coming from an unknown person was heard outside.

They're now in an alert mode. Austin's father grabbed his laptop and began to type rapidly.

He heard his father cussed. "How come they tracked us down?” His father called someone. “Horatio, they knew we’re here…”

He returned to his mother when she handed him a gun.

He sneered. "Mama, I would rather use rapier than this lame gun.”

“Don’t complain, you’ll only make it bloody.” He sighed, he took the gun and readied himself.

Their house is heavily secured, they made it like that since unexpected things can happen. This is one of the days that they’ll need this bulletproof house.

The three of them looked at the sound that was nearby. They can hear audible safe steps that were heading to their location.

“These men are dangerous we can’t fight them easily,” his father whispered, “Falco, they got in.” His father began to stand up and told them to run to their secret passage.

“Let’s move, now.”

Austin clung the strap of his camera on his shoulder as they head down to their secret passage. "Darling, they’re blocking us. They know where we are going. They are waiting outside.”

His father was frustrated at what his mother said, he can't help but to ruffle his hair.

Austin started to feel the uneasiness of their situation, they didn't know that was the day they will attack them. He knows how highly secured their place is.

How did they found them?

They were in the middle of the tunnel, both of his parents are talking to their men through their phone until a part of their house near them blow up.