XU WUTAO
The worn tires scratched to a stop. The neighborhood was quiet. Not only because it was literally the middle of the night, but there weren't many houses around.
My family's estate covered a great portion of Land, so the next house was quite a distance away.
I pushed open the back door of Mr Lu's old pickup truck, hopping onto the pavement the chill midnight air immediately enveloping me in a hug
"Oh yeah, Wutao!" Xueya suddenly called from the passenger seat, and I turned to face her. "I texted your manager. Youndo t have tk go to work tomorrow, and all of next week… You're welcome."
I chuckled, quietly shutting the car door not to grab the attention of anyone behind the large wall, and going to stand at her side.
Through all the chaos I had forgotten all about work, so I was grateful for her proactivity.
"What reason did you give?" I asked
"You can read it when you get to your room." She answered stubbornly.
"Okay miss Xueya" I teased. I turned to the high wall that was visible over the hood of the truck—beyond which, I could see the large estate I was born into—and immediately , all smiles faded. An uneasiness settled in my stomach and I sighed.
"I don't think they noticed your absence, son." Mr. Lu reassured as he noticed the look on my face, bending his head so he could see me clearly through the passenger side window.
"My Father and brothers, maybe, but my sister. She checks on me a few times a week. If she sees I'm not in my room…"
Mr Lu sent me a pitiful look. " You know what son, we'll drive slowly. If you notice anything unusual, give me a call, and I'll drive right back for you."
Xueya nodded in agreement to her father's words and I couldn't help but smile. "Okay Lu Baba."
"Mmm, now quick! Go in before someone notices our truck." Mr Lu shooed.
I gave my face one last look in the side mirror.
My hair and eyes were back to their normal black color. My skin, deathly pale. I gave my hair a little roughing to add to the pathetic look.
I put my phone on silent, and shoved it in the secret compartment I cut into my backpack, then released a deep breath. "They won't notice. They won't notice." I whispered to myself as I went around the car, and towards the wall.
A bush of overgrown grass lined the outside of the wall. It was so long that it reached my stomach.
I slipped into it without breaking stride. Once I was close enough to the wall, I crouched low parting the strip of grass lining the edge.
My eyes did a quick scan of the base, and within seconds, I found it. It was easy because I knew where to look.
I dug out the weeds that had fallen into it since I used it yesterday and the empty hole smiled at me. Over the years, it had grown bigger, but not big enough to be recreated eaily.
I glanced up the street once, sending a last wave to the two watching me from the truck.
Then I knelt, turning my body sideways, easing my arms through first. I pushed the large flower pot blocking the hole from the inside, to give myself a better crawl space. Heaving at it's weight.
Even after all these years, I still hadn't gotten used to it's weight.
The cement scraped faintly against my skin as I wriggled forward, careful not to dislodge the packed soil around the edges.
I pulled my upper side out, the paused to listen.
No voices. No footsteps.
When I was sure no one was coming, I pulled the rest of myself through. I turned around to nudged the grass i parted from the outside into place, making sure the hole was concealed on the other side of the wall.
As I stood on my feet, I brushed the dirt from my clothes—A black hoodie and black sweatpants— and hair.
I heard the sound of a moving truck going further and further away, and I knew Mr Lu and Xueya had taken off.
I pushed the flower pot back in place—the activity taking a generous chunk out of my energy count—then arranged some creeping plants around it so that they were dense at the base of the pot.
All done. The hole was fully concealed.
As I was straightening up from my bent position beside the pot, I suddenly heard the sound of breaking twig, and my body froze.
Then I heard light footsteps coming my way. Immediately, I jumped away from the pot, running towards the main house building.
I crouched by my room's tiny window, which was the only part of my room which could be seen above ground, hiding myself between a rose bush
The footsteps got closer and closer and I
just then, a memory washed over me, sending my body into uncontrollable shaking.
Please don't let it be any of my brothers! Please don t let it be any of my brothers! I prayed in my mind.
My heart pounded loudly in my ears and eyes began to water. I folded myself tighter, pulling the hood of my sweater tightly over my head.
FLASHBACK (2012)
"What's that filthy thing doing here?!" My eyes widened and I slowly turned to find my D-Gen Alpha twin older brothers, who had just come around the back of the house.
They were both thirteen.
Out of fear, my gaze instinctively flicked to the pot I had just shoved back into place.
Yan, the older twin noticed. His eyes followed the movement, narrowing as they settled on the pot before sliding back to me.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, giving me a slow once-over. My dusty hair and clothes.
I quickly hid my bruised hands behind my back.
"Nothing!" I answered. My voice taking on a high pitch.
They didn't look convinced.
"I think he's up to something." Ze, the other twin said coldly, taking a few steps toward me.
I quickly shook my head, my pulse roaring in my ear.
"Then why are your clothes dirty?"
I kept shaking my head as I couldn't think of an excuse.
"Tell me!" Yan, barked and my eyes began to water.
He rushed forward, shoving me hard. I hit the grass, pain exploding through my wrist as my it twisted beneath me from trying to block my fall.
I cried out, cradling it. It's bright red color and swollen look caused me to start panicking.
"Yan Gao!" I looked up at him, pleading. That only made his face darken. His nose flared and he shoved me again, causing my head to hit the ground.
"You're lucky dad didn't just sell you off, you filthy thing" He snarled. " How dare you call me Gao? I'm not your brother!"
Tears slid down my face as I lay there on the grass.. Helpless.
One of them pinned me to the ground,while the other crouched at my side. Both of them grinning like they were enjoying my pain far too much.
"We'll show you who your real family is."
They tore up handfuls of grass and smeared it over my face, my hair, my clothes. The blades of the grass scratched my skin, and it stung deeply when some cut me.
"No, Gao Stop! You're hurting me—"
A mix of grass and sand was shoved into my mouth. I gagged, coughing as the bitter taste filled my tongue.
"Who said you could spit it out?"
My eyes widened in terror. They forced more into my mouth.
"Chew it!"
Even at ten, I could see it clearly.
The hatred in their eyes,The way the bared their teeth.Their clenched jaws and furrowed brows.
My own brothers. The very people who were supposed to protect me.
"No! No! Get off me!" I struggled against them, but it was of no use. They were bigger than me, and significantly stronger.
"Chew it!"
More grass was forced into my mouth.
"No! Ngh--"
~~
Sweet lavender scent wafted theough my nostrils and my eyes immediately snapped open.
Xu Meilin
As if on command, my breaths began to even out.
"Wutao? Is that you?" She asked, her soft voice edge with alarm. My head lifted and I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes.
My older sister came to a stop a few feet away from me. Her long black hair flowed like water around her white nightgown, stopping right above her waist.
Her perfect skin glowed in the moonlight, like the the moon was purposely there to compliment her beauty.
Her lips formed a thin line in confusion— or worry?— on her perfectly proportioned face.
She was diamond of the Xu family. The perfect lavender scented A-gen Omega, with a personality to match.
I got up from my crouched position. Slowly.
I sagged my shoulders and hunched my back, making sure my hair came over my face.
"Xu Wutao, what are you doing out here at this time? It's past midnight." She asked, enunciating every word. Worry evident in her gentle voice.
Time to be the perfect Z-Gen Omega.
I avoided her gaze and made sure my voice was shaky as I replied. "N-nothing Jie."
I raised my head for a split second, and quickly bent to stare at my feet, coming of as timid. "I c-c-couldn't sleep, so I c-came out for a walk."
From the curtain of my hair, I snuck a look at her face to see if she bought that. I saw her sigh and raise her hand to comfort me. Good.
I flinched as her hand got close and they froze. Her look turned pitiful and she tried again after a few seconds. This time, slower.
She gave it a rub and I relaxed my shoulders to ease a bit of her guilt.
The quicker she felt better, the quicker we could move on from here and hopefully go into the house. I was starting to feel cold.
Suddenly, she frowned, looking at something behind me.
"Why are you wearing a bag?"
Shit!