She smiled bitterly. All she wanted was to live a peaceful life but even that simple wish couldn't be granted. She was being hunted instead.

Was it destiny? Something she couldn't change no matter what? Did her late parents knew this would be happening?

The sun was rising steadily and it shone brightly. The warmth still couldn't melt her heart which was frozen in fear.

Sarah was scared. However, she wouldn't admit it to anyone. Not even Gu.

"It will be alright. Your progress with your mind power is astounding," Gu tried to comfort her, "plus, this beach is a really good place for me to regain my spiritual energy. I will get stronger so that I can protect you."

I can't run away from this?

"No..."

Since this is all your fault in the first place, you need to stay with me and fight them off together. You can't leave me until my peaceful life is restored.

Gu's gaze softened when he heard what Sarah said. "That is indeed my responsibility till the day I breathe my last breath."

Sarah felt blood rushing to her face. Thankfully, her brown skin would hide any redness. She didn't expect Gu's gentle gaze when he promised to stay with her.

Why was she being like this? She was not a damsel in distress, waiting for prince charming to save and protect her. She was stronger than that.

However, Sarah had to admit that it felt good when she knew that she had someone that would face troubles together with her. It felt less lonely. Less scary.

"Oi, Sarah! Seriously, stop smiling alone like a crazy girl!" Sheila shouted from a distance, "come here and eat brunch!"

Sarah was shocked. Is Sheila being nice? Did she poison the food?

Gu's eyes was filed with mirth. "Just go on."

"Seriously, hurry up! Food is going to finish soon!"

Sarah stood up slowly and walked towards Sheila's group. She could see a few nasi lemak wrapped in banana leaf.

"Why are you so slow? You are ruining my image of a kind protector. There might be people scouting for me. Opportunities are everywhere. So don't ruin it." Sheila hissed when Sarah sat beside her to take the nasi lemak.

Sarah rolled her eyes internally. Of course Sheila would care about reputation, even though they were at the beach. Maybe it had something to do with her business.

Sarah lowered her gaze meekly. "Sorry."

Sheila's followers giggled when they saw how obedient Sarah was. Sarah could feel their eyes on her but she ignored it.

"Thank you for the meal, Sheila." Sarah recited a few prayers in her heart before taking the first bite.

The nasi lemak was surprisingly tasty. She could taste the coconut milk infused in the rice and the banana leaf made it more aromatic while giving it a delicious taste. The sambal was the perfect blend of spicy and fragrant.

She didn't taste any poison. Of course Sheila wouldn't do anything to ruin her reputation.

Knowing that the food was safe, Sarah gobbled the nasi lemak in front of her.

Gu chuckled, looking at the way she ate. She looked as if she didn't have a decent meal for days.

Why are you laughing at me?

"You can be amusing too, sometimes."

Why are you so cheerful? There is a group of crazy people that is hunting you down, you know.

"I'll be serious when I'm facing them. Right now, I'm trying to relish the moment." Gu smiled.

The corners of her mouth twitched, she was hiding her smile. It would look strange if she was suddenly smiling without a reason. Seeing that the others were done with their meal, Sarah wolfed down her nasi lemak, wasting not even a grain of rice.

She could still remember when her mother told her that the rice will cry when it was thrown away. It will chase the wasteful people and ask for justice in the afterlife.

The moment Sarah finished eating, Sheila's irritating voice flowed in her ears. "Oi, Sarah, pick up all the trash and throw it in the dustbin. Make sure this place is clean. The plastics are dangerous to the animals."

Sarah bowed down her head. "Yes, Sheila."

She tried hard not to giggle. Emotions must be kept in check. Just like how her mind shield was always up, now that she knew how to construct one, she must also hide her feelings behind a wall. That way, no one can use her emotions to manipulate her.

Sheila can be funny sometimes. She was acting so tough but she actually cared about the environment. She didn't want the animals to be hurt if they accidentally ate plastic.

Sheila is kind of cute.

"Are you sure you are alright, Sarah? Where is she cute?"

She cares about animals. Underneath her rough exterior, she's not that bad.

Sarah could hear Gu huffing beside her. Keeping an expressionless face was hard. Luckily, she had lots of practice.

She rinsed her hands with seawater after throwing away the trashes. Sheila and her followers were getting a sundae for themselves. Extorting money from people was profitable, Sheila and her gang was a good example.

The consequences later on, though, it would never be good.

"Sarah the trash! Take the vanilla sundae! You don't get to choose." Sheila shoved the vanilla sundae into her hand before she could say anything. Sarah opened her mouth to say something, but ended up saying nothing. She looked like a goldfish when she did so.

"Poor girl, she never gets to choose anything." Sarah heard a voice snickering.

She looked at the ice cream in her hand. Who cares if she didn't get to choose? She was surprised with the fact that she even got an ice cream from them. She expected nothing.

Well, this is technically my money, since I paid my protection fees. So I'm not going to feel overly grateful or anything.

"Yeah, just eat happily." Gu nodded.

"Thank you, Sheila." The edge of Sarah's eyes crinkled when she smiled softly. Vanilla ice cream was one of her favourite. 

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D e d i c a t i o n

To Sarah, who shares the same name as the main character. You are the main character of your own story. amethyst_everafter.

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C r e d i t

Setia by Elizabeth Tan ft. Faizal Tahir

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By the way, 'setia' means 'loyal'.

Thank you for staying with Sarah and the crew till now! Updates will be as usual, since I'm not sick anymore!

Love,
A-happy-Eireen x