Allison's POV

Five minutes before twelve midnight. Five minutes before August 30, 2031. 

The date of my exact birthday. As I entered the entrance of our house, the half-moon was evident along with the stars scattered in the dark sky. 

I stared above before I opened the door. It seemed like an art. Art that was made from the heart. The darkness and the ample light coming from the moon and stars signified a hope. Hope that I should continue the life that I've started. 

I took a deep sigh and grinned. Stop that drama, Allison. 

I glanced at my wristwatch. It's exactly twelve midnight. As I opened the door and clicked the button of the lights, an unexpected moment happened. 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALLISON!" Both Mommy Shane and Daddy Jack greeted me with joy.

Bittersweet smile formed on my face. Mom was holding a mini chocolate cake in front of her. It had a written text telling a 'Happy 23rd Birthday, Allison'. 

"Thanks," I simply said as I kissed the both of them on the cheeks. It seemed that they waited for me until I got home. 

"It's already late. We can still celebrate tomorrow. I mean later in the morning."

"Are you not happy?" Mom sadly asked. That's also my question about myself, Mom. I said in my mind. 

"I'm glad, Mom. I appreciate your efforts for me but for now, I'm just really tired." 

"Let her rest, Shane. We can continue the celebration in the morning," Dad assured.

I made a fake smile. 

"Thank you so much. I love you both. Good night." Then I walked to my bedroom. 

I opened the lights and closed the door tiredly. I put my handbag on my study table and let my body fell on the soft grayish bed of mine. 

One year has passed since she died. I could not still move on. I could still felt the loneliness. Working without her was like a gun without a bullet inside. 

My eyes produced a small drop of tears unexpectedly. I wiped it and glanced at the picture frame placed on the top of the small cabinet beside my bed. 

It was a picture of us. We were wearing the same denim jacket, skinny jeans and combat shoes while holding our own gun. This was the time that we had passed the training in Vigilante Association. 

"The hell, Ashley! You're haunting me for a year now. What should I do?"

I stared at her in the picture. Her deep smile reminded me to fight. Her eyes were telling me to move on.

"Fine! After this night, I will start a new life without you."

I closed my eyes and let my body rest for the night.

*****

I woke up through the light ray of the sunlight reflecting on the window. I slightly opened my eyes and checked my phone beside the pillow.

It's eight o'clock in the morning. I sat on the bed and yawned and after a few minutes of spacing out, I stepped down to the bed. 

I stood straight, chin up, and did the basic stretching exercise. After that, I did multiple squats in five minutes, two minutes push-ups, and one minute planking. It was our morning routine in Vigilante Association to maintain our strengths and healthy body.

I went downstairs after I took a bath. Mom and Dad were waiting for me in the dining area. They woke up early because it was also their day off in work.

Mommy Shane was a college instructor while Daddy Jack was a car seller. They adopted me when I was in high school because they almost bumped me with their car. So, I just woke up in the hospital and I saw them taking care of me.

"Good Morning," I greeted them as I kissed them again on the cheeks. By the way, it was our habit.

"How are you? Did you sleep well?" Mom asked.

"Yah! I'm good, Mom," I replied as I put the fried rice and bacon on the plate. 

Silence uttered in the dining area. No one attempted to speak while we were eating breakfast. Not until Dad asked something.

"How's your law school?" 

That's it! That's what I was waiting for. I did not take a look yet and finished the food first. I remained silent. After I finished the food, I deeply sighed and looked at them. 

"Mom. Dad. I want to tell you something," I simply said.

"What is it?" Dad asked again.

"I joined an association that could help me with my law study."

I've decided to tell them about the Vigilante Association as part of starting a new life.

Besides, I have been lying to them for three years. They knew that I was studying in law school, that's why I was only going home every weekend but the truth was not. 

"What kind of association is that?" Mom asked.

"It's about secret law enforcement, Mom. It's really related in my law study but…" I stopped. I looked at Dad hoping that he would not be mad.

"We are using firearms for protection." 

He stared at me seriously. "Allison Cruz. Can you please tell us the truth? Are you really studying law?" 

The hell! I did not expect this. 

"Yes, Dad! I am studying," I answered but in all honesty I am only studying through online class. All the rest of my time was focused on the association.

"Then what the hell are you thinking in joining that association?! Do you know how risky it is in your life?!" Dad exclaimed in anger. 

"I know! But this is what I want."

"It's too dangerous for you, Allison! Don't you even think of that situation?" 

"Dad, I may risk my life for other people. At least I know that I would fulfill my dreams. I would fulfill my goal of giving justice to the innocents."

"Fine! Do what you want!" He walked out. 

I knew how much he cared about me since he became my Dad. I had nothing to do with it. He was only concerned and I was the one who was stubborn. 

After that he did not talk to me anymore. I just let him because I knew that he only needed time to calm down. 

The next thing that happened was I did my online schoolworks and read some new articles about law. 

In the afternoon, I decided to go on Ashley's grave. I'm now sitting in front of her and I also brought her a white rose flower.  

"How the hell are you now, Ash?" 

I missed our bonding. I missed how much she was stubborn like me. I still remembered how weird our friendship started. 

*****

I was only eighteen years old when I met her. 

It was my first job interview in a law agency. It was a job opportunity for all law students that could give them great experiences.

While all the applicants were waiting in the sitting line, I was showered in sweat and my knees were trembling that time but not until someone talked to me impolitely.

"Being nervous could not make you hired in this agency," she said, raising her eyebrow. 

She's wearing a black slit skirt and a light blue long sleeves inside the black corporate coat with the five inches high pointed heels.

"Excuse me?! Are you talking about me?!" 

My black high waist pants, mustard yellow long sleeves and two inches pointed black shoes had nothing to do with her outfit.

"Oh c'mon! Yes, I am talking to you! So calm down. Don't let them see your flaws." 

"Wow! Who are you to tell me that?!" I exclaimed.

"Well! I am Ashley Dalton," she said while asking for a handshake. 

I grinned. "Fine! I'm Allison. Allison Cruz. Let's see who will be hired to the both of us." And I accepted her handshake. 

After the interview session. We both went out in the interview office laughing at each other.

"See? We both did not hire," she said and laughed again. 

"It's all your fault!" I also laughed.

"Fine! But nice to meet you, Allison or should I say Ali," she sincerely said.

"Nice to meet you too, Ash."

After that, the rest was history until we became part of Vigilante Association because of other reasons. 

The Vigilante Association taught us to be fierceful. It taught us to have a cool style in outfits and in manners. We both learned to be independent and enthusiastic in our work.

"I missed you..." 

"Vigilante Association is on good terms. So don't worry and I promised that starting today, I would be stronger. That I can fight for justice without a partner." 

I grinned. "The hell, Ashley! You're making me crazy while talking to you! This is insane!"

Suddenly, a strong cold wind touched my body. My skin hairs were raised. 

"FINE! YOU'RE ENJOYING IT, HUH?!"

I rested beside her grave for a while, after a few minutes, I deeply sighed. 

"Ash! By the way, I'm still working to find my real parents and… your brother."

"So don't haunt me as if I'm not finding them, okay?!"

My phone suddenly rang. It was a call from the Vigilante Association Office.

I answered it. "Hello?"

"Miss Ali. According to Boss Rom, you need to come over here in our place as soon as possible," one member said on the other line.

"Why? I still have one day to go back there."

"Your new Vigilante Partner is already here."

"WHAT?! I THOUGHT I AM NOW A STAND ALONE LEADER?!"

"That's what Boss Rom told me, Miss Ali. I didn't know the whole information. I'm sorry."

"Fine! Tell Boss Rom that I'll be there tomorrow morning, understand?"

"Copy, Miss Ali." Then I ended the call. 

The hell! See, Ash?! Boss Rom never failed to challenge me!

I grinned and chuckled. Let's see if he or she would become my new Vigilante Partner.

~~~~~~~

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