Rescue

"Ding Dong. Ding Dong." Unexpectedly, the doorbell rang.

Dad froze, turned around and stared in the direction of the door.

"Ding Dong. Ding Dong." The bell didn't stop ringing.

"WHAT?! Who's ringing the doorbell at a time like this?" he muttered and stomped to the door.

"What?! Are you a salesperson? I'm busy now!" he shouted and flickered open the door. A dark brown haired man grinned confidently and stood behind the door.

"Good evening, Mr. Rivas, my name is Carlo Eric, a social worker. It's my pleasure to see you."

"A social worker? Wait, how do you know my name?"

"You see, I have received notifications saying that there is domestic violence happened with your son, Alfie Rivas. May I speak to you for a minute?"

"Domestic Violence? What are you talking about? My son is fine. Now, go away!" Dad scolded him.

"I'm sorry but I need to take a look at your son before I leave," he pushed Dad and forced himself into the house.

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Do you have a warrant? You can't just get inside my house like this!" he yelled.

"Mr......Eric.....?" I mumbled softly. Mr. Eric took a glance at me. The living room was messy. Broken ornaments fell on the ground. I laid on the ground. My arms and legs are full of bruises and red scars.

He smiled and lent me a hand.

"Are you ok, Alfie?"

".......I.........no, I'm not ok. Please help me....." I begged him. Tears fell from my eyes. It was the first time I sought for help.

"YOU! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW!!!!"

"Mr. Rivas, after observing your son's situation, I'm afraid I can't do so. You are under arrested by committing the crime of domestic violence. I will see you on court."

"RIDICIOUS! You are not even the police. This is my son! I was just educating him how to be a better person. You don't have any authority to do this!"

"Mr. Rivas, I'm sorry that I forget to mention......" Mr. Eric paused and stared at the door.

"The police are already here."

"Mr. Renfred Rivas, you are under arrest by committing the crime of domestic violence. You have the right to remain silent. But anything you say may or may not be against you at court," Two police officers came in to the house, grabbed Dad's shoulders and handcuffed him.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? I DID NOTHING WRONG!!!!" He pushed himself away from the police officers and struggled to get rid of the handcuffs. The police, of course, did not allow him to escape.

"YOU!" He glared at me, "IT MUST BE YOU WHO BETRAY ME, RIGHT SON? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO CALLED THE POLICE!!!!"

"I KNEW IT. IN THE END, YOU ARE THE SAME AS THAT WOMAN! YOU GUYS ARE ALL BETRAYDERS!!!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, ALFIE! I NEVER WISH YOU ARE MY SON, ALFIEEEEE!!!!!" he screamed.

Hearing him, I bit my lips.

Ah.....he said it. I knew it. I always knew it. That man never treats me as his son. He never understands me. And I never understand him.

I looked at him for the very last time. I'm sure we would never meet again. All those years, I just wanted to say to him for one single thing.

"Goodbye, Mr. Renfred Rivas."

"ALFIEEEEE!!!!!" He yelled louder. The police ignored his screams and dragged him away from the house. His house. It was not mine anymore.

"Alfie! Are you alright?" said Jay as he hugged me tightly. He was deeply worried at me. I could sense his cold body temperature.

"Yes, yes. Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm fine, Jay." I comforted him. He must be frightened. I could see him shivering in fears. Although I was glad he did not do anything stupid.

"Mr. Eric, I don't know what to say. Thank you for saving Alfie," said Jay. He hugged me even tighter. He was truly grateful, Mr. Eric had done something he longed to do so for a long time.

"You're welcome, Jay. I'm glad I can help," Mr. Eric smiled, "Alfie, that man just scolded you, are you ok?"

"I guess so. I'm used it already."

"Alfie, you know. You can always ask for help if you need. I, Carlo Eric, promise you that I will protect you guys from that man. If he ever comes to you, you can always ask me for help."

".........what's going to happen to me now? What am I going to do? I'm homeless." I replied honestly. This was the only thing I worried for years.

I can always ask for the police for help.

I know there are children being adopted by other families.

Yet, I never ask for help.

Why?

Because no one can actually help and understand me.

Because I can see and talk to ghosts.

Mr. Eric patted my head and rubbed my tears. Moonlight sparked from the window, it wiped out the clouds and brightened the everlasting night. It was surprisingly good. The snow eventually had melt by the summer sunshine.

Mr. Eric smiled at me and said.

"Alfie, do you want to become a ghost sweeper?"

I blinked my eyes. I wondered if I was imagining things.

".........what? A ghost sweeper."

"Yes. A ghost sweeper. Look Alfie, your amount of Wakan in your body is strong, and judging what you did today, I'm sure you will be a great ghost sweeper."

".......me? A ghost sweeper. I don't think I can do that. Besides, what about Jay? He is a ghost. I am his host, I can't be a ghost sweeper."

"Well, there a try for everything. Don't worry, Alfie. If you want to be a ghost sweeper, I'm promise I will protect you for whatever cost. Besides, there isn't any rules that hosts and ghosts can be ghosts sweepers."

"...........but I'm so weak and coward. I don't think I can do it."

"Alfie, don't you remember what you did today? You have activated a talisman paper on your own without any teaching or guidance. Without your help, I don't think I can stop Bloody and save other students. You're a hero, Alfie!"

".........really? Am I?" I doubted it. I don't remember I did such an amazing thing.

"Of course you are. Not just you, Jay too. He is a magnificent fighter. He defeated a Bet ranked ghost which I can assure you it is a very high rank type of ghost."

"........did I? I was just slashing my sword!" Jay wondered and laughed. He, too, didn't think he do something special.

"Yes, you guys are heroes. But you guys are still young and native, there is many things you don't know about ghosts. If you become ghosts sweeper, I'll make sure you will broaden your horizon in the world of ghosts and ghosts sweepers. So, what do you say, Alfie, Jay, do you guys want to be ghost sweepers?"

Mr. Eric asked me.

To be frank, I did not know what to answer.

I always do not understand what family and friends are.

I do not understand what happiness is.

All those years, I was lonely and helpless.

I often questioned myself about why so many bad things happened to me and why I am suffering from all this pain.

I often thought it was Jay who was the only one who could help me.

I thought I was a useless and weak person. But in the end, perhaps I am not so bad at all.

If it's possible, I wish I could help other people like me to solve their own problems.

I wish I could be a person who is not seeking help but lending a helping hand.

I wish I could be a better me.

The road ahead is tough but I have lost so many already, so what do I have to lose?

If this path is the answer to all my questions, even though someone may think I am choosing a weird road, I will not hesitate anymore.

For happiness is something much more strong and weak.

Much more fragile and powerful.

I will not lose anymore and grab my own happiness.

Because this is the happiness that only I can understand.

"Mr. Eric, my answer is......"

"Yes."