"Astraea! Astraea! Wake up! Are you okay? You're sweating bullets... Are you having nightmares again?", Janice told her worryingly.

"Ugh! (panting heavily) I- I had this nightmare again... I don't know whether it actually happened or it was just my mind playing tricks on me. I don't remember... I was just little back then... I can't...", Astraea spoke confusedly.

"Nightmares are just our repressed emotions that haunts us for time to time. They are not real my dear, you shouldn't be worried. Go prepare, you have an interview this morning. And I don't want you to be late", Janice replied.

"Yes, ma. I'll be going downstairs soon.."

She tightened her cheeks and slapped them to make sure that she will be alright. Astraea opened the shower faucet and as soon as the water drenched her frail body it began to calm her down. She wear her usual black shirt and her black hoody.

"I don't think that I have the proper attire for this interview but I will wear my favourite clothes instead. I'll be alright, I need to be present minded before the interview. I won't fuck this up..", Astraea said calmly.

After she was done taking shower and get dressed, she head downstairs and eat breakfast.

"Astraea, I want you to act politely okay?", Janice reminded her.

"What? I am always polite and well mannered just like always.."

"Not that I doubted you. I just want you to be extra mature today", Janice said.

"Sure.. I guess..", Astraea nodded.

"Make sure you bring all the stuff that you need.. I hope you'll get hired my dear. I'll be praying for you", Janice said.

"Stop with that non sense... When father got ill, did your prayers get any answers? He died instead and now were stuck in such predicament", Astraea responded.

"I wish that I never believed in Goddess Ashinopa in the first place. I've always look up to her when things in my life goes horribly wrong... She never believed in me...", Astraea muttered bitterly.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Astraea.. that was a long time ago. What happens, happened on purpose... Who are we to complain. Just be strong my dear, we are still alive and that alone drives us to keep moving forward even though that path is difficult", Janice replied.

"Yeah, I guess so.. I'll better go now, ma. Take a rest for time to time, okay? Be sure to take enough water as well. Take care, I love you...", Astraea said.

'Bye sweetie.." Janice said.

"I never had faith in any gods since the day that my father died I was just a child when he was gone. And my mother was the only one that keep making sure that we survived without him. How can life be so fucking cruel..." Astraea thought to herself.

Astraea arrived from her destination and she was shocked that store from the inside was totally devastated. After the owner came out of the establishment. The cop interviewed the store owner and gave him some papers. Seems like a photo of a guy.

"What's is going on? I can barely hear them.. Probably some thug who robbed that store or something. But I don't think it actually happens though, the store owner is more worried about his life than his job."

Finally, Astraea had the courage to step in towards the store to hear the conversation more clearly.

"Just like I said, we have curfew this evening and you should stay indoors as much possible. The suspect is still on the move and we don't know if he's still in this city or not. We conducted an investigation prior to this and we will make sure that the civilians will know what occurred. We will get the bottom of this for sure, don't worry sir", Police responded.

"B-But what will happen to my son?.. Will he gonna be alright? I- I don't know what to do.. I don't know how to tell his mother about this", the owner replied agitatedly.

'Sir, your son is alright. He is in the nearby hospital. Just relax and take a deep breaths. Everything is gonna be just fine, sir.."

"I hope you're right.." the owner said.

The walkie talkie suddenly interrupted the conversation.

"M4.. M4.. I need back up.. I need back up immediately!"

"Sorry sir I had to go.. Just visit your son at the nearest hospital downtown. And a corresponding officer may aid you and ask some questions regarding the event", the police told him with urgency.

Astraea approached the store owner carefully.

"Uhmmm.. sir? A- Are you okay?", Astraea said.

"Uhhh.. Oh hi.. What can I do you for today ma'am?", the store owner responded.

Astraea can visibly tell that the man is in distress. The store owner is sweating profusely, hands clenched and shaking. He clearly wants to hide the terror on his face.

"Uhhh.. maybe I can do the interview some other time, sir?", Astraea told him.

"Ohh... No.. You made it on time.. Come inside the sun is scorching outside."

"You want some cold beverage or coffee?", the store owner asked her.

"What happened earlier, sir? If you don't mind me asking", Astraea asked.

"Ahh.. What? N- No nothing happened.. It's just some burglars trying to rob the place recently..."

"Sir.. I don't wanna sound disrespectful but you need to go to your son.. he's probably waiting for you.. I know what it feels to lose a family member..." Astraea politely responded.

"Did you hear our conversation earlier?", the store owner replied.

"Yes.. Why are you not going to the hospital?", Astraea said.

"I will.. I will but I don't have the courage... I can't face my son... I left him here all by himself.."

"That explains why the store got completely torn apart...", Astraea said.

"I can take care of the mess but right now I need to get to my son first..", the owner said

"Alright, I'll come with you.. If you don't have the courage to face your own son.. then I will be there to support with whatever he's going through. He need his own father now for times like this", Astraea replied.

"What about the store I can't just leave this place, not like this.", the owner said.

"What's more important.. your store or your own son?", Astraea answered dramatically.

"You're right! Okay.. I will ride you to the hospital."

"Wait.. I still don't know your name.. After all I'll be working for you from now on..", Astraea asked.

"It's Bill... You can call me Bill..."