Chapter 2: I'll Protect You

Words : 2157 Updated : Jul 3rd, 2025

Meanwhile, inside the small house, a middle-aged man in a blue jacket and an army green hat was pressing down on a girl, his hands roving over her. "You bitch, I offered you a grand to spend the night with me and you still refused. I could get a widow for just a hundred!" he sneered, holding the girl's arms with one hand while unbuckling his belt with the other. "Bruno, let me go! No!" Tears streamed down the girl's delicate face, and her swollen cheeks made it clear she'd been slapped. She struggled with all her might, but how could a young girl fight off a grown man? "You live in the middle of nowhere. Nobody will come even if you scream your lungs out!" the man taunted. "If you do what I want, I'll let you go and maybe even give you some money." Bruno went on as he yanked down his gray pants, exposing his red thermal underwear. The girl lay on the bed, her tears flowing uncontrollably. She knew there was no way she could escape what was coming tonight. Thinking back on everything she'd been through over the years, she shut her eyes in pain. Her brother had been missing for ten years, and no one knew if he was dead or alive. Her parents were both sick, but still went out to work, leaving her alone. She often starved herself to save up for tuition fees. She was already exhausted and now faced the horror of being violated. She felt utterly hopeless. Overwhelmed by grief and anger, the girl passed out. Seeing that she'd fainted, Bruno became even more shameless. Just as he was about to tear her clothes, suddenly, there was a loud crash. Someone kicked the front door open from the outside. Travis charged into the room like a bolt of lightning. The sight before him made his eyes go bloodshot with fury. "You're dead!" he roared, slapping out with his palm from across the room. Bang! Bruno didn't even see who it was before he was slapped into a cloud of blood. After dealing with Bruno, Travis looked over at the girl on the bed, tears streaming down her face, and her clothes a mess. "Lauryn!" he cried, rushing forward to hold her tightly. Noticing his sister had passed out, he quickly channeled spiritual energy into her to wake her up. Before long, Lauryn slowly came to. Lauryn flinched and struggled when she realized she was in a stranger's arms. "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" The more she struggled, the more Travis's heart ached. "Don't be afraid. It's me, Travis. I'm back! No one will hurt you anymore!" Travis comforted her, holding her tightly. Lauryn stiffened, slowly opening her eyes to look at Travis, confused. Travis's heart tightened at the unfamiliar look in her eyes, and he spoke, "Lauryn, it's me. Don't you recognize me?" "Travis?" Lauryn gazed at Travis's familiar yet strange face, lost in thought. Though the man before her was handsome, she had never seen him. Yet, somehow, he seemed vaguely familiar. Travis, seeing her doubt, suddenly remembered something. He stood up and did a set of goofy moves. Then he poked her twice. Lauryn stared at him silently. Travis felt a bit awkward, thinking she must have forgotten their childhood. After all, ten years had passed. She had grown from a little girl into a graceful young woman. It was normal to forget. Just as Travis felt disappointed, Lauryn unexpectedly burst into laughter. She recognized those silly moves as the secret message she and Travis used as kids. The next moment, she threw herself into Travis's arms, laughing and crying, "Travis, you finally came back. I thought you were dead!" Watching Lauryn sobbing in his arms, Travis felt a mix of emotions. He held her tightly, gently patting her shoulder, "Don't cry, I'm back." Lauryn cried for a long time, soaking his clothes with tears before calming down. "By the way, where's Bruno?" She suddenly remembered, pushing Travis away and looking around. "Oh, I scared him off," Travis said, scratching his head. He didn't dare tell her he'd killed Bruno, worried she'd freak out since she was just a regular girl. Lauryn believed him, wiped her tears, and said, "Thank you!" Travis ruffled her hair, "What are you thanking your brother for? We're family!" He gazed at her tenderly. Lauryn had changed so much, from the girl who always trailed him to a beautiful young lady. When he left, Lauryn was only nine. Now she was a teenager. She was fair-skinned, tall, and slim. Lauryn seemed embarrassed under Travis' gaze, lowering her head, "Are you hungry? Let me cook something for you." "No, I'm fine." But right then, Travis' stomach growled loudly. Though his current cultivation allowed him to go without food or drink for months, he still felt hungry. After all, he hadn't ascended to immortality yet. Hearing the growl from his stomach, Lauryn couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. Travis scratched his head awkwardly, embarrassed to get caught in front of his sister. "Just wait here, I'll boil some water and make you some mac and cheese!" Lauryn said as she headed out, and Travis quickly followed, "Let me give you a hand!" In the small kitchen to the side of the yard, Lauryn got right to work. She added more cheese to make sure Travis would be full. Travis sat across from her, adding wood to the stove. "Lauryn, where are Mom and Dad? Why are you alone?" Travis finally asked, unable to hold back. Lauryn replied, "Mom and Dad are working in the city. I'm in high school." "You're in high school already?" Travis was surprised. He remembered when he left, Lauryn was just a child. She attended school later than average kids, so she started high school at seventeen. "Yeah, I'm a senior now, only half a semester left before the college entrance exam." Lauryn nodded, tossing the mac and cheese into the pot. Travis rubbed his head, "Time flies. You're in your senior year already." "I'm nineteen. Most people my age are already in college, you know." Lauryn pouted. Travis grinned, "Yeah, yeah, my bad. How are Mom and Dad doing?" Travis' parents were regular farmers, but they always made sure he and Lauryn had the best they could give. However, upon hearing this, Lauryn's face fell, and she went quiet. Travis noticed the change in her expression and quickly asked, "What is it? Did something happen?" Lauryn took a deep breath. "Mom and Dad haven't been doing well. After you disappeared, they spent all their savings looking for you. A few years back, Dad got hit by a car while giving flyers. The driver only paid two grand, but Dad's leg was disabled. Now he works as a security guard." "And Mom... she got sick from missing you so much, she nearly cried herself blind. She lost her job at the textile factory and now works as a nanny in the city."

Chapter 2: I'll Protect You

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