ALFRED

 A few weeks after the incident at the amusement park, Mum and I went back there. She said I deserved some fun after staying indoors so much. But honestly, I only agreed to go because I hoped I would see her again—the girl who saved me from that wooden trap.

As soon as we got to the park, I kept looking around. My eyes scanned every corner, every face. But there was no sign of her. I felt a little disappointed. I told Mum I wanted to play by myself for a bit, and she let me go.

“Don’t get me worked up like you did the other day,” she said while I ran along.

I walked straight to the spot where the wooden trap had hurt me. The same quiet area behind the rides. It was still there, the same pavement she had told me to sit on. I sighed and sat down. The sun was warm on my face, and I rested my head on my lap.

Almost immediately, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

“Hey, I see you’re good now,” a familiar voice said.

I quickly lifted my head—and there she was. It was her.

The same little girl, standing right in front of me. My face broke into the biggest smile. I didn’t even realize I was grinning so hard until I saw her smiling back.

I stretched out my hand and asked, “What’s your name?”

She shook my hand lightly and said, “Valerie.”

“Valerie,” I repeated, still smiling. “That’s a beautiful name. I’m Alfred.”

She nodded. “Nice to meet you again, Alfred.”

We started talking. I asked her if she lived around here, and she told me her mum worked as a cleaner in the park. Then she asked if I wanted to see where they were. I hesitated a little but then said yes. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with an Angel who saved him?

Valerie held my hand and led me out of the park through a small gate at the back. A few minutes later, we reached a tiny, quiet house. Inside, we sat on a mat and started playing games. She had some old board games and puzzles. I didn’t even notice how much time had passed—we were laughing and talking like old friends.

After a while, her mum came out of the room. She looked at me, surprised. “Hey, young boy… does your mum know you’re here?”

I paused and said, “No, ma’am.”

She looked a bit concerned. “What’s your name?”

“Alfred,” I said.

Then she asked, “Alfred what? Alfred Dominic? Or Alfred Baileywick?

I shook my head quickly. “No. Alfred Gonzalo.”

Her eyes widened like the name “Gonzalo” pierced her skin.

“Gonzalo?!” she almost screamed, then she turned to Valerie. “Valerie! Take him back to the park now!”

I was confused. What did I say wrong?

“Mum… Is there a problem? You…”

“Don’t ask me questions, take him back to the park! Don’t bother…I’ll do that myself.” Valerie’s mum grabbed my hand with fury while I kept wondering if I had offended her in any way. While she grabbed me out, Valerie followed us from behind, calling her Mum, who kept ignoring her.

We hadn’t gotten to the main pack when Mum saw us from afar and ran towards us.

“You idiot!” Mum snapped after striking Valerie’s mum's face with a hot slap.

“So you really thought you could kidnap my son and go scot free? You wanted to get ransom from us to help your poverty-stricken life? Well, you have failed!” Mum grabbed me immediately while I watched Valerie’s Mum hold her cheek and dab at the tears on her face.

“This is how you go around insulting and slapping people because you are a Gonzalo? Without respect?” Valerie’s voice came as a shock. I bet Mum would have least expected the little girl to speak to her in such a manner.

“Little brat! Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me ? Oh… I get it now! You are your mum’s defender, huh?”

Valerie chuckled.

“The fact that you are rich doesn’t mean the world revolves around you, Mrs. Marie Gonzalo. You’ve really got a lot to learn.”

“That’s enough, Valerie.” Her mum muttered as she sniffed.

“No, Mum. “I could see the hate and fury in her eyes while she spoke to Mum and I only wondered where she got such guts from.

“Tame your dog, Woman! She is getting on my nerves!” Mum told Valerie’s mum furiously.

Valerie was going to meet her end today. I could only imagine what Mum would do to her.

But then, there was something I admired about her. Her courage.

The ability to look at Mrs. Gonzalo in the eye and speak to her rudely.

No one dared, not even an adult.