As her mother said, Dayanara didn't beat her that night, and the following nights. She slept comfortably though. It's not like Loralai can't sleep without feeling serious pain before she sleeps, it's just that, she feels alive every time she feels pain. It was like a confirmation that she is still living like the others.
Like the other nights, she still watches the only video in that flash drive, and cry afterward. That's how she gets a good night's sleep. She makes herself emotional and cries until she can't and fall asleep. It's safer, but she doesn't like it. She wants pain, but she can't convince her mother, or her father to do it for her. She even asked Callum and didn't get even just a single glance. She was just like a wind that's to pass by. She even thought of a place where people are willing to give her the pleasure of being hurt, but of course for free. She won't pay people just to hurt her, duh.
When the morning came by, a piece of murder news flashed on the television again, but not only one this time, three people were murdered from different places at the same time, for the same reason. Everyone felt goosebumps, creeped out because of the news. If the victims were not censored, everyone who saw it will most probably have a hard time eating and sleeping at night. The victims have no head, their body is pale, as if they have no blood, and they have burns everywhere in their body. As of now, no one heard news about where the victims' heads are located, or where the head can be found. The victims' head seems to disappear without no traces, like the killer. The families of the victims can only identify them through identification cards on the victims' belongings.
"It's getting worse," Dayanara worriedly said after the news ended. They immediately resumed eating their breakfast, merely eating if the images won't cross their mind. "I don't like what's happening."
"No one likes it."
"The government should do something by now," Acheros stated. "They should be dealing with it by the time it sparked – the murder incidents. This will be a big problem for them if they can't resolve it as soon as possible."
"I know," Dayanara replied. "I think we should start moving and give notice now. This can't worsen or else."
Callum and Loralai who're eating along them are just quiet, trying not to meddle with the business they have no way to. These problems should be handled by people who have a higher sense of responsibility and thinking ability to think of a possible solution. Loralai who fully watched and heard the news felt something weird. She feels that those shadows yesterday have some involvement, well, just a hunch. It's not bad to assume, especially on these things. Everyone can be someone's suspect, and right now, all are involved and possibly the ones causing all the panic.
After their breakfast, Loralai and Callum took their self-hygiene and prepared for school. After some time, Callum is already in the living room while Loralai has been staying in her room for a long time now. They're running late, and Callum is pissed as ever. Acheros decided to attend to Loralai so they can leave as immediately as possible. He knocked on her door as soon as he is in front. No one answered, no response. Acheros waited for a minute before knocking again, but for the second time, he received no response.
"Loralai, are you okay? Are you still there?" Acheros started to feel worried as silence fell from where he stands. He can't think of any possible reason for Loralai to last this long on grooming herself. "Loralai, open the door, please." Acheros pleaded, panicking as he feels no movement inside Loralai's room. His knocks became aggressive that even if Loralai is asleep, the possibility of her waking up is high.
After almost a minute of knocking out loud, Dayanara arrived, confused why her husband is like that. "What's happening?"
"Loralai is inside, she's not answering."
"Why don't you open it?" Dayanara asked as she tried to open it, but failed because the door is locked. "Loralai! Open this door!" Dayanara shouted, but no response from Loralai. "I'll destroy this, you'll see." She warned, but still, no response. Dayanara signaled her husband to take a step back as she prepares herself to destroy the door and make a badass entrance towards Loralai's room. She kicked the door forcefully, causing the door to fly straight to the wall, parallel to where it is located.
The two immediately went inside and searched for Loralai. The room isn't that complicated so they soon found where Loralai is. The two froze on their steps, gasps are heard from their mouths as they stare at the unconscious woman lying on the closet floor. Acheros, with all the worries on his face, carried Loralai in his arms and stormed out of the room. He went straight to the garage and lay Loralai at the back seat of the car. While he, without saying, drove off and traveled to the nearest hospital.
It's his first time to witness like this so he is disconcerted. He doesn't know the right things to do for the situation. Adrenaline just rushed in him and immediately did what he thinks might save Loralai's life. The travel didn't take long as Acheros almost looked like in a race by how fast he drove his car. The hospital staff immediately attended to Loralai's needs and took care of the rest.
He just sat in an available chair and wait for the doctor's say about Loralai's condition. Acheros doesn't have any about what might happen to Loralai. The woman isn't going out often, only when going to school. She eats healthy foods and avoids junk foods. Aside from the beating, she gets every night, Acheros doesn't have anything to blame. But he wasn't sure if it is the result of his wife's doing because it already stopped a few nights ago. After a moment of waiting, the doctor came out and told him what's wrong.
Loralai had a heart attack. 'Too much blood,' said the doctor. Good thing, Loralai is still alive. Acheros was relieved for that. He thanked the doctor and placed her in a more comfortable room. Later that night, he went home for a while to pack all the necessities they need and came back the next morning. As soon as he arrived, he halted on his steps as he stares at the group of people gathering in the space just beside the hospital. Somebody died, wearing a hospital gown, headless as its body can't almost be recognized because of the uncountable burns, and almost white skin. Acheros forebode and immediately went to Loralai's room.
It was supposed to be a good morning for him until he opened the door for Loralai's room. She's not there, she's not in the bed. He fell on his knees as he blames himself for leaving Loralai in her room despite the possibility that someone might kill her. It was an unknown killer, but Acheros can conclude that it is because of the murder from the news. Everything was the same – the cause of death. And he can't forgive himself for not thinking properly.