(Present)
I ran out of the house with my heart in my mouth. I clenched my cheeks with my hands forcibly. Grievously, I chanted under my breath; "Wake up, wake up, wake up, WAKE UP!" I urgently jammed my hands into my jean pocket for a phone; to call the police but to no avail. I smiled at myself miserably.
By hook, could I have forgotten it inside? Or was there anything else that should be of prime concern to me, together with the phone?
'You can just run up to a neighbor's house, pound on the gates, and scream bloody murder!' I paraded down the street, my heart battering against my chest. 'You're not being rational, Chenilyn. You can't be tracked! Retrieve these steps and reclaim your phone. It's salient for your safety.'
"Stupid, STUPID, STUPID!" I flogged my denuded skin with my prickly, pronged nails, as tears welled up in my hitherto dejected, exhaustive eyes. I sucked up all oxygen from the airspace and exhaled inhumanely. "Do people hate me this much?"
This circumstance was... heart-breaking.
I stared at my house with apprehension; 'Could this day be any worse?' I quizzed myself. However, without biding another second of my life to this roadway and house, I darted to my neighbors' lawn. I was sprinting to safety as if the treacherous conundrum I was thrust into, finally dawned upon me.
It was a chilly, overcast night, as I faintly hammered on the neighbor's front door. "Hello! Hello? Is anyone inside? I need help! PLEASE HELP ME OUT, AND CALL THE POLICE!" I bellowed in an instant, my throat feeling a strange twinge.
I conjured up the spirit to look behind me, my heart pummeling in my chest. An inexplicable shudder slithered down my spine; I could discern someone's ardent gaze fixated on me, it was quaint and... Murderous. Like a blood-thirsty killer. I could imagine bloody fists and ear-splitting screams coming from afar, except there was no one in sight.
"I need help, please!" I whispered and yelled simultaneously. I thrashed my fists on the door, like an angry and ferocious adolescent. I was starting to tear up. How could I not? It was considered formidable to have visitors at your residence late at night, so I understood my neighbor's unwillingness and loathe to open the door to an uncanny neighbor.
But...
This was no ordinary night.
It felt like a scene from a horror movie when I peeped/ogled at my rear. On my pasture, a shade of a perma-tanned, and coffee-colored book was stowed deliberately. It gnawed at a dignitary's intention. This book had a golden plating at its nook and corners. Identifiable to Only Me. This wasn't the book Jamie lent me; hers was upstairs in my residency!
This is... Ji Eun's?
All the memories and reminiscences flooded back to me, as my breath hitched in my throat; tears welling up like a river in my eyes, as they sedately streamed down my cheeks. "Help me," I spoke out of reflex.
My continuous trudge on the door embarked on a sense of consciousness to the neighbors, as they glowered at me; still half-awake. "Who is it?"
"It's Chenilyn, your next-door neighbor. Can I come inside, please?" I requested, pleading with my effervescent eyes. The door chirred open, as I gawked at the tangible darkness inside; my heart finally thumping ordinarily. "Thank you, Sir. I'm sorry for bothering you late at night, it's just that I've run into an emergency. Could I please borrow your landline for a few substantial jiffies? I proposed politely, still standing outside. "Give me a sec." He replied.
When the noise of his shoes clacking against the tiles wafted away for mere seconds, I had a strong furor of a De Ja Vu. Minutes passed as I quivered in the dark, helplessly, still and all, no one ever returned to the door. I had seen this state of affairs before; when I was young, on the turf of my old house. I was too little to unbolt the ponderous door. No one assisted me then, too.
I had returned to that phase of my childhood that recurred in my contemporary life.
The door unlatched immediately, as a head drooped outside to scrutinize me head to toe. "Hello... I'm Chenilyn. I live next door. I think there's been a break in-"
"Come in." The head's voice demanded.
"I appreciate this gesture, thanks a lot," I said, taking a glimpse behind me, as the doors shut close.
The book was gone.
(Next Morning)
The car swerved off lane, and I became dubious. My hands clutched the steering wheel in swift trepidation, as I repositioned myself for a collision. My eyes elongated when I saw an adolescent spring onto the road; directly to the fore of my car. No hollers of torment or agony were discerned by the juvenile; only a bland thump beneath the car's rear got detected, gruesomely. It was enough for me to hit the breaks; leap out of my car, and scuttle to the victim.
There, he, the victim, lay in discomfort. "Are you alright? Does it hurt? We need to rush you to the hospital! I'm so sorry!" I shuddered in dread and sorrow when my eyes landed upon his desolate state. He lay brazen on the bumpy ground, his eyes emitting rays of apathy.
In a trice, he looked up and said; "Yes, I'm hurt. You demolished my sandwich." He sniveled and garnered the scraps and debris of the remaining sandwich from the ground. I exhaled in solace. "You're alright? What a relief!" I blared, uncontrollably.
He, at a stroke, gawked at me emotionlessly and vocalized. "Why are you crying?"
"Oh...I I- thought-" I flinched stoutly, removing the tint of any moisture from my face. "I thought you died." I enunciated at once, inhaling tons of oxygen, instantly. Yet, his face remained emotionless, completely lamented.
"Underage?"
"Huh?"
His eyes twinkled with peculiar luminescent, unrecognizable to me. I stared at him quizzingly. "Sir? Do you need assistance? I can dial the Emergency Service Center if you want me to?"
He blinked numerous times as if stirring from a trance. "No. I'm fine."
After hearing him blather, it dawned upon me how looks could deceive a person. He was a full-grown man with the face of a child and had a possessed, profound tone to his deep voice. He was strange.
He apprehensively stood next to me. "I'm sorry, I need to be somewhere... Bye." Saying a solemn farewell, he plodded down the pavement.
"I feel like I've seen him before." I combed my hair with my hands and returned to the car, slightly perplexed. What was I thinking before causing this havoc? The engine reignited with a deafening boom. I glanced at the rear-view mirror before reversing and perceived the man staggering to stroll steadily. I pondered; should I ask him for a ride? Where have I seen him before?
I examined the man through my rear-view mirror once more, before he dispersed from my altitude. I smiled at once. I remembered who he was. It was the considerate man who ceased the old man from berating the children. "Ah." I sighed.
Before another presentiment captivated me, I hit the pedal and recommenced my ongoing odyssey to the School. As I nudged the steering wheel to swivel right, I commemorated the numerous times I had been summoned to engage in pleasantries with the former Principal in her accessorized Office-room. It made me feel ambivalent; a glass filled to the brim or a casement that had imploded. Hither, if anyone swerved a punch in my direction, I would alter, evolve into a mythical being. That's how wretched I felt. But, all at the same, I would remain- selfsame. I had to bear with my entanglement and tackle my conscious again. Because, from my past experiences, this was the only way out. I couldn't run this time, I couldn't afford to. I was too tired.
I started grasping the concept of my conscious thinking. I was too fixated on the call from my New Principal.
Jamie's death has preoccupied my mind, and I'm fond of poking my fingers where they don't belong. I had been thinking about the Police. Would they believe me this time? Why was I so interested in Jamie's case? Why was I so deluded... How could I solve a case, when I never resolved any of my problems?
Ah, and finally it came. Like it was bound to.
A monumental premise emerged, and I, at once halted the car. It was my School. I sighed wearily. 'Will this interrogation go well?' I marveled upon its occurrence and did not conclude. One way to find out.
I stepped outside on the gravel footpath. "Where is everyone?" I wondered.
No guards. No temporary barriers sheathing the School. No one.
It was empty.
"Hello, Ms. Lee, follow me inside." A hurly Senior Officer spoke instantaneously.
"I- Oh, are you? No- Hello, I'm Chenilyn," I said startled, acquiring an odd look from the Officer. "They're waiting inside the Principal's Office." He ushered me inside the School's premises, rolling his eyes. I sighed and obliged his commands.
The School seemed ghastly; as if it had attested to the heinous crime perpetrated within its territory. It must've been vicious to perceive quivering fingers at you from the attendees, who subjugated this School proudly; now mumble conspiracies' whenever they pass by. I didn't know who I felt sorry for. This School, or perhaps me? Who cares?
"Here." The same Officer repeated himself out of the blue.
"Right." I rejoindered.
He's stealthy, I thought. "Stay focused during the interrogation, Ms. Lee." He commented brazenly.
I bridled at his tone.
Although lamented, I plodded inside and found myself a 'Reserved' Seat. On the far corner of the Principal's Office, a lady stood on one's last leg. Her expression was wearied as if she hadn't drowsed off for days. "Oh, Honey. You're here. Good. Good." She said, clearing her throat. "Fever. It's making me frustrated." I nodded and resumed my composed posture; "I hope you recover swiftly, Miss. Stay strong till then." I didn't press on. I wished to hanker if she was on medication, but I waved it off.
"Hello, Dear. You seem a bit tired. Are you alright?"
I couldn't manage a smile in front of him. His gaze implied as if he could see right through me. I felt like an unfurled sheet. I was invisible, to everyone, but him. That's how I felt; I couldn't lie.
"I am slightly tired, and a bit apprehensive."
"Clarity is the key, Dear. That's much considerable progress! Even so, what is that you feel apprehensive about?" He questioned, smiling thoughtfully.
I shrugged; placing my hands one before the other. "I can't put my finger on it. I called last night; I suspected larceny."
"Is the situation clear now?" He catechized.
"Yes. I might've been reprehensibly assertive because I'm scared?" I said.
"Are you asking me?"
"No," I said, slightly shameful.
"No one will prong a finger at you. Do you understand? You're not a Suspect right now. If you were, you'll be cuffed not just to this society's imprecation, but in Detention Centre or Jail. However, I must know everything to retain you guiltless and unimpeachable. Can you hear me, alright?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Wonderful." He said, reckoning his courtly watch.
"I'll be straight to the point; don't worry about your safety. A few officers have been deployed and stationed near your house. Just in case. Now! Did you offer Jamie a ride home last time you espied her? I believe she proceeded to your house for a Project. She doesn't have a driving license, however, you do."
'Will I get an attorney? Should I answer you right now?' I'm definite that's how I scrutinized the Officer resting in front of me, so his lips augmented into a small smile. "Yeah?" I rejoindered.
"Again. Are you asking me that?"
"No- Yes. No, I meant I asked her for a ride home. She declined my offer despite my many proposals."
"Okay." He spoke lightly, almost in a whisper.
"Did she vocalize any discomfort, ailment, or concerns with you? Any at all?"
"No. We weren't close friends. I get what you mean, though. Many people tend to hint at the complete strafe and trepidation they're foreboding inside when they're with strangers." I pronounced, feeling somewhat tranquil.
"At times." Supposed the Officer, nodding in concurrency.
"Did she proffer something to you before she departed?"
I mused for a moment, my legs dangling, as I rubbed my head thoughtfully.
Should I notify him about the book Jamie lent me? Why did she convey the parcel to me, and not the law enforcement agency? Should I, or should I not? Should I, or-
"You ought to tell me the truth, Chenilyn." The Officer declared, amusedly.
If only he didn't infer to this statement, I would've replied otherwise.
I smiled, sheepishly.
"Okay. I appreciate your honesty." He grilled further, denuding me as his final shot. I didn't exhibit a single turn of phrase or flub. He concurred.
"This isn't part of the catechism or cross-examination. This is a more congenial appeal; did you like Jamie as a person?"
"Yes, she was a brilliant human being." I retorted, truthfully.
The Officer kept scrutinizing me, so I matched his gaze for a minuscule, asserting approbation (affirmation and praise). He beamed at me with candor, instinctively.
"This marks the resolution of our questionnaires. Expectantly, the last." He raised his eyebrows, surveying my expressions once more.
"Yeah?" I answered.
He snickered, raising his hands. "You got me."
I chuckled, too. I took a deep breath before inquiring about the certitude relating to Jamie's case: "If you don't mind me asking... Were the Police able to ascertain the cause of the incident? Any clues to locate the perpetrator?" The tenor of the room hit rock bottom, with no rising action; no climax. Nothing. I couldn't upheave my head, as tears flogged my vision. "We're investigating and inquiring about every individual associated with Jamie. We've been trying our very best. Don't worry." I tilted my head as a response.
Two hands reached from behind me to swathe me in a hug. "Take some rest, Chenilyn." The Principal hailed, tightening the knot around my stomach. "You too," I remarked, wincing slightly. The Officer stood up awkwardly. He tugged at his hair, set at the back of his head. "Ma'am?" He inquired, settling himself in the odd circumstance unfolding in front of him. "Ma'am, she might levy assault charges on you in a while. She's all red. I don't think she can breathe properly."
The Principal let me go shortly. I thanked the Officer and Principal for their assistance, as I conducted myself outside this compartment. I sighed in relief, but before the door jammed shut, I peered inside one last time to request something salient. "Sorry for disturbing you! I wanted to pay respect to Jamie's family. Where did you say she lived?"
The Principal and Officer emitted the same look. "We didn't mention her address to any personage subjugated to the School. Didn't she tell you while doing the Project?" They waited for a response and retorted; "I can't confirm her address, but she lived in the outskirts... Near the forest."
"Chenilyn?" The Officer immediately demanded.
"Yes?"
"Could you substantiate the last time you saw Jamie?" He interrogated invariably, acquiring a tired eye-roll from the Principal.
"I don't remember the time she left exactly. Perhaps, she left shortly after 8 pm. She arrived at dot 4:30 pm, though."
"Alright! No funny business! Go on!" He enunciated at last.
"Thank you!" I bellowed and flurried to my car.
My heart was battering against my chest in a preternatural way. I was perturbed, upset, frenzied, and deluded all at once. The forest? Kook?
Where did I confront the Forest previously? Should I have informed the Officer about the Kook? What else would he have solicited from me if I told him about the Parcel? Geez... Jamie.
I miss you.
Some provocative convictions dawned on me, as I re-ignited the car's engine, and buzzed to the adjoining destination. I was too surprised at the aggregated questions for me; I, for one, thought there would be more considering I'm the last person Jamie met? Unless...
There's someone else...
No wonder they designated guards at my residency so swiftly. It might be a trick for the real transgressor, thinking the Police have an eye for another Prime Suspect. I felt alarmed now.