Reed's P. O. V.
I'm on my way to Callahan's office. My heart is beating fast for no reason. Ren didn't come with me. He said that this is my kind of business to attend to.
Every step I take seems to be pulling me to stop. Well, I can't blame my feet.
As I get closer, I started to feel nervous. As if I'm a criminal waiting for his interrogation.
'For crying out loud Reed, can you calm down?' I told myself.
The moment I reached the door of his office I stopped. I closed my eyes and I took a deep breath.
'You can do this Reed. Past is past.' I said unto myself.
I raised my fist, I was about to knock when someone talked behind my back.
"What do you need?" Callahan said in a serious manner.
It made me jump shockingly. Was he behind my back all the time?
Argh! He saw how nervous I am.
I faced him properly, while he on the other hand stared at my eyes.
"It's about your daughter." I said straightforwardly.
He closed his eyes upon hearing that.
"Move." He ordered.
I moved away from the door. He opened his eyes and he entered his office.
"Follow me." He added.
I came in, I've never stepped inside his office before. This is quite a new experience.
He went straight into his desk and he sat on his chair. He signaled me to sit in front of him.
After following him, he spoke.
"What do you know about Sly Elapid?" He asked.
Actually, I don't know too. I know nothing about Sly. Except for one thing.
"Gavin is connected to Sly." I said.
The moment I said those words, his face turned serious even more.
"I know nothing much, but based on my observation Sly is influential and powerful." I added.
He nodded.
He decided to stand up and walk towards the window.
He stared at the view from the inside.
Silence filled the room, none of us dared to talk. This is kinda awkward. Basing from what happened from the past, I'm sensing a big percentage of uncertainty between us.
Well, I'm certainly cool with this. But with Callahan? I don't know. Back from the past, he is mad at me. He even threatened Claire that he'll kill me. I couldn't blame him actually.
"Maybe you're the reason why Aisling is abducted." Callahan said out of the blue.
Me? My forehead knotted. Why me?
"Sir, with all do respect, but it's impossible that I'm the reason for her disappearance." I opposed him immediately.
I stood up and looked at him. He turned around, giving the both of us a chance to gaze up upon one another.
"Or maybe it's me." He said.
Maybe, it is. He is known for his business rivals. But if money is what they are after why didn't they are asked for any ransom?
This case is kinda fishy.
"It doesn't matter whether I'm the reason or you. Claire's life is in danger." I said.
I know that I'm confused with my feelings. I don't know if I'm over her or not, but I'm certain that I wanna save her.
"Details sir, I need information. Company data bases or any further records with Mr. Gavin." I said.
He went back to his desk and there he pulled out a portable drive from his laptop. He handed it to me.
"This contains all my transactions for the past few months." He said.
This could help me. I don't know how and why is Gavin interested in Claire. But maybe, it's because he knows Callahan.
"Promise me you'll save her." He said.
I cannot promise to save her right away but I'll save her.
"I promise." I replied.
The room was again filled with silence.
"I'm sorry, I separated you before." He said.
My heart mellowed. I can sense sincerity from his voice.
"No big deal sir, past is past." I said.
But actually what he said left a big mark on me. As if a burden was plugged out from my heart.
"I'll go now sir. This mystery is not even half through its course." I said as I stood up.
Callahan nodded at me, and I went straight out of his office.
This is one of the best days of my life. Well, pretty much the apology is not expected to be spoken out but I'm happy to hear it from him.
Actually, I was picturing a more intriguing conversation but so far so good, it went well.
While I'm walking a sudden noise stopped me. It's coming from the restroom.
My forehead knotted.
It's a sound of a crying baby. Do tell me my hunch is wrong. I looked down, and there I saw water following out from the door.
This is bad! I immediately banged the door open. The restroom is flooded by water.
The faucets are left open. The baby continued to cry. I opened each cubicle to find it, my actions were swift and fast.
Once I've reached the last cubicle, opened it. There I found a blanket.
I held it, it's wrapped like a baby, I opened it throughly and there I saw a doll covered with blood.
The doll spoke. But this time it's not using a baby voice.
"Look up." The doll said.
I looked up and to my horror I saw Callahan's secretary hanging from the high ceiling. She is covered with blood.
I immediately threw the doll out of my hand.
This can't be good. I ran outside to look for help.
"Help! Help!" I mouthed.
Employees came rushing. I led them straight to the restroom and they were shocked as well. Who couldn't be?
"Could this be suicide?" An employee asked.
I continue to look at the body. My eyes narrowed as I saw a familiar mark on her leg.
It was craved through her flesh. It's an S shaped like a snake.
Sly is no joke. They brought her down. I examined her pulse but there is no sign of life. Sobs filled the area.
I think I need to hurry up. I need to save Claire, no time must be wasted.
She's endanger, her picture came dashing through my thoughts. She's smiling.
"Reedy..." I can hear her voice inside my mind.
I badly wanna hug her. I know it's been years, but I'm still hoping that she is feeling the same way as I do.
She is my greatest love.
If only we're not separated by fate. We could have been happy by now, she could have been safe.
But I guess, the more you ask for something, the more it gets harder to achieve.
A few minutes later Callahan came, his expression was shocked as well.
He went near the body and he stared at it.
"You have served me well." He said.
Ellaine was a good employee but no one is safe if there is a murderer at large.
Callahan looked at me. His eyes were gloomy, as if I've never seen him like that before.
"Solve the case Bryst." He said.
His expression was serious.
"I'll handle it from here." He added.
That statement made me move, I walked out of the restroom. As I walk towards the elevator, I can't help but to think why was Ellaine killed.
Every crime has its own reason. Could it be simply just because he wants to threaten Callahan? That can be an option but nonetheless not the solution.
I've reached the elevator, I immediately pressed the button. This case is making sense, clues are given but why through death?
Ellaine might have known something that Sly doesn't want to spread, or the mark might have meant something like ownership or slavery.
Ellaine is a good employee, she's been Callahan's secretary since Claire and I were together.
The elevator opened and I stepped outside. I continued thinking.
Hmm...
I need to head home. I want to conduct an investigation regarding Ellaine's death.
Once I've reached the outside of the company I hurriedly went to my car. No time should be left wasted.
I entered my car and then I started driving. Where can I get information regarding the victim?
Alas! Her family of course. I think I must not head home.
I turned my way, I don't know where is her family's exact address but she mentioned it earlier to us.
I hope I'll still be able to find them.
While driving I can't stop my thoughts, if Sly wanted revenge from Callahan then why didn't he killed Claire instead?
I'm not saying that I want Claire to die, it is simply not making any sense.
Or maybe he wants to torment Callahan. Two options for an equation with no straight solution.
A few seconds later I've reached Ellaine's house. I stepped out of my car and I knocked.
"Good day, I'm looking for the family relatives of Ellaine." I said.
Someone came out and she is not looking so happy. Her face is filled with a frown. What's with the look?
She eyed me directly, her eyes are like spears piercing through my soul. She spoke.
"What do you need?"
I immediately answered.
"I need to talk to the relatives of Ellaine."
"We knew no Ellaine. For us she is dead." She answered emotionless.
Such a bad timing, I needed information but I guess I won't be having any.
"Uhmm ma'am, she is found dead in a restroom." I added directly.
This might change her mind, they might have been arguing for quite a long time so maybe that is why their connection is not healthy.
"She is dead long time ago, she choose him over us. Now we choose ourselves over her." She said.
After saying that, she went back inside, slamming the door in front of my face.
Well, that did not go well. Plan B, research. Who else might have known Ellaine?
Wait a second, she said "Choose him over us," who's him?
I went back to my car.
Where should I go next? I need information, but where can I find it? Think Reed think.
Ellaine knows Claire, she often visits Claire in school and she always talks to the school librarian.
Alas! Mr. Harrison might help me.
I changed my course, and I drove to Dylecxia Academy. It is not far from here.
As I drive, I can't stop myself from reminiscing a few memories. Dylecxia Academy played a big role in our love story. How I wish that everything is like how it was before, but I guess the only thing permanent is change.
As I get closer to the Academy I saw a few places where we used to hang out. Dashing memories pinch my heart. The reason for this memories is far from my arms.
I cannot go back to the past and make a difference, but I can change the future.
A few moments later I reached the school. I took a deep breath before I walked out of my car.
'Reed, you have to continue.' I told myself.
This might be hard but I am tasting both sweetness and bitterness. I opened the door and I stepped out with a smile.
"Been quite long Dylecxia!" I mouthed.
I stared at the gate, nothing changed at all. It's the same place where both me and Claire loves to hang out.
I walked towards the gate and the security guard immediately noticed me. He smiled as he opened the gate for me.
"Nice to see you Sir." He said.
I smiled back.
"Nice to see you again, have a nice day." I replied.
I continued to walk inside and there, the whole school embraced my past.
I miss this.
Every student passing by looked at me. They were smiling, I'm quite known in Dylecxia. From a far I saw Aezer, he haven't changed a bit.
Staring at the school grounds made me feel like I found my long lost home. So this is how it feels like to make a trip down memory lane.