Lisa hadn't woken up yet and was still asleep, which disappointed Joseph a bit. However, he was still deeply grateful to Jason, who had pulled Lisa back from the brink of death. Despite Lisa remaining unconscious, Joseph held onto hope, viewing Jason as an enigmatic figure.
Joseph lifted Lisa into his arms and carried her to the passenger seat of the car, fastening her seat belt for her. He then gave Jason a grateful nod. As Joseph got into the car, Jason suddenly said, "When the trees grow, Lisa will wake up."
Grow trees? Joseph didn't quite understand but nonetheless nodded gratefully, saying, "Thank you, Jason. Without you, Lisa would have been done for."
Jason nodded, not replying, and watched as Joseph drove away before heading back inside his cabin. The moment the wooden door closed, it felt as though he was cut off from the rest of the world. This was the usual state of affairs in Jason's secluded life.
Joseph drove Lisa home, parked the car, and carried Lisa into her room, laying her on the bed. He fetched a towel and a basin of water, carefully cleaning Lisa. Seeing his daughter's fair and smooth face, he felt a sense of calm.
If she couldn't wake up, then... he would care for her. He would never give up. At least she was still alive. As these thoughts ran through his mind, Joseph gradually calmed down, studying his daughter's face. Yes, she looked a lot like him, but her nose was a lot like his wife, Melissa's. Remembering this, he murmured apologetically.
"Melissa, I'm sorry. I failed to protect Lisa!" He held onto Lisa's hand tightly, sinking deep into the abyss of self-reproach and reminiscence.
Time seemed to fly, and it was only when he heard a knock on the door that he roused from his reverie. He shook his somewhat dazed head, glanced at Lisa lying on the bed, and got up to answer the door.
"Joseph? Mr. Cox, hello. I'm Officer Patton. We would like to talk to your daughter to understand the situation. Could we come in?" At the doorstep stood two cops, both of whom Joseph recognized. They were the town's local law enforcement, Officer Patton and a police officer whom Joseph had not seen before, likely a newcomer.
"This is..." Joseph questioned, eyeing the female officer.
"Marilyn? Chief Louise, our new police chief," Officer Patton introduced. He then stepped inside, casting a look around the room, and asked, "Can we sit down for a chat?"
"Of course, why not?" Joseph nodded, motioning for them to sit.
Once they had settled, Joseph poured two cups of coffee, placing them on the coffee table, and said, "Okay, officers, I'm not sure what to say. Ask me anything you want. But Lisa isn't home, so... you can just ask me."
"That's all right. We're canvassing... There was a rather strange incident last night. Many people reported hearing unusual noises, particularly on the road leading to Lake George. We went to inspect the scene, but... we didn't really find anything. Have you heard anything unusual?" The one questioning was Officer Patton, while Chief Louise seemed to be casually observing her surroundings.
"Or did you see anything?" Patton continued to ask.
"I'm sorry, Officer Patton, but I didn't hear anything, let alone see anything... If there's nothing else..." Joseph had already stood up, gesturing for them to leave.
"Alright, alright, if you come across any information, give me a call. Everyone in this town has my number, including you. Goodbye!" Officer Patton waved goodbye to Joseph at the door and stepped out.
"Uh... Mr. Cox, your daughter? She's beautiful. What's her name?" Just as they were about to leave, Chief Louise halted, turning back to look at Joseph. She pointed towards the couch and gave a slight smile, "I bet she's adorable!" She said, pointing to a picture frame set near the side of the coffee table.
It was a picture Joseph had brought into the living room, so he shrugged and asked the chief, "So... is there an issue?"
"No, just asking. Well, Mr. Cox, goodbye!" With that, Chief Louise also stepped out of the house.
Chief Louise and Officer Patton got into their car, ready to leave. Chief Louise turned to Officer Patton and asked, "Do you think Mr. Cox was lying?"
"No, I don't think so. I know him. He's an honest man. He always has been. I've known every person in this town for many years... even though I'm still just the deputy," Officer Patton chuckled. "Do we need to canvas more? We're almost at the end of town."
"Are there no other people here?" Chief Louise asked Officer Patton.
"Well... It's not really the end. There's one more person, a bit strange and rarely visits town. But he's a good fellow, just doesn't like to go out. He lives not far from the Cox's residence. I guarantee, he's the last resident in town. The only outsider."
"You mean the Chinese guy?" Chief Louise glanced at Officer Patton. Having gone through all the reports since her arrival, she knew about Jason.
"Yes, he's been here a long time. He doesn't really count as an outsider. More than a decade is enough for anyone to feel a part of this small town. I think he's no exception. That's the charm of this place." Officer Patton said, steering the car around a turn towards Jason's cabin.
The car gently pulled to a stop in front of Jason's cabin. Both officers stepped out. Officer Patton chuckled to Chief Louise, "See? This is how he lives, all by himself in the woods like this for over a decade. You couldn't even imagine how few times he visits town annually."
"How many times?" Chief Louise asked.
"Well... I admit I don't really have a concrete count, but... I would guess about two or three times a month. He's the only non-native resident, so over the years, all the townsfolk have come to know him. Unfortunately, this also means he doesn't have many friends." Officer Patton laughed as he strolled towards the cabin, "Almost no friends, except for Joseph Cox."
As they approached the front door, Officer Patton was about to knock when the door swung open. A man stood in the doorway, causing Officer Patton to jump, "You startled me, Mr. Jason."
"My apologies if I offended you, but... what can I do for you?" Jason asked the two officers, his face expressionless, not showing any intent to invite them in.
"Well, we wanted to ask if you heard or saw anything unusual last night?" Officer Patton, not wanting to impose, asked from the doorstep, "We are investigating a citizen's complaint..."
"Sorry, I haven't noticed anything unusual!" Jason spread his hands wide, "Of course... if anything unusual happens, I will let you know, okay?"
"Alright, that's perfect!" Officer Patton nodded his head, turning to leave. He glanced at Chief Louise and shrugged, displaying a helpless expression.
"Hey, Officer Patton... It is Officer Patton, right?" Jason suddenly called out from behind them, "I mean... do you have a business card or something? You know... I don't have your number. If I notice any unusual circumstances, I can call you, okay?"
"Of course, no problem!" Officer Patton quickly pulled out a business card and handed it over, "Call me if you have any issues!" He said, somewhat sheepishly retreating to the police car.
"Didn't you say everyone in town had your number?" Chief Louise glancing at Officer Patton, asked.
"Yes, nearly everyone. Well, this man is an exception, after all... he lives here, and has some... quirks..." Officer Patton spread his hands wide, "So, him not having my number is understandable."
"Quirks?" Chief Louise raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, he lives in this kind of forest, almost not interacting with the outside world, other than the few people he knows. Who else cares that such a man lives in their town? I think most people wouldn't, so... I don't see anything wrong with it." Officer Patton started the car, speaking as he drove away.
"Not all people who avoid outsiders have quirks. From what I can tell, he doesn't seem like that kind of person..." Chief Louise glanced through the rearview mirror at the receding cabin and the figure standing on the porch, exhaling deeply, "Do not label people hastily, whether you like them or not!"
Officer Patton gave Chief Louise a surprised look, shrugged indifferently, and continued driving towards the town center. The whole event was probably some resident's prank. He'd have to go back and reprimand that bastard who made the complaint. Strange noises? There were strange noises here every day, because this was goddamn Texas.
Joseph watched the police car leave, returned to the living room, picked up the photo frame stroking it gently, then walked into Lisa's room. She was still sleeping, seemingly oblivious to the outside world. She was still in deep sleep, how could she know what's happening outside?
Gradually, Joseph fell asleep beside Lisa's bed. Outside, a few clouds began to cover the moon, and the weather turned chilly, a gust of wind sweeping across.
A flash of lightning cut through the clouds, followed by a drizzle. Joseph was already asleep, exhausted he slept deeply. But amidst the rain and lightning, the ground where the wooden box was buried seemed to vibrate, as if something was trying to break free...