Chapter 18 - Lost Innocence

During his solitary lunch at home, Inspector Thai was interrupted by persistent knocks at his door. As he made his way to answer, the urgency of the knocking prompted a firm shout,"Just a moment, I'm coming!"Upon opening the door, his heart quickened; Win stood before him.Thai questioned, his words a mix of surprise and curiosity,"What brings you here?"Without invitation, Win stepped inside, the weight of unspoken thoughts evident. His voice, a blend of candor and frustration, filled the room,"Sir, I can't fathom your enigmatic behavior towards me, but I let it slide. I came to see you today, yet you refused to meet. Even that, I can understand. But why, when you encountered me earlier, didn't you wake me? I waited for you for five long hours."Inspector Thai attempted to dismiss the gravity of the situation,"I believe you're overthinking things."Win's retort carried a hint of sarcasm,"Overthinking, am I? Very well, after all, you're my elder, entitled to your peculiarities."In an unexpected turn, Thai's grip tightened on Win's arm, their connection marked by tension."Sir, release me!" Win exclaimed, his voice edged with surprise and alarm.Inspector Thai's response carried a mixture of assertiveness and a touch of defiance, "Why the emphasis on age? I am merely 29!Win's unwavering gaze bore into him as he questioned,"(With a hint of frustration) Have you completely lost your senses?"In response, Inspector Thai's actions were abrupt. He pushed Win gently and poured himself a glass of water, the clinking of the glass a subtle punctuation to the moment.Win persisted, concern lacing his words,"Are you well? What's come over you?"Inspector Thai's reply held a guarded tone,"Nothing. Now, tell me the reason for your visit."Win's voice, tinged with hesitation, carried a plea,"Sir, I'm beginning to believe that Mew might not be the real serial killer. She seems to be a pawn in a larger game. The true orchestrator may be closer to us than we think, ensnaring us in their intricate web."Inspector Thai's skepticism was palpable,"You shift your stance. First, you accused Mew, and now you're defending her? This isn't some scripted series; it's real life. And don't think you can interfere in my investigation."Win's reply was a heartfelt plea,"I'm not meddling, sir. I only want to save my friend, unjustly accused. She's suffering because of me. Please, allow me to meet her. Believe me, sir."Inspector Thai's gaze held a mix of concern,"Fine, for this once. But promise me, you won't meddle further."Win's response carried a touch of humor,"Well, my hands aren't exactly clean right now, so I promise next time."A sense of resolution painted his expression as he departed. Inspector Thai's voice lingered in the air, a mutter of exasperation, "Stubborn, as always, Win."In the quiet solitude of Mew's locker room, Win's presence prompted her to turn away. Her voice, a blend of uncertainty and guardedness, broke the silence,"Why are you here, Win?""Hey, Mew, how are you?" Win's voice carried a mix of care and concern.Mew's response was tinged with a hint of bitterness, her tears betraying her emotions,"I'm overjoyed, as you can see. Look how happy I am."Win's tone held a promise,"I know you're upset with me, but I made a promise. I'll make things right."Mew's voice quivered as her tears flowed,"You can't fix this. You've shattered everything—my career, a month of my life. Do you realize what people are saying? They've labeled me a murderer. Can you erase those days from my life? Can you remove the stain that now defines me? Tell me, Win. Tell me. First, you took Nib, the love of my life, away from me. And now, you've likely destroyed my future."Win remained silent, absorbing her anguish.Mew's voice grew more resolute,"I know you won't just leave. So stay and witness the wreckage you've caused."Win's response was steadfast,"No, Mew. I may not be able to change the past, but I promise you won't be here for long."With those words, Win departed, leaving Mew lost in thought.As the memory of that night washed over her, Mew found herself transported back in time...Pillow and Shine ventured outside, catching Mew's eye. Eager to join them, she followed suit. Upon reaching the exterior, she called out to them, "Pillow! Shine!"Yet her pleas fell on deaf ears. Undeterred, she pursued them into the depths of the jungle. The constable, sound asleep, remained oblivious to her cries.Within the heart of the forest, Mew's voice echoed once more, "Pillow..."Still, there was no response. Her footsteps carried her deeper, and then, a shocking sight unveiled itself before her. A woman in a crimson dress, her blade gleaming, plunged it into Pillow. As Shine moved to intervene, a heavy blow struck him, rendering his body unresponsive, though his senses remained intact.Before Shine stood the relentless assailant, her blade descending with unyielding determination. In his desperate plea, Shine offered his life in exchange for Pillow's, but his words fell on deaf ears. The lady remained unswayed, absorbed in the crimson flow of Pillow's blood.Mew, paralyzed by fear, sought refuge behind the sheltering embrace of a tree. The brutality before her eyes rooted her to the spot. After the ruthless act, the woman departed, leaving a wake of horror behind.Shine, battered but not broken, emerged from the depths of the forest, managing to escape. Meanwhile, Mew's courage led her to approach Pillow's frail form, clinging to the last vestiges of life. With trembling hands, she removed the knife from his chest, offering solace in his final moments.Pillow's fading words brushed against her ears, a plea tinged with desperation, "Please...save Shine..."His eyes closed, finding respite in Mew's tender lap. The weight of his request hung heavy in the air as the reality of the situation settled upon her. Yet fear held her captive, and doubt cast a shadow over her intentions.As the others discovered Pillow's lifeless body, Mew seized the opportunity to flee to the college. Fate, however, seemed determined to weave her destiny with misunderstanding. In an unfortunate twist, her escape was witnessed by none other than Win, leading to a chain of misconceptions.Haunted by the memories of that fateful night, Mew remained trapped in her fear, the absence of solace a stark reminder of her isolation.