Two young boys, strolled along the foggy street, enjoying the cold weather. As they walked, one of the two with grey hair turned to his friend with aurburn hair who was enjoying the scenery of old leaves with a mischievous grin and asked.
"Hey Robert, do you know about sex? It's the thing where a guy puts his thing in a girl's private parts."
His question seemed to hold an idea just to tease his friend, judging by his smile. Robert's face contorted as his lips slowly etched, gave a weird expression to his disgusting question and he quickly responded.
"Eww, gross! Don't you have anything better to talk about, Winter?"
He felt uneasy discussing such topics and hoped to change the subject but Winter persisted, seemed to hit directly through Robert's discomfort.
"Come on, tell me you are not aware of sex?"
Winter's sly smile suggested he was enjoying Robert's discomfort until he snapped back.
"I swear, Winter, if you say another word on this topic, I'll beat you up! This is so disgusting, like hell yeah, I know but what about it?"
He was incensed at Winter's tenacity and could not understand why he was obsessed with talking about something so out of the point. Winter realized he had crossed a line and quickly apologized, realizing he had upset Robert.
"Alright, Robert, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Let's talk about something else, okay?"
Relieved that Winter finally relented, Robert sighed and said.
"Well, my house is just up ahead, so I need to go. Catch you later, Winter."
Robert approached his house slowly after they parted. Curiosity piqued, he glanced in the direction of his house and noticed something peculiar. Police officers surrounded the area, their presence causing a stir in the usually quiet neighbourhood which was sparked with conversation.
...Why are police swarming my house?
Robert's face displayed confusion and concern as he looked toward his home. Worried, he quickened his pace. As he reached his house, a police officer approached that worried school boy.
"Kid, this area is currently under inspection, you need to leave. There's been a very disturbing incident, and it's not safe for you to stay here."
Robert's confusion escalated, and he responded.
"But... that's my house! I live here!"
His voice trembled, and the officer gave him a sad look which escalated his fear. He quickly ran towards the entrance and peaked inside his home, his body stranded, devastated and went pale, his eyes widening in fright at the scene before him. Tears rolled down from them as he observed the lady's lifeless body lay on the floor, halted on ground with eyes wide open. A surge of shock and grief shot through him and concealed him, he sprinted towards the pale figure, his voice breaking as he screamed and sobbed.
"Big sister..."
The situation of that body to which he referred as 'sister' was over. A glass shattered in his mind, everything seemed to be over for him. Robert's heart raced as he knelt beside his sister's lifeless body, trembling as if a bullet of shock and disbelief had passed through him. He reached out his shivering hand, wanting to shake her awake, to once again talk to her. But as he touched her cold skin, he felt the end, everything was over for him.
After a while, Hailey, who was assigned to the case, scrutinized the gathered available information regarding the body. Her eyes scanned the room, taking note of every detail while her mind processed the dire situation. She received identification from the officers and read it aloud, empathy permeated through her voice.
"Amelia Amberthusk? Age twenty-five... no parents, she worked at a normal noodle store and had a little brother... tragic, isn't it?"
Hailey felt a pang of as she pets her chest gently while thinking of Robert, who was just sobbing uncontrollably a while ago after witnessing his sister's finality. She turned to the officers on the scene and instructed them to take the body away.
Meanwhile, Liam, who was resting on ground with the help of a table, his arm folded and face filled in it. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that eroded his mind. He had dreamt of this exact scene before it happened, and the accuracy of his dream is what mainly haunting him. He approached Hailey, his voice trembling as he said.
"Hailey... I saw this in a dream. It was her... I..."
Hailey turned to face Liam, her expression both curious and questioning. She reached out a hand, placing it gently on his head and said.
"Liam, hold yourself, it might be a déjà vu feeling which obstructs every person from time to time."
While she was looking at his pitful gesture, she wondered.
Might be past trauma... a similar one which may have struck him...
Liam's eyes, still devoid of light, remained deeply traumatized and depressed by the accurate information.
"But how... how could I have dreamt of this? A bad dream is valid or anything but this, my dream being par on the spectrum of reality?"
Hailey understood the motive of Liam's worries, she listened to his words intently. She offered a comforting smile and said.
"Liam, Sometimes it's better to leave such things and move on. Life doesn't always work according to our desires, and we are often bound in ways we can't fully comprehend."
...If what he is saying is true, then... this guy probably went through much in past.
It was clear that Hailey would not believe Liam, so she attempted to justify it with his own trauma.
Liam, who still shivered, isn't able to bring his mind to grapple with this strange sensation. He realised that as he dwells more into this life style, the more he suffer.
A fate full of nothing but suffering.
"Listen, If you keep brooding over this, you won't be of any use. You have to try to be strong and work on this case. Do you want to witness those monograms slaying hundreds of that kind again?"
Though his eyes were still numb, these words etched a memory, as if—fragments connected through a tape.
"Hailey, I think..."
"Let's head to the office and get things moving."
She commanded and interrupted his message.
Hailey gently swayed her arm around him, giving him resilience and strength to withstood as they made their way to the office, Liam's mind was still filled with questions and doubts.
...Was reality operating as it should, it's exactly what I witnessed this time. How, should I just give up and run?
He looked at his hand as he more pondered, his thoughts deeply spiraled, trying to process. Liam, himself questioned the nature of the current stand as if he was trapped inside a cage where thoughts and actions were predetermined by someone.
Though Hailey was confused herself but sensed Liam's growing perplexity and the burden it was placing on his mind. She reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, and offered a comforting smile.
"You sure think a lot. It's natural to be curious and question the mysteries of life. But sometimes, it's important to find solace in the uncertainty and embrace the present moment."
Liam's gaze met Hailey's, searching for reassurance amidst the chaos within his mind.
"But Hailey, how can I trust my own thoughts and perceptions when they seem to align so closely with reality? It's as if my dreams have become a gateway into the future."
Hailey's voice took on a soothing tone as she responded.
"Our minds are incredibly complex. Dreams can be a manifestation of our subconscious thoughts and fears, creating a sense of familiarity even in the unknown. While it may be unsettling, it doesn't necessarily mean we are living in a pre-determined reality. Sometimes, the lines between imagination and reality may blur, but it's up to us to find our footing."
Liam took a deep breath, attempting to calm the storm of thoughts raging within him. Hailey's words resonated through him.
"You're right, I can't let these thoughts consume me now. I need to focus on the task at hand and find justice..."
Wait... am I really looking for justice? It's not a case of my own but why am I always constantly looking resolute for others but not for myself?
Hailey's smile widened, proud of Liam's resolve.
"At first I thought you had no interest in my work. Seems different to me now but we have a responsibility, to uncover the truth and bring closure to Robert's shattered world. Let's head to the office, gather the necessary information, and take the next steps in our investigation."
Upon reaching the office, Hailey approached the officers in blue with a firm and polite request.
"Officers, I would like to meet Robert Amberthusk for an interrogation. Please provide him with the support and care he needs during this difficult time."
The officers nodded, understanding the sensitivity of the situation. They guided Robert to a separate room where Hailey would conduct the interview. As they entered the room, Hailey's demeanour shifted to one of compassion and empathy.
"Robert, I know this is an incredibly challenging time for you, but we need your help to understand what happened. Take your time, and remember that we're here to support you."
Hailey spoke gently, her voice filled with genuine concern but Robert didn't answer, he looked down with pitch hollow eyes.
"Robert!"
He gained control of himself instantly and mustered the strength to share his memories, recounting the events leading up to his sister's tragic demise. Hailey listened attentively, carefully guiding the conversation to uncover any potential leads or clues.
In the midst of their discussion, Liam's mind still wandered, occasionally returning to the enigmatic nature of his prophetic dream. Yet, he reminded himself of Hailey's advice and focused on the present moment. His determination to find justice for Robert and untangle the mysteries surrounding this case grew stronger.
Hailey gently approached Robert, fully aware of the shattered state he was in.
"Robert, I'm going to ask you some questions, okay?"
Despite his shattered state, Robert found his voice and managed to respond, albeit with a trembling tone.
"Ye... Yes."
With careful consideration, Hailey continued.
"So, Robert, can you tell me about the type of relationship you had with your sister?"
A mixture of sorrow and nostalgia washed over Robert's face as he answered.
"We had a really good relationship. After our parents died, my sister worked tirelessly to support us. Though she became a bit unstable after that tragic incident, she still managed to improve our lives."
Hailey could sense that there was more to the story than Robert was letting on. She delicately probed further.
"It must have been incredibly difficult for you as a child. Can you tell me how your parents died?"
In response, Robert looked downwards with tears rolling down, he said something which struck everyone in the room with shock and disbelief.
"You'll arrest me if I explain the whole scenario..."
He whispered and muttered it many times, his voice laden with guilt.
"But why would you say such a thing?"
A heavy silence hung in the air for a moment before Robert mustered the courage to reveal the painful truth that burdened his soul.
"Because I'm the reason for both of their deaths."
Hailey's eyes widened, trying to comprehend the weight of Robert's words.
"Specifically, how? Would you kindly provide some more details?"
Robert took a deep breath, preparing himself to recount the horrifying events of his past.
"I knew this day would come, so... my sister was the only one in our family who managed to find some semblance of prosperity. She excelled in everything, while I was merely average."
He began as he recalled his past, his voice trembling with a mixture of pain and anger.
"Our father was an alcoholic and abusive. He subjected both my mother and me to relentless beatings. But the darkest part of it all was his depraved actions towards my sister. I would confide in my mother, hoping she would intervene, but it only led to heated arguments between them."
Robert's voice quivered as he recounted the most horrific moment.
"One day, my father took his perverted actions to a new level. He committed unspeakable acts against my sister in front of me. My mother tried to protect my sister. In the chaos that ensued, my father stabbed her eye with a knife."
His words hung heavy in the room as tears streamed down Robert's face. His voice grew weaker as he continued.
"Terrified from it, my mother and I fled from our home, seeking refuge in a new place. We believed that someday we would be able to bring my sister back with us as she was admitted in hospital. But our hopes were shattered that fateful evening of gluttony."
Robert's hands trembled as he recounted the horrific scene that forever etched itself into his memory.
"One day, I had gone out to buy groceries for dinner. When I returned home, everything had changed. I walked into a nightmarish sight, my father had tied my mother to a bed using ropes, and a blindfold covered both of her eyes. He was subjecting her to unimaginable torture."
He choked on his words, his voice thick with anguish.
Fury ignited within Robert's heart as he described the events that unfolded.
"In a desperate attempt to save my mother from her torment, I rushed forward, but my father struck me, causing me to crash into a wall. Covered in blood, my vision was slightly blurred, and amidst my confusion, all I could hear was my mother's piercing screams and my father's sadistic enjoyment. I watched in horror as my own mother was assaulted right before my eyes."
The weight of the past engulfed Robert, his voice shaking with the intensity of his emotions.
"Filled with a burning rage and a desire for revenge, I knew I had to protect my mother at any cost. At that moment, I was driven by a dark force, as if someone had taken over my body. I grabbed a knife from the kitchen, my hands trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. I unleashed my fury upon my father, stabbing him brutally. The number of times I struck him, I've lost count. Was it around seventy times?"
A heavy silence hung in the air, the room witnessed this type of tragedy after a long time. Robert's tears flowed freely as he continued to recount the tragic events that followed.
"When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in the hospital, clinging to life. My body couldn't endure much of it, but I managed to survive. The only person left by my side was my sister, her eyes reflecting the darkness that had consumed her. It terrified me, but at that moment, my mind made a personal promise to myself and I vowed to protect her, to be there for her."
A sadistic smile etched across his face, which seemed to resemble his own father whom he hated the most.
If I could also get consumed by that darkness which I saw inside her eyes, then I could stay by her side... forever."