Chapter 3

Alex was lying on the floor for a couple minutes before she could finally get things together, then she stood up.

She felt she could trust John. She closed Mark's laptop after transferring the files, then analyzed the case and played first the video.

Looking at it, she abruptly stopped since she felt she can't continue. She didn't want to feel the pain again, but it was required to know the truth.

She looked away playing the video. Composing herself, she looked at it and noticed a shadow. She realized there were more than one culprit.

She opened the police reports and saw that the cause of the incident was electrical wirings.

She was confused with this case since why was this video not presented in court. This could continue the case even further. She continues to read and saw that the video was not presented in court due to privacy content which the owner of the cameras does not wish to show. Furthermore, the cameras did not show potential culprits for it was a vague figure. The hell? she thought

She clenched her hands thinking there were injustices on the case. Since justice wasn't served, she'll have to take it herself.

But she can't continue reading on since her emotions are entangled with her rationality in her mind.

She felt sorry for forgetting about the past.

After the incident, she was transferred already to a new home. She didn't eat for almost a week. She felt alone in her new home. Fortunately, her adopted parents gave their best to provide a home that's more than enough to make her feel like home again.

An 8-year old girl was alone. She had no relatives to take her in. Despite the changes she didn't deserve to experience, she made it through and it got her into being the best person she can be today.

She's now a top student at her high school, an exemplary athlete, and she's on her way to one of the top university in the country.

Taking a breath, she prepared to print all the files. She put the documents on the floor. She tries to decipher the possible suspects. Unfortunately, she can't think of any person for she really had forgotten her childhood.

She hesitates to call John but she did so eventually.

The phone was ringing but it wasn't answered. What the hell is he doing now? she thought.

She massages her temples and stretches her back for she had been sitting on the floor for hours.

She covers her face and thought of something. Why did he want me to analyze the case? Can't he solve it on his own, or does he already know the possible suspects? Why is he getting involved in this case, anyway?

Questions filled her up. She wasn't able to think clearly before because of his surprise visit.

All she could remember for now is she thinks she knows John from her childhood at her hometown. But that's it.

She looks at the time and it was past lunch time. No wonder she's feeling hungry. She fixed the documents and put it in a box, then hid it in her closet.

She grabbed her things and went to a nearby diner. She could have cooked but she was both tired and lazy to do so.

She went to an empty table and ordered food.

"The usual beefsteak, I presume." Said the waitress

"Yeah, thanks Julie." Alex smiled.

"No boyfriend, huh?" Julie commented

"He's preparing for the party, I guess." She replied. "You going?" she asks

"Party?"

"Party at Mark's. Don't tell me you're not going, again?" Alex said

"Oh! Y-yeah! That party! Of course I'm going. It's summer! There's nothing better to do than have fun, right?" Julie smiled.

"I'm just making sure because you bailed on us last week." Alex said crossing her arms.

"Well, I was busy here, ok?" she reasoned. "I'll just get your order." Then she went away.

Alex smiled when Julie had nothing more to say. Julie was one of her friends. Though they both had differences at first for Julie was more of keeping a low profile while Alex was more of an active individual, they got used to each other eventually.

Alex was a loner when she transferred in elementary but as time goes by, she was actually an active person. By the time she reached middle and high school, she was more of an outgoing person and making a lot of friends.

Then she met Julie. They actually met at the diner when Alex wanted to try food from different places around town. Alex was kind of popular around that time so Julie knew Alex, but Alex didn't know her.

Alex was alone at the time, and Julie wanted to be close to Alex so she approached Alex and just talked about random stuff. They became close that day.

However, Julie saw that Alex was surrounded by prideful people so she kept her distance from Alex.

Alex knew something was wrong so she talked to Julie. They started off a nice conversation but ended with having their friendship torn apart.

Because Alex didn't want to lose a good friend, she went at the diner but saw that Julie wasn't there. She went home but saw Julie was in front of her house. That night they apologized and forgave each other. Until now, they still remain close.

"Here you go." Julie said while putting down the food. Then she took a seat in front of Alex.

"You liked my gift?" she asks

Alex cursed on her mind. She forgot to fixed the presents from last night' party.

Julie noticing Alex's expression, "That's ok. Just make sure to properly use whatever I gave you, ok?"

Alex nodded.

"Hey, someone's interested to you." Julie whispered.

Alex knitted her brows asking who.

Julie vaguely covers her mouth and said, "At your 5 o'clock. Kinda creepy actually, he's wearing a mask. He's been looking at you for a while now."

Alex pretends to stretch her neck and looked behind her. Shit. She cursed in her mind. It's John.

You're stalking me but can't even respond to my call, Alex thought.