Seeking Justice

After hearing Althea's story. Lanie felt guilty again. Guilty for not voicing out the truth immediately. And it makes her heart ache knowing that there are people there seeking justice but here she is still not telling the truth. She can't understand why she let this happen. There are many ways for her to tell the truth, there are so many reasons for her to voice out what really happened years ago but… why can't she say it? What is hindering her from voicing out the truth?

"Lanie, you are not alone in this game," Game? Is this really a game? Or is this case more than that? Why does she feel like even if this case will be solved, that is not yet the end. Is that why she can't voice out the truth? Is that why she can't solve this puzzle yet? Because of this bad feeling?

"We will help you close this case. Trust us, okay?" Lanie looked at Althea. She saw that determination and assurance in her eyes. "We?" Lanie asked.

Althea stopped for a moment before sighing. "You see, there are so many people out there seeking justice including me and Lieutenant Alvarez. But those bastards are using their power just to hide the truth just because they want to be the most powerful and just because of money. Don't you want to live a normal life? A life where you don't have to feel a heavy heart and guilt whenever you hear something about that tragedy? Don't you want to give the victim's families the justice they need?" Lanie bit her lip at what Althea said.

"So many things have happened in 14 years, isn't that enough time to gain more courage so you can give us that justice? We waited for so long to the point that it kills us knowing that our families died without knowing why they have to die at that mansion! They did not do anything wrong! They are just working for the sake of their families but what happened? They died. They died because of those bastards who just want money and power and I… I can't fucking accept that! Those bastards did not think and did not care about other people as long as they got what they wanted." Althea's tears were falling while her eyes were raging in anger.

"Please, Lanie. Please. Not just for you but for us, be braver. I know those bastards are too powerful for us to fight but I know, the law and justice are on us because you know the truth. You are our hope. Your voice is louder than us because… because you are the only witness that night. You are the victims' ace, Lanie. You don't have to be afraid, we are here and of course… you have him."

Lanie's mind was in chaos right now. It took her a long time to process that Althea said that she didn't even notice that Althea was not there anymore. Lanie went out to the restaurant, since she still can't think clearly, her feet brought her to a quiet place where she can have a nice view, nicer than the view at the restaurant. A quietness does not suffocate her, in fact it comforts her. That was the quietness she needed, at least just for today. She sat on the grass and looked at the scenery.

She painfully smiled as her tears began to fall on her cheeks. "I… I badly want to end this. I want to give them the justice they deserve. I badly want to tell the truth but… that is not easy. What do I do now? I… I can't take it anymore." She cried and cried harder… in pain, sadness and because of this situation she did not wish to happen.

"I almost completed the puzzle. I… know how to end the game but I just can't… because of the people involved at this. I just want to end this game without any of them getting hurt but I think I will not prevent that from happening… because in the beginning, this is the reason why we are wrecked and aching. We are all also just a victim of the greed of the people around us. We are all just caught up in that situation." she bitterly said while looking painfully at the beautiful sunset in front her.

"I want to be free…" she whispered as she felt the cold breeze touch her face as if it was wiping her tears… she hoped the wind would also carry her pain. She stayed watching the sunset until it got dark and the wind became colder. She felt someone seated beside her but she did not bother to look who it was. His presence was already enough for her to know. He put his coat on her shoulder then, he fixed her hair that was blown by the wind.

"Have you eaten?" She smiled slightly.

Instead of asking if she was fine, he asked her that. Lanie shook her head. She heard his heavy sigh as if he was stopping himself from being angry.

"Why are you here?" His voice was gentle. It was gentle but why does she feel hurt? She felt like she was about to cry again.

"Althea texted me. She asked me to look for you but I was at the important meeting that's why I came late. What happened?" Lanie let out a loud sigh and looked at him. He was looking at her seriously, weighing her actions and reading what she was thinking.

This girl. Why does this girl like to suffer alone? It is obvious that she needs saving, she needs help but she is always keeping the pain in herself. She is always building a wall between her and the people who want to know her. 

"No. Nothing happened." Lanie said smiling. Tyler controlled himself. 'How could she still smile at this moment? I can almost see in her eyes that she wants to just break down but she is stopping herself. She is being hard to herself' He thought again.

He sighed and moved closer to her. "Alright. Nothing happened." He said.

Lanie's smile slowly faded away. She also stared at him. His eyes were sparkling as the moon and stars shone brightly above them. "Yes. Nothing happened." Lanie repeated.

"Come on. I'm already hungry." She said and stood up. Tyler carried her bag while she was busy fixing her clothes.

They ate at a nearby restaurant. They eat silently. He did not ask anything. He did not say anything. But he was very attentive whenever she would say something either if it's just nonsense or important. "Are we going home already?" Lanie asked. He looked at his watch before looking at her. "Why? Do you want to go somewhere?"

Lanie stared at him for a moment before she gave him a small smile. "Next time, Tyler. Maybe next time."