The Shocking Witness

The afternoon went smoothly as the two talked and laughed. Bryan didn't mind sharing some of his funny experiences with him and it helped to lighten the mood.

After the meal, old Steve took his leave as he had to meet someone across Barbay Street which was a far away from Raymond Street.

Bryan stayed in the restaurant for a few more minutes doing nothing in particular. He just sat there staring at the window which led in the street view.

After about 20 minutes, he left after paying. He went back to the property he had just rented and inspected it a bit more. He then dropped something of his at one of the rooms before leaving.

Walking down the street, he took in the scenery. This part, unlike most parts of Haston city, had a tint of ageing. It seemed like the residents here only cared about sanitation and not rebuilding. Most of the houses looked old and cracked up.

Of course it still has Haston city's unpredictable weather and aroma, which mostly came from the foods, that occasionally suffused the streets of Haston city, yet it appeared this area had been abandoned for some reason.

As his thoughts whirled, Bryan found a bar at the intersection of the road. He didn't plan on going back to the police station just yet since he didn't have anything to do. And he also didn't want to return to Sapphire hotels now. He decided to have a drink and wait out time.

At the bar, he ordered a bottle of locally made beer. He sat near the counter where the waitress was busy either taking orders or delivering drinks. There weren't a lot of people here though; some came for the beer while others had coffee or afternoon tea.

Bryan observed her a little as she went about her work, occasionally gulping down his beer. His eyes dimmed a bit. He was drinking like Anna...

'Shut up, and don't think about her anymore!' he slapped himself lightly and shook his head to get the thoughts out. He noticed that the waitress was back at the counter and he decided to make a conversation so as to distract his mind a little.

"You look beautiful in your dress!"

Oops! That came out wrong....

Bryan face palmed, he sounded like a lovelorn fool.

Why did I even say that? She might get offended.

The lady smiled and returned, "Thanks for the compliment."

She casually looked at her dress again. It was a purple knee high dress with blue linings. She also wore a pair of knee high boots.

"Are you waiting for someone?" The lady asked again. She seemed interested in talking.

"Nope. Just strolling around, I just moved here." Bryan gulped down his beer again.

"Oh, I couldn't tell. I don't work here so I don't know people from here" she said passively as she took another bottle of beer and placed it on the counter.

"You don't?" Bryan asked a little surprised. She seemed like she had been doing this for long.

"No. I'm filling in for a friend."

She carried the tray and went over to another table and delivered the drinks.

There was a commotion at the other end of the bar which attracted his attention. He looked over and saw two people arguing. The woman had poured a glass of beer on the man as they argued animatedly. They were soon escorted out as they were causing problems at the bar.

"Family issues. That's Joyce. She's probably caught her man cheating again." The waitress was back again.

"Poor guy." Bryan shook his head again.

He had wanted to say poor girl....

He checked his reasoning and decided to call it quits before he drank too much and blurted nonsense to the girl.

He wasn't drunk and he had a high alcohol tolerance, but it seemed that today just a bottle of beer could topple him.

After paying, he stood up and made to leave when he heard the girl introduce herself, "I'm Emily," she extended her hand for shake and Bryan obliged.

"Bryan...Derrick." he said slowly.

"It's been nice talking to you, hope you come again." She beamed and returned to the counter.

"... likewise..." Bryan said. He felt his body was betraying him in front of this pretty lady, he even felt like winking at her but quickly controlled himself and hurriedly left the bar.

After he left, the waitress, Emily dropped her smile as she looked at the door Bryan had passed through. She inhaled deeply and muttered, "Derrick, it's you!"

....

As Bryan walked along the street, he felt his head clearing up again. He kept having a throbbing feeling in his heart whenever he thought of Emily. It was a feeling of helplessness, his heart would beat erratically. He took a deep breath as he controlled his thought pattern trying to remember if he had met her before but found out that he couldn't remember any trace of her.

Where did we meet?

He walked along with his hands in his side pockets. It was a bit warmer than in the morning.

He was oblivious of his surrounding as he was lost in thought, hence, didn't see the young boy who was happily skipping along; also oblivious of his presence.

He bumped into the boy and he staggered a bit before steadying himself. Bryan jerked out of his reverie and apologized to the boy. He bent down to help him pick up his book which had dropped....

He froze.

His rationality pumped back in.

What the....?!

He looked up at the boy again who had a look of horror as if he had seen a ghost.

Bryan picked up the book and read the open page again:

"Today, I witnessed yet another one. This time, the 'exorcist' didn't pay me any heed, as if I wasn't there.... I watched as he walked over to the girl on the floor who was helpless....his sharp blade cut through her.... I took this opportunity to see the killer's key features, though he had a mask on.

Blue eyes...angled cheekbones... receding hairline..."

Bryan couldn't read anymore. He looked at the boy firmly. His eyes burning, was this not a shocking witness to the murder case?