Chapter 5: Helping a friend

Nicholas was finally discharged from his injuries and would stay no further at the hospital. Nicholas was preferred to restrict himself from driving, so he took a cab with his wife going home.

While driving through the misty roads, Bellamy brought out their argument again. The argument where Nicholas should quit his current job. "I will quit my job after helping my Tod" Nicholas said. Bellamy exclaims and says that Nicholas should accept the fact that Tod is the murderer.

Nicholas then raised his voice, and he told her that he is sure that Tod is not a murderer. Bellamy also raised her voice and claims in a recurrent way that he needs to leave his job. The argument went over until they arrived at their home.

That same day, Nicholas decided to visit Tod in the police station. When he asked the attendant to meet Nicholas, they said that there was someone else trying to visit him and so he had to wait. He was confused because he knew Tod lives alone. He asked who was visiting him and they said it was Gabriel, he answers politely while he sits down and wait.

A few minutes passed, but it felt like forever. Suddenly Gabriel got out of the visiting booth, Nicholas immediately noticed him. He ran over to Gabriel and he first asked how was Tod doing. Gabriel said that Tod will be fine. Nicholas begged repeatedly to prove Lucas is not the murderer. Based on Gabriel's face, it seems like he also believes that Tod is the murderer. Yet, he still hears out Nicholas' opinion and he helps Nicholas and the others.

It was Nicholas' turn to talk to Tod, he asked him first how was his situation. Tod replied that he will be fine. "I know you're not the murderer Tod" Nicholas said. He added "We're gonna help you here."

Tod thanked him, but he wasn't really joyful when Nicholas said that. It was because he knew they didn't have enough valid proof. Nicholas tries to bring up his hope, but Tod was still down. Nicholas then proceeds to ask what happened to Michael. Tod said he was beheaded, and further said that Michael was at the morgue in the police station. Tod asks Nicholas, "Why are you helping me, the first time we met was me being an asshole?". "I see you as my comrade. Even if you will resent me or vice-versa, we're supposed to work together." replied Nicholas. Tod was speechless with what Nicholas said, Tod smiled happily back at him as he thanks Nicholas.

As Nicholas was about to depart, he told again to Tod that he was going to prove his innocence. Tod's reaction earlier might be happy, but he lost hope in getting out of prison.

As Nicholas was imminent to leave, he saw one of his former co-workers from his old days as a police officer. "Nicholas, is that you?" said his former friend John McGee.

Nicholas didn't recognize the voice immediately, until he turned around. "John, is that you?" Nicholas said. John answered hysterically, furthermore he insisted on getting something to eat outside since John was about to head over to lunch. Nicholas accepted and they went out.

While walking over the pavement, John asked what was Nicholas' current occupation. While the two of them were talking, John noticed Nicholas' broken wrist. John asked what happened, so Nicholas explained his entire situation as their feet slowly mope over the ground as they concurrently go to their destination.

They decided to dine at a fast-food restaurant. While waiting in their respective line, John asked how was Nicholas was doing after all this time. "Well i used to be okay, until i started my new job." Nicholas replied. Nicholas further uttered that Bellamy wants her to quit again. John sighs as his head faces down and he replies, "Sucks to be you Man".

As they sat down waiting for their food, Nicholas asked John if he was assigned at the case of Tod. John then said that he wasn't assigned at that case, but when he heard about that case he said it was pretty intense and he uttered that they never had a case like that.

When they've finished their food, they went split ways. John headed over to the Police station, and Nicholas heading home. As they both split apart, they turned over waving at each other while walking distant ways.

Star Mall's building B will be guarded by police for the rest of the week. Since the night guards are out-numbered, the police department will help them get through the week. Furthermore, the police will also investigate further on Gabriel's request.

All of the police officers investigating the area didn't believe that Tod said the building was haunted, they also believed that Tod was the murderer. Yet, it was Gabriel's request to let them investigate further.

That night, Nicholas was troubled resting. He decided to awake from his slumber, to get himself a beverage.

He slowly strolls down the stairs to quench his thirst, he opened the lights and walked over to the kitchen. He poured water on a glass that he took from their cabinet, and he headed upstairs. He was about to climb up, when he decides to look back on his table. He was still bothered about Tod's case. He then made a quick decision as he looks back up the stairs, he decided to work on this case.

Nicholas used to be a detective, so he decided to work on this while he heals from his injuries.

Nicholas tried to call John, he answered and Nicholas replied by saying "Hey John , its me", he added "Its Nicholas".

"What sup man, why'd you call at this time of the night?" John said. Nicholas answered and he explains his situation and he requested to view Tod's history.

John said he cannot let Nicholas view it, because the police, lawyer, and attorney can only view his history now that Tod is a suspect.

Nicholas kept begging to John, but he kept declining his beseech. Nicholas was adjuring to convince John help him.

Nicholas didn't take no as an answer, so he kept requesting him to help him.

John just had about it, he then agreed to make himself help Nicholas. But it was too late, Mark said Nicholas should go at the police station tomorrow.

They both pleasingly agreed, the call ended.

Nicholas then drank another sip of water before putting it in their refrigerator. He walked to the wall, and turned off the lights. He went back upstairs, and he slowly tried to get back into bed.

The ensuing day, Nicholas went to the police station. As he entered the not so welcoming doors, he saw Mark standing and leaning over the wall near the main desk waiting.

As Nicholas approached him, Mark noticed him. Mark stood up and followed Nicholas to the compartment room of criminal records.

When they arrived at the second floor, Mark requested the security guard at the second main desk to be able to view Tod's history.

The guard said that police who are working on this case are only allowed to view Tod's files. Police who view files for other cases are illegal, the guard said.

The two of them walked back, and Mark nervously utters "What are we gonna do now?".

The two of them were pondering for ideas, but both of them had no more plans and ideas. They were ready to give up, until Nicholas had thought of an idea. It was a terrible idea, but it was the only way to be able to get their hands on Tod's files.

Nicholas told John his horribly-desperate idea, and John never liked that plan. Furthermore, John swore if Nicholas where to carry out his plan in mind, he had to report him. Nicholas implored John to help him on his plan, John was quite fed-up with Nicholas' words.

Nicholas' scheme was to sneak in the room by the open window outside the building. It was a dreadful plan due to the fact that they have to purloin to satisfy Nicholas' necessity.

John was becoming impetuous, Nicholas was trying to convince him to help him steal. John took a quick deep-breathe, he twisted his head as he raised his arms while he stutters saying "I-I quit".

John turns around while putting his hand down, and started to irritatingly hustle away. Nicholas tries to chase him, he grabbed John by the hand. John turned around and was pushed Nicholas away causing him to fall down. John then looked around and he saw people were looking at him, he looked back at Nicholas furiously and turns his back on him. John left the floor, and Nicholas was trying to stand up.

The guard helped Nicholas got up and he asked if he was okay, Nicholas said that he was fine and replied that he didn't need any help.

Nicholas was then left with no other choice, he had to do his plan all on his own. Nicholas was walking in circles, thinking of what he was going to do now that the only possible person that can help him is gone.

Nicholas walked to the bathroom to take a leak. While Nicholas was closing his zipper, he noticed an open window at the room. He decided that he wanted to close it. Whilst he was reaching the casement, he noticed a massive water pipe going across the wall outside the building.

A lightbulb lit for Nicholas, he deems to perambulate on the pipe to enter the other room. Nicholas was having second thoughts before going out through the window. Nicholas decides to get out of the window already.

He slowly puts his head out first before the rest of his body. As he looked down, his breathe and heartbeat increased. He thought that his idea perhaps was an appalling mistake.

Nicholas slowly totters across the pipe while vaguely trying not to be discovered.

When he had set foot on the window of the guard files room, he turned around and slowly opens to get inside. He grabs the frame of the window and stepped on the wall, trying to get inside.

He sat down on the window frame, and slowly made his way down the flooring. He went over and looked for the drawer that starts with the letter T.

He found the drawer that he was looking for, he opens it as sweat runs down his face. He go's through the files one by one, keeping an eye out for Tod's file. Nicholas was getting annoyed, but he then finally saw Tod's folder.

He finally got a grasp of Tod's files, he opened it and he didn't except what was in store for him.