6

The next few days were uneventful. I found a way to meet up with Andrew in the library and study the case together. He sometimes tells me about my past, hoping that it will trigger some of my memories.

Chance made time for me and always kept an eye on me whenever I'm helping out in the café. It's either I work in the office with him, or I'm the cashier so that he can see me.

Kevin always joins me for a jog in the morning. And walks around the park with me before he goes to work. He sometimes lets me lounge in his office.

It was like a routine after that. I didn't do much, and I can't do much with eyes around me. Right now, I'm in the kitchen cooking while listening to some music.

"MARI!" Chance jumped behind my back, and I accidentally cut my finger.

"ARGH! CHANCE! WHAT THE HELL!" I screamed in pain while putting pressure on my finger. Damn, it's deep. I told myself as I felt a throbbing pain.

"S-Sorry. I didn't--" he stopped talking and looked at my finger. He looked squeamish and uncomfortable.

"Never mind. Get me the first aid kit, please." I told him, but he didn't budge an inch.

"CHANCE!" I called him out, and he quickly grabbed the first aid kit. He slid it across the kitchen table. I looked at him, bewildered. Is he not going to help me?!

I grunted and applied first aid on myself. Chance left the kitchen, and I heard him slamming his door.

"What was that about?" Kevin came just in time to hear the door slam.

I didn't say anything, and he ran next to me.

"What happened?!" He asked, looking at my bandaged hand.

"It's nothing. I got cut." I responded plainly. Kevin grabbed my hand and looked at how I bandaged my hand.

"Ugh. Seriously. What happened?" He asked again. I recounted what happened, and a flash of anger painted his face.

"Hey, don't be mad. It was an accident. I'm sure Chance didn't mean it." I assured him.

"I'll just continue what you're cooking then." he sighed and turned to the kitchen island to do what I was doing.

He called for Chance to eat, but he didn't go down, so it was just Kevin and me tonight.

"Maybe he's just squeamish when it comes to blood." I plainly said while drinking my coffee.

"Him? Squeamish? He went to med school. He ended up running the café because it's been with his family for generations." Kevin said matter-of-factly.

Interesting. I told myself. So why run away with just a small cut?

"Hmmm, I didn't expect that," I mumbled, and I got lost in thought.

"Well, he never really practiced it, but I'm pretty sure he's not a squeamish type," he said and patted my shoulder. "Don't read much into it." He left me in the kitchen pondering on my thoughts.

I cleaned up and went to my room.

*KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK*

"Who is it?" I asked and waited for a response.

"It's Chance," he replied. I slowly opened the door and let him in.

"What is it?" I asked as I sat at the edge of my bed.

"I just wanted to apologize for my action a while ago. I know it's a lame excuse, but I'm never comfortable seeing blood. Considering I was in med school, it might sound absurd." Chance explained while fumbling his hands.

"That's okay. It happens." I replied and looked at him sincerely.

"I'm so sorry," he said and sat beside me. I gave him a hug to assure him that everything's okay. "Go to sleep. See you in the morning." says Chance and kissed me on the forehead before leaving the room.

I lay down on my bed and sighed. I decided to open the app and see if Andrew made any progress, and his texts popped up one by one.

[Somebody is reported missing.]

[It's a girl. She's a runaway.]

[I'm still looking into some details, but the station can't find much as well.]

[Message me when you see this.]

"When was the girl missing?" I immediately asked.

[A week ago. The girl's parents thought she's in a friend's house to cool off, but when no one saw her for some time, they filed her missing. Here's a photo of her.]

He sent me a photo, and I recognized the girl immediately.

"She's a café regular. Her name is Alexandra Ramirez. She's in Senior High. She likes my glazed caramel macchiato." I struggled to send the details as I remembered her bright smile.

[Sorry to hear that. The police have no suspect and think that the girl just ditched town.]

"I doubt it. As much as Alexandra hates this town, she loves her parents and her little brother. They may fight a lot, but she's not a run for the hills type." I replied.

[You think she's a victim of our culprit?]

"I'm not sure yet. But I have a bad feeling about this." I replied.

[Let's meet tomorrow and discuss.]

"Same time. Sample place. See you." I casually replied.

|

The next day, I woke up with Kevin watching the news intently.

It's about the girl. She's no longer missing. They found her, or rather what's left of her.

Oh, poor Alexandra. She's too young to die. I feel bad for her family.

"Damn it!" Kevin punched the wall in frustration, snapping me back to reality.

"Hey," I patted his shoulder. His muscles were tensed, and his jaws are tight from suppressing anger. I let him sit down on the couch and made him some tea to calm his nerves.

He quietly sipped his tea. I decided to turn off the TV; he doesn't need to hear it. He already feels miserable. The door opened, and Chance got inside the apartment.

"I went for a jog. I just heard from the radio what happened. Sorry, bro." Chance said as he sat down on the couch. Kevin looked at him, still dazed.

Kevin just nodded and looked blankly on the wall. Wow, it really got into him.

"I'm heading to the station. Mari, you're with me today," he said. His voice was low. He put his stoic facade to hide his anger and frustration.

"You sure? I can take her today." Chance offered, but Kevin was already at the main door.

"We better go. I'll keep an eye on him. See you later." I bade goodbye to Chance and rushed to the door.

The ride was so quiet. Not one of us spoke.

"Uhmm... Kevin, you passed the station." I said when I realized we missed a turn. He didn't respond, I looked at him, and his face was devoid of emotion.

"Kevin?" I asked. His knuckles are already white with how tight he grips the steering wheel.

"Kevin!" my tone went a bit high to catch his attention. He suddenly sped up and went to an old patchy road. I was never afraid of my life since my accident. Another ten minutes or so, he finally parked the car, and I bolted out. My legs were shaking.

It took me a while and saw that we were in the old cemetery of the town. It's a bit far off the town limits, and only a few graves were left. According to what I know from Chance, the old cemetery is almost off-limits unless they visit a grave.

I looked at Kevin, who is now walking towards a grave. Why the hell did he drag me here? Is he visiting someone?

I decided to sit back in the car and open the app.

*BUZZZ*

[Have you seen the news?]

"Yes. It's quite horrible."

[I think he's trying to send a message.]

"That he can hurt anyone?" I asked. Or not just anyone...maybe it was a message to me.

[Or you. Stay alert. Whoever this is may have an idea that I'm contacting you.]

"You should be careful too. It's a small town. If you ask too many questions, they might suspect you."

[I know. Anyway, I'll see you later.]

I closed the app and looked at Kevin from afar. Maybe I should talk to him. I quietly walked towards him. I looked at the graves he was standing at.

CAPT. ROGER EVANS

A great father and supervisor. You will be missed.

ERICA EVANS

Beloved mother. Your bright smile will be forever in our hearts.

ANGELA EVANS

Wonderful sister. May you find happiness and peace in the hands of the father.

It seems his parents died for some time now. Her sister's recent.

"Kevin?" I whispered. He turned on his side to look at me but bowed his head.

"Sorry for the scare a while ago. I didn't mean to." Kevin apologized and hid his face with his hands.

"It's okay. I understand." I calmly said and put a hand on his shoulder. His whole body was tense, and I felt him tremble with my touch.

"I just-- I--" he couldn't even finish his words. He seems pretty broken. I looked at the graves one more time. His sister...could it be? No! There's no time to think of that.

I gave Kevin a hug. He finally relaxes and returns the hug to me. And like the first hug, his hug was tight. He buried his head on my shoulder.

His cries were quiet, but I felt my clothes get a bit wet. I didn't mind.

"I know it's not my place to say this, but I hope that you will soon recover from all this pain. You are stronger than you think." I told him and pat his back.

"I'm not...strong, Mari," he whispered.

"Holding on for this long and keeping yourself together is strong in my book," I assured him.

He hugged me tighter. His warmth makes my insides flutter.

"I hope I can say that to myself, Mari," he said. "I lost my sister the same way Alexandra died. We never found the culprit. Whoever did this to my sister is back. And I--" his body tensed one more time.

"It's okay to be scared. Facing it is better than running away from it. This time you can bring justice to your sister. So, don't give up just yet." I told him as I gently pat his back. He pulled a little and faced me, his eyes now with determination.

"Thank you." Instead of a smile, however, he planted a kiss on my lips.

The kiss was light at first, his lips was pillow soft... then it went deep and more intimate. We only stopped kissing when we ran out of breath.

"Uhmm... We should...head back to the station," I shyly said and rushed back into the car. Gosh, I'm so blushing right now.

We headed back to the station. Kevin's mood is better, but what's wrong with me?