10

"He--hello?" I asked... I moved cautiously and looked around. I don't want to get attacked twice.

As I moved closer to the trash bin... I was yanked to the side and pushed to the bushes. His hand is covering my mouth and my back against his chest.

"Shhh. He's here." The voice was from the caller... but who is he? I wanted to turn my head, but he held me tight.

I looked in the direction of the alleyway and I saw a tall figure walking around the alleyway. His silhouette... it's so familiar.

The silhouette looks like he's looking for something... or someone?

"He's looking for you." the man whispered in my ear. He then slowly let me go and I turned to him. I looked at him and studied his face...

"You're Alexandra's brother. Jason, right?" I whispered and looked at him... the guilt suddenly rushed into me. I'm staring right at Alexandra's brother.

He managed to nod and point at the man walking away. His back is familiar... could it be... No... It can't be him, right?

"My sister..." Jason spoke so sadly it breaks my heart.

"I'm sorry about Alexandra," I replied and bowed my head slightly.

"She adored you... you know. She saw how brave you are to be able to live your life even without knowing who you are. You didn't give up. That's why she wanted you to know who it was..." his voice trailed off and looked at the empty alleyway.

"But I thought she never had the chance to tell you," I said and looked at him with concern. Is he just going to point a finger at someone?

"She didn't get the chance to tell me who, but I got a hunch and she might have left clues... maybe it can help. Mari... I want to avenge my sister." His tall figure is now sitting on the side of the bushes looking vulnerable.

I lowered myself and placed my hands on his shoulders. His body was tense.

"And you will. But we have to work together. Look, I know part of you might be blaming me for what happened to your sister, and I want to help give justice to Alexandra." I said, and I looked at him. His eyes are glazed and about to tear up.

"She told me that she hangs out in the café not because she wants to chat but to watch you. She told me that whoever did this to you was close and if ever something bad happens to her, I should reach you," he said.

"But why can't she tell me?" I asked. My mind went blank when he started crying. His tears were so uncontrollable that he couldn't speak for some time.

"She...she wanted to... bu-but the guy was... was there! She coul-couldn't tell you..." he was able to choke up some words before crying again.

I held his shaking hand and squeezed it. He looked at me with sorrowful eyes. My heart is pulled apart by his sadness.

"What else did she tell you? I know this is hard for you right now so take your time," I reassured him. He nodded and bowed his head once more to cover his face.

"She said that there's something she wanted to show you... do you remember her telling you something like that?" he asked. He's now standing so he helped me get up as well.

I thought for a while and realized she did want to show me something a few days before she went missing. God, I didn't even notice she's missing that time...

"I think she mentioned something," I said. He started walking towards the small wooded area, I reluctantly followed.

Should I trust him? I'm the reason why her sister is dead... what if he hurts me? Those thoughts ran into my head, paranoia started to creep out of me but I did my best to suppress it. If Jason has a clue, I should hold on to him for some time.

"She said something about a storage unit... She said it was weird that you have a storage unit here if you're not even from here." Jerome said. I stopped in my tracks. He turned to me a bit confused...

"You don't know about the storage unit?" he asked. I nodded.

Why do I need a storage unit for? Is something there? Is it really mine?

"What name was placed there?" I asked curiously.

"Mari was written under the unit." He said. It's not 'Zamira' then. but who put my name under the storage unit?

"If it's not you... someone used your name for something. My sister planned to go there... that's the last time I saw her." He said and looked away sadly.

"I'm sorry for your sister. I really am. I'll find a way to get details about it. If someone is using my name to cover something... it might be to frame me." I said and looked at the ground...

"Or kill you... Look, I know I'm not the right person to tell you this... but... you have to be careful around Chance," he uttered Chance's name like poison.

"What do you mean?" I asked puzzled... oh dear... Please tell me that my gut feeling from a while ago is wrong...

"I think you know what I mean. When I went looking for you in the café I was actually relieved you weren't there. I'm sure Chance told you I did some commotion." He said while fumbling with his jacket pocket.

"I just can't imagine how it would be him. He took me in..." I said... Am I living with a serial?

"I know this is hard but... he isn't exactly a person you would like to mess with. He is a nice guy on the outside but you don't know him. He's..." Jason stopped talking and sighed.

"How sure are you that it's him?" I asked... hoping that it's just a hunch that he feels...

"When she went missing, the first thing I did was to track her phone. She installed a tracking app so if anything happens, I can find her. It went straight to the Café but when I went there... it was already closed. So I looked for her phone," he said and brought out a phone from his pocket, the screen is smashed but I can clearly tell that it's still working.

"She was missing for a week before they found her, why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked.

"I wanted to alert the police of course... but I was scared that if I alerted them too early, he might freak out, and know what's happening. I waited out... but I waited for too long... She's gone..." Jason's hands were shaking once more and his voice was cracking. He's completely devastated.

"I'm sorry I asked. Can I keep the phone? Maybe I can find something in it. A piece of evidence or something..." I asked Jason cautiously.

He handed it to me without hesitation.

"I trust you... but please be careful around Chance. You are my best shot to put him away." Jason said and squeezed my hand.

I nodded and looked at him. His eyes were desperate.

We walked for a while until he felt better. We parted ways and I went home afterward. Kevin's waiting for me in the living room. Case files are strewn all over the coffee table.

"It took you an hour?" Kevin started.

"Huh?" I was surprised by his serious voice.

"The convenience store... you said you need to buy something," he said and pointed at me. Right... I didn't bring anything.

"Yeah... I lied." I replied quickly.

"What?! Where did you go?!" he asked and stood over me quickly. His towering height cast a shadow in front of me.

"I..."

*DING*

My answer was cut off with a message it's Jason's number...

[Trust...]

Is it for me? Kevin? Chance? Andrew? Himself?

Kevin grabbed my phone and tried to call Jason's number. Of course, there's no answer.

"Who was that?!" Kevin asked angrily and grabbed my shoulders hard. I tried not to flinch.

"First, calm down and get your hands off me. Second, I met Jason, Alexandra's brother, that's his number." I said and looked at him... matching his intimidating gaze. He loosened his grip and turned back to the case files.

"Sorry, I was just worried. Why did you meet Jason anyway?" he asked while he plopped down the sofa. I sat on the floor facing the coffee table.

"He's the lead you mentioned last time, right? His sister was a witness... It's most likely Alexandra told someone... and that's her brother. Don't you think since I'm partially working on the case, you don't have to act all confidential?" I replied, my words were a bit scornful than I wanted it to be.

He looked surprised but mostly amused by my remark.

"Alright Miss Analyst. Tell me... what did you gather from your conversation with Jason?" he asked, his voice serious as ever.

"Before I answer that... Can I trust you?" I asked straightforwardly.