CHAPTER 5

At the precinct, a forensic lab test comes in with a positive I.D on Kala’s DNA and prints on the clothing of the deceased and on the headstone.

“We have a hint boys, let’s roll out,” detective Ling says. Sirens wailing in the streets of Selfoss. They race towards Kala’s apartment. Not long after checking on the apartment, a cop gives feedback, “No one’s home sir.”

“Move on. I want her name and face on every cop’s screen and desk. Look into the city cameras, if she’s on the street. If she’s still breathing, I want to know. Bring her into custody within 24 hours.” Detective Ling speaks through the radio.

“What do you mean? He is not your relative?” Kala inquires.

“The lady you speak about sold this place to my parents. I heard she died a long time ago; so I was told. I’ve never heard of an Ari Thompson ever.” Roland says. Ari storms out of Roland’s apartment feeling some kind of hurt in him. He screams and pushes his fists through a tree.

“Did that guy just punch through a tree? Hey dude, lay off the tree, will you? I wouldn’t want to get on his bad sad.” O’Neil says.

“Calm down, Ari, it’s going to be alright.” Kala says.

“No, it’s not.” He drops to his knees, crying. “I have to leave.” He disappears in a flash. O’Neil again spots what happened. “I must be taking way too much pills.” While still in his shade of great surprise, a fleet of police cars suddenly halt in front of Roland’s apartment.

“Mrs. Kala Hinrik you are under arrest.” Detective Ling says, as he reads her rights to her and takes her in for questioning.

“What’s going on here? Where’re you taking her to? Kala, Kala.”Roland screams.

At the station, Detective questions Kala.

“You didn’t kill those men, did you?” Kala gives a negative sign.

“I know you didn’t. So who helped you, and for what reason?” She gives a detailed story of the events that took place that night leading to the slaughter.

“Lady, you have got to help me do my job and bring this killer to book. Who is he?”

“I don’t know.” Kala says.

He leaves the interrogation room. “That girl is hiding something and I’m going to find out what it is soon. Send a team back to the cemetery for more clues.” Still in police custody, Roland pays a visit to Kala. “The Detective said you will be out of here if and only you come out clean to him. You can trust me Kala. Talk to me.” Roland says.

“It’s Ari, ok. But you have to promise not to tell anyone alright. He rescued me from being raped by them.”

“What? Who? When did all these happen? You never mentioned anything of a sort to me. What more are you hiding Kala?” He says. Kala signals him, “Keep your voice down, will you? None of that matters now.” “Do you know where he is?” “I have no idea, but my biggest guess would be the cemetery.”

That night, Roland goes in search of Ari at the cemetery. He seems very frightened.

“Ari, Ari, are you here?” He says with fear hugging his entire being.

“I know you would come looking for me. I saw all that happened.’’ Ari responds

“And you remained here still. You are so selfish. You know if it wasn’t for her I would have told the cops everything. We have to find a way to get her out of this mess.” Roland says.

“Yes, selfish for now, but not after the idea I have. But I’ll need your help and promise you will speak of what happens after to no one.”

“What for?” Ari surfaces up with a devious smile.

Few Hours later, Ari goes looking for Kala

“Hey there.”

“What you doing here? You could get caught”, says Kala.

“Just came to tell, you would be out of here in no time.” Ari replies.

“I better be. I’m stuck in this hell hole because of you. Wait, what did you do?” Kala asks.

“Nothing, I’m saving you again. You should be grateful. Your exact words were a night crawler vigilante came to your rescue right.”

“Yeah, I said that.”

“Good! Stick to it, see you soon.” He leaves in his usual manner.

Kala calls. “Hey, what’re you…. planning. Damn! How does he do that?”

By Morning, Kala hears few steps approaching her cell.

“You’re free to go. But you’ll be placed under close police observation," a cop says. “Your supposed vigilante struck again.” He shows her pictures of the crime scene. “Last night there was a massacre at the club down town. Same as the wounds found on the bodies at the cemetery. “

“Stay safe. I’ll keep in touch.” Detective Ling says.

“Thanks.” Kala says. Feeling very sticky, Kala decides to take her bath the minute she gets home, lingering under the hot droplets of unending rain.

“Feels good to be home doesn’t it.” Ari speaking by the bathroom door.

“How did you get in? Never mind. Stay away from me, you’re a murderer.” She turns off the shower, hurriedly wearing her previous clothing.

“Those people didn’t deserve to die on my account. They were innocent. I would rather spend more time in jail than let you kill them. Why did you?” Kala cried.

“Innocent?” He giggles.

“The people you call innocent are deadly triad gangsters, drug lords, murderers and rapists. They deserve what came to them, so much for been grateful."

“Just leave.” She says. Ari walks out of her apartment and heads towards town. Minutes pass, Kala lights a blunt and starts drinking some liquor. Then she streams a live video feed with her digital camera, strings a rope unto a pipe in her bathroom, hesitant in making her final decisions. Tears filled her eyes as they run down her cheeks. She kicks the chair away and begins to choke. She struggles to breathe, fading out like a setting evening sun, and almost lifeless. Then the bathroom door was suddenly turned apart.

“Why? What got into this crazy head of yours? You are so foolish. Don’t die on me. Wake up.” Ari says. “Please don’t do this.” He smacks her cheek continuously trying to wake her from her sudden state of shock. He leaves a hand cupped on her cheek and holds unto her with the other. Slowly, he leans closer and closer towards her, hoping she wakes up. “I’m not ready to lose you too.” His lips meet with her wet rosy red lips. Frozen are his lips even, with its slightest touch. It awakens her from her slumber. He feels a hand move in his short soft curly brunette hair, as she moves her lips, clinging steadfast to his. She wins her tongue deep in his mouth. Ari’s non-beating heart is fired up with red flames once again. Soon, Kala finds herself in the cold hands of Ari Thompson. “This makes it the third time I’m saving you this week. What were you thinking?” He laughs.

“You shouldn’t have come back.” She cries.

“I couldn’t stay away; I left a part of me behind. I’m never leaving your side again.’’ Ari says.

Kala makes hot coffee as Ari sits by the dinning watching her. He picks out a disk from Kala’s music collections. “Try this out.”

“What are you up to this time, Kowinski?”

“Music happens to be the best cure to all ills.” Seeming convinced, Kala plays the song; Ari stretches out his hands, asking her for a dance. Around and around, they move, dancing like they were in ball. His feet work is good and so is hers. She spills out some cozy drops of smiles, as the tickling melody of the song lifts her once saddened soul. Ari sends a sharp deep look into her eyes. In his heart, he wonders, feels confuse, lost, and frightened.

An hour to the eve of Christmas, both sitting in front of her apartment by the stairs. Kala gives him a reason for her attempted suicide. “I just wanted to be away from everything, leaving all these behind. I miss my family and I feel my life is so screwed up right now.” She sobs.

“There is more to live for. It’s not so peaceful and rosy on the other side, trust me.”

“I know. I live once again. All thanks to you, I’m in your debt.” Kala says as both gaze into each other’s eyes. Kala leans on Ari’s shoulders, looks into his eyes, and once again, their lips collide in a hot burning passion of upendi.

Some Ravens flies to an unmarked grave far off town. Then, the flock encircles it. The moon turns crimson red as it began to rain. From the puddle of rain drops, out she comes, painted blood red. She cries aloud, filled with rage and hurt in her heart.

“Do you hear that?” Ari asks.

“Hear what?” Kala says.

“Never mind!” Ari goes for a second kiss, then a bolt of lightning strikes right in front of them.

“Holy crap!” Kala says.

Roland knocks on the door repeatedly but no one answers. Then he realizes the front door is unlocked, he lets himself in. Walking towards her room, he hears a sound which seemed to arouse his testosterone. “What the fuck? Fuck it!”, Roland screams.

“Bro, hold up. It’s not as it seems. She came unto me”, O’Neil says.

“Shut up, Neil. I’m this close to punching you right in the face.” Roland turns to Lilija. “How could you do this Lili, screwing my kid brother? Damn!”

“I’m so sorry baby; I didn’t know what got into us.” Lilija says.

“Us? There’s no us girl.” O’Neil says swiftly like one trying to exclude himself. Roland spots the empty bottles of Vodka and a pack of pills by the closet.

“You know what? I’m out of here. O’Neil, don’t even think of coming back home anytime soon.” Roland speaks.

“Where’re you going? Rushing over to Kala’s, are you? You never loved me. I always knew that. You have feelings bottled up for that sadist, that pyscho, but you’ll never admit it. You can go to hell for all I care.” Lilija says.

“Goodbye Lilija”, he says.

Lilija trys leaning on O’Neil

“Lay off me bitch.” O’Neil says, pushing Lilija away.

Kala and Ari are bo

th petrified by what they saw after the blast.

“Hello Ari”, she says.