Memories- Questions or Answers? -1

Daniel and Mariya walked out of the apartment building and got into the car.

"So, you are saying that the old man said something about white sheets?" She unlocked the car and got into the driver's seat.

"Yup, I heard it loud and clear, not like there was any noise around." Daniel sat in the front seat and fastened his seatbelt.

"White sheets, huh? I don't have the faintest idea about these White Sheets, but I am certain these aren't about bed; if it is, it's too vague." She revved her car and got on the road.

"But before that, I want to talk to you about something." Daniel looked anxious; he was afraid of something.

"About your father's death?" She rested her elbow on the window and rubbed her forehead. She knew it was coming, and she also wanted to talk about it.

"How do you—ah, what is even my stupid ass thinking? Of course you know; you are police after all." Daniel tried smiling, but it was empty.

He took a deep breath and thought for a while.

"So, I wanted to say this as you know that I caused my father's death, and even my family doesn't know about my power or curse, whatever this is.

Still, I did something that set the gears for it to happen. I am still afraid to face him."

"Don't worry, I talked to your mother; she is worried about you and wants to know if you're safe or not." Mariya said.

"I see. Can I ask how and when it happened?" Daniel averted her eyes.

"Well, she got the news of the accident, so she called the station. Fortunately, Dave was there, so he forwarded it to me. The police report may say anything, but many people saw you there, so she knew.

Secondly, she said she doesn't blame you, but your grandfather has blood in his eyes; he continuously curses you day and night.

So, she asked you to not come home; you can attend your father's funeral tomorrow, not like you need anyone's permission." There was a mild anger in her voice.

"After that, I asked if I could keep you with me for a while," she said nonchalantly.

"What?!" Daniel yelled.

"Don't yell!" She yelled back, "Anyways, she thanked me for understanding; your grandfather won't take you in anyways." She lit a cigarette again…

"Now do you want to talk to her—" She handed him his phone; she had kept it with her since they got out of the hospital.

"No, no, I won't." Daniel grabbed the phone and checked it.

"There were several missed calls from Cainan, Elaine, and his grandfather. "I bet that old fart only called to cuss at me."

He scrolled down and saw another notification.

It was a missed call notification and a message from Jade.

'*Hey brother, I am sorry I was out of the city. It was an emergency. I heard about your father, and then I heard that you lost the money.

What is this about, look, man? I know you won't steal it, but please do something. Soon Mali will find out, and we'll both be in danger.

I know a place, and I am hiding there. I'll send you an address. Ask about the weather there 5 times; he'll give more information. I'll destroy this phone and SIM.

Be careful, because even if we get the money now, we are just broken pieces who raised a blood issue in his so-called fucking peace business, which he wouldn't think twice about discarding…*

Daniel closed the phone and put it in the pocket.

"So? Worried about your friend." Mariya asked.

"Nothing can be hidden from you. Yes, I am worried, not that I can help him or anything now." Daniel spoke.

"And about your mother, won't you call her?" She insisted it was something she wanted to do.

"Even if I did, there's no guarantee she would say everything true; I can't risk it.

She would say she doesn't blame me, but I know…" Daniel's voice was getting lower and lower, as if he didn't even have the courage to hope.

"I see, good thinking." She took a different route from before and drove straight.

"Also, to keep Mali off our back, we have done something." She chuckled.

"Well, as long as it keeps me safe." Daniel took a breath of relief.

—

After a long drive, they reached a house. It was nothing fancy but still well kept.

They took a narrow trail, not easily observable.

While coming inside, there were several CCTVs hidden and then a steel door.

The house was fairly secure.

She entered through the gate and parked in the garage.

And as the engine went off, Daniel jumped out of the car.

"YOU DECLARED ME DEAD! THE FUCK YOU MEAN YOU DECLARED ME DEAD?"

Daniel's eyes gaped in shock.

"Calm down, I didn't say you can tell after we reach the place; I said we'll discuss it, and by that I meant calmly, like adults." She had a smirk that yelled she was proud of what she did.

"But how? Jade knew I was alive! My mother knows I am alive!" Daniel started pacing back and forth in the garage.

"Only your mother knows; secondly, the news will be published in tomorrow's newspaper.

Your mother knows what kind of shit you're in; she said she'll cooperate, and thus I got the permission to take you in. Also, the doctor is in this too.

Funny, eh?" She chuckled and pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

"It's not funny! I'll be dead tomorrow; I won't be able to go out, I won't be able to meet my friends, and what about my father's funeral!

I wanted to go there!" Daniel yelled in desperation.

"Don't worry, we'll put you in disguise; it's not like you can go in front of your senile grandfather anyway."

She opened the door leading to the inside,walked into the kitchen, and grabbed a glass.

She poured some whiskey, water, and then some ice cubes.

"Fuck this! I want to be there; I want to see him one last time. Whatever he did to me, he's still my father." Daniel sat on the sofa.

"I thought I could visit that farm I went to with my father when I was younger,

It's the last happy memory I have with my family—that farm of buckwheat, their biscuits and noodles. That was the most fun I had with my family, but after that everything started going downhill."

He said in a muffled voice with happiness stirring with sadness.

"Boy, then you probably shouldn't. Who knows if it was that farm that fucked up your life?" She took a shot and made another one.

"As if! I still remember that beautiful scenery, those lush and wide

farms filled with buckwheat flowers!

It was like a white sheet was… spread on the earth…"

Daniel's voice came to a pause….