KATHY
The sound of the people talking above makes me want to go out there. I know I can’t because he won’t say the truth. Lies trapped me in the darkness.
When I got out of the Island, I know that I’m close to achieving freedom. And when I got out of the mansion I knew that I had to get away as far as possible. I knew immediately that the City was the perfect place for me to go. A lot of places, job opportunities, and a lot of people to blend into.
I have no Idea how Tristan followed me in the City. No one can go out the Island except if it’s authorized. Luckily, after I pushed him outside my apartment, he never came back.
After that, I found amazing people who welcomed me in their lives. So welcome that they let me in their personal hell. A personal hell that I can never go out unless someone pop their bubble of lies.
The sound of people crying makes my ears bleed, but I have no choice because I’m trapped. I’ve been enduring the sound of drilling, funeral songs, and people crying, for months now.
When I was in Senior High school, we studied about different religions and culture, including how they view death and after life. Every vacation, I’ll get hooked up in a website that talks about what happens afterlife. The one I strongly believe is that after we die, we get transferred to another consciousness, another us in another Universe.
Me, trapped here, changed my hope about what happens in Afterlife. I hope that if we die, we lose everything. No more consciousness in another universe and no more things to finish.
I hope that after I die, I stop living.
My life was never good. I was abused as a child and when I ran and thought that I finally found the people who will give me the love that I missed all those years in my childhood house, but the truth is they are just another phase of people who will abuse me. Then I realized, when you live on Earth, are you really living? Or maybe you are just surviving so you’ll live until the day you stopped breathing? And the glimpse of happiness that you will experience are just the bonuses that will make you force yourself to think that life is beautiful.
Jess was one of those bonuses. She made me feel safe, and loved. She made me feel that sometimes, it is worth it to hold on and wait for the memory that you will never forget even in death.
Some people’s lives ends in happiness, some end in misery. Mine didn’t end yet, and there is nothing more I want than for it to end.
Finally, the dead was buried, and the people finally stopped crying. Is the dead man really dead? Or he’s like me whose soul seeking for peace in death?
I bet there is rest in peace written on my tombstone. Well, I’m not resting in peace.
I remember the day I was killed, that day started good.
“Is he there?” I ask Jess. She’s holding all our stuff for when we attended a beach wedding.
“No, he’s not. Come on.” She pulled me inside her apartment.
I inhaled, then exhaled. “I missed the scent inside your apartment so much.”
She’s sitting on the floor trying to get her shoes off. “Why is it stuck?” She’s troubling so I offered him help.
“See? You should’ve started by loosening the shoelace.” I said.
“Maybe I’m just tired.” She leaned her head over the sofa. She looks so tired and I don’t blame her. It was a long ride back here.
“Let’s get to the bedroom, shall we? You need to sleep.” I offered my hand and we went to the bedroom.
We cuddled before she fell asleep. The curtains is wide open so I get up to close it.
I went to my apartment to get my clothes. My shower’s broke so I’m going to shower at Jess’. She won’t mind.
When I got out of the shower. I noticed a red light at the back of the fake plants above the table. So I went to check what it is.
“A nanny cam?” I put it back in its place. My hair’s still wet and I’m not yet sleepy so I went to watch TV on her living room.
I can’t stop myself from being curious about the nanny cam. I mean, whose phone is it connected to? Is Jess aware of the nanny cam in her room? Why does she need a nanny cam?
Her bag is the first thing I dig, and. I found her phone. Her password is very easy to guess, it is his boyfriend’s birthday.
There is no evidence that her phone’s connected to the nanny cam at all. “Sh*t.” Who got access in her apartment?
Me, her and Jax.
“Jax.” This is the faster I have ever been in my life. I turned the camera off. “Sh*t.” I repeated the word many times on my way to the balcony.
I’m rushing to catch my breath, staying in the balcony doesn’t help me at all. “What the f*ck, Jaxton?” I whispered.
Is he spying on Jess? or is he spying at us?
Either way, I can’t ignore the fact that there is a chance that he already know about Jess and I.
JAXTON
Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret? And that secret is the most haunting you’ve ever kept?
To know that your life will never be peaceful unless you pop the lie is the most haunting thought, specially if kind the of secret you have is not easy to break.
Detective Sanchez speaks. “All right, boys. Let’s brush all over this place again and give the media what they want.”
Everyone scatters into the place, doing their own job. “No one really came to clean the place.” I said.
“Well, no family. I doubt old man Bartley.” He stands beside me while we scan the place. Looks like there’s nothing new for us to discover because we’ve brushed this place many times.
“We’re not going to find anything here.” I said my thought. It’s true, we’re just wasting our time.
“We don’t have any choice but to show the media that we’re still doing the job on this case. I really thought they forgot about this one, only to come back after months.” He pats me. “Let’s get to work.” Then he left to go to the bedroom.
Staring at the blood stain dried up on the carpet, I remember the day the murder happened.
My head is banging the wall while I try to keep my eyes open. Seminars are so boring, but I need it and Detective Sanchez required all of us to attend.
“I have a question for all of you. Can you enumerate different kinds of cameras that can be used for spying?” Suddenly, the station got loud.
“Okay, last one. You, officer.” The speaker pointed at Cruz.
“A nanny cam?” He answered. Every one laughs like we are in high school laughing at someone’s bullsh*t answer.
“Calm down, calm down.” He signaled everyone to be quiet. “Everyone’s right. All kinds of cameras can be used to spy someone, even a nanny cam. Because cameras capture photo and record videos. The real issue here is how well you hide it.” Everyone’s interested now.
Is he teaching us about how suspect hides their Illegal camera, or is he teaching us how to hide an Illegal camera?
When I got to the office, there are a lot of nanny cams sitting on the desk.
“What’s this for?” I ask Detective Sanchez.
“It’s the sample. Come on.” He handed me two nanny cameras. “Take it. Give it to someone who got kids.”
“Oh yeah, okay.” I put it inside my bag.
“Are you going home?” He ask me. I have a strong feeling that he’s going to let me go home.
“Yes, sir. If it’s okay.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s okay. We got no progress in our other cases.” After he let me go, I went straight to Jess’ apartment.
I wonder what she’s doing on her vacation, but whatever it is I hope she’s enjoying. Well, I’m sure she’s enjoying because she’s with Kathy. Those two got a bond that I can’t explain, but I’m glad that she found her person.
I went straight to Jess’ apartment. Her apartment feels more home than my own apartment.
“What should I do with you, guys?” I’m holding the nanny cams on both my hands. I have no Idea where I should put them. Maybe one in my apartment, one in here? “That’s right.” I agreed.
I knew exactly where to put the nanny cam. “There you go, little nanny. That’s right.” I adjusted the fake plants to hide the nanny cam more better.
“A nanny cam to make you feel safe about your apartment because you’re always gone with Kathy.” I read the words as I write them in a piece of paper. “Smiley face. Love, Jax.” I put the paper above the desk before going to sleep.
After 6 hours, Detective Sanchez called me in to arrange the papers for Junior Detective Program. JDP is my favorite program of all. Detective Sanchez always let me take over to teach the kids. The superiority this program makes me feel.
6 hours of sleep is a blessing for a working person so, I’m not going to complain.
“Oh, Jaxton. How’s your sleep these days?” Mrs. Annie reached me a cup of coffee, and a donut.
“Do I look so terrible?” I took a sip of coffee. Mrs. Annie knows how I like my coffee. She’s been working here since my father. No wonder she loves me enough to treat me like her own son.
“No, not at all. You just miss your girlfriend.” She giggles while she leaves.
She’s right. I miss my girlfriend. Maybe she’s going home today, right? I know her, she thinks she’s taking too long.
Yawning, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “There you are.” I saw her jump in the bed, then, “Kathy?” I rolled my eyes. Let my girl rest, you go home Kathy. I know they are best friends, but friends need some time apart too, right? And Jess needs her sleep so we can have a nice dinner tonight.
“What the f*ck.” Are they cuddling? Cuddling as best friends? But wait, they kissed.
They kissed.
My fingers are playing on my chin, and my eyes are staring concentrated on the screen. I’m just staring, no words, no reaction. What did I do? Is it even me? I mean, why would they do something like this? I welcomed Kathy in our quiet life, and now she’s taking it away from me?
I waited for hours for Detective Sanchez to dismiss my service for today. I went straight to the store.
“Got any problems, Det?” The store worker, Chris, ask me as he swipes the bottles of alcohol I bought.
“No. Just off duty.” I swiped my card.
“That’s right, Det. Every one needs chilling time.” After Chris handed me my purchase, I went straight to my car to drink it all.
What did I do wrong? Am I giving her too much love to the point that she can not bear it anymore? Does she think that this Detective work is eating our time? Because if that’s the reason then we’re f*cked. I’m trying my best to be like my Dad. To be the best in the field, and to be someone she’s not going to let go. “I swear, I’m trying my best.” I whisper to myself while I try to hold back my tears.
After hours of drinking, brushing the memories to try and find what I did wrong, I found myself inside the elevator going up to her apartment.
I knocked on her door. “Let me in.” I know I’m drunk, but I still know what I’m doing. “I said let me in.” I knock again, she opens the door.
There’s a worried look all over her face. “It’s almost 3am. What are you doing up?” Instead of answering her, I let myself in.
“You got any water?” I ask. Her sofa feels comfortable. I must buy one like this.
“Yeah, yeah. Hold on a second.” Then she left to get me some water. “Oh, boy. You look so wasted. It smells too.”
“Yes. I was drinking on a parking lot outside that store somewhere.”
“You and Jess okay?” She ask. She’s good at this, but I’m way better than her.
“I don’t know, you tell me.” I emptied the glass of water. She’s not saying anything, and I’m annoyed. I deserve an explanation and she knows it.
“Jax, I—“
I cut her off. “After I f*cking welcomed you in to our lives. After I trusted you with her— this is your thank you?” When I said that I know what I’m doing, I lied. The alcohol is taking over me and I have no idea how to stop the flood of emotions going inside me.
“Jax, I don’t know what you think we are doing but—“
“But what? Is there more than that? Is there more than the both of you lying into my face, making me look stupid everyday that I thought all of us were just friends!?” She’s flinching every time I point my fingers on her. I can’t stop myself, even If I want to. “But I guess, it’s all right. I have all the tool to dig into your life. We don’t know you any deeper; but I’m sure you have something that will make Jess stay away from you—“
“She doesn’t even think you’re a good Detective, Jaxton.” She scoffs. She looks more confident now. “She told me that you are an Idiot. How you break inside information to her is the illustration of how unprofessional you are and how big of an idiot you are.” She’s bluffing. Jess wouldn’t say that about me. We’ve been together for long.
She walk towards me, with her arms cross her chest. “That’s right. She tells me everything now, not you…” she pointed at me. “but me.” She pointed at herself.
My palms are sweating, from fear, maybe? Or from anger? “Stop lying to me, Kathy.” I inhaled, exhaled. I wish I hadn’t drink all that alcohol because the heat that I’m feeling right now is unexplainable.
“If you ever dig into my life; I will expose you with the evidences that you don’t deserve that promotion, that you are just a Favored Promotion.” She made sure to emphasize every word because I felt it into my bones.
I scoff, a way for them to avoid detecting fear. “And how are you going to do that? By talking to ‘my girlfriend’? Who do you think she will believe more, eh? You or me?”
“Lucky for me, your girlfriend gave me a job that allows me to spread informations around the country. People likes drama nowadays, you can be my first.” Her sarcastic laugh makes my eyes bleed, and my blood boil. “Take your time to think about the consequences of digging into my life, okay?” She turn around.
My blood even boils more. “You’re not going to do that.”
“How do you know that, huh? How do you know that I’m not going to expose your sorry as—“ Something cut her off. I heard her whimper.
The next thing I knew, she’s on the floor gasping for air while she tried to stop the gushing of blood on her wound.
“F*ck.” The realization hits, the knife drops. I’m stoned to my position and I can’t move to help her. I’m basically staring at her while she dies. She crawl over me, still holding her wound. Before she can even beg me for help, something in her clicked then there is no movement after that.
For eight straight minutes, I was just staring at her dead body. Crazy what alcohol can do to you. Lesson learned, Jaxton. Drink responsibly.
Instead of cleaning up, I only hid the murder weapon. In some cases, when you clean up, there’s more chance that they’ll find the body and trace it back to you. There’s a few things I need to cleanup though.
I bagged the nanny cam and arranged rhe desk. I made sure that I was careful while I clean everything. If Jess wakes up to see me like this, she’ll be very suspicious.
“Sh*t, the note.” I crawled on the floor, sweeping every corner for a note. Then there it is, under her bed.
I checked again, everyone’s back on its original position. Now, what I need to do is go back to the station and pretend that I never left.
“That’s enough for today, fellas. You all know we’re not going to find anything in here anymore. We’ve brushed the place a hundred times, but we gotta show them that we’re still doing the case. Let us meet back in the station for briefing, all right? The media will be with us.” Everyone looks so done with the media, including me. But what are we going to do? They need to know the outcome of the case.
“I know, me too. Now, let’s pack up and go down the station.” Then he dismissed us. Everyone’s out, but I’m still waiting for him as he secures the place.
He came out of the bedroom. “I just want to catch the killer, Archer. I don’t want media guys disturbing us anymore.” He picks his case. “Don’t you want that, Detective?” He ask me, smile’s on his face.
“Of course. I want to catch the Killer. That’s what we do.” I smiled. He pats my shoulder as we leave the apartment.
Before I close the door, I whispered. “I’m so sorry, Kathy.”