JESS
I have been waiting for the jail's gate to open up for me, for someone to tell me that I have been cleared from every accusation that I got.
Mira's words last time gave me hope, but it's been weeks since she last visited me.
Rufus? I don't know where he is. But I got a word that last week, old man was turned into ashes. Old man might be a bad man with all the Island's business, but he's the closest to a father Rufus got.
Denise? I don't know where the hell she is. Wherever it is, I hope she stays put for the day we put her in jail.
Jax? I don't know. I don't have any idea. All I know is I miss him and I wish that he'll turn back and come straight to me.
I have to get out of here. One way or another, before it's too late. I never want to find myself alone, ever again.
JAX
jaxtonarcher
how's everything? do i need to come down? willing to sacrifice my escape :))
detsanchez
One more question, Jax, and I'm blocking your number. Wait everything out. Don't interfere. I'm on it.
It's been weeks and all I heard was that Jess is still in jail. I feel the guilt, I should've been the one inside with what I did to Kathy.
All my life, I thought that I'd have a pretty simple life with a beautiful family living in the suburbs. Though the moment I took someone's life, I knew it will never be the same.
I tried to hide the truth because I had hoped for a chance where I can redeem my old life. Now, I realised that hiding made everything worse.
I dialed a number. After four tries, I had figured that she must be busy trying to save the situation.
Almost five minutes later when my eyes almost decided to fall asleep, my phone rang.
"Jax." A tired voice said. "Sorry, I was busy earlier."
"It's all right. Just want to know how long til--" she cuts me off.
"Soon, okay? Just lay low. From Ocean to Kathy, everything will be solved. Don't worry." Then she hangs up.
I'm not used on letting people handle my business. But now, I'll let them.
MIRA
"One sec!" I shouted as I come down the stairs to greet Rufus.
"I brought chicken wings." He said.
"And old man's ash." Alex pointed out at the brown box Rufus got on his right hand.
"Lost appetite already. You all can enjoy the chicken wings." Perry said.
"Come on. Don't be so sensitive, Perry. Everywhere I go now, I'll bring old man with me."
Rufus settled down on the floor and went straight to gather what we need. Two more hours and Detective Sanchez will come by to gather the evidence.
"Now, Rufus. What about Kathy? Do we surrender Jax?" I ask.
We have learned the truth about Kathy's murder. Jess came out clean. Kathy's murder is the only one we don't have someone to throw in Jail.
"Don't you worry." Rufus taps old man's resting box. "Me and old man got a solid plan."
RUFUS
Dear Rufus,
Rufus, I understand that all your life, I have given you a hard time with my commands. I know this seems hypocrite, but it is my way of building a young tough boy who I see to have grown up as a tough man. I know a day will come where I will no longer be here, and if that happens, I have everything in line for you and our men.
I understand that in the case where the government knows everything about our operation, they would take away everything involve. Every mansion, island, object, and money connected to our work will be confiscated. Everything we worked hard for won't matter at that time. Luckily, I have everything set for you and our men. Go to West Bank and ask for my safe, there will be a title paper there with your name on it. It will award you with clean wealth that would be enough for you to sit for an eternity. As for our men--- ones who survived and those who didn't--- make sure to take care of them and their families.
As per the greatest mystery of your life, the truth might hurt you, but it is best for you to find out about the rest for yourself. Just know that I did not take you away with the intention to harm, I did it so you could live another day.
You are my boy, Rufus. You are a son and a heir to your old man's wealth. I just hope that you won't make an idea out of the things that I violated. Live happily and fully, my son.
Your Old man, Mr. Bartley.
I folded the paper that Mr. Bartley left for me. If he didn't raise me as a non-crier, I would weep and stomp my feet on devastation that he is gone.
I just know that there's one more thing for me to find out before I could rest fully. Where's my mom and dad? Do I have another family I could call?
But right now, that does not matter. As old man said, "One step at a time, you idiot!"
I walk towards the car and threw the bags inside. I also carefully placed Mr. Bartley on the seat beside me, only that he's now an ash living inside a brown box that he costumize long ago.
Before I leave, I will help a friend first.
DETECTIVE ARCHER
After picking up everything from Mira's place. I went straight to the higher authority to present the evidences.
I can't wait for this to get over. Two murder cases in my hands is slowly occupying all the time I have in my life.
I haven't event getting laid lately.
It's really sad.
"This is---- awfully a lot. And fucking accurate with the timeline." The FBI guy said. "Where did you get everything? This is overwhelming. A lot of evidences that collaborates everything. It's like staring at the missing gigantic statue of Zeus."
"So, what? Is that enough? Do we have the means to put her behind the bars?" I asked annoyingly.
"More than enough. Congratulations, Detective."
DENISE
I have been waiting hours for Tale to pick me up. I strictly reminded him to bring all the necessary things for my getaway. Passports, hair dye, outfits, bunch of money.
Last time, I heard from one of our inside guy from the FBI. All he said was "Everything's about to go sideways. If I were you I'd go far far away. That's everything you're gonna hear from me. Don't message me again."
After I paid him thousands of money, that's all I get? After all, I know I can only rely to myself--- and Tale, of course.
The doorbell rang.
"Ugh, finally!" I expressed in exhaust.
I went over to the door and opened it, but to my surprise--- it is not Tale.
"Denise Rodrigo-Morgan, you're under arrest for the murder of Ocean Morgan---"
The world had begun to get blurry. I can feel my arms get sore as they cuff me hard.
When we got outside, the flashing lights covered my face. I can no longer see. Then I heard something.
"Tale Marquez, you're under arrest for the murder of Kathy Wood---"
The bastard had been caught before he entered the house. He might've lead them here.
But that's not really the question.
How did they know? And how did Tale got arrested for the murder of a woman he never met?
JESS
The guards have been celebrating more happier than me. All I could do is to stare at the television where I see Denise getting arrested for Ocean's murder.
Why Tale's being arrested for Kathy's murder drew a lot of question in my mind.
I have been sitting in the interrogation room waiting for someone to pick me up. My paper's all arranged and I have received an apology from the station. All I need is someone to pick me up.
"Jess! Fucking hell. You're cleared."
"Relm!? What are you doing here?"
Out of all people I expected to pick me up, she's the least I expected.
"Well, all I got was instructions from Alex to drive you down somewhere. With a thousand dollars of course. Will never do this shit for you without money. Come on now."
Relm guided me to her car and drove me to a familiar place.
Mira's house.
And when I got inside. All of the familiar faces I have been longing are here.
Mira. Alex. Perry. Detective Sanchez. Rufus.
Jaxton.
Out of all the mixed feeling I have, one thing I could only ask:
"How?"
Rufus explained everything, especially why Kathy's murder was blamed on Tale. Him and Old man's other men arranged a job for Tale to be blamed. Other than that, Detective Sanchez offered him a plea deal if he testified against Denise.
Denise will never be enjoying the sun outside prison.
"You never have to worry about anything ever again, Jess. You never have to worry about me going away. I'll be here for you. I will not go far." Jax walked over me and kissed my forehead.
"Are you sure?" I asked him.
"More than anything. Let's go live in the suburbs and build a family after two years, shall we?"
I needn't give him a word. He knows the answer.
"This will be one hell of a story for you, Jess! You'd get a lot of reads." Perry said.
I look at him, and looked at Alex. "I don't think so. I think this story will fit Alex more. My office is his too." After what I said, Alex face turned up.
My time for public exposure is over. I have endured enough suffering to the point where I am aware of my potential—not in the world, but rather in some posh place full of dressed dolls with blinking eyes to frighten the unknown.
All I want now is to live in the suburbs with no murderers around me.
END.