One: The underrated author (Part II)
967 Words
A tall, raven-haired man stood frozen in place inside the dark alleyway.
What he had just witnessed… was something he would never be able to forget.
A woman lay helpless on the ground—motionless, struggling. A man was on top of her, violently pinning her down while covering her mouth to silence her cries. Her eyes were filled with fear, begging for help that never came.
Sirius couldn’t move.
His body refused to obey him, as if something had rooted him to the spot. He wanted to step forward. He wanted to save her. But fear chained him in place.
Then it happened.
The man pulled out a knife.
And without hesitation, he stabbed her.
Once. Twice. Again.
Sirius watched in horror as life was stripped away right in front of him.
The killer suddenly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
Panic exploded in Sirius’ chest. Instantly, he hid behind the wall, covering his mouth to keep from making a sound. His heart was pounding so violently it hurt. His breathing turned shallow.
He didn’t stay any longer.
He ran.
Without looking back.
Without thinking.
Just survival.
He took a longer route back to his apartment, avoiding the alleyways, his footsteps unsteady but fast. Only when he reached his building did he finally stop.
Safe.
Or at least… he hoped so.
The moment he entered his apartment, he locked the door immediately and slid down to the floor.
His chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to breathe. The scene kept replaying in his mind—over and over again. The woman’s scream. The knife. The blood.
“I just witnessed a murder…” he whispered shakily.
His hands trembled as he reached for his phone. He tried calling his friends—anyone—but no one picked up. Voicemail after voicemail.
On the third attempt, Julius finally answered.
But before Sirius could even speak—
Everything went black.
---
“Sirius.”
His eyes shot open.
White ceiling.
Bright lights.
The smell of disinfectant.
A hospital.
He blinked slowly, trying to adjust his vision. A beeping monitor echoed beside him, and an IV line was attached to his hand.
“What…?” he muttered weakly.
“Sirius!”
Julius rushed into his view, panic and relief mixing on his face. “Thank God, you’re awake! Wait—I'll call the doctor!”
Before Sirius could respond, Julius hurried out.
Moments later, a doctor entered and checked his condition carefully.
“It looks like Mr. Kim is stable now,” the doctor said. “He can be discharged anytime, just make sure he eats properly and takes his medication.”
Julius exhaled in relief as the doctor left.
Then he turned to Sirius. “You really scared us.”
“Sorry, Juls…” Sirius muttered, voice weak.
Julius sighed and sat down. “What am I supposed to do with you? You nearly gave Edward a heart attack—he almost left his duty just to come here.”
Sirius frowned slightly. Edward? Right… his friends were all here.
Then suddenly—
Something flickered in his memory.
A woman screaming.
A knife.
Blood.
His breathing hitched.
“Sirius, hey—earth to Sirius!” Julius snapped his fingers.
“Huh?” Sirius blinked. “Did you say something?”
Julius sighed. “Nothing. Just rest.”
---
By afternoon, Sirius was discharged.
Despite his protests, Julius paid the hospital bill and insisted on taking him home. Edward had already gone back to work.
As they walked through the hospital lobby, Sirius suddenly stopped.
“Nabalitaan mo yung nangyari kay Marina?” a nurse said as she passed by.
“Sayang, ang bata pa niya…” another replied softly.
Sirius froze.
The name echoed in his head.
Marina.
His vision blurred.
That same scene flashed again—clearer this time. More real. More violent.
His knees weakened.
“Sirius!” Julius caught him just before he collapsed.
“Doctor!” Julius shouted.
---
Later, the doctor reassured them. “It might just be exhaustion. Lack of food and stress can cause fainting.”
So Julius brought him home instead.
---
That night, Sirius slept… but not peacefully.
Darkness surrounded him.
A woman’s crying echoed endlessly.
“Sirius…”
He turned around, but no one was there.
“Sirius…”
He covered his ears. “Stop…!”
A voice whispered close to him:
“I did this for you.”
His eyes snapped open.
---
He was back in the guest room of Julius’ apartment.
Sweat drenched his body.
His head throbbed painfully.
He slowly got up and walked out.
Voices drifted from the kitchen.
"He can't know it” Julius said firmly.
"I think it's time,” another voice replied.
Sirius paused.
Then stepped in.
“Are you guys arguing?” he asked casually.
Both froze.
Edward quickly forced a smile. “Ah—work case lang. Nothing serious.”
Julius stared at him too long, then looked away. “Yeah. Just… a case.”
Sirius nodded slowly. “I see.”
---
Later, they sent him home.
Julius even left groceries behind.
“Don’t forget to eat,” he said before leaving.
Sirius smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
When they were gone, silence filled the apartment again.
He sat at his desk.
Opened his laptop.
Stared at the blank screen.
“I need to write…” he whispered.
But his head suddenly hurt again.
A flash.
A knife.
A scream.
His eyes widened.
“…I remember.”
Then—
His phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
His hands trembled as he opened the message.
“I know you were watching last night. Tell the police… or you’ll be next.”
Sirius felt his entire world stop.
For the first time—
Silence didn’t feel safe anymore.
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