Chapter 3
867 Words
I buried my face in my palm, drained of tears. Minutes passed before I found my voice again.
"So... how did he die?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Kate took a deep breath, struggling to control her tears. "I don't know the details, but Landon said he had a quick errand to run. How it turned into a m******e, I don't know... But I have a feeling it's murder, probably from a rival group."
Fresh tears streamed down my face as Kate's voice cracked.
"This is murder... and I know Landon didn't deserve to die. He just..."
Kate's words trailed off, overcome by grief.
"I planned to spend the rest of my life with him. This isn't fair," she whispered, her voice shaking.
The reality of Landon's murder hit me harder than his death. My brother, intentionally killed by someone... The thought ravaged me.
"I need a favor from you," I said, determination rising.
"Anything," Kate sniffled.
"You must know someone here. I need to know exactly what happened to Landon. I need the names of those who did this. My brother won't be wasted like that."
I vowed to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
"I'll see what I can gather," Kate promised, nodding and sniffing her tears.
I stood up, my eyes dry but my heart heavy.
"Get home safe, Kate."
"Will you be okay? We should leave together. We both look like we just walked out of a horror movie," Kate said, handing me my purse. I'd forgotten I even brought one.
"I'll be fine on my own," I assured.
As I walked away from the desolate compound, I knew my journey for justice had just begun.
My head spun, my legs ached, but I kept walking.
I rummaged through my purse and pulled out a cherished photo of Landon and me. Taken last year at his birthday celebration in the park, it captured our joy. We stood side by side, ice creams in hand, beaming smiles on our faces.
"Oh, Landon..." I whispered, clutching the picture to my chest. Sorrow engulfed me.
How did you get entangled in this darkness?
Hours passed in a blur as I walked without direction. The city's sounds – car engines, distant chatter – gradually replaced the silence.
Tears had blurred my vision, but I didn't care. I couldn't tear my gaze from the picture, fearing it would vanish if I looked away.
A harsh car horn shattered the air, jolting me. I tried to lift my gaze, but a deafening bang followed.
My vision darkened, fading to black.
What's happening?
Faint screams echoed around me, but my body felt paralyzed.
All I could do was cling to the picture as the darkness consumed me.
---
At Hope's Medical Center, the atmosphere was sterile and calm, filled with the steady beeps of machines and hushed conversations. The scent of disinfectants lingered.
Ryan was reclining in a chair when his phone rang. He exchanged a brief look with his bodyguard before picking up.
"Hello?"
His father's voice erupted on the other end. "What mess have you gotten yourself into, young man?! I told you to lay low, and you go and run someone over with your car? Drinking and driving? What were you thinking?"
Ryan smirked, anticipating his father's reaction. He replied calmly, "It's not a big deal. I'll handle it."
His father's yelling continued. "You better! This isn't the time to be careless. Fix the problem and stay away from trouble!"
Ryan responded with a simple "Understood" before hanging up.
He wondered what his father feared. Tossing the phone back to his bodyguard, he turned to a approaching doctor.
"How is she?" Ryan asked, his eyes narrowing.
The doctor hesitated. "Ryan, please be more careful next time. That young lady almost lost her life. It was—"
Ryan cut him off. "I didn't ask for advice. How is she?" His raised voice drew attention.
The doctor stuttered, "S-she's better and should be up any minute. You can check on her now, VIP ward 6."
Ryan watched the doctor leave, irritated. Probably the one who informed his father.
He stood with confidence. "You don't have to follow me."
His bodyguard nodded and stayed put.
As Ryan entered VIP ward 6, he planned his conversation. "Once she wakes up, I'll give her a piece of my mind. How dare she imply I'm at fault? She stood there like she wanted to die."
Ryan walked through the stairs, his feet carrying him to the VIP ward as if he owned the place. He'd been here often enough to know every turn.
The VIP ward had warm light that passed through the curtains. The room was spacious, with cream-colored walls and polished wooden floors. In the center of the room, a single bed stood with white linens and a duvet. Upon this bed lay an innocent girl, her delicate features were relaxed,and her eyelashes fluttered occasionally.
The soft rise and fall of her chest was the only indication of her gentle breathing, as if she were a sleeping angel, untouched by the worries of the world.
He approached the bed, studying her like an artwork.
Knock knock.
- Writer
