SELENE WOODS

CHAPTER 9

I trudged back to the hotel, clothes and hands soaked in thick,red liquid - looking like i'd walked out of bloody, horror show. A thin layer of sweat coated my paled skin, making a few strands of hair to stick to my face.

Luckily, i reached out to the paramedics on time. I didn't dare think what could have happened if he'd died in my arms.

I swiped my room card, stepping into the shower without a moments delay. Leaning against the tiles, i stared at the red liquid as it went down the drains,soft pants escaping my lips as i tried holding steady.

I was never going on an night stroll ever again!!

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I walked into the busy office, head bowed deeply while my right hand clutched a steaming cup of black coffee.

"Selene,where have you been all morning?. Don't tell me.....are you just coming to work this late?!"

I paused, an exasperated sigh escaping my lips as i turned to look at Rachel. "Don't you ever feel uncomfortable walking in those tight skirts?. You look like you could trip over at any minute..."

" Don't get started with me, Selene!!" - Rachel rolled her eyes, flipping her hair to the side. "What i wear is none of your business, know that and know peace." - She made a sign with her fingers.

I chuckled softly, nodding my head slightly.

" Besides, you look far worse off than me. You're so pale, like you just walked out of a haunting scene. And what's with those dark circles under your eyes?" - She clicked her tongue softly, worry laced around her eyes.

I stared at Rachel silently - "It's nothing." - I replied simply.

Rachel shrugged dismissively, "If you say so. The professor has been waiting for you for a long while now. I'll advice you get that disaster on your face fixed before you meet him." - Rachel twirled her finger in front of my face.

I gave a faint smile, watching as she walked past me and into the corridors. Lowering my eyes, i stared at the black, steaming liquid, sighing softly - There goes my coffee break.

I stood before the Professor's office, knocking against the door thrice.

"Come in!!"

I gripped the door knob, pushing it forward as i made my way inside. As expected, the office decor was strict with files piled high on the large desk. Even the sofa had no more space as some files occupied the space.

The professor had his head buried in work, not sparing me the slightest glance. I shook my head - If i don't strike up a conversation, i might have to stand here forever.

"You sent for me, Prof?" - I asked, my eyes lingering on a small, potted plant as it stood next to the window. It's palm like leaves glistening, looking like it had been watered just recently.

"Huh.......yeah." - He replied absentmindedly. " Have a seat." - He gestured towards a chair in front of him.

I sat down, watching as he packed up his files, trying to create as much space as possible.

"Prof, you really need to take a break from this. You might just end up tiring your body out at this rate." - I spoke gently,my tone laced with concern as he kept fumbling around for something.

He paused, raising his head for the first time since i came in. "You look like you need more of the rest than i do." - He chuckled.

I frowned - This old man was fond of never taking my words seriously. And now, he was deviating from the original discussion.... it's hard getting anything through to him - he's as always, a stubborn mule.

"Okay, okay!!" - He raised his arms in false surrender."I've heard you.......now quit staring at me like that."

" Why did you send for me?"

" Because of these...." - He brought out a brown, dusty file from his desk. His aged eyes stared at me as if searching for something........ anything.

I curiously reached out,hands stroking the aged,brown envelope. "What's this?"

"Your reason for coming here. Evidence that proves that your parents' accident was more than just......an accident." - He spoke, his trembling hands wiping his glasses as he adjusted the thick frame on his nose bridge.

I clenched the file, a piercing pain tearing at my chest. I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart beating rapidly . I sat there, eyes fixated on the file - Torn between grief and curiosity.

"There's just one problem unfortunately, these are more of pointers than actual evidence. You might end spinning around in circles than actual getting anywhere." - Professor added, his tone filled with heavy regret.

"H-h-how did you get these?" - My hands trembled, tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"I never gave up on the case. For years, i spent time collecting them but most of the relevant trails had already been wiped off. No matter how deep i dug, i only ended with nothing." - His voice trembled, barely masking his grief.

My shoulders trembled as i bit my lips, trying hard to suppress my sobs. Years.... for years, he's been collecting evidence alone, while i've been busy deluding myself with that illusion of marriage and 'family'.

"That's why you proposed that i come over." - My hoarse voice cracked, my fingers digging into my skin. "Just so you could hand this over to me...?"

I stared at the Professor, taking his silence as a confirmation. Grief wrapped around me like a cloak, muffling my voice as i tried every possible way not to wail in agony.

"Why didn't you send for me sooner?. If you had come for me sooner....." - I gritted my teeth.

" After your parents' death, you spiralled into depression. I would have sent for you sooner, but you seemed happy whenever you were with him. I didn't want to ruin your happiness,so i decided to let you be." - He paused.

" I never knew that he'd be the one to treat you this cruelly. If i had known, i'd have come for you sooner - That way, none of this would have occurred." - He spoke, regret evidently etched on his face.