Mr. and Mrs. Reed

Seven

Ronnie's POV

"How was it?" Wrights asked the moment I entered the office that made me flinched a little. I didn't thought he'd be waiting for me.

I just shrugged then took my coat off. "It was okay, I guess."

"Yeah? What'd he say?"

I didn't utter a word, I just couldn't.

I placed my coffee on the table which I've bought earlier while I was on my way back. I massaged the bridge of my nose as my conversation with that man earlier flashes back to my head.

"Chocolate?"

"Chocolate." he wiped his tears and stood up.

He probably felt embarrassed with all that crying and screaming on his knees earlier. I mean, I don't really mind at all. After all, it was his emotions that drove him to do that. We're all slaves of our own emotions.

"He smells bitter and well, chocolatey. I guess he's Willy Wonka." he giggled with his own words.

I blinked twice, he really had to joke in the middle of this chaos? But wait, Willy Wonka smells like chocolate? I thought he smelled like peppermint? I mean--wait.

Why does that even bother me?

I cleared my throat. "Is there something else that you could describe him, sir?"

He paused and looked up as if he's thinking. "Besides his scent, his voice.."

I nodded, waiting for his next words like a toddler wanting to have his icecream already.

"Nothing really, it was still a voice. Nothing special." he simply said which made me scream a little inside.

"I mean like, was it low or somehow high--"

"To tell you the truth, I thought it was a girl at first. He sounded a bit feminine."

My brows went straight due to my confusion. A girl's voice? Wait, what? Is Mr. Reed really not the real villain here? I mean, that's what I've always thought at the first place but like now--I have two people on the loose!

"Haha! What a pretty butterfly!"

My thoughts were cut off as my attention diverted to the man that's sitting right infront of me as he's currently playing with a fly.

Err, am I making the right choice to listen to this guy? Surely, there's something wrong with him.

I cleared my throat. " I will have to go now, sir." I stood up and was about to leave when I suddenly felt his cold hands on my right arm stopping me.

"Wait, you don't think my daughter is already dead? Do you?"

I blinked a few times, trying to find the right words to say. I couldn't tell him, no, that means I'll be giving him false hopes. I couldn't tell him yes either.

But the truth is, "I don't really kno--"

"Can you check her for me? Tell her that daddy loves her. I love her so much. I really do.."

I shook my head and looked at Wrights that's currently, I suppose, waiting for my response. With his hands in his pockets and that confused look plastered on his face.

"So?" he asked.

I sighed and stood up as I took my coat again.

"Wait, where are you going?" he added.

I cleared my throat before facing him. "I have to go somewhere."

"Oh okay, want me to go with you?" he asked.

I shook my head. "It's fine, I can handle this one."

"You sure?"

I nodded and left.

I was making my way to where that man lives, with a constant speed.

"You know where the barrier is? In the forest. Inside you'll see a hut, that's where my daughter is waiting. That's where we live!" I remember him say before I finally head off.

There are a lot of people that's passing by right now, maybe because its weekends. Out here, living their life. But come to think of it, anyone could be the suspect for this case. She or he could be out there, shopping, swimming or whatever so and once I gather enough informations, I'll surely catch whoever that person is.

I started to notice that the sky is getting a bit dark, like any moment the rain will start coming out to play and the people in the streets will go and find shelter to ignore it. Making the sky, cry even more. Poor rain.

I arrived at the forest within fifteen minutes of driving and saw some teens outside, taking pictures.

I approached them. "Excuse me? Hello. Have you, by chance, saw a hut in this area?"

The three of them looked at each other with confusion and shook their heads. "There's no hut here at all." said the girl with a blonde hair.

I nodded and said thank you.

I took the path that'll lead me to the forest. The barrier's inside, once you get through the other side, there'd be another place. But surely it'll take time, people won't bother anymore and just choose stay here killing their time--and people.

The moment I entered the forest, it was like I entered a different world. It was eerily quiet, I can only hear my own breathing, birds tweeting and the leaves dancing to the rhythm of the wind. For sure if someone's here asides from me, I will hear their footsteps.

I looked around trying to feel the place. Trying to find my way on where I should go.

Why did I even go here?

Five minutes passed, according to my watch, and yet there's not a single hut that's randomly placed here. I saw nothing but trees, and trees, and yes, trees.

I must admit, I'm starting to feel a bit creep out. Good thing, the rain hasn't fallen yet. My luck hasn't ran out.

I sighed out of frustration. Why Lewis? Why?

I made up my mind to just go back to the path that I took and that's when I realised that I'm lost. I am lost. I looked around and couldn't find any reminder that I've been here earlier or what because seriously, all the trees looks the same.

I'm in the middle of nowhere. Great, just great!

I proceeded to walk, hoping that I can find my way back again. And while I was at it, from afar, I saw a figure of a man which made my heart beat fast.

Wait, this doesn't feel so good. Is this a trap? And dumb me, I fell right to it! Hell, Lewis, why would someone build a small house here anyway?

Genius Lewis.

I hid behind the largest tree I could find even if they all look exactly the same and just fetch my phone. There's no single bar here and I'm running out of choices. I even left my gun in the car.

I slowly took a peek on the direction where I saw the guy earlier and noticed that he was no longer there. This is bad. Where could he be? Or, what is he?

I have to think about something, I couldn't be just here hiding. It's almost dark and it will start raining soon.

"Who are you hiding from?"

My heart instantly fell to my lungs when I heard a sudden soar-deep voice from my back. I'm currently stopping myself from screaming.

Wait, is this the guy that I saw? Why didn't I hear him?

I swallowed the big lump in my throat as I decided to slowly face him.

My brows went straight when I saw an old man in front of me.

"Why are you here? It's almost dark." he asked before I could even utter a word.

I cleared my throat. "Who are you?"

"I should be the one asking that. I live here."

I blinked a few times. "You, what?"

"Yes, somewhere there. I live there with my family. I just got out to check because my kid said there was someone lurking around here. Guessing that's you."

I fixed my clothes and scratched my nose. "Pardon sir, but I'm looking for my way out."

"Out?" he confusingly asked.

"Yes, sir. Could you please help me sir?"

It took him a few seconds before nodding his head and I felt somewhat relief. I cleared my throat once again. Okay, this'll be the last time I'd be trusting a stranger.

We both made our way back, like I said, silently hoping that he will really lead me to the exit. If not, then goodbye.

"How did you got here anyway?" he asked out of the blue, breaking the awkward silence.

"Oh, I'm making a favor for someone, he said he lives here." I simply replied and sighed. Oh wait, "Say, you might know him."

"Well, possibly. Who is he?"

"Prashant." I simply responded.

His face suddenly turned dull. Did I say something wrong?

"Oh, that guy." he boringly said. Why? What's wrong?

"You should never trust that guy." he added which made me really confused.

"Why?"

"He's crazy." he simply replied.

We both arrived at the exit which made me fill with joy. "Thank you so much sir!" I blurted out and scratched my head.

"Um, is that so? He told me he's being misunderstood by everyone. That he's doing everything for his daughter." I added.

"Daughter? What daughter? He didn't even have a family."