Cold Case

Chapter 2: Cellphone

The man's cellphone ringtone sounded louder as the girl approached a room where that sound was coming from. Ericka’s heart was beating so fast but she still want to see why Troy’s phone is inside, why doesn't the man have his phone if they talk that time when the man falls out the window.

Her trembled hands gently touched the doorknob and turned it, the door created a terrified sound caused the three of them to creep even more. She opened the door more widely and turned on the light and she was so shocked by what she saw, she couldn't help but scream at the same time as she smelled a very foul smell around.

“What happened? Why is someone shouting? ”Confused, a male professor came out and quickly approached where the woman was sitting in panic. As a result, even other professors and students who are starting classes cannot be prevented from leaving their classrooms to gossips.

The people around them quickly covered their noses as they could smell the foul odor coming from the room. Some of them almost vomit because of the stench; others were unable to see the wormy and rotting dead rats inside.

"That's Troy's cellphone." William whispered.

It continues to sound and vibrate. It was obvious that it was only there because there were only a few worms still clinging to it. Although William was sick of the smell, he quickly entered the room and picked up his friend's phone with his handkerchief. It is good to be careful when handling the belongings of a murdered person.

"Call the police again! I don't know what's going on but send all the students back to their dorms first!" The head teacher's bewildered command to his colleagues. Only now has something like that happened at the university since he worked there for decades, his hands were shaking and cold, he didn’t know how to explain it to the parents and if spread about what was happening in the media and surely tarnish the name of the school.

He immediately took the phone out of his pocket when he felt it vibrate, as if all his blood had dropped when he saw the name on the screen. Why is he more afraid of the parents of the students and the media if there is something even more frightening about them?

“H-hello? I-I will take care of it immediately, d-do not worry just give me some time." He stammered, even though the person on the other line could not speak, he immediately preceded it with an explanation. He didn't want to hear it voice that could make him shiver all over his body.

Only breath can be heard on the other line. It doesn't speak but the professor is not able to turn off the call line, he has no right to do that and he knows that. The old man can only wait for it to automatically turn off the call. When did he really start having contact with this mysterious man? It was only before the school year began that he began to be harassed and blackmailed that it would affect his family, what an old man like him can do if he doesn't just follow his whims.

"Sir, if we could, we would like to see the CCTV footage from this morning before the incident with Troy." The old man could almost let go of his phone when suddenly someone spoke next to him. This is the friend of the man who fell recently in the other building on the fourth floor, he did not know what to answer especially and he knew the person on the other line was still listening. He did not want to make a wrong decision because he would be the one to perish.

"...Uhm, I-I..That's I." The old man's mind went blank; he could already feel the cold sweat coming out of his forehead. What exactly was the right decision he should make. Then suddenly, he heard the sound of his cellphone proof that the call was over. It was as if the heavy load on his chest had been removed and he was finally able to breathe easily.

"Sir?" The young man called to him again. His face was worried as he looked at him, "Are you all right, you're pale." He added. But the old man just smiled and shakes his head.

"I'm fine, what were you asking again earlier?" The old man asked calmly, he had to act that everything was fine and he could still think clearly even though there was something going on at the University.

“I'm just wondering if we can see the CCTV footage from before Troy's accident happened, it's surprising because his cellphone went here but Ericka said she talked to Troy just a few minutes before Troy's fall happened.” the young man explained and the old man nodded.

“"Is that so? If only I would agree but maybe it's better if we let the police and detectives do that first, it's hard to get involved in a serious matter especially when it comes to crime. It's even better if go back to your assigned dorm first and we'll just let you know.” That is what the old man said; maybe it's safer to make such a decision than to let the kids get involved in such a matter.

“"But Sir, the one who died is a friend of ours! We need to see what happened, what if the police don't let us know about the investigation, how come we also want to know what's going on and if he was killed." The woman couldn't help but join the conversation but the old man just shook his head.

“Like what I said, just wait for the police to do their job. Go back to your dorm and wait for the outcome of the investigation and if anyone sees anything suspicious in the CCTV footage. It would also be better if you also give your friend's phone to the police to see if there are other fingerprints found there besides his.” That's all it said and turned its back on them.

+++

Felix clenched his hand tightly because of the old man's decision not to even let them watch the CCTV footage. That's all they can do they haven't been allowed yet! “Maybe we can ask for help from someone else just in case.” He said.

“It would be better if Officer Kiro could talk to us again; I think he is ready to keep us informed of everything that is happening. For now, let's just follow the professor's advice and go back to the dorm.” That was William's suggestion, because it was very impossible for them to take action because they were just students.

“Are you serious, William? Will you just let the cops go while we just wait in a corner? ”Felix asked his friend in disbelief.

“I think William is right that we just go back to the dorm first, Felix. There's nothing we can do and we certainly won't be allowed to enter the CCTV room. "It was Ericka and she started walking away.

William also started to walk away from where he was standing; only Felix's gaze followed them. As they moved farther and farther away from him, an emotion gradually arose in his eyes.

 Satisfaction!