Cold Case

Chapter 3: Confused

August 10, 2021

The dark hallway of school dormitory that only the moon gives light to it, a shadow of someone can be seen slowly walked to a room. The ticking tock of the clock and the snore of a man laid on the bed can be heard inside.

“I don’t know how you can sleep soundly after the thing you did to him, I did only provoke you a little but you exceed my expectation this time; you really kill him.” The person bends down a little and touch the man face. “You look refined and good; it’s a shame that you are an i***t who can be swayed by others.” The person took something in the pocket.

The needle shone because of the moonlight.

“But I won't let you speak to someone about what happened. For now on, you must sleep forever.” The long silver needle sank on the man skin; the content of the syringe are gradually injected to the man, but as if nothing happen.

++++++

8 am

The room of Mr. Madrigal for his subject began to fill up by students who take his course but he still wasn’t coming, so it was inevitable for others to think they had mistaken the room they had entered. One of these groups is the circle of friend of William; they have been there for almost 30 minutes. Their classmates can still the sadness on their faces, others want to ask them about the incident but they feel the hesitation to approach them.

“Should we ask them how the investigation is?” Maui asks her friend, Natasha but her friend shook her head immediately.

“Why bother trying to ask about the investigation? Even we ask, look at their face from what I see they still not know if it homicide or just a suicide.” Natasha whispered to her friend. She was former friend of Ericka and part of their circle but something happen that she fall apart to them. But what all she can say is she was happy that, Ericka is miserable now like she is 2 years ago.

“I’m just curious, even you and Ericka are not on the good side we still should know what the real reason in the incidents, in the first place Troy is your ex, Natasha.” Maui said.

Natasha sneered. “Exactly he was my ex, and I should stop wasting my time for them.” She flipped her hair and back to what she was doing.

Maui just shrugged her shoulder, sometimes she felt the creep when she have conversation with Natasha. They started be friend last year but sometimes she can still feel the uncomfortable vibes to Natasha.

She glanced to Ericka, she knew how attitude the woman is but for some reason she felt that Ericka is not bad like what Natasha describe her. Maybe her friend only told her that because they fought in the past.

She let a heavy breath out, she really want to talk at least William to know what happen but if she do that, she knew Natasha will be angry to her. She will be out cast again if that happen and she can afford that.

“Uh… Natasha..” She was about to ask permission to Natasha if she can talk to Felix or William at least when finally, Mr. Madrigal arrived.

“Okay, Good morning class sorry for being late because of the traffic jam. For now, I will just take your attendance. I will give you this form and please fill out, make it readable and neat if not I will consider you as absent.” He take out the papers in this black bag when suddenly role up in the floor and stop in front of Maui.

Maui immediately bended down and pick it up, “Sir, something falls on your bag.” Mr. Madrigal suddenly froze when he saw the thing, Maui handed him.

“T-thank you.” The professor stuttered as he extended his hand to get the thing fell in his bag. “Now, here take this form.”

“Sir, can we ask about the incident happened yesterday. Did he really commit suicide or someone push him on the window at the 4th floor?” Someone in the student shouted at the back.

Silence filled the room for the second; they are shocked because someone really has the courage to open the topic about yesterday. Mr. Madrigal cleared his throat; he doesn’t know what he will answer to his student because he also doesn’t know the result of the investigation.

No one in the higher up want to talk about it, so how can a regular professor know the result? The higher ups are afraid that the issue will be a big blow for media and parents will request for refund for the money they paid and will transfer their child to another university.

“The police still not give the result of the investigation, I think it still ongoing and they still cannot tell if someone really pushed your classmate or he commits suicide. But far as I know it is none of your business to talk about it, this topic is too private for a normal student like you. I know all of you are concern about how Troy died but it is more safe for you all to keep yourself away about this incident.” He said.

No one tried to speak again, Maui on the other hand saw the professor hand trembled. She was about to tell it to Natasha but her friend was smirking like i***t.

“Now, if you are finish to fill out the form pass it to the front and give it to me. Tomorrow, we will start the lesson.” Mr. Madrigal added.

“Can we leave after we fill the form, Sir?” Someone ask again, the professor just sighed and nodded. His students quickly finished filling out the form, so even with 5 minutes left, he let them leave to go to the next class. He also followed them, and went to the office to do his other work.

He couldn't help but watch the students’ with their friends walk with happy face as they walked towards their next class. But he let go of the books he was carried scattered on the floor when suddenly one of his students, Maui, appeared next to him.

“I’m sorry, Sir.” She quickly apologized and helped him pick up the books on the floor. “I'm sorry Sir, this is my form. It took me a while to fill out. "She said shyly.

“It’s okay, don't worry thanks for picking up my books."  He replied and smiled at Maui, he was been teacher at the University for a year and the woman is often late for passing but she is smart. He also doesn't see any problem with the projects because the woman did not missed any of her projects when it was in senior high last year. Maybe she was just too embarrassed to keep up with her classmates to pass the form.

“Thank you,” Maui turned her back on him but it was only a few steps away and faced Mr. Madrigal again. “I forgot to tell you, Sir that takes care.” She sweetly said and walks away.

The professor did not know but he felt a horror in her smile. As time went on he gradually became less comfortable at the University. He still remembers his first time at the University, he was still very happy at that time because he had always dreamed of working at a well -known school.

But as time went on and he learned more about the University, he could not help but wonder if his decision was the right one or what he dreamed of. Sometimes he just thinks it is okay, he has to give up what he wants but he just thinks that all his suffering will be wasted when he do that so he gradually changes his mind in no time.

He can’t even remind when the first uncomfortable moment he ever hands, like someone really watch his every move. It was as if someone was always following him. But it always be no one, as if it also his imagination. He walks toward to the office but the sound of sirens distracted him.

“Another one died.” He whispered and walk inside the room like who doesn’t care but his whole body are tensed.