PIERCE (BL novel)

CH1

-1-

PIERCE

"The police stumbled upon a car wreckage at the bottom of the bridge. A man was found inside. He died on impact because the fall was over 40 feet," I began while showing the presentation in front. All the staffs are seriously looking and inspecting every corner of my case report.

"The backseat door was open while the other doors were locked. A phone was found inside the vehicle. It was inside the compartment. My team conducted an investigation on the said cell phone to find out if he may have been using a cell phone while driving as a reason for his loss—lose control of the steering wheel and fall," I continued. They nodded at what I said. I walked to the center then nodded to continue.

"The victim's most recent text was 7 hours ago and the crash occurred 4 hours ago. That means, he was not holding his cellphone while driving. His most used contacts were only 2 persons named Freya Hugh and his wife—Ave Cavana ," everyone was still listening quietly so I continued with the case I was discussing.

"The crash diagnostics says that the car crashed into the vailing of the bridge and the speed it ran was enough for the car to fall straight down. According to the autopsy done on the victim's body, he died 4 hours ago due to a head injury trauma and blood loss. There were no signs of her being intoxicated nor being engaged with alcohols. There were also no signs of struggle," I said carefully. I kept my posture despite everyone's serious and scary looks at me. They seem to question my ability at presenting.

"We've proceeded to the family of the victim. According to their children, there are often fights between their parents. Also, during the investigation, the whole house was really messy and dirty," I said. Now one of the officers sitting at the long table spoke.

"Where was the wife at that time?," asked our Deputy Chief. "We found his wife sleeping on the messy sofa," I answered. It's true. She doesn't seem to care about what is happening. When I saw him, I really doubted.

"There was also this last text at 4:53 pm for Freya saying she was going to his house. The last call to the victim's cell phone was also Freya Hugh 8 hours ago. I conclude that there's something going on between the two of them. And I'm right because Freya admitted her relationship between her and the victim," I took the folder and gave it to the Chief. He immediately looked at it and read it.

"In fact, Ave Cavana who is his wife, knew that the victim was cheating on her. She went with the victim that afternoon and she got an opportunity to hit the victim causing him to lose control of the steering wheel due to the impact. When he saw the car was about to fall off the bridge, she immediately jumped out so that the backseat door was open," when I said this, the Deputy immediately smiled at me. It looks like he has read the end of this case.

"Trace evidence suggests he must have on an ideal surface and ended up not being harmed. Therefore, the person who killed Mr. Troy Cavana was his own wife," I concluded. Everyone in the hall stood up and applauded except for the Chief who just sat and looked seriously.

"I will prepare the arrest warrant for the suspect. Make sure he can't escape the law," Chief promised coldly. Nothing is as horrible as the way he speaks. Even me as his own nephew is afraid of him.

In my whole life of seeing and being with Chief Heu, I have never seen him smile. Among him and my Daddy, he is the most grumpy and very serious. But I can't deny that he is a kind person.

Since my Daddy died, he took care of me and took care of me. He treated me like his own son and helped me enter the Police Station and get a job.

Even though I'm his nephew and he's my Uncle, I don't call him Tito Heu. I'm more comfortable calling him by his formal name—that's Chief Heu.

"Congratulations, Police Officer Voabhs. I can already feel your promotion!," said Deputy Chief Maxx happily. I just smiled.

Out of all the people here, he is the closest to me. Because he is friendly to everyone regardless of high or low rank. Everyone likes him and he really has a lot of friends.

If he didn't approach me, I'm sure I wouldn't have any friends here. It's as if people here are uncomfortable to be with me and I know why.

Jealousy is inevitable at work. Many people say that the only way I got into this job is because my Uncle is the Chief. That is not true. I studied Criminology and graduated. I took the exam and passed. I think I deserve to be here.

"I really hope that you can do this case," said Chief while patting my shoulder. "I'm sure your Daddy is happy today," I said. His line is always like this when the case I handled is a success. That's good. Because that's what I really want.

To make Daddy proud of me.

"Let's talk about your promotion," said Chief Heu which surprised me. "Promotion? How many years has he been here Chief. It's not possible," our Assistant Chief contradicted. It's obvious that someone has a grudge against me. He stared at me like I was a prey.

"I just have one last thing for him to do," I frowned at what Chief said. While Assistant Chief Gin's face could not be painted.

'You're just jealous.'

"A case has not been closed since the last 10 years," Chief began. Now there are only four of us left in the hall—me, Maxx, Gin, and Chief.

"Is the Montevillus case you're pursuing, Chief?" asked Deputy Chief Maxx. Chief nodded. "It's been 10 years since Leon Montevillus passed away," said Chief. I, on the other hand, kept my forehead wrinkled and did not understand anything that was being discussed.

"I want you to handle the case of the Montevillus," Chief said causing his Assistant to stand up. "Not even I succeeded in that case. It's hard to bring down that family, Chief. Why would you give it to a novice?," Chief Heu sighed. I was shocked.

Shouldn't he just say that he's about to die being envy at me?

"Nothing to lose if we let Pierce try," Maxx said with a smile. "What should I do?," I just now had the voice to speak again.

"Close the case. Bring down their family," those words of the Chief stuck in my mind. He gave me a black folder that I hadn't noticed before. He nodded as a signal for me to read its contents.

'Ledger Montevillus.'

That's the name on the top of the paper. Is the ledger mentioned earlier? It doesn't seem like that.

I continued reading. This is an informational background of the Ledger. I looked at Chief while confused.

"Do your research. Do your research and find out everything you need to know," he said meaningfully before walking out the door. Assistant Chief Gin stood up from his seat while giving me a bad look.

"If I didn't do it then, it's impossible for you to do it now," he said seriously then stormed out of the hall. Maxx and I were left looking at each other.

"Gin's anger issues are really big," he commented with a laugh. I just shrugged and arranged the documents I was holding.

"I'll go first Deputy Chief," I politely said. He nodded then lightly tapped me on the shoulder. "Go for the promotion," he said with a smile. Somehow I felt relieved as I walked out.

A thought suddenlu popped in my mind. Is this Montevillus family really strong and even the current Assistant Chief didn't overthrow them before?

Curiosity came alive in my whole being. The more questions in my mind, the more I want to know about this long-running case.

When I got to my table, I immediately opened my computer and typed in the name Ledger Montevillus.

If they couldn't close it then, then I will.

RANOV

"Brother, I have a question," I scratched my head when I heard the voice of my useless sister standing at the door of my room again.

"Oh, do you really need to hold your chest?," I frowned when I asked. She looks like a dumbass and is still holding her chest.

"My heartbeat is fast, it's not that I'm in love. Or maybe I'm in love and I just don't know it?," I immediately threw my pillow at her. "Study!" I yelled at her. She frowned as she sat on my bed. I just followed her with my eyes while fixing my uniform. There's a class today and she's just waiting for me to get ready so we can leave together.

"Sometimes I can't breathe. Look, Brother, am I in love?," I stopped myself from hitting the flower vase on my side at hee. "Stop that love. Finish your studies," I said seriously.

That's what I want for her. That is also what our parents want for us. Since our parents passed away, I have been responsible for everything. In taking good care of her and educating her.

Where do I get the expenses? I have a part time job every night until dawn in a shop. My salary is just enough for tuition and our daily expenses.

"Come on. We're late," I pulled her out of the house where my motorcycle was waiting. We only live in an apartment. The rent here is cheap, although it's a bit small, it's okay.

In less than a few minutes we reached the school. I'm telling you, it's only my motorcycle that flies.

"How are you?," I asked my sister. She was pale and holding her chest. "S-Slowly run next time! I'm only in grade 10, I don't want to die yet," she snorted at me. I immediately made her drink water then messed her hair.

"Study hard, Raya. Get organized," she nodded. "Bye!" she ran to their building without glancing at me. I started the motor engine going to my building.

I'm in grade 12 senior high school and will graduate this year. I don't even know if I can go to college. It's too expensive to spend. Maybe I'll just look for a job and support Raya until she graduates.

"Ranov!," that voice is the one I curse most of all. "Don't get me started," I threatened him. He walked over to me and patted my shoulder.

"It's early in the morning and you have that temper," he told me. Because I'm not like him, his gums are about to come out when he smile even if there's nothing to smile about.

"You look old!," he teased. I elbowed him to remove his arm from me.

I don't know why since the opening of the class, he has been acting very close to me. We are not close. I can't even say we are friends. I don't have any friends. I don't want plastic people in my life.

"Hey, Ranov! I'll copy later," he didn't get away with me until I sat in the chair. My life won't really be quiet when I'm here at school together with this monkey.

"Ranov!," he called my name again. I immediately took my notebook and hit him. "Damn it! What are you doing!," he complained as I hit his forehead.

"Look. Stop, stop bothering me," I told him in a warning tone. He nodded then took his cell phone to play. He'll play and then ending up with a low score in the quiz.

Why the hell do I need to care about this guy?

I just continued reading. Maybe there will be a quiz later. I don't want to open my eyes and guess later. Maybe I won't graduate yet by chance.

"Ranov," I closed my eyes when the demon next to me whispered again. "Why again?!" I whispered back. "I'm hungry," he said like a child. I didn't pay attention to him. What do I have to do with his hungry stomach?

"Ranov," I hit the desk when he called me again causing the teacher to look at me. "What's your problem, Mr. Gerges?" asked Ms. Jeri. I stood up and took a sip.

"I need to go to the comfort room," I answered. My shameless seatmate immediately grabbed my arm. "Can I go with you?," I immediately hit him with the book I picked up. "Are you stupid?," I walked out annoyed.

When will I graduate? For a year, I endured my seatmate. The word 'thick' would be shy in the thickness of his face.

I'm not really going to pee. I can't really think of any excuses for the teacher. I glanced at the time on my cellphone. Maybe about 10 minutes before I'll go back to the classroom.

I sat in one of the cubicles. Can I vent my pet's anger first? But it might be hung. I'd rather do it later at night.

Just as I opened my cell phone, it rang. An unregistered number is calling.

"Hello?" I asked on the other line. ["Hello? Is this Raya Gerges' guardian?,"] I was immediately nervous at what she said. "Yes. Why, what happened?," I stood up and left the cubicle.

["Ms. Gerges is in the clinic right now. Please come see her here,"] she said and then the line was cut. I immediately went to where my motorcycle was and drove to the junior high school building.

I immediately made my way to the clinic. I caught Raya sitting on the bed.

"What happened to you?" I asked worriedly. "I'm telling you, my chest hurts!," she told me. The nurse came to us.

"I think you need to see a doctor. Her heartbeat is abnormal. I'm worried about her health," said the nurse. I glanced at Raya. She was pale and looked weak. It's not that bad.

"Just rest. My sister is fine," I promised. The nurse reluctantly nodded then left. "Take me home, Brother. I feel bad," she said then stood up. I nodded then supported her.

When we got home, I presented that I was not going back to school. "You're a graduating student, Ranov! Don't ruin your attendance," I glared at her. "What do you call me?" I asked seriously. "Brother, hehe," if she didn't feel so bad, I might have hit her with a pillow.

"I'm going back to school," I bid goodbye to her. "Alright. I can handle myself," she said smiling. I nodded then decided to take the road back to the school.

I was even late to class but I told the reason so they said it was considered. But this s**t sitting here next to me can't understand

"You did it on purpose! You just left and never came back," I stopped myself from paying attention to him. There is no point in what he's being said, so it is boring to talk.

"Do you have a sister?" he asked. I just glanced at him but didn't answer him. "Are you cursed now?," I sighed and closed the book with a bang.

"Stop it," I said seriously. He messed up my hair so I immediately patted his hand. "What's your problem?" I asked him arrogantly. He shook his head then smiled.

"What's wrong with your face? Smile at least once," I don't know why this man wants to interfere in my life. "I don't smile for no reason," I answered sarcastically.

"You can use me as an excuse. Yiee," I gave him the middle finger sign. This man is disgusting.

He teased me all day long. I don't pay attention to this p***y. I know he's just lack of too much attention. Why doesn't he disturb our other classmates?

"Your motorcycle is really cool," he commented. He said that a billion times. "What are you doing here?," he followed me to the motorcycle parking area.

"I just want to see your motorcycle again," I frowned. I really don't know if this man has a sense of humor or is really just a mongoloid.

I started my motorcycle and left without saying goodbye. Why should I say goodbye?

"Raya!," I called my sister when I got home. No one answered. Maybe she's asleep.

I knocked on her room before entering. I was surprised to see her lying on the floor with blood in his mouth. I immediately picked her up and hailed a taxi.

"Fvck! Right now no one is passing by!," I glanced at my sister who was already pale and still unconscious. I don't know how long she has been in this situation. The important thing is that I can take her to the hospital immediately.

A black car stopped in front of us. When I opened the window, my head immediately got hot.

"What are you doing here?!," I asked annoyed. "I don't have time to fool around with you," I said then looked around to seek a taxi.

"Ride," he said seriously. I was a little surprised by his attitude. "I don't want to," I said firmly.

"Do you want your sister to be im danger?" he asked. "Okay, fine," he was about to drive away when I stopped him. "We'll ride," I sighed and got into his car.

I glanced at my sister. She is still breathing.

"What happened to her?," his face is serious now and it's really surprising. What did he eat?

"I only saw her unconscious when I got home. There was blood in her mouth," I answered. The conclusion started forming in my brain. I am worried about my sister's condition.

"What is that?! What kind of Big Brother are you?!," he scolded me. I was going to yell back at hum but we arrived at the hospital so I immediately called the nurse to assist. Raya was immediately taken to the emergency room where I could not enter.

I sighed and sat down on one of the chairs. A figure was standing in front of me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. He sat next to me. "Your sister will be fine," he said then tapped me on the shoulder. "Who wants her to be unwell?," I asked sarcastically. He hit me so I looked at him.

"You are in trouble and yet you still have no sense of kindness in your body," he said. "You have no right to hit me," I said seriously. He smiled at me like a fool.

"As long as you need help or a favor, just come to me," I raised my eyebrows. "Who do you think you are?" he sighed. "I don't know how to talk to you anymore!," he said curtly.

I stared at the ER door while praying that the doctor would come out with some good news.

"It's late. Eat first," I don't know why this man is still here. "What are you doing here?" I asked him. "Because you haven't paid your fare to get here yet," my ears perked up at what I heard. The fool is waiting for a payment. I thought it was a thing he want to do—willingly.

"Just kidding! I'm just giving you moral support," I looked at him seriously. "I don't need it," just as I stood up, the doctor came out of the ER.

"How is my sister, Doc?" I immediately asked. Based on his face, I'm not sure if the news he have is good. "Your sister's condition is not good," he answered.

"What do you mean?," I asked again. "The patient has a heart failure according to the symptoms shown by his body," my knees softened at what he said.

Heart failure. My sisterr is sick. Not just an ordinary disease but a disease that can destroy her.

I don't know what to do and what to feel at this time. Did I really fail to take care of her? Am I ignoring her health too much?

"Calm down," he helped me sit down. "Why is the world unfair to me?," why am I the one given this serious problem?

"I know you can do it. If you need anything, tell me," I feel so heavy. I let myself be trapped in the embrace of the man next to me now.

So much pain inside. I can't handle it of my sister will also leave me.

"Leave me alone for now," I begged then pulled away from his embrace. "Eat first," he said. "Please. Leave me alone," I said weakly. He held me by both shoulders.

"Eat first. Then, I'll leave you," he said. I didn't have the strength to argue so I went with him to a restaurant in front of the hospital.

"What do you want to eat?" I knew he was asking me but no words wanted to come out of my mouth. He sighed then spoke to the waiter.

"Don't think too much about what happened," I addressed him. "Don't think too much? It's my sister's life in danger!," I snorted at him.

"I know. Do you also want to be hospitalized if you don't eat?" he asked. I sighed. "Eat," he ordered when the waitress placed the orders.

I took a bite of the food in front of me with no appetite. I don't know how many thousands I can spend on my brother. I'm definitely not making enough money from the shop. Especially tonight, I can't work so I won't earn anything.

"You don't have to do it yourself. I'll help you," I don't know why the man in front of me is treating me this way. I never showed him good treatment.

"You have nothing to do with my problem," I said reluctantly then stood up. "Go home. I'm going back to the hospital," I told him then headed straight out of the restaurant. He didn't follow me anymore so I breathed a sigh of relief.

Now I need a peaceful mind. I entered the room my sister had moved to. She is still unconscious and is very sound asleep.

Many devices are attached to her and I feel sorry for her situation now. I didn't see any sign before that she was sick. She is very active and looks healthy. She just recently told me about her chest pain and that she was having trouble breathing.

I held Raya's hand and kissed it. "Wake up. I promised Mom and Dad that I wouldn't leave you but that doesn't mean you have the right to leave me too," tears started to fall from my eyes. "Raya, I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I ignored what's happening to you," I felt really sorry. What she told me about her feeling is true. It's true that she feels something in her body.

I looked at the door when it opened. It spat out the doctor followed by a nurse.

"Doc," I bowed slightly in respect. "It's lucky that you brought your sister here right away. Hee condition is not too bad and there is still a way to do it," the doctor's words made me feel hopeful.

"What can be done to get her better, Doc?," I asked desperately. "Operation," he answered.

Operation? I'm sure a lot of money is really needed here.

"The surgery costs 500,000. That doesn't include the drugs and medicines you have to buy," I depressed. The good news is that it can be treated. But its very expensive price is a bad news.

"Within a week, the operation should be done so that it doesn't get worse and your expenses wouldn't increase even more," the doctor added. I washed my face. Where do I get that amount?

My salary is only five thousand a week. It's impossible for me to get that much money right away.

"Doc," a manly figure came inside from the door. Based on the uniform, it is a police officer. He looks elegant, respectful, and maybe he is only a few years older than me.

"Police Officer Voabhs," the Doctor mentioned the policeman's name. "I'm here to get Ave Cavana's medical records," he said. He glanced at my side before returning his gaze to the doctor. I wiped the tears from my cheeks. It's as if he's getting pissed off. Are men not allowed to cry?

"Suicide is the cause of her death," answered the doctor then handed a folder to the police. "After killing her husband, she took her own life. That's easier than being imprisoned for life," the tone of the policeman's speech was annoying. Too sarcastic.

He said goodbye and glanced at me before leaving the door. Is that a problem?

"As I said, the surgery should be this week. For now, rest first," suggested the Doctor. I nodded to him when he said goodbye and left followed by his assistant nurse.

My cell phone rang which I put on the side table. A message from my shameless classmate.

'No matter what happens, don't commit suicide.'

That's the content of his text. I laughed a little. There is really nothing that he can be done sanely in life.

I didn't answer him but my phone rang again. Another message from him.

'If you need something, don't be shy to tell me. You're lucky to have a friend like me named Lennox Montevillus.'

The face is really thick. Even if it was necessary, I didn't say anything that we were friends. He didn't text again that's why I hid my cellphone.

I laid my head on my sister's hospital bed and closed my eyes. Today is very tiring. Maybe tomorrow I will think about what I should do. Right now I need to rest my body and mind. I sighed and let sleep engulf my whole body.

PIERCE

a novel by chimeric_swty