Obscured Possession

Chapter 2

(Helena's POV)

I ran out of the building and squeezed through the crowd of curious bystanders.

"Why would he commit suicide?" I heard a girl whisper.

"I don' t know. I heard he was dumped awhile ago." Her friend whispered back.

"Poor guy... That girl must really be heartless to do that thing to him." She clucked her tongue.

My heart skipped a beat.

Could it be?

I shook my head. I hope not.

Then, I saw him and my worst fear is confirmed.

"Oh my God." I put my hand over my mouth to keep myself from vomiting.

It is Peter Sanders. His features are barely recognizable from falling from the top of a five storey building but I would never mistake him with anyone else. He is still wearing those clothes that he wore earlier even though it soaked in blood. His blood is spattered anywhere, painting the pavement and glass windows red.

Why would he commit suicide? I looked around.

I saw my friends on the other side of the glass window. Luke held Athena closely to his chest while Michael is nowhere in sight.

I remembered the murders at my town. Jacksonville is around 100 miles away and Julian is dead right? This is suicide, i***t. Surely, this isn't connected. I silently chastised myself.

"Move over kids! Police. Move over!" A loud voice came from the crowd and I am forced to move from where I stood.

Some policemen walked over to where Peter lay and looked around. They are already starting the investigation.

How many times have I seen this kind of procedure? I thought as I looked at them .

"Helena Blackthorn?" A familiar male voice spoke behind me. I spun around and came face-to-face with one of my old acquaintances, Detective Allen Taylor.

"Detective." I acknowledged him. The last time I saw him was two years ago after I woke up from coma.

"We always meet in this kind of situation." He half smiled. "And this time, it is a possible suicide." He said grimly.

"You think so?" I muttered.

"Why? Do you have any idea?"

"No. But why would he commit suicide?" I said.

"You know the victim?" Allen asked me curiously.

"Peter Sanders. He was my suitor. I dumped him not even an hour ago." I said in a small voice.

He got a notepad from his breast pocket and started scribbling notes.

"Do you honestly think that he would commit suicide because of that reason?" He asked.

"I don't know. We're not really close."

I suddenly remembered Julian's older sister. "Uh.. How's Delilah?" I asked.

"She's fine." His voice is suddenly grim.

"Are you guys... still together?"

"As of now? No." He looked pained all of a sudden. "Lena, I don't think that this is a good place to talk about her."

"Sorry." Are they separated? But I thought that they love each other.

"We still love each other. It's just that..." His voice trailed off.

I saw Michael walking towards us and even before I can think of anything, I suddenly found myself being enveloped in his arms.

"Are you okay?" He whispered and I nodded, unable to say anything. Suddenly uncomfortable with this kind of proximity. We are close friends but we've never been this close. There is always a distance between us.

"It's nice to see you again, detective Taylor." I heard him say.

"Michael Edward Stevens. Despite the current situation, I would like to say that it's nice seeing you here. Helena, Can I invite you out after the preliminary investigation? Just in case you want to see Delilah, I mean. You can come too, Mr. Stevens."

"Sure." I said. I looked up at Michael. "Do you want to come?"

He shrugged. "I and Delilah aren't really close. Just say hi to her for me."

(His POV)

I seethed in anger as I watched Michael hug Helena. She should be mine. I even pushed that stupid crybaby off the building because he keeps on getting in my way but this one just won't stop.

"I'll kill you one of this days." I vowed as I walked away.

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(Helena's POV)

The investigation dragged on so the classes cancelled and all the students are advised to stay on their dorms on the other side of the school or go home. I went home to my apartment which I share with both Michael and Luke to change out of my clothes and to kill some time before I go out with Allen.

I sighed as I looked at my reflection on the mirror. I am wearing another one of my band shirts. This time, it is a Cold Play shirt. I haven't changed my style even after I entered college. What's the point in doing so anyway? I locked my bedroom door and saw Luke and Athena lounging on the sofa while watching some documentaries about sea animals. Michael is not around. I think that they have an emergency meeting. He's the Lakewood University student council's president by the way.

"I'm going out!" I waved at the couple and made my way out. I just hailed a taxi instead of asking Luke to drive me back to Lakewood. Not when he's having a really good time with his girl.

"Hey!" Allen waved at me when I arrived at the University's gate. He is leaning on his white Toyota.

I smiled as I made my way towards him.

"So where are we headed at?" I asked as he drove.

"Perhaps grab some burger and fries at the nearest McDonalds before we visit Del." He smiled fondly when he said her name. "She loves their burger."

"You said visit. Did something bad happen to Delilah? Is that the reason why you are not together?" I demanded.

"No. Not really. It's actually for the best." He stopped the car and looked at me. "You'll see why."

He remained silent throughout the trip. He didn't even talk to me when we ordered food in McDonalds. I know I should feel insulted with this kind of treatment but maybe Allen Taylor's problem is bigger than mine at the moment.

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I found ourselves parking on a mental asylum's lot.

"Is this where-?" His grim look said it all.

We entered the building. Everything is so blindingly white. From the walls to the staff and patients' uniforms. I decided that I don't like this place. I'll go insane just like the people who reside in here.

A uniformed female nurse ushered us towards Delilah's room. She keeps on talking with Allen, clearly awestruck with his looks, all the while ignoring my presence.

We stopped in front of a wooden door with the name Lia Taylor on it. The nurse produced a key and let us inside.

Delilah sat on her bed. An Ipad on one hand and a cup of tea on the other. She doesn't look like one of these patients. I suddenly remembered she disguised as a shrink before I learned about her. I wonder why she is here.

Her room is mainly white but it looks like a mini bedroom. There is as small fridge next to her bed and a book case filled with different kinds of reading materials stood on one corner. I wouldn't believe she's a patient if she's not wearing one of those stupid uniforms. Her hair looks different though. The last time I saw her, it has rainbow streaks in it but now, it is platinum blonde. I guess it is her hair's natural color.

"Helena Blackthorn! It is nice to see you again!" She grinned from ear to ear. She ran to me and hugged me as if we were longtime friends.

"Helena!" She suddenly burst in tears. "Allen wouldn't listen to me! I told him that Julian is alive and I saw him but he wouldn't believe in me and sent me off to this horrible place instead."

I froze. "What?" I looked at her.

"Julian is alive! My brother is alive!"