Saithilien

Chapter 4 - A Passion For Obsession

The busy streets of Erantha seemed to double its crowd as noon approached. Monique and Katsuro were in a sigh of bliss looking around the big town, then they met a fellow student, along the way. It's Penelope Vadne, Katsuro greeted her with a smile from a far distance. When they're about to pass each other, Penelope intentionally evaded in order to avoid Monique and Katsuro. The shocking response of Penelope made them wonder. Their eyes followed Penelope, and Monique grew suspicion on her. 

They've finally reached Russo's shopping center.

"Cirque de Laviche." Monique read a text in a poster near the center's entrance.

"They're Parthenia's greatest entertainers. They’ve performed in different towns in all kingdoms. And here in Saithilien is their next stop." A well-dressed street boy approached them.

"It says, they will perform in Filerethea. Where is that?" Monique asked.

" Hmm. You two seem not from around here, Filerethea is a gloomy town in the South of Saithilien. About 5 hours train trip from here." The boy answered.

"Why is it gloomy? If the town is eerie, why do they have to perform there?" Monique was in deep curiosity.

"If you want to know more about Filerethea, why don't you go there and see for yourself." The boy suggested.

"The little man has a point," Katsuro said.

Monique grunted at Katsuro and noticed the old couple they met on the train exiting the center. They watched the couple from a distance while the couple rode a carriage.

"They're the center's owners, and they have properties in all the towns here in Saithilien but not in Filerethea. The odd thing is all the women who disappeared came from all the towns they've been on the same day a woman from that town disappeared." The boy said.

"Where'd you get all that information?" Katsuro asked while Monique seemed to be analyzing the boy's statement.

"I'm maybe a kid, but I have sharp hearing skills and memory. I'm a good observer too." The boy explained.

Monique's suddenly struck by some gut feeling and immediately grabbed Katsuro's arms, then entered the center. The center was fancy and had an elegant design, but the aura is eerie. The center's moderately crowded, then they proceeded to the ladies' apparel section on the second floor. The whole floor was the ladies' section, and only one clerk and a cashier were on duty.

That's strange. Monique thought. She randomly grabbed some dresses and walked towards the fitting room. Katsuro curiously followed her from behind. In the fitting room, it had a lot of cubicles with huge mirrors. Many girls were trying some clothes, and Monique's just observing. Katsuro was shocked and immediately left the room. He saw the Russo old lady entered the floor and she conversed with the clerk in charge. Did she just rode a carriage a few minutes ago? Why's she already here so fast? Katsuro thought.

The fitting room was finally empty. Monique entered one of the cubicles, put down all the clothes she brought, and started to look for clues. There's nothing wrong with the cubicle. It's perfectly normal. As soon as Monique opened the cubicle's curtain, the Russo old lady suddenly appeared in front of her.

"So, how’s the clothes?" The old lady asked.

"They're fine." Monique calmly answered, then walked towards the fitting room's door.

"If you want exclusive fancy dresses, we have a VIP section. I'm happy to accompany you there." The old lady smirked.

Monique smiled, and before she could leave the room, the old lady wrapped her right arm around Monique's shoulders. They both left the room. It seemed that the old lady was forcing Monique to walk towards the employee's elevator near the counter.

"I'm sure you'll love the clothes there." The old lady giggled. Monique's struggling to let go of herself from the old lady. This old lady is fascinatingly strong. She thought.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Russo, but we need to go back to the academy." Katsuro blocked them and quickly grabbed Monique's hand, then pulled her to exit the center. The old lady glowered at them as they left.

Outside the shopping center,

"Why'd you let that old woman forced you like that?" Katsuro asked worriedly and a bit annoyed.

"She's a bit strong. I can't fight her grip." Monique explained.

"Then, why'd you not call for my help?" Katsuro was still worried.

"Because I know you'll come to save me!" Monique exclaimed, then pouted. And her cheeks started to blush. Katsuro was shocked and a bit embarrassed, then an awkward silence.

"How was your stroll inside?" The street boy approached them. Monique and Katsuro were startled.

"Uhm. Well. It's," Katsuro was stammering.

"Can you tell us more about the Russos?" Monique asked, and the boy just nodded as a response. They treated the boy to a hotdog bar near the park. Then, they sat below an oak tree to catch some shade.

"They have a kinda crazy son. Every time they'd arrived at the center from the train station, they immediately rode the elevator and went for the basement. And when they came back up, the son was not with them anymore." The boy made a big bite on his hotdog bun.

"Hmm. Do you know anything about the VIP section of the center?" Monique asked.

"I'd never heard anything about a VIP section there." 

"That's weird." Monique wondered.

"Also, their son kept on staring like a maniac to skinny girls they've passed or seen. Such a creep." The boy sighed.

"The mystery is solved," Monique calmly said and stood up. Katsuro and the boy were shocked then looked at her.

"Can you show us the way to the police station?" Monique happily asked the boy.

At the Erantha Police Station, two policemen escorted them to the chief investigator's office. As they entered the room, a big name plate sat on the table. The nameplate read as Harris Vadne.

"What can I do for you?" The chief investigator asked.

"I've been attempted for kidnap by Mrs. Russo," Monique said restfully, walked towards his table and stared at his eyes. The chief investigator and the policemen were shocked, while Katsuro and the boy assessed the situation.

"I've been forced to go somewhere in their shopping center that seemed like the disappeared women might be in." Monique said.

"That's a very strong accusation young lady." The chief sighed.

"Yes, I know and I'm sure of it." Monique blunted.

The chief suddenly came back to his senses and ordered the two policemen to invite and escort Mrs. Russo to his office for questioning.

Everyone patiently waited at the chief's office. "Are you kids, students from St. Catherine's Academy?" The chief asked to break the deafening silence.

"Yes, we are sir. We are transferees. We just came in yesterday." Katsuro answered in a proud manner. Monique grunted at him. The chief glanced at Monique curiously. Then, suddenly the door opened and Mrs. Russo came in with the policemen. She was shocked to see Monique and Katsuro, then she glared at them. She sat across Monique, then the questioning began.

"This young lady claimed that you’ve tried to kidnap her, Is that true ma'am?" The chief turned to Mrs. Russo and asked.

"I was just showing her around, Mr. chief." Mrs. Russo answered.

"You lured those women to your center and offered an exclusive look to your VIP section, which didn't exist. And that non-existent VIP section turned out to be your son's den." Monique said politely.

"Ho How can you say that, Miss?" The chief's still shocked and was stammering.

"You met those women on the train during your trip back to Erantha, praised them with their looks, and gave an invitation to check your center. You purposely chose a train cabin which a type of girl your son likes, occupied" Monique explained seriously. The chief noticed that Monique's right eye was sparkling.

"And remember the women are not from Erantha, they came here to stroll and shop. Each of the women, who disappeared on a specific day, came from the town you've been in that same day. And it seemed that you kept your employees silent and briefed before being questioned by the authorities." Monique looked at Mrs. Russo. Then, a long silence.

"Yes, that's true. All you've said is true." Mrs. Russo sighed.

"A-Are you admitting Mrs. Russo?" The chief gasped.

"All my life I just wanted a perfect son. I was devastated and hurt when he got sick. I was passionate to make my son happy, to give him anything he wanted. His obsession with skinny and good-looking girls bothered me, but what can I do? It's my son's happiness." Mrs. Russo calmly said.

Everyone was speechless while listening to Mrs. Russo's heartbreaking admission. "Mr. Vadne please spare my son, he's sick. He didn't harm the ladies, he fed them happily and cared for them." Mrs. Russo begged.

"But you imprisoned them, and took away their freedom." Monique interrupted and stood up, then walked towards the door. The chief and Mrs. Russo looked at Monique with relief.

"We'll be heading back to the academy. Thank you." Katsuro said farewell and made a bow.

"Thank you, you've also set me free." Mrs. Russo gave her last message to Monique.

Monique stopped for a second then left the room.

"You were amazing back there!" The boy exclaimed.

"Thank you." Monique smiled.

"I'm Ben Carter." The boy introduced himself.

"I'm Monique le Clair and this is my friend Katsuro Kaya," Monique said cheerfully.

"You were also great." Katsuro pated Ben's head and smiled.

Ben willingly offered to escort them to the train station, and they’d walked away from the police building graciously, and with relief. It seemed like a thorn stuck deep has been pulled out from their chests.

Juliana was suddenly astounded and quickly turned to the ancient mirror. A Zel? She thought. She was astonished by Monique's ability and grew interest in her identity. She felt relief and deep curiosity for Monique. Juliana turned to the leaders and looked at them oddly.

"How'd you all picked your representatives?" Monique asked while unwrapping a chocolate lollipop. The leaders started to share their methods. Some used the traditional drawn-out method, while others used computerized selection. Juliana was unsatisfied with their answers and just went through the representatives' profile documents. She intentionally looked for Monique's profile, and as she found it, she just sighed.

“Saithilien is pretty.” Monique gasped as she peeked at the cabin’s window.

“It’s far different from the mythology books back home.”

“Kaya, I was wondering. Why are we really here?” 

It's near sunset when Monique and Katsuro reached the academy's front gate. As they entered, Katsuro offered his right hand to Monique.

"Here," Katsuro said happily.

"What's that?" Monique looked up to Katsuro weirdly and ruined the mood.

"Uh, I was just trying to help. Because it's been a long day." Katsuro explained and was annoyed.

"Kaya! I'm not that weak and I don't get tired easily. I can walk by myself. Hmph" Monique pouted and walked first.

Katsuro just smiled at Monique while she walked away from him. Even though Monique seems tough and smart, she's still a girl. Katsuro thought and sighed. "Oi! Monique! Wait for me." He exclaimed and ran to catch up with her. They immediately went to Navya's room and told her about the trip they had. Navya pouted while listening, she seemed jealous of all the fun and adventure the two experienced. To cheer her up a bit, Katsuro handed a small paper bag.

"Huh? Kaya, why do they look like poop?" Navya said while looking at the chocolate twists inside the bag.

"Hahaha. Told ya." Monique laughed and looked at Katsuro. He just grunted at Monique, then sighed.

"But they're delicious. Thanks." Navya said while eating enjoyably.