GRIEVOUS VENGEANCE

CHAPTER 19

Luke, Cathy and Darryl are all in Luke's house. They are not going out of the house and not even touching any phone. They've been staying in his room for more than twenty four hours now.

"What are we going to do?" Cathy asked. "Are we just going to hide here forever?"

"We can't go out. What if Sandy will appear somewhere?" Luke kicked the empty bottle of vodka. It didn't break but it made a noise. His room is dirty and smelly, but they didn't bother about it. They are more afraid of seeing Sandy again.

"We were at Darryl's house yet Sandy was there!" Cathy shouted due to frustration. "Why am I in this mess? I didn't even hurt her! It was you!" She pointed at Darryl.

Darryl's face turned to red. "I didn't intentionally kill her! I didn't notice she was at the ledge of the rooftop! Damn!" He grabbed her hair using his both hands. "Who wants to be a murderer?"

"But you tried to r**e her!" Luke exclaimed. "You molested her!"

"I was high that time, okay? Happy?" His eyes are red and his anger meter is at the peak.

"Aren't you high now? You are always high," Luke whispered.

Darryl couldn't control his emotion anymore. He stood up and grabbed Luke's collar to force him to stand up. He punched him in the face. He grabbed him again in the arm.

"Darryl!" Cathy shouted. "Stop it, you moron!" She held Darryl's arm to stop him in punching her boyfriend, but he pushed her away and punched Luke's face again.

"You stop it, you murderer!" Cathy shouted. "Let Luke go!" She grabbed a tennis racket from the corner and hit Darryl in the head.

Luke's parents came in. "What's happening?!"

"Kick this person out!" Cathy said. "He's hurting Luke!"

"What is this smell?" Luke's Dad covered his nose. "Are you taking drugs, Luke?"

"No, Dad! It's him!" He pointed to Darryl. "He's a drug addict! He's trying to kill me!"

"You!" Luke's Dad came closer and grabbed Darryl's arm. He dragged him outside the room. Cathy, Luke and his Mom followed them outside of the house. "You stay away from Luke! I don't care if you're the city councilor's son!" He pushed him outside the gate. Darryl lost his balance due to intoxicity, and fell to the ground.

Luke's father shut the gate. "Get in!" he commanded them.

Darryl can't do anything but to stand up and walk away. He needs to find a place to settle and stay for the mean time while his parents are away. He doesn't want to go back to their house and stay there alone. Their housemaid also took a week vacation in their province. He remembered his girlfriend, Sally. He can go to her condo. He naughtily smiled. He walked towards the gate of the village to look for a cab. It took him 15 minutes of walking before reaching the village's gate. He waited for a few minutes for a cab. An empty cab stopped in front of him. The car window at the passenger side opened.

"Where are you going, Boss?" the driver asked.

"In Fairview," he said. "I'll tell you the condo building later."

"Hop in," the driver said. He closed the window and unlocked the car door. Darryl pulled the door and hopped at the back seat. He banged it a little strong because of excitement.

"Are you in a hurry, Boss?" the driver asked. He looked at the mirror, looking at Darryl. He noticed his eyes a little red. "Are you sick?"

"Y-Yes, I have cough and flu. I feel a little better now," he simply said. He wants to avoid further questions.

He remained silent during the entire travel. They got stuck in the traffic jam. The driver turned on the mini car TV. A breaking news suddenly aired.

"Breaking News, the police regained the data from Sandy Reyes, the student from Camarin City College who committed suicide from the rooftop of the school building. According to SPO3 Arthur Alistair, they found her conversation with someone before the time of Sandy's death. She was asked to come to the rooftop or they will destroy her best friend. Sandy replied she will come to the rooftop. Now. The police is on the look out to find the owner of the unregistered number and the person's accomplices. They are now tracing who's using the said mobile number. We will continue to follow up this case until it has been resolved. This is Janice Sanchez, reporting."

Darryl became anxious. He used his father's secondary SIM when he texted Sandy. He left that SIM in his room. He wants to go back and take it to destroy it, but he's nervous to see Sandy. He closed his eyes and waited until the cab stopped at his girlfriend's condo building. He handed five hundred peso bill and said keep the change. The cab driver was so happy for the tip. He let out a deep sigh before going out of the cab.

He entered the building. The guards greeted him. They know him since he's a frequent visitor of Sally. He walked on the lobby area. The place is solemn even though it's almost four o'clock. He went to the elevator and pressed the button. A few people came by and waited to take the lift. The elevator bell rang and the door opened.

"Good afternoon, Sir, Ma'am," the elevator girl greeted them. "What floor?"

"10th floor," he said.

"13th floor," the other guy said.

"15th floor," the old lady said.

He waited until the door closed. they reached the 10th floor. He went out of the elevator and walked straight to her girlfriend's unit. He reached 1015, then rang the doorbell. Sally opened the door.

"Babe!" Sally wrapped her arms around Darryl's nape and kissed him on his lips. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Can I stay here for awhile until my parents are back?" he hesitantly asked.

"Of course, Babe. Come in," she invited him to enter the unit. Darryl walked in and exhaled deeply. He feels safe for now.