Murder Mystery of Arck

Inconsiderate Freedom

I was looking at the photographs in Mark’s bedroom when I heard the front door open. I didn’t find it strange in any way. I thought it was some relatives coming to give their condolences.

The flowers we brought rested in a vase in Mark’s room, near a window. I felt a kind of peace when I slipped the flowers in the vase; it was like the kind of peace I felt when I completed a task.

Unlike how I imagined it, Mark’s room was relatively empty. The wardrobe was against the wall beside the bathroom. The bed was placed near the window, letting the light fall into the room.

I thought it was empty because he took almost all of his stuff to the university with him. But then I remembered Mrs. Gardener saying, as we waited in the living room downstairs, that Mark didn’t have any particular interest in anything.

Although he was good in studies, he never really took any interest in any of the subjects. He just loved looking at the night sky, Madeline, the girl I wanted to meet and who was also Mark’s sister added after her mother left the room.

Mark’s mother believed that he shouldn’t waste his time gazing at things that are too far and big to dream of. She wanted him to do a corporate job, but he wouldn’t listen.

I didn’t know whose statement I favored in my mind; a mother’s hope for her son to live a comfortable life or a boy’s dream.

I thought about it as I looked around his room, trying to find little things of interest. But as his mother said, there was nothing that could catch one's eye or anything that could be of interest to a teenage boy.

I started to understand Mark a little more. He was committed to his dream in such a profound way that there was nothing that could grab his attention.

I wondered if he had other hobbies that brought him joy other than his love for astronomy. And while I kept repeating in my mind the word ‘astronomy’ when I thought of Mark, I felt like I was labeling his dreams; like when people assume that someone’s leisurely hobby is something they do for a living.

But as I gave a little more thought, I didn’t see anything wrong about turning one's hobby into a source of money. They would probably enjoy their job more than people who are just working for money.

Sebastian and I walked back downstairs after staying in Mark’s room for a while. We were silent the entire time, so much so that we could only hear our breaths and footsteps.

We were not expecting to see a familiar face anymore. But something unexpected happened again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two hours ago

I could hear someone talk from the kitchen as I descended the stairs. The voice became clearer and clearer, and I thought I recognized it. The dread I had been feeling since the morning had returned as the voice came closer and closer, and I knew whose it was.

Harry Winning came into our view as we stepped in the hallway that connected the dining room, the kitchen and the living room. He didn’t notice us right away, but when he did, he stood frozen in his place. And then as if had come out of a dazed state, he offered us a small and sad smile.

It seemed like he had expected to see us, but it still shook him. I glanced up at Sebastian. He didn’t look like he was worried and his eyes held no doubt. He returned the smile before he walked the length of the hallway and hugged Harry.

It was the kind of hug that spoke before and beyond the words in our mouths. It was the kind of hug that Harry needed.

“Hello, Rosalind,” Harry greeted after he pulled away from the hug. I smiled at him and said, “Hello, Harry.” He looked at Sebastian, who still had his arm wrapped around his shoulders. “I’ll explain later,” Harry murmured in a small voice.

“Harry!” Madeline’s voice called from the living room. He muttered an ‘excuse me’ and walked past me into the living room. I turned around and stood outside the room and looked at them, listening to conversation.

“What do you think?” Madeline asked, holding up a finished, dark blue sweater. “It’s brilliant, Maddie. You’re getting better by the day,” Harry said, taking the sweater in his hands. “You think so?” She said, looking up at him with a small smile. “Of course,” he replied, ruffling her hair.

I heard footsteps walk closer to me and turn my head as they stopped beside me. “Are you okay?” I whispered as my shoulder touched Sebastian’s. He glanced down at me and then back at Madeline and Harry.

“Yeah, surprisingly,” he whispered back, leaning against the frame, “I had a doubt until I saw him. Turns out I trust him more than I realize. Now that I think about it, we have indeed known each other for a really long time.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One hour ago

“Thank you so much for visiting,” Mrs. Gardener said as she pulled away from the hug. I couldn’t hold back from hugging her and I was glad that I didn’t. “Thank you for having us,” I said with a small smile.

It was almost dark. The grey sky slowly turned darker and darker, and it was time to get back to the university. We were allowed to stay out till 7 on Sundays, so we still had time. I felt unease and colder than before, so the fever was getting to me.

When Sebastian and I were bidding our farewell, Harry and Madeline exchanged a few words as she handed him a book. It was a leather covered book with the initials M.G on it.

I instantly knew it was Mark’s diary. I disposed of the thought as it was something personal and important for Harry and I didn’t want to interfere. He said goodbye to us. He seemed positively close with them. It was quite endearing.

Eric was, just as at the funeral, sitting in the car, waiting for us. His head rested against the window and his eyes were closed. He must have been fairly tired because of all the driving and waiting, I thought as we walked towards the car.

Sebastian asked Harry if he wanted to join us and he agreed as he came from a cab. I frowned after hearing that as he could have easily called home to send for a car. It was strange that he didn’t.

Sebastian's hand touched my forehead again as we sat down in the car. He looked concerned this time as he glanced at me. Eric handed him a bag with a water bottle and some other things in it, while he looked at Harry with confused eyes.

“Harry!” he exclaimed, starting the car while looking at the road in front of him, “Where’d you come from?” Harry chuckled before he replied, “Just bumped into them. Mind giving me a ride to the university?”

Sebastian and I shared a glance before Sebastian pulled out some medicines from the bag and handed them to me. “’Course not,” Eric responded before offering Harry a smile and then focusing back on the road.

I looked between the medicines in my hands and Sebastian as she opened the water bottle. “I can’t take medicines,” I said. “You’re fever has gone up, May,” He said in a stern tone. I nodded in agreement and argued, “I know. I just get sleepy after taking medicine.”

He opened his mouth but no words came out as he closed the cap of the water bottle in a realization. I thought he understood what I said and was relieved for a moment before he said, “You haven’t eaten anything, have you? We’ll have some dinner at the university and then you can take the medicine.”

I looked over at Harry who was witnessing our conversation with a raised eyebrow and suspicious eyes. He just gave me a knowing smile when our eyes met and then turned to look in front of him.

I didn’t say anything and just stared out the window until we reached the university. We reached earlier than expected as Eric took a short and also because there wasn’t much traffic.

Harry and Eric talked most of the way and I got to know that Eric was married and was expecting his first child.

It was strangely good news I heard and I was a bit surprised, but nonetheless congratulated him before bidding him goodbye.

It felt like a hole in my chest was filled. I felt a little content as I walked inside the university building.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry, Sebastian and I are currently sitting in an almost empty dining hall. Most of the students have already finished their dinner and are now scattered across the university until the bed time nears.

Sebastian suggested we ate first since there was still some time left; also because I needed to take my medicines. I tried to argue but he dismissed the matter saying that I could say anything that could sway him.

Dinners at the university were pretty normal. Once in a while they would treat us with lavish and expensive-looking dishes which we all gladly devoured. Today, we were served with some of the normal dishes. Meat, gravy, roasted potatoes, onions and bell pepper is probably one of my most favorite dinner dishes.

I have an appetite today because I haven’t had anything since breakfast this morning. Also because Sebastian told me that he won’t let me leave if I don’t finish everything on my plate.

He is right; I need to start eating right and on time. But I’ll start after the exams are over. That will be the time when I will truly enjoy my food.

We decided to retire for the day after having our dinner. It may not seem so, but today was quite exhausting, both physically and mentally. Maybe I’ll take the medicine now. I don’t care about the tests tomorrow anymore. I am pretty sure that I can at least pass them; maybe not all but most of them.

“Here,” Sebastian says calmly, handing me a pill as I finish the food on my plate. I take it from him and gulp it with some water. I don’t like taking pills because I’m afraid that it’ll get stuck in my throat; plus, I don’t fall sick often.

“Go straight to your dorm room and sleep,” He orders, pointing his finger at me, “If I see you out of bed after midnight again, I will report you to the prefect.” I rolled my eyes at him before saying, “Yes, yes, Captain Worde. Good night, you two.”

Harry and Sebastian bid me good night as I stood up from my seat. I stuff my hand in the pockets of my jacket, shivering from the cold as I walk out of the dining hall.

I take Sebastian’s advice and go to my room. I lie down on my bed after changing into comfortable clothes and it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep.

I don’t remember my last thought. Maybe it was the consideration Sebastian showed me today or maybe it was the relief that Mark was now in a better place and that he was freed from our world and its horrors.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~