The Winter Clock

CHAPTER 29 – WEAK

Reina rummages the papers on her table, then checked her monitor. Mrs. Rover’s words kept on bothering her, causing her sleepiness to fly out the window. Every detail that Carter has and every detail the serial killer has were the same. The only difference is that Carter stayed in Australia all his life. Reina bit her thumb nail.

“Thorn, is it possible that Carter was not the killer?” Reina asked full of confusion. Ryther, who was trying to rest on the settee, opened his eyes and looked at Reina who kept on reading and re-reading the files.

“Are you still bothered by Mrs. Rover’s words?” He asked, fully aware of the answer.

“Don’t answer my question with another question.” Reina spat. “Her words are evidence that we cannot just ignore.” She added and flipped another page. Ryther sighed.

“Remember that most of the evidence was pointed to Carter. Don’t let a small hole deceive you.” He snags.

“What if that small hole is the way to the truth we are looking for?” Reina retorted and flipped another page again.

“If Carter is not the killer, then why is it that he never showed himself since Natalie died? He can just call us if he is afraid to be shot to death.” Ryther answered with an obvious, irritated tone. This is what he hates whenever Reina becomes curious. She never let things slip away easily, which bothered him always because of her safety.

Reina’s eyes narrowed as she puffed her cheeks. “Pshh… I don’t… know.” She admitted in defeat. “Maybe he lost his phone or what?”

“Lame.” Ryther blurted out and stood from his seat. “That’s the lamest reason I heard from you so far.” He chuckled and took the dart pin from Reina’s table. “You’re starting to doubt the evidence you gathered yourself. Silver, remember, small rust destroys the metal. Small doubt destroys a city.” He said breezily and threw the dart pin. “Bull’s eye!”

“Psh. Stop talking in riddles, Thorn. I’m not a prophet to interpret that.” Reina retorted and fixed every paper scattered on her table and turned off the monitor. She took another dart pin and threw it as well. “Bull’s eye!” She exclaimed and threw another dart pin, then another one. “Still sharp.” She smirked and looked at Ryther who was observing her.

“What’s wrong – hey!” Reina gasped when Ryther tackled her down and pinned her on the floor. “I’m not in the mood to play games.” Reina retorted and tried to pull her hand from Ryther but Ryther tightened his grip. “Thorn!’ Reina shouted angrily.

“You said your skills are still sharp, huh? Prove it.”

Ryther spat and used his knees to lock Reina’s thigh, making her eyes widen. “You’re a woman, I’m a man, Silver.” He smirked and Reina’s left eyebrow rose.

“Don’t make me laugh, Thorn. I know you. You can’t do that to me.” Reina tried to free herself but stopped when Ryther closed their gap as he pinned her strongly on the floor with his body.

“That’s the point, Silver. You know me, and you know that I will not do that thing to you. But think about this, if I am a normal man who doesn’t know you, it will be my pleasure seeing you like this.” Ryther whispered to her ears, making her hairs stand. Reina gulped. What’s wrong with him?

“What’s wrong? I thought you’re strong? How come you can’t even escape from my- Arrgh!” Ryther groaned when Reina banged her forehead to Ryther’s forehead, making Ryther lose his grip. Reina took it as an opportunity to grab her hand from Ryther’s grip and used all her might to push him away.

“Hep, hep, don’t be too confident.” Ryther laughed and pulled her again, overpowering Reina, making her stagger and fall on top of Ryther. “Weak.” He rolled his body to put Reina down, but Reina quickly shook her body and kicked her feet, making Ryther fall from her. As soon as his butt bumped on the floor, he burst into laughter, making Reina frown.

“Are you starting to be crazy after staying awake for 72 hours?!” Reina exclaimed between her pants, rubbing the back of her head that hit the floor when Ryther pushed him down, and her forehead that he bumped with Ryther’s forehead.

“What if I say yes?” Ryther said jokingly and Reina grabbed the pillow from the sofa and threw it forcedly on his face, making him laugh even more.

“If only I have a mirror for you to see your reaction a while ago!” Ryther said mockingly and Reina slapped another pillow to his face. “It’s hilarious!” Ryther added and if looks can kill, Reina’s eyes already murdered Ryther a thousand times.

“Jerk.” Reina spat and stood up, but Ryther pulled her hand again, making her fall on the floor for the nth time. “What the heck, Thorn?! Don’t be a kid!” Reina said, having no intention to hide her fury.

“Don’t be grumpy, you’ll be ugly.” Ryther snorted and stood up from the floor. “But hey, remember my words. Don’t just trust anyone. Not even me or Mr. A.” He uttered, making Reina stop.

“What do you mean?”

“What I said is what I mean, Silver.” He chuckled and offered his right hand to pull Reina up.

“I’m not an interpreter.” Reina snags and pulled Ryther’s hand, causing him to fall face flat on the floor. “Bull’s eye!” Reina exclaimed and stood as fast as she can for Ryther not to grab her again.

“Sly rose,” Ryther mumbled.

“Witty thorn.” Reina retorted and stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes. “By the way, do you think the man that kept on following us was Carter? Or is it another killer?” Reina asked out of the blue as her eyes focused on her wall that has many pictures and red strings. Ryther stood up and massaged his forehead.

“Probably.” He answered swiftly. “We are on the same boat, so I have no idea.” He added. Reina sighed deeply and ruffled her already messy hair.

“What a pain in the neck.”

~ Don’t trust too much. People are people. ~

~ Small rust destroys the metal. Small doubt destroys a city. ~