The Landlord

twenty five - weems

I quickly held her arm but I feel like she didn't even feel me. She was numb for a moment. Even I cannot handle my emotions but I'm trying my best to conceal it because it more painful for her. "Larissa..." I softly called but she did not respond. She is still staring at the same position where Principal Thompson died. I lowered my hand so I could hold her hand and it was so cold. I was startled when she attempted entering across the yellow line. Two policemen immediately stopped her.

"Ma'am, you cannot cross the line." Even with that, she did not listen. I got nervous because of fear that she might get hurt unintentionally by the police.

"Let me in. I wanna see him." She said coldly.

"Ma'am, you can't really—"

"I want to see him! Let me see him!" she started screaming and howling as her feet got weak causing her to fall on the ground on her knees. "Please....let me see him..." she cried as she tries to enter again and this time, the two policemen set their bodies as barricade and they dragged her out.

"Please, don't hurt her!" I said in a panic way.

"Please...." Larissa pleaded again. My heart ached more seeing her like this. It's my first time seeing her in this state and I know that I hate her seeing like this and hearing her cry.

"Larissa..." I also kneeled beside her to comfort but she still can't see me. She doesn't feel me.

"The area is still under-investigation, ma'am."

"What's going on here?" One of the officers came in, "Larissa?"

"She wants to go in, Sheriff."

"Let her" the sheriff commanded, "Larissa, come with me." She abruptly looked up and then she followed him walking. One of the policemen briskly covered my way. I had no choice but to watch her walk away weakly. The body of Principal Thompson is still there which I didn't realize soon. I can still see them from here. I saw Larissa slowly kneeled down while the sheriff is removing his cover. She sobbed more, I can hear it from here. This is the least thing that I expect encountering in my whole life. Larissa was always the unreadable person that I've ever met and seeing her in this situation is making me realize that she is still a person with feelings.

After awhile, she came back to me. I actually thought that she already forgot that she is with me.

"Let's go." she said coldly. I followed her to the car and no one ever tried to speak until we reach the apartment. She got out so quick so I did too. All I was doing was to follow her and make sure that she's okay. We went upstairs and my eyes widened seeing Ms. Frump waiting infront of the door of Larissa's room. Larissa walked towards her and Ms. Frump caressed her back before she went inside. She didn't even say goodbye to me which is okay because I understand how she's feeling. What I don't understand is, I never knew that they were super close to the point that Ms. Frump will come to her house. I thought they were just old friends.

"I'll take over from here, dear. Make sure to rest." Ms. Frump said. She was about to go inside but then she faced back at me again, "About what happened with Gregory, I'll talk to you personally some other time." she told me before she was completely out of my sight. I heard that she locked the door from inside.

I took a long and heavy sigh. I walked slowly on the way to my room. Seriously, I don't know what to feel. Tonight has been one of the worst so far. From Greg to Principal Thompson and now...Ms. Frump. I wonder why they shot Principal Thompson. For me, he is a great person. The last time I talked to him, he told me that he now accepts the fact that Larissa and him don't have a chance. He told me that he already talked to her and that's the only information he shared with regards that. Of course, I respect that. I personally enjoyed talking to him and he also made sure to drive me home. He was a part of my life and I will never forget him. I can't even imagine that someone will torture and murder him. What have he done to experience all of this cruelty?