All Which Remains

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Farrah

The cell was cold. Just like the interrogation room had been, but now I wished that I had a blanket. They only gave me two meals a day. But I can't protest. If I do, I'll probably be shot on the spot and the officer who did it would most likely get a medal for it. Killing a family member is one of the worst crimes that anyone can commit. I put my head in my hands and leaned against the wall. I could feel the cold seeping through my clothes and spreading across my skin. I didn't care, I couldn't. I deserve to suffer for all I've done. I could still see his lifeless body in my hands. Could feel his blood on my face, my hands.

I know that I wanted to use his death to my advantage. I wanted to have a reason to put my father in jail, I wanted to leave. Yet, I can feel the guilt encompassing me. I regret killing Arif. It wasn't his fault. He was so little. Too young to know what he wanted with his life. I was his older sister. I was supposed to protect him, take care of him, and I failed. I felt the tears start to pool in my hands. I took my head out of my hands and the tears fell and landed on my jeans.

I tried to wipe the tears with my jacket, but they just wouldn't stop flowing. I felt so much hatred and sadness. The feelings pooled into my stomach, making me sick. Just then, the officer who had given me the blanket set food inside my cell. He then sat down on the other side and beckoned me to join him.

"Hi, again." He said, "I didn't get the chance to introduce myself earlier. My name is Abyasa Astuti. You can call me Abyasa."

"Why would I call a cop by his name?" I said, scooting farther back into my cell.

"Because I'm a detective and your ticket out of here."

"What do you mean?" I said, but this time I quickly ran up to the front of the cell and grabbed the food only to fall back into my corner again. "Why would you help me?"

"You remind me of myself, and I know that you didn't kill your brother."

"You're a liar. I did kill Arif, I felt his blood pool onto my hands as I stabbed him."

"Sure, but see," he said, clicking his tongue, "your brother had a gunshot wound, not a knife wound.

"Then I shot him."

"No, you didn't. We already found the actual culprit of your brother's death."

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you only tell me this now? Just to rub it in? Fine, yes. I didn't kill Arif. I was the one who found his body. He shot himself with a gun that he found in our father's safe."

"See? Not so hard is it? I was put on your brother's case a few days ago and immediately came up with the conclusion that he shot himself. Therefore, you being the suspect was false. Yet, your father seems to think that you killed him. So, we had to interrogate you."

I didn't look at him. Really? Has all of my hard work gone so fast? I tried to make it look like I'd killed Arif. I guess I thought that being in jail would keep my father away from me. Plus, I was the only one at the scene. People would automatically think that I killed him. Now we can't bury him. He's cursed for the rest of his days in the afterlife. I've failed him yet again.

"What do you get off of punching me over and over again with your words? What is wrong with you?" I glared at him while stuffing rice in my face. Which I'm sure wasn't intimidating in the least.

"It's my job to avenge kids who were wronged." He stood up and brushed his pants off. "Don't worry. You'll be out of here by tomorrow. This was all just to show your father that you're in jail."

"How do you know about my family situation?"

"I don't. From the moment I saw your father and how you two acted around each other, it was obvious." He walked away. Leaving so many questions behind him.

That night, Abyasa came by my cell again. This time, he had a flashlight and a blanket.

"I thought you might be cold." He said, smiling and handing me the blanket.

I quickly took it from him and wrapped it around my shoulders. The jacket that I owned was fairly thin. It was Summer after all. Abyasa led me around the maze of cells and outside into the humid air. I breathed it in. Reveling in the familiar smell of ocean and grass. I quickly took the blanket off because it was too hot outside to have it on. It's been two days since I was put in the cell, and it feels like I was there for two years instead.

I caught Abyasa smiling at me out of the corner of my eye.

"It's your freaking fault that I was stuck in there. Get rid of that creepy smile." I glared at him.

"Fine, fine." He said, he stepped back, but he didn't stop smiling at me. He finds me amusing. For some reason, that made me mad. I'm not a child. I can take care of myself. I crossed my arms. Whatever.

"-And then we'll, Farrah, are you even listening?"

"Huh? Sorry, what?" I said, had I been zoning out?

"I was saying that you can live with me for a little bit, at least until we find you a permanent place to live. Probably with a foster family, considering you're not 18 yet."

"What about my Mom?" I asked, worried about her.

"Your mother has decided that she didn't want you. She said that she's not a worthy mother, and your father is in jail now, like you were. Are you willing to stay with me?"

"Fine. How long do you think it'll take for me to go into foster care?"

"Hmm, I'd say probably a few months. I'd say two at least." He said.

I nodded. I think I can survive a few months with someone so insufferable. I've dealt with worse.

Even though it was super warm and humid outside, I still shivered, thinking about my father and what he's done to me; about my little brother, his life gone so quickly and easily. Abyasa wrapped his arm around me.

"Hey," he said, "it'll be okay. I'm sure we can figure all of this out."

I leaned into his arm, "yeah," was all I could think of to say.