The Landlord

forty five - lou

A few minutes, the police came and everything just went blurry again. I am still kneeling infront of Carol's body wishing and hoping that this is just a nightmare. But it wasn't. The moment stretched infinitely during the moment when I saw her collapsed, the world around me fading into a dull roar. Time froze, my heart pounding as I rushed to her side, panic gripping me. I could see the shock on the people's face who were watching us with a mix of disbelief and fear. I fought to stay calm, calling out all the Saints on my mind, hoping to see a flicker of response on Carol. The chaos of the scene blurred into the background as I focused solely on her, desperate to hold onto that ultimate thread of hope.

A policeman suddenly grabbed my hand and then he helped me stand. He was asking me questions but I feel like I am deaf as of the moment. I am numb. I am high. I can't hear noises, all I can hear are my tired sobs as I watch them clear the road. It was like I'm in a movie.

Moments later, I saw Larissa together with Abby and Ms. Frump. As I look at Ms. Frump, she immediately ran towards Carol's dead cold body. She screamed and bawled as she tries to get close, but two policemen were stopping her. Abby, on the other hand, was just miles away, covering her mouth as she cries. Perhaps she's preventing herself from screaming.

"I'm going to find who did this to you! God, forgive me for what I can do!" Ms. Frump says hysterically.

Abby went closer to hug Ms. Frump as she tries to calm her down. I can see on her face that she is shocked and still couldn't process everything. Still, she made sure to be there for her friends.

"Carol, why didn't you tell us this was going to happen!" I was startled when Ms. Frump revealed that.

Does Carol knows that this was gonna happen to her?

"Morticia, please calm down." Abby hugged her more tightly. They are both kneeling on the ground as they watch the operatives do their job on the crime scene.

"I'm not gonna calm down! Larissa! Larissa, do something!" Ms. Frump continued to scream in pain.

There I forgot...Larissa is here....

I glanced at her. She is just standing and watching her devastated friends. She has no reaction at all. Her fists are both clutched. I think she did not even recognize my presence at all. I want to come near her. Seeing her and knowing that she had an enormous part on my past is really driving me crazy.

"Sorry ma'am, we have to take her."

As I watch the operatives carry Carol's body away, I knew I was in a slow motion world. Ms. Frump ran back to Larissa, she opened her arms and she let Ms. Frump cry on her shoulder. Abby glared at me before walking towards me. She gave me a hug that I couldn't even feel.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." She apologized.

I looked at her and when I saw her crying, it was like I was punched back in reality. I sobbed again and hugged her back.

"I'm s-sorry you lost a family."

Abby shakes her head and placed a kiss on my temple.

"Aya, I wasn't prepared for this..."

What she said was like a stab in my heart. I cannot imagine their pain right now. What I am feeling is nothing compared to their grief.

Suddenly, a policeman came to us. "Madam, you have to come with us for interrogation." he was referring to me.

"Can't you just let us process this for the mean tine?" I asked roughly.

"I'm sorry, this is urgent."