WHEN I ASKED WHY

( Chapter 18 )

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I ring the doorbell, pressing on the button too many times until I hear footsteps because that's all I want to hear right now. I want to hear that someone is here to put end to my misery and relieves me from my many questions. I breath heavily, the 2 km run I had to attempt to end up here where he lives. Someone unlocks and opens the door.

"Hello, how may I help you? " A 50 year old woman stands in front of me with an apron on. Her hair messy in a loose bun with curls escaping. But she wasn't the one I was expecting.

"Are you Mrs. Malenin? "

She looks at me up and down, crocked lips twitching to the look of an eighteen year old girl searching for a woman like her. She widens the door and shows me a gesture to come in. I walk to the hallway ending in a messy living room. Picture frame broken, glasses and wine bottles shattered in pieces, stains of drinks are left to a permanent mark on the wooden floor, an armchair laying on its side and I can't help but wonder what has happened.

"I'm guessing you have heard. You have, you have heard. " She straightens her apron and folds her fingers crunching her back.

"I'm sorry? No I haven't heard." Wait, was I suppose to know what happened?

"The police. They're after us, all of us." She walks to me, studying my face until we are face to face.

"All of us?" She shows me a seat and I take it. She sits opposite me and rubbing her hands she says.

"The police have identified the man burnt at the buildings and it was my husband. My husband. " She repeats.

"I know and I am sorry. " the woman is alone. There is no sense of life in her and she seems broken. She rubs her hands again.

"Would you like a drink? I'm going to give you a drink. Water, I'll give you water." She speaks to herself to walk to the fridge taking out a bottle of water then opens a kitchen cupboard and taking a glass along. She walks back to me with a forced smile, ignoring the last thing she said, she lays down the glass and twist the bottle open only to pour the water out as she trembles and shakes. Instincts proceed and I hold the bottle for her pouring it gently and slowly to the glass.

"My husband is gone, he's never coming back. " she cries out. Her hands over let lips as tears from from her eyes.

"I want to know where your son is, James. " I lean with my elbows to my thighs and folded hands.

"James, my son. I don't know where he is."

"When was the last time you spoke to him?" I ask.

"Last time? It was three weeks ago, when he heard the news. " She fiddles with her fingers.

"Do you know where he might be? Where he might go?"

"If I did, I would go to him. Tell him to come home." She says with an obvious, terrified smile.

"The police, they did this to your home?" I ask looking around once again only to notice her eyes never leaving mine.

"Yes, I was watching the news with James when I heard someone banging the door, I tell James to hide but he wouldn't, he wanted to fight... "

"Because he knew of his father's death."

"Yes, I open the door and the police came here with big guns, they were seven men in this house. Tearing it all up... For nothing."

"But why did they come here then? They must want something because a bomb here is not very usual. " I suggest.

"Oh they came here for something, they just didn't get it."

"And you know what the might be?"

"Yes. " She stops fiddling and continues to cry ones more.

"Mrs. Malenin, I understand if you don't trust me but I need to know what they were looking for because it might just take me one step closer to finding the truth. I need all of this to end and I can't do that if I don't have information needed. I'm asking for your help and I will guarantee you your son back. "

"You are a smart girl who made the wrong choices and I don't blame you. You should know once you have access to the information you need, they're all coming for you." Her words struck till I had more questions than answers.

"Who else? Who's after me? " I ask impatiently.

"My husband and Eric Sitle, a man injured by the bomb worked for Scott Clayton, the director and head of the Wold Fighting Organisation. He arranges all of these attacks and bombs, kidnaps and fights to regain what's truly his. "

"And what is that? "

She walks away and slowly opens a safe under a painting framed on the wall. Three fat yellow files with 'CONFIDENTIAL' stamped in red on it is being handed to me. I hold these three filed closely to me and stuff them in my sling bag. I wait for her answer and she walks back to me.

"Power." She says.

"Power? Over what?" I ask stunned.

"All his life, he's been recruiting men to side with him to destroy everyone who's betrayed him and his family. And it so happens that he's control is beyond reach. Once you are conected with him, there's no turning back."

"Your huband, was he part of this?"

"Yes. It was his job to. He started as a UFC fighter but ended up on the wrong side. Scott persuaded him with money and my husband accepted. Eric and him were given a mission to kill a traitor but it was Scott himself who set up that bomb and he planned it. He wanted them dead. " with her saying those last words feels like someone's pinching my throat with pins and needles.

"Eric Sitle is my father. I'm Carrie Sitle. " I softly say. Looking down at my shoes until I could control myself ones more. I feel her hand reaching towards mine, holding it tightly.

"I'm sorry dear." She finally says.

"No, it's fine. I have to see James, i need him now. I need his help." I didn't meant that. I hated him for what he's done to Sarah and I still do. But I have to set that aside if i want to get rid of this man, Scott Clayton. It was him all along.

"I understand. Call this number and search for this address and you might fiend him. But be careful and don't get hurt. " She scribbles on a torn paper from a magazine and hands it over to me, laying her hands on my shoulder. I stand up as this Is my queue to leave.

"Thank you Mrs. Malenin, I really appreciate it a lot. " I smile. Walking out the chaotic house feels like I'm destined to help her clean up or get started at least. But it's just not the right time, I'm going to find solutions to all of this. For Dan, for me, for mom, and for everyone. I want this to end. Then a young girl like me can't do a difference like that. My mood just changed.

"Goodbye Carrie. " She waves.

"Bye Mrs. Malenin. " I feel a sudden thirst only to notice the glass of water was untouched.