Helping The Poltergeist // H.S.

Chapter 40: Cold Case

Zayn

"My son, please don't do this. Don't do this! Please."

I hear every single word my mother says but she can no longer change my mind. I've decided to pack up and leave home.

"Zayn. You must be shocked. I know. But this is not the solution to this."

I stop in the middle of packing my stuff and face her. "You must know the solution then."

My mother looked like a ghost. Her face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot due to her nonstop crying. But it wasn't enough. "You want me to surrender myself to the police? This is a cold case! Nobody would care!"

"What? Are you even human?" I gave a bitter laugh.

I knew all along that she has done something that I could never imagine but realising what she's done to Hollie and her real family was just too much.

"I don't expect you to forgive-"

"I don't need your apology!" I bellowed. "How could you lived and be so shameless? Are you even sorry? Did you ever regret anything? You ruined someone's life for your personal gain."

My mother was quivering. For the first time, she loses her cool demeanour. But she recollects herself and raises her chin up. "You're only acting like this because it's about Hollie. If it doesn't have to do anything with her, you..."

"What?" I finished my packing turning my back on her. "Even if it doesn't concern her, I'll react the same."

"Stop. Please stop. You misunderstood."

"I misunderstood? What part did I misunderstand? The part where you killed people or the part where you lied to me?"

A blow in my face and I realise I just got slapped by the person who I thought is the sweetest of all. I hear her gasp. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"From now on, I am no longer your son."

Horrified, my mother's eyes dilate. Tears freely flowing down her face.

"You don't mean that." She murmurs shaking her head. "You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do."

I left her there, frozen still as I walk away. I hop in the car and drove off without a destination in mind. All I could think about was Hollie.

I hate the fact that the I am closely related to the woman who I believed would never hurt a fly. I never thought she could do such cruel act for her own sake. I never believed it first.

Without thinking deeply, the familiar road and buildings made me realise I was headed to Harry's house. My subconscious must have something to do with this. I did not turn around and just move forward towards their manor. Eventually, we will need this conversation, so why delay it?

"He's in his bedroom."

"Thank you, Cecilia." I went inside the elevator and push the button to Harry's room floor.

Although I was used to living alone, Harry's house gives off an eerie feeling right now. As if something happened here.

Finally, I reach Harry's room. I didn't mind knocking and what welcomed me made my heart beat fast.

"What do you think you're doing? Huh!" I found Harry on the floor, bloodied lips and bruises all over his face. His hand was covered with cloth with blood freshly seeping through it.

His belongings and shards of what appear to be a glass before covered the floor.

"Get up you dumbass!" I pull him up but he just fall back on the floor. Hopelessness was written all over his face. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Huh? If you miss her that much, why don't you go? I know where she is."

Slowly, he tilts his gaze to me. "I can't do this anymore."

"What? Pathetic."

"I give up. You can have her."

His words just enraged me. I know he's lying and that he's just breaking down because he can't handle what's happening right now. But this is too much.

"What did you say?" I grab his collar, my hands balled into fists. "Did you even deserve her?"

"She doesn't want to see me."

I snort, "Who would want to see you? You're pathetic!" I can't help but add another bruise to his face. "Yeah. If you're gonna be like this, then don't come see her! You'll only upset her."

With that, I throw him on the ground and left their house.

"Fucking coward." I spit on the snow-covered ground and left their house.

Hollie. She chose to just leave after what we discovered. My mother didn't show any hint of guilt and that made me feel guilty in her place. Hollie kept in touch with me with the promise that I will never tell Harry where she is. I didn't mind telling her that Harry can find her if he wants to. I don't want her to worry.

I know my family wasn't forgiven. I know Hollie just wants to forget everything. I want to help her in every means or in every ways that I could. But how?

My phone rings and shows our house number on the screen.

As if I'd answer that.

I hate my mother. I hate her so much that I wish to cut all ties with my family. No wonder my father left us.

Tears flow down my eyes. I already accepted the fact that she isn't what I thought she was but that doesn't mean that I was ready to learn about her cruelty.

I saw it. Hollie was so scared she loses consciousness the same time she touched my mother.

"I'm sorry, Hollie. I'm sorry." I cried to no one as I drive on the road to Longmurnan, shaking like crazy. "I'll do everything even if it means turning my mother in to the authorities."

"Who? Mister, are you kidding me? That was two decades ago. How come you'll know about this? You must be joking." The prosecutor bellowed and the room burst into laughter. "Go and find that old man who always asks for updates when it's already a cold case. Maybe he will listen to you."

I look at the prosecutor dead in the eyes making his smirk slide off of his wrinkly face. "I know. I can give you the details. But if all you can do is think of me as mediocre, then just ignore me. I will go to other police stations to report what I would have to you and we will see who's laughing in the end."

I wheeled around, hands deep in my pockets.

My mind was racing on the thought of what my next move will be. I was about to open the door to exit this damn place when someone calls out my attention.

"Wait."

I turn around and found an old man feebly walking towards me. Or is it someone behind me? I look from either side of me to check if it is really me who he was calling and sure-enough, the hall was empty. So I guess it is me.

"Uh... Yes?"

"The... The prosecutor told me about a man. Are y-you-" He stops talking and freezes as if he's seen a ghost.

"Sir?"

"Master Malik?"