His Eyes

HIS EYES: Chapter 15

ORLSTEIN AND I were cleaning Neo's mess. We didn't have any idea where was he heading. Orlstein became silent after he left the apartment.

Beers of different brands, empty food containers, broken glass, thrown up food that smelled unpleasant, and cigarette packs were scattered on the floor. I couldn't believe this. I thought that I could sleep but it turned out I couldn't.

I went to Neo's room. Orlstein was unpacking her things. Her phone rang but she didn't answer it. It rang again and this time, I attempted to get it but she stopped me.

"Don't," she said.

Another phone rang. It was Neo's phone placed on the dining table.

"I think I should answer it," I said and went to get the phone. The number wasn't registered.

"Hello?" a person said from the other line. "Is this Mr. Neo Martel?"

"No. This is his brother, Carthik Martel," I answered.

"My name's Officer Conrad, I'm in charge of Auren's case. This is about the killer. I can't tell you this through the phone call. If you're free, can you come here to our headquarters? It's in 15th street," the man said, I meant the officer. My hands were shaking and sweating. I was thinking that they were talking about the teenager whom I met.

I looked at Orlstein. She was still unpacking her things. I went outside the apartment where no one could hear me.

"I'll be there," I answered. I told Orlstein that I would buy something to refresh my mind which was actually a lie.

~<>~

"Ah, good to see ya," the officer said as soon as I entered his office. His mustache caught my attention first. He maybe was in his 40s.

The walls were painted white and very simple. A picture of a gun was put in a frame and hanged it on the wall. The files on the shelves were arranged neatly.

He tapped the chair in front of his table. I sat on it and fixed myself. He took something under his table. It was a folder and inside of it was a picture. I did everything to act as if I didn't know the person in the picture.

"There were witnesses who told us. Her name is Athena Fraux. She lived in Town 3 before but now we couldn't find her," he said.

So she lived in Town 3. We could have found their home when we went there. Anyhow, I must the only person who should know about this.

"Mr. Martel's here? You didn't tell me Conrad," a woman who just entered the room said. Her curly black hair was tied and she was wearing heels which made her looked like a tall person.

"It's his brother," Conrad corrected. "Carthik, this is Officer Xamra. She's the one who was able to track Fraux's profile."

"Thank you," I said, bowing my head a little. Her eyes narrowed while pointing my sunglasses. "Fashion."

"Oh. Okay."

Xamra's here with us. Should I leave already? Orlstein must be waiting for me. Xamra was holding an empty cup and stood in front of the water dispenser. She pressed the blue button and the water came out.

"Have you informed the Gagnon family?" I asked. Xamra drank the water in her cup. Conrad shook his head.

"Neo didn't mention them. Actually, he's the only who should know about this."

My eyebrows furrowed. I couldn't get it. Why would he? It looked like Conrad noticed that I was confused, so he took his moment to speak.

"You see. Two investigations are happening. One from the police and the other one here. He told us not to inform the Gagnon family about this which is kinda weird. You are also not an exception. Just don't tell him we met. Then I'll do whatever you want," he explained. Easy peezy. It didn't take me a long time to absorb what he said. The next thing I knew, I told him what to do.

~<>~

Neo wasn't home yet. I was about to enter my room when I saw Orlstein in the kitchen. She was reading something. It was the files she had been researching.

"What's that?" I asked. I placed two cans of cola on the table. She looked at it and I gave the one can to her.

"Thanks. I think we should go to Mercy Hospital now. Hendre's still there, we can still meet him," she said without looking at me.

I felt sympathy for her. She didn't seem to be in herself. I patted her back and I was shocked when she suddenly burst into tears. I couldn't say anything so I just hugged her. I hugged her as if today's our last day.

She began to sob uncontrollably. This was my first time seeing her like this. I knew there was something why she was crying. It wasn't about losing a game because of me, because her candy fell on the ground, or her parents left without her. I knew it but I chose to be quiet.

I couldn't just give her a lollipop because I knew it wasn't the answer to calm her. I didn't have any right to ask her if she's okay because I was the one who caused her to be like this.

Sorry, I thought. As a man, I should act like I wasn't hurt. She curled her arms on my muscular body. Her fragrance was like a drug, it's addictive. She loosened her arms and tried to walk away but I held her arms.

"Don't. Leave. Without. Telling. Me. Why." I ordered. It was0 a selfish act but it worked. She looked at me in the eyes but of course, I was wearing my sunglasses.

"I'm tired, Carthik," she said softly and gave me a smile. A smile who had thousands of meaning.

"Tired of what?" I asked. I was waiting for her to say that she's tired of helping me or she already knew who killed Auren.

She shrugged. "Life? You know, I hate myself because I can't find the person who killed my sister."

"Blaming myself for what happened, I've been there. And it sucks. You'll not get what you want today, but maybe tomorrow."

And if that tomorrow would come, I'd be alone forever. I'd do my best to prevent it from happening. I was so sorry Orlstein. I lied again.

~<>~

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