Zein's Point of View
I was one of the people the police questioned because I was the one who discovered the victim. My mind kept wandering during the interrogation; I had to ask them to repeat their questions just so I could provide an answer.
"Did you see who was the last person to leave the restroom?" the officer asked.
My thoughts were a tangled mess. If Nicky really was the one who did it, why would she? What was the motive? Based on what I saw, the victim died because of the wire wrapped around his neck. He was holding a knife, suggesting a struggle. But Nicky… a knife would be useless against a woman like her.
And how did that man end up in the women's restroom? Did he follow her there?
"Miss Shion?"
The policeman's voice pulled me back to reality. I offered a strained, embarrassed smile. He looked like his head was starting to ache just dealing with me.
"Sir, my friend might be in shock," Vanessa intervened, rubbing my back.
The officer nodded and whispered to his partner. "Okay, that's all for now. We'll call you if we have further questions." He stood up to shake my hand, and I simply nodded.
I was still reeling from the fact that Nicky was even there. It wasn't until we left the station that I felt I could finally breathe.
"Are you really okay?" Vanessa asked.
I looked at her, debating whether to tell her what I saw. If I did, would it change anything? I decided to stay silent. For now, this secret belonged only to me.
"Zein!"
I turned to see Ace running toward us. He was still in his school uniform, clearly having rushed over. My chest tightened—we were both hiding so much from each other now.
"Are you okay? What happened?" he asked, panting and drenched in sweat.
"You should take her home, Ace. She needs to rest," Vanessa suggested.
Ace looked at me with deep concern, his eyes pleading for an explanation. I didn't want us to have secrets, but maybe, for the best, we had to stay like this a little longer.
The ride home was heavy with silence. Ace kept his eyes on the road, glancing at me occasionally. I couldn't bring myself to speak; I was afraid of saying something I'd regret.
"You're so quiet, it's scaring me," he whispered.
*I'm more afraid of tomorrow,* I thought. *Afraid that these secrets will make us weak.*
"Just tired..." I whispered, leaning my head on his shoulder. I heard him sigh.
We've been through so much; we'll get through this too, Ace. I won't let you go. I'll forgive everything, as long as you're there. I'll keep fighting.
I must have fallen asleep during the drive. My head was dizzy, and I was too exhausted to open my eyes even when I felt myself being carried to bed.
"He was killed..."
I heard Ace's soft voice and my heart hammered. I stayed still, afraid to open my eyes. He wasn't talking to me—he was on the phone.
"I don't need your help, I can handle this shit myself!" he whispered harshly. "I'll hire someone else then... Don't you dare. I'm hanging up. Bye, brother."
The bed shifted as he stood up. I held my breath, trying to connect the dots forming in my mind. I was terrified of what the picture would look like once it was finished. I'd rather be wrong about everything than right about this.
I heard the door close and his footsteps fade away. I slowly opened my eyes to the familiar sight of my room. I sat up, still feeling weak. Everything was getting worse, and I knew I didn't even have half the story yet. I had to prepare for the day the truth finally came out.
I put on my slippers and followed the scent of food to the kitchen.
"Why did you get up?" Ace asked, helping me to a chair.
"I'm not sick, Ace. I wasn't hospitalized."
He frowned, making me wonder if I'd offended him. He approached me with a glass of milk. "Drink this."
"I don't—"
"Hush." He put his thumb to my lips before going back to the stove. I couldn't help but laugh. For a moment, his presence chased away all my doubts.
Days passed. I continued to hide what I knew, but my curiosity was becoming a fever. I was tempted to investigate, to make the same rash decisions I made back at Hell University.
Ace remained busy, often coming home late. I wasn't stupid; I knew he was up to something, but I stayed quiet. I wanted to give him the chance to be open with me again.
"Where is Ace?" I asked Matt when he met me in front of our building.
"I was assigned to the job, Queen Zein," Matt laughed, though there was a strange glint in his eyes. "Orders from the former SSG of Awesome Hell University."
I got into the car. I understood he was busy, but did he have to be this serious? This was supposed to be our time.
"Just try to understand him," Matt said as he drove.
"You don't have to tell me that, Matt."
"Fine, fine."
I closed my eyes, exhausted.
"Zein... when will you be brave enough?" Matt asked suddenly.
I opened my eyes. He was staring seriously at the road. "What do you mean?"
"To stop pretending?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
He didn't answer, only nodding to himself. He didn't speak again until we reached the house, where we found Aunt Mira and Ate Allison. They both seemed anxious to see us.
"Where's Mommy?" I asked.
"Office," Ate replied shortly.
Matt and Ate exchanged a look before Ate looked away. "You're not with Ace?" she asked.
I laughed. Everyone was looking for everyone else. Aunt Mira brought snacks but quickly retreated to the kitchen. Ate went to get something, leaving Matt and me alone.
"They're weird," I whispered.
"Everything is weird to you," Matt commented. "I have to go." He finished his juice and stood up. He left without a word to my sister.
I went to my room to change. While I was mid-stride, I felt a presence. I turned to see Aunt Mira.
"How are you? Aren't you with your boyfriend?" she asked, arranging clothes on my bed.
"He's busy."
She picked up my laundry and headed for the door, but paused, looking at me with a worried expression.
"Why?" I asked.
She opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated, offered a bright smile, and left. Matt was right. Everything was weird. It felt like everyone had something to say but didn't know how to start.
I lay down on the ceiling, staring at the white void until sleep claimed me.
In the darkness of my dream, I saw a woman I knew well. She was smiling, but tears were streaming down her face.
"Ate Allison?"
The smile vanished. She turned her back and began walking away. I tried to chase her, to hug her, but my legs wouldn't move. I screamed, but she couldn't hear me.
Before she disappeared completely, she whispered a single name that brought back a million memories.
"Samantha..."
I bolted upright, drenched in sweat and gasping for air. My heart was pounding against my ribs.
What did that dream mean? Why that name?