5 5.Today’s ordeal

I give you the pendant of cursed love...there was a firing at your home...where you and I are unrequited with...Alisha, Do not draw on the walls with pastels. Alisha. Alisha... "Alisha", Mrs. Mascot called out to Alisha as she saw Alisha drained in sweat. Alisha snapped opened her eyes and looked at Mrs. Mascot bewildered. It's a dream. Just a dream. A dream. Alisha convinced herself.

Mrs. Lene Mascot, aged 45 years is a German widower. Her husband died in a traffic accident when she was pregnant with her only son. Erwin's mother Mrs. Jodie Scott was her family's rescuer. Mrs. Mascot was in a suicide prone state and did not think about her son. Since Mrs. Scott runs an NGO that considers such cases, she also came across Mrs. Mascot. But time made them grew closer and they were more like friends rather than a counselor and the victim. Later, Mrs. Scott offered a job offer as her company employee but Mrs. Mascot rejected the offer as she was a high School dropout. Later, Mrs. Mascot learned that her head maid was sick, she voluntarily asked to join the position and Mrs. Scott did not think twice to appoint her as a new maid soon after her delivery of the child.

"Oh Honey! It must be a bad dream."Mrs. Mascot said as she brushed her hair. Alisha was panting catching her breathe. "I heard you have college today and it's your last semester?" Mrs. Mascot asked trying to divert her mind still brushing her hair. "Ye-Yes, There's only a month."She said. "Why don't you take your day off today? You do not lookin- good shape."She said in her sweet German accent. Alisha did not answer. They heard the knock sound and turned their heads towards the door. A little girl came in, "Can I come in?"Asked Elena Scott, Erwin's cousin. "You are already inside."Alisha chuckled at her innocence. "What's your name?"Alisha asked signalling her to come near her."Elena Scott. Nice to meet you" Elena said smiling as she climbed on the bed with all her might and sat on the bed looking at Alisha."And yours?" Elena asked while smiling. Alisha Looked at Elena smiling, "Alisha Miles, nice to meet you too."Alisha said in a tone of awe. "Lene, I'm hungry. Let's cook Pasta!"Yelled Elena excited. "Yes, Alisha you should freshen up. I'll prepare the breakfast, come down as fast as you can." She smiled at her, "Let's make pasta!"Mrs. Mascot said to the little Elena as she catches her little hand and takes her out closing the door.

Alisha drags herself out of the bed heavy headed. She paced few steps thinking about last night massacre. I need to talk to Mr. Scott. He should be of any help. Firstly, I need to talk to my principal; I want my exams to be postponed. Yes? No? Ugh! I don't know. But I promised my dad that I will show him my project when it is done. Alisha was stuck in her dilemma. "Let's get freshen up and think what'll I'll do next."She said as she searched through the packed boxes as she collected her clothes and inner wears.

"Mr. Erwin, some officer has come to visit you." Erwin's Secretary Mr. John Yards said. "Send him inside. And order two orange juices."Erwin ordered. "Yes,Sir",replied Mr. Yards as he closed the door behind him. After few moments, Officer Jayson came in with few files dressed in his usual sweat pants and a jacket which he wore over a T- Shirt. "And my answer to my yesterday's question" Erwin asked as he shook his hands with the officer. "How is Alisha doing?" Officer Jayson asked. "She's fine. But I don't know her next step. But do you know who attempted this obtuse snuff?" Erwin questioned and Officer nodded in 'NO'. "We doubt the same people behind this case too." Officer Jayson said thoughtful. The door knocked again and the Secretary John entered. "Here's the juice. And Sir, you received this by post." Mr. Yards said. "Seems like a private eye."Mr. Yards whispered into Erwin's ears and left with the tray. "Have a sip officer, they're organic." Erwin suggested. "Thank you. We received information that it was the same person behind them. P239."Officer Jayson said in a serious tone. Erwin opened the envelope and saw a set of papers and few photographs. There were men covered in purple in the graveyard. Erwin handed them to Officer, "Might work for the investigation." Officer Jayson looked at the photographs which were secretly clicked by Erwin's Private eye. Erwin kept on reading the content as he read, "P239, is the lower one in their organization. Usually deals with warnings and killings. Bomb blast that occurred 2 years back is also caused by these people?"Erwin asked in disbelief. "Yes, Seems like Scott's and Miles do have connections." Officer Jayson said as Erwin passed few papers as he read and passed them onto Officer Jayson. "These photos and the information do not relate." said Erwin. "Yes, but I find the connection though." Officer said thoughtfully. "And how?" asked Erwin confused. "You see, these men wearing only purple jackets with this symbol? They actually might be the part of the special army forces. I've actually saw these symbol somewhere." Officer Jayson said as he looked at the photos again mystified. "I hope you'll help me on these details and can you click that symbol with your phone?" Erwin asked which came out more as an order. Officer Jayson looked at Erwin and did as Erwin told him. He sipped his juice and pulled out a letter from his inner pocket of his Jacket and handed to Erwin. "What's this?"Erwin asked as he opened the envelope. "This is letter from your father." Officer said, "He referred this letter to you". "Referred to me?" Erwin opened the letter and read

Dear Erwin,

Thank you for everything. Take care of your Mother, Grandparents, and your cousins, get a girlfriend. Ha-ha. Son, I was really glad and happy every day after I met your mother. She's such an amazing person and I put her in your hands. If you're reading this something might have happened to me. Find Glenn Dawson. He's got all information. He is an FBI agent. Remember you're not alone, save your family.

Your loving father,

Kerry Scott.

"So, my dad knows that he'll die?" Erwin asked unable to believe. "I got this letter in the store room along with the file which dated to 1996. I was confused first but later I realized that your father had to be the witness for a case related to FBI."Officer Jayson said. "Why was dad a witness? What you said was 1996?"Erwin remembered. "He returned home somewhere at the end of the January of This year."Erwin said as he slowly recollecting. "What month was it?" Erwin inquired. "Hm...Let's see, the envelop picture described the month in those days. It was a beach picture with a little boy holding his umbrella."Officer Jayson recalled. "Beach? Summer? Usually summer in Canada can be considered as June to September. So, dad wrote this letter in June-July-August-or-September" Erwin estimated. "May be or may not be. There is a possibility. Your father might written the letter already and put the letter in summer card!" Officer Jayson said as a matter of possibility. Erwin got up frustrated as he threw the papers on his desk raged. "Mr. Scott, I'll take my leave. You also need to calm your nerves." Officer Jayson said as he took the last sip of his juice and left closing the door behind him.

"Thanks for the Breakfast Mrs. Mascot." said Alisha smiling. "Hm...Can I get Mr. Scott's mobile number?"Asked Alisha hesitated taking the plate as she stood up on her feet. "Yes, of course honey. You can just dial 1 on any phone on this home."Mrs. Mascot said smiling taking the plate from Alisha's hand. "Should I call Eri?"Elena said and jumped out of her seat. Elena pushed the 1 button on the phone and waited for the phone to ring Erwin's voice through the line. After few rings, the voice spoke on the other side of the line, "Hello, Erwin Scott speaking. Who's this?" Elena chuckled on hearing her brother's voice. "Hello, Elena Scott speaking. May you please connect to Eri."Elena said thought through the line in the same tone as Erwin answered. "Elena!" Erwin said through the line. "Eri, Ms. Miles wants to talk with you."Elena said and handed the phone to Alisha.

"Alisha?"Erwin spoke through the line, his voice with sternness. "Yes, I just wanted to talk to you personally." Alisha said in one go. "Alisha, you know where Mr. Dawson is?"Erwin questioned. "He's probably in hospital."Alisha answered as a matter of fact. "That old man is not there in the hospital. Yesterday when I took you home, he left after that."Erwin stated. "May be he became fine. He'll probably be home." Alisha stated as one of the possibility. "OK. That's one possibility and I have something important that you should know." Erwin stated. "You are in danger Alisha. People who were the reason for your parent's massacre are trying to find you. Plus, we need to find Glenn Dawson's Diary."Erwin said. "Uncle's diary?"Asked Alisha who was already in disbelief about her news. "I'm coming home Alisha. Let's talk when I'm there."Saying this Erwin hung up the phone.

Alisha placed the phone receiver in its place and headed back to her room. She plopped up on her bed and starred at the ceiling. Why it have to happen to us? Why it should be my Family, all the happiness that I've been through, why it have to shatter. Alisha thought. Just then the door knocked and Erwin entered her room closing the door behind her. "Alisha, as I said before you're in danger and this is not because of your parents but because you've messed up with someone else."Erwin said disquietude. "I did not mess up with anyone with my life. I...wait, actually this scenario might look a little bit messed up but I happen to see the bomb setters in a car two years ago and reported them to the police but though I tried to save those people they eventually died in the end. I regret not saving them."Alisha said downhearted. Erwin looked at her unable to utter a word. She was the girl that cops mentioned. She tried to save my parents. Erwin thought unable to swallow what he just heard. "Alisha, you know, I'm grateful to you. You actually tried to save my family but I ended up losing them in front of my eyes."Erwin said tears splattering through his eyes. "I'm sorry. I couldn't save them."Alisha said crying as she felt the same pain. "Can you recognize those people who have done this to my Family?" Erwin asked almost pleading, his eyes still drenched with tears. "Erwin, that day also, I saw few suspicious people in purple coats with weird symbols. Few of them were females. Though I was there, I could only see them fixing something in a red Caravan which was parked on the high way." Alisha recalled. "I felt guarded and called the police but I-" "You did the right thing. Anyway past is past."Erwin sighed as he wiped his tears off his face. "We have to find that old man first. But why were you on that high way?" Erwin asked curious. "I-I was" Alisha paused hesitated to answer but she looked at Erwin and continued, "I was with my club members. Back then, I was part of the detective club that was newly formed and there was a rumor that-that was the place where the underworld lingers. I shouldn't be saying this to anyone but we actually encountered this incident on our way to our trip to a inter-college club competition. It was a friend of mine who wanted to go to washroom urgently. We had to halt and she went on jakes. We stood there in the shade of tree and there I caught those people in purple coats. I did not want to push any further investigation and we headed back the way we came. I remember it so well until today because I couldn't go on to that competition or I could save the people from the caravan." Alisha completed her story woe evident in her voice.

"My dad knows he was going to die Alisha, anyways, you should not think much about the bomb blast thing anymore." Erwin said firmly. "But how can I? You know that day after my friend came back from the Jakes; she was like totally afraid and periled. That was one of the reasons to head back too but she found evidence that was actually a piece of cloth written 'WE WORK, WE CONSPIRE'."Alisha said strongly. "We assume that piece of cloth actually belongs to those people in purple coats."Alisha concluded. "Alisha, do you think we are on the right track with such small evidence?"Erwin questioned perusal. "I don't know."Alisha sighed. "Anyways, you should think about yourself now. You're in danger."Erwin said and continued. "Alisha let's get going. No one's here." Erwin said as he adjusted his coat. "What are you talking? I just came up after having my breakfast with Mrs. Mascot and Elena." Alisha said bewildered. "My family brought you a misery that has become your today's ordeal Alisha."Erwin said as he grabbed her hand and pulled out of her room.