:Witnessed

Aixela's Pov:

I just woke up when the light penetrated from the hotel window. I immediately fixed myself. This is my third week here and I will visit Mimi again. After getting dressed, I immediately went to the cemetery where she was buried.

"Hi Mimi. It's me again, Aixela. How are you?"

I took out the food from the lunch box.

"Look, Mimi. I cooked it myself. It's your favorite, right? Especially when there is a lot of milk," I giggled.

I took my food and started eating it. My tears flowed slowly.

"Uh-- Haha. T-the Chocolate Rice Porridge is too hot."

The tears that I had been holding back came out completely. I covered my face while crying.

"Mimi, I miss you so much. I want to eat with you again."

After eating, I've sorted things out. I told Mimi everything that happened to me last year. After a while, I stood up and looked at her tombstone.

Emilia Louisiana Supresencia

April 3, 1974 - September 8, 2000

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I went back to the hotel and arranged my belongings. My flight back home will be the day after tomorrow, so I want to buy some presents for them.

I went to the market and started looking for some souvenirs. There are lots of tourists looking for good souvenirs as well.

There are many choices, but one thing caught my attention.

I entered a narrow alley where there was a table with the luggage of the man. He sells scarves. The fabrics are beautiful and come in a variety of colors.

"Hi, sir. May I ask if where did these scarves came from?"

"These scarves were stitched by my wife," He proudly said.

"Woah? Really?"

"She's so amazing, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. I really like these. How much does it cost?"

"I usually sell it 200 each, but I'll give you a discount if you'll buy many."

I bought three scarves for Denise, Mama and Louis. I chose their favorite colors so that they'll like it. The man gave me a good discount. We even talked for a while.

He looks like a nice man, but he always denies it. We have the same ages, but he is already married and has three children. I hope Louis and I would have a family like that soon.

"Mister, thank you again. I hope I could stitch good like your wife."

"Hahaha! My wife has powerful hands," He jokes with a whisper that made the both of us laugh.

I wave him goodbye and happily walked away until I collided with a man. Because of that, my purchases fell. I thought he would help me, but he didn't even look at me.

I irritably picked up my purchases. When I found it all and stood up, I bumped into another man, which caused me to fall to the ground.

"ARRGH!" I shouted angrily.

He looked at me wondering why I was shouting. He was about to walk when I pointed my finger to him.

"You! Aren't you going to help me?" I asked.

He didn't answer me instead he just gave me a look and raised his eyebrow.

I smiled angrily and rolled my eyes at him as I stood up. "The men here are really very gentleman," I said sarcastically.

He just shrugged his shoulders and was about to walk again when I screamed furiously.

I immediately returned to the hotel after the annoying incidents I had at the store earlier.

"How rude that man is?! Argh! Should I shave his eyebrows? WHAAAAA! He's really getting into my nerves!!!"

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Two days passed and the night of my flight came. I really like to ride a plane when it's night because I see many stars, moon and the sky.

In just five hours, I'm on my flight. The drive to the airport is three hours, so I am preparing to leave the hotel. All my luggage is fine except for the souvenirs I bought. I was surprised to see only two scarves in the cabinet.

"Huh? Why are these only two? Where is the other one?"

I tried to remember the events and my eyes widened when I realized where the scarf was.

"Shoot! It was the rude man's fault! Shocks! What am I going to do? That missing scarf belongs to Denise. What am I gonna dooooo?!!!" I rolled on the bed like a child grumbling.

I suddenly got up from the bed. "That's right, I have one more hour. I'll just go back to the alley I bought them from. Maybe I'll buy one for myself too. Correct! All right, I'll be back there."

I hurried to my feet and grabbed my bag. It was not that far, so I just ran.

It was a bit dark, so I had a hard time finding the man's place. But because I have a good sense of direction, I found the alley I was looking for. But I was shocked to see what was going on there.

"Let me go, who are you? What did I do to you?" The man struggled. "You do not remember me? Well, let me remind you who I am."

Suddenly the man kicked the salesman and I covered my mouth in shock. The salesman tried to fight back, but that man was stronger. He avoids making noise, so that they will not be noticed. This place is also a bit hidden. Based on my observations, his every move was planned.

"I'm begging you, please leave me alone," the salesman begged.

"But you, did you have mercy on me?" the man asked.

"Who the hell are you?!" the salesman shouted.

Suddenly the man pushed the salesman against the wall and forcefully pressed his elbow against the salesman's neck and then whispered.

This can't be happening. I have to do something. Trembling, I picked up my phone and dialed the police station number.

"H-hello? P-police station?" I whispered trembling.

"What is your emergency?"

"There are two men fighting here. I think the man intends to kill the salesman. Hurry up, you might not be able to catch him still breathing."

"Where exactly you are now?!"

"Uh-- at a market near the Hangga Hotel. We are here in the crowded alley. Three corners from the very first store. Please hurry up."

I was about to speak when the man suddenly spoke.

"Is anyone there?" He asked.

I covered my mouth and immediately turned off the phone. I hid behind trash cans. I forced myself to calm down and not make any noise.

I could feel him walking near to me, so I was shaking and crying so much. I no longer knew what to do when I suddenly heard a shout that came from the man.

I peeked and it looks like the salesman bit him to try to run away, but the man also caught him immediately. He took one of the salesman's scarves and tied them around his neck.

Even though it was dark I tried to trace the appearance of that man, but he was wearing a mask. But, I saw his eyes. And I got a clue from it. A scar. Scar engraved on the right temple on his head. I think that scar came from a beating with a hard, wide object back then.

When I looked on my side, I saw two rats. My eyes widened and because of that I bit my tongue, so that I won't scream.

I hate rats! But for my safety, I had to fight my fears.

I was continuing to calm myself when it suddenly crawled on me. I could no longer restrain myself and froze. I shook my body and the trash can I was hiding also fell, so the man must have seen me. The place is dark, so I'm sure he won't recognize me clearly.

I immediately ran and I didn't really look back at him. I kept running and shouting repeatedly to ask for help. Until I heard the siren of the police car.

A man in uniform got out of the police car. He was holding a gun and immediately approached me.

"Are you okay?" He asked. I just nodded while crying.

"Where is he?"

"I was hiding in the back of the trash earlier, but a rat crawled on me so I screamed. I ran because I was afraid he would kill me too. I know he was chasing me before but now, I don't know where he is. But probably he had ran away," I quickly explained.

"Where is the salesman you are talking about?"

"Ah, he was in the alley," I said while pointing in the direction of the alley.

We immediately ran to check the salesman's place where I saw him. But we saw the man lying on the ground who looked like not breathing at all. The police checked on the man's wrist, but it was too late because he was already dead. He stood up and looked at me.

"Come with me," He said.

I looked at him. "W-why?"

"Because you are the witness."

I was stunned by what he said. Did I hear right?

I am the witness?