2 You Have Us

~Protagonist's Point of View~

"You will never be accepted by anyone if you yourself don't accept who you really are..."

Ash once said when he stopped me from killing my own life. If he wasn't there I don't think I would be still here standing and laughing with these people around me. I'll never forget those words of his, it makes me feel like someone accepted me for who I really am.

"What? Really? She gave that kind of reaction?!"

It's Seia, Nami's best friend and the only one who can withstand her careless personality. And they are talking about me.

"Yes, and that's so epic! But well, Kano's reaction still on top pfft----"

"Omg... I'll never forget that pfft----"

And they laugh out loud together. I giggle, that was really an unforgettable shock reaction of Kano. Then, Kano shows up in front of them.

"Hey! I heard that! You two never learned! And Ela, don't laugh with these brats."

Kano shouted and then he grabbed them both towards Layla. The superior for them. But Layla only scolds them whenever they get hurt because of their carelessness.

I let out a sigh. Do I really have to make a plan on how to leave them...?

"You alright, Ela?" Jinno tapped my shoulder and looked at me worriedly.

"Just a bit tired." I uttered.

"Well, can't be helped. They chased you the whole day and made you run nonstop."

That's true. The bodies were found early in the morning and I was in the scene holding a knife so, literally, they would accuse me as the prime suspect. All because of that fishy old Maiden.

"Don't think too much, Ash is already making a move. He will make sure to clear your innocence." Jinno assured me, so that I wouldn't think too much.

I'm not thinking too much, to be honest. I know he'll make a move to prove my innocence. It's always like that. Ash is always doing something for me that makes me fall for him even more deeper.

But I have to do something to stop myself from falling...

"Is he in his room?" I asked because Nami said that he wanted to talk to me.

"Yes, he hasn't gone out since yesterday plus Akane's bag is on the door."

Oh, I didn't notice that. Akane is the youngest sister of Ash and since he can't go out and is always in his room, she is always there to accompany him and take care of him. She has this habit of leaving her bag on the door, and that also indicates that they are inside the room.

I bet... Akane is angry at me for sure.

The door opens and Akane goes out from there, "He's calling you." she murmured.

She can't even look me in the eyes. She maybe once again had an argument with him about me. My chest feels tight.

I just nod and come inside. All the lights are off as usual and the sunlight from the big window behind him is the only source of brightness here.

"Ash... I'm here." I almost cracked my voice. Whenever I see him, I can't help but blame myself.

He's facing towards the window while sitting on his chair.

"Stand beside me." he commanded.

He really knows me well. But still... He's a mean guy.

"Uh... About the incident that happened last night and the rumors----"

"Did you really do it?" he said, which made me stop talking.

"It's not me, Ash."

"I know." then he clenched his fist.

He's angry. I just stare at him silently. I don't want him to take responsibility for what happened. Not again.

But how can I prevent that if this guy will never allow that to happen.?

"Ash... Can I ask a favor?" I asked.

"If that is about me not taking action then no is my answer. I will never allow anyone to hurt you again, Ela."

Sighs. Just when will you realize that what you're doing to me is making me feel like I'm the helpless person huh, Ash. You're too caring and kind towards me. I am falling again on you.

"Hold my hand, Ela."

Which I did. He is just looking straight at the window while I'm looking at him worriedly.

Every time I look at him there's always a guilt inside me. Every time I look at his face I tend to blame and get angry at myself. I'm just holding myself and acting normal because he'll feel that I'm thinking about that incident again.

*knock! knock!*

"Come in."

It was Akane that entered the room. She's walking towards us.

"Ash, the detectives are here. They want to talk to you and Ela about the case." she reported and then she gave me a small white folder.

And there I open it and see a pile of pictures that are glued to this folder. What I just saw made me speechless.

"Ok, tell everyone to gather in the lounge. We will now begin the investigation and Ela, of course, will cooperate."

Akane went out of the room to gather everyone.

"What did she give you?" he asked.

"A folder with the photos of the crime scene, it includes here the dead bodies of the children."

Seeing the photos, I can't believe that the Maiden did this.

"Before we go there Ela, there's one thing I want you to know."

I look at him and he is also looking at me.

"This case is just very simple. Everyone here has an idea who did this and we believe in whatever you say, that's why, don't feel nervous and speak up for yourself. We can solve this right away----is what I want to say but we can't be so sure."

I get confused as to what he meant by his words at the end.

"What do you mean?"

"To simply put it right, don't trust anyone else including them, not even me."

Does that mean I have to limit myself on giving so much information? But what if some of it is important for this case? And if I don't trust them, even him, then whom will I trust then... I don't even trust myself, so what am I supposed to do...?

"I'll remember that. Don't worry." I just said as I pushed the wheelchair he was sitting on.

He smiled as a relief.

But Ash... I can't guarantee that I include you in the list even if you already said it, I don't find any reason for not trusting the person who only does, is to make me feel significant. Still, you're so mean Ash. Why still showing so much affection if you already rejected my confession before?

The double door of the lobby opens and as we enter we see them compiling in one place facing the two detectives in front of them. They look at us as we join the group.

They all smile at us while the detectives give us a serious impression. I can tell that they are high-level detectives, especially that guy with a long silver earring on his right ear. He gives me an intimidating aura.

Our eyes met.

*Ba-dump..!*

I touch my chest. It just suddenly skipped a beat that gave me a terrible pain in my chest. What's this feeling? Why do I feel like I've already met this guy before?

Ugh! My chest is paining so much.!

'I remember him...'

I freeze. What the hell. Why am I hearing this voice at this moment? I'm not even scared or anything that would trigger this darkness so why!?

'That guy with earrings, you have to kill him... You have to kill him. You have to kill him! He'll be in the way!! He's a nuisance!!'

I immediately cover my ears. What's this? It's so loud. It's tearin up my eardrums... I never felt this before. I never knew this voice can be this strong.

"Ela? Is something wrong?"

Who's this...

"Hey, what's happening to you?"

"Ela? Are you hurt? Your ears are bleeding! Oh my god----Kano bring Mr. Brown here!!"

"Ela... Hey Ela!"

I can't seem to recognize these voices. They keep on calling me.

I look at the man again... That man who's wearing a long silver earring. He seems to not be panicking, unlike his other subordinate. He is just looking at me with a blank expression. Does he know me? What's with him?

'Kill him!!'

Ugh.! Stop it already! I cover my ears again and now kneeling on the floor.

Somebody... Please help.

'There's no way they can help you. No one will understand what's really happening to you. Only me. Kill that guy... Kill him! Kill him.!'

Please... Someone...

"Ela... Ela, we're here. Tell us what's happening to you."

Tell you what's happening to me..? This voice... It's Layla.

Will they believe me if I tell them..?

'Of course not! No one believes you.'

"Everything will be alright."

Jinno. Their voices... It's getting clearer. I can recognize their voices.

"That's right, tell us what's hurting you."

Nami said and she's holding me on my shoulders.

"This is so sudden. We were already discussing the case and then when detective Khan was asking you, you suddenly looked ill and terrified." Seia said.

Detective Khan..?

"If something is bothering you, you can tell us, Ela. You have us."

Akane... but why is her voice of them all, it's like she's not worried about me. Is she happy? But if it's them maybe I can tell them.

"Ela..."

Ahh..

This warm and calm yet cold voice... Ash. Oh.. That's right. He told me not to trust anyone.

I lift my head up and see them in front of me with worried faces.

"Kano is rushing now to get Mr. Brown so hang in there." Nami said.

I feel like I want to burst into tears.

My eyes caught Ash rolling the tires of his wheelchair coming towards me with his face full of worries and... anger. And as he is now in front of me he touches my face.

"Forgive me... Angela."

He apologized saying my full name while he caressed my right cheek. He's so close.

I get to stare at his face at this close again.

No Ash, I should be the one telling that to you. I feel sorry whenever I stare at your face... seeing your blind left eye makes me remember what I did to you.

I have killed someone and have ruined many lives before... and there will be more coming in the future.

What a curse.

I am still staring at him, I move my hand and reach out his left cheek, caressing it on his blind eye.

"Apology accepted..."

to be continued..