Difficult Times

What I heard from the old man was enough. I now knew who my next target should be. This was no longer just a matter of personal justice—it was a way to send a clear message to all the vile and corrupt people in this world: every atrocious action has its rightful punishment.

I stood up and bid the old man goodbye, as night had already fallen during our long conversation. But before we parted ways, I asked for his name. He introduced himself as Niel.

Looking him in the eye, I said, "Sir Niel, don't worry. The demons you spoke of, especially that pastor, will find their rightful place in hell. Just wait, and never lose your faith in God. Justice will come, one way or another."

With that, I left, carrying with me the weight of his pain—and a newfound determination to ensure that people like Pastor Jun would face the consequences of their actions.

---------------

When I got home and finally had a chance to rest, I found myself staring blankly at the ceiling of my apartment. The events of the day were overwhelming, and I was struggling to process everything I had learned.

My thoughts drifted to the old man, Sir Niel, and the heavy story he had shared with me. The pain and despair he carried were undeniable, and I could only imagine how he must still be searching for his daughter, Patricia, even at this very moment.

But for now, I decided I had learned enough for the day. Tomorrow, my focus would be clear—finding Pastor Jun. It was time to take action, and perhaps, it was also time to add another crow to my tarot card.

Before going to bed, I sent Kath a text message. I would need her help for the plan I was about to set into motion. I told her to meet me near the bus station tomorrow. This would be our first mission together, and I was determined to make it count. With that thought, I let the weight of the day fade as sleep slowly claimed me.

--- While Daniel Sleeps ---

Inside the prison where Officer Christian, Lara's father, was being held, disbelief consumed him. In a matter of moments, his life had flipped upside down. He couldn't fathom how he ended up in this cell or why he had shot Red Scaver, a VIP prisoner at their station.

He tried to piece together the events leading up to the incident, but the last clear memory he had was of a man completely covered in black—a hooded jacket and a facemask obscuring his identity. No matter how many times he repeated this story to the other officers, no one believed him. The CCTV footage clearly showed him pulling the trigger, leaving no room for doubt in their eyes.

As Christian sat in his cell, lost in thought, a guard suddenly called out to him, saying he had a visitor.

Escorted out of his cell to the visitors' area, Christian saw his daughter, Lara, waiting for him. The moment he laid eyes on her, he could see the exhaustion and emotional toll written all over her face—a reflection of the struggles she had endured since his imprisonment.

"Lara!" he called out, his voice filled with concern as he rushed to her, restrained by his handcuffs.

They exchanged greetings, Lara assuring her father that she was managing, though it was evident that her strength was wearing thin. She had brought him some food, a small comfort amidst the harsh reality of his situation.

Despite the difficulty of eating with his hands cuffed, Christian devoured the sandwich Lara had brought him. He was famished, the conditions in the cell making every meal feel like a privilege. Watching him eat, Lara couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for her father, who was once a respected officer and now a prisoner burdened by a crime he couldn't explain.

Tears welled up in Lara's eyes as she watched her father, visibly starving and tormented by the thoughts of what he had done and the reality of his imprisonment. The sight of him—broken and overwhelmed—was too much to bear. Moments later, her father broke the silence.

"I'm sorry, Lara... I'm so sorry," he said, his voice trembling as tears began streaming down his face, a release of the burden he had carried silently for so long.

Lara, holding back her own tears, responded firmly, her expression serious and filled with determination. "I believe you, Papa. No matter what they say, I believe you. I know you would never willingly do something like that. I know you weren't in control of yourself when it happened, and I know—without a doubt—that my father could never kill anyone."

Her words were resolute, her gaze locked onto her father's eyes, a mix of pain and love radiating from her. For Christian, her belief in him felt like a lifeline, a flicker of hope amidst the darkness of his situation. It was a moment of raw emotion, a father and daughter bound by trust, even when the world seemed to doubt him.

Christian, filled with concern, asked his daughter, "Lara, why do you always visit at night? It's dangerous to be out at this hour. What if something happens to you?"

Lara offered a calm yet heartfelt explanation. "I do it on purpose, Papa. I want to make sure you get to eat properly and enjoy the food I bring you without anyone else interfering. During my earlier visits in the morning, the time was so limited because there were so many other visitors. They would send you back to your cell quickly, often with your food still in hand."

She paused, her voice tinged with frustration and sadness. "I noticed that when they sent you back, other inmates would take your food, and sometimes even the officers would forcefully take what I brought before you could eat. I couldn't stand seeing you go hungry because of that."

Her gaze softened as she continued. "When I found out that visiting hours at night were longer, I decided to come during this time instead. It gives us a bit more time together, and I can be sure you'll actually get to eat what I bring you."

Christian's heart ached hearing his daughter's sacrifice and the challenges she faced just to ensure his well-being. Her thoughtfulness and determination only deepened his guilt and gratitude, knowing how much she was enduring to be there for him in such a difficult time.

After spending a brief but meaningful time with her father, Lara watched as he was escorted back to his cell. They exchanged a few parting words before he disappeared behind the heavy metal bars.

As she left the station, Lara's mind was racing. She was determined—she would not stop until she uncovered the truth behind her father's sudden and uncharacteristic act of killing Red Scaver.

One name lingered in her thoughts, a name whispered in her workplace and idolized by many of her colleagues: The Fool. From what she had read on social media, many believed that The Fool was behind Red Scaver's death, deeming it a necessary act of justice for the horrific crimes Red had committed. Despite being labeled a VIP and heavily guarded by police who followed his every command, Red's past actions had made him a symbol of corruption and evil.

Lara couldn't disagree that someone like Red deserved to be removed from the world. People like him had no place in society. But what she couldn't accept was that her father had been caught in the crossfire. She suspected that The Fool had somehow used her father as a tool to execute the act, and her resolve hardened.

"I won't let everything fall on Papa," Lara thought, her determination unwavering. "I'll find The Fool, no matter what it takes, and make sure the truth comes out. My father will not bear the blame alone."

With her mind set and her heart filled with purpose, Lara walked away from the station, ready to begin her quest for answers.