“911, what is your emergency?” the female operator asked.

“I just saw someone getting murdered!” the voice on the other line cried out.

“Excuse me ma’am?” said the operator, “Could you repeat that one more time?”

“Hurry! I think I’m next!”

“Where are you at ma’am?”

“At Alva Street, please hurry!”

“Police are being dispatched right now, stay with me ma’am.”

“....”

“Ma’am?”

“...”

***ALVA STREET***

Police cars were surrounding a house as they put up yellow tape. People gathered at the side wondering what was going on. The media got on the scene and received news from their source. The news reporter woman nods a couple times as she listens to the other side of the phone. She hangs up and signals the camera crew to start. The recording begins as soon as the cameraman goes on the countdown.

3… 2… 1…

The news reporter woman faces the camera with a grieves gaze, “Good evening everyone. This is channel 90, Live. We are standing in front of XXX at Alva street when we recieved news about a horrible and burtal murder of the Obelisk family.”

The news reporter went on, “The police are at the crime scene and there is no current news about who is still alive and if the murderer has been captured yet.”

The crowd behind the yellow tape suddenly murmurs loudly as police accompany someone out of the house. The cameraman directs the recording towards whoever was coming out of the house. The news reporter woman received more news from one of her informants. She nods at that person and looks at the camera that returned to record her.

“We have just received news that the only known survivor is the youngest daughter of the Obelisk family. The father’s whereabouts are unknown, and it seems that the prime suspect is the youngest daughter, Maya Obelisk.”

***POLICE STATION***

A teenage girl was sitting in the interrogation room with her handcuffed. Her egyptain blue eyes gazes down with a voidless reflection as her silky waist length night sky hair dangles lifelessly against her body. The door to the side opens and enters two men. One of them had a folder in their hand, and the other leaned against the wall where the large mirror was at.

The man with the folder was detective Char Boston, and the other one was Blake Rogue. Char set the folder down on the table and opened it as he took a seat. Blake crosses his arm together while keeping a watchful eye on her.

“Do you know why you’re in here, Maya Obelisk?” Char asked.

Maya didn’t answer nor did she change her gaze. Char took out a photo from the folder and slid it on the table for her to see. Her eyes lightly shift to the photo.

“Your mother, Tatiyana was found in the living room brutally murdered,” said Char as he pulls out another picture from the folder, “And your sister, Ziva was cut into pieces in the kitchen.”

Maya still didn’t say anything. Char continues, “Can you tell me where you were today between 11 am and 1 pm?”

Her mouth was sealed tight, however, that didn’t stop Char from talking.

“An eyewitness places you at the scene during that time,” siad Char, “Tell me, did you do this?”

Maya slowly reaches out to the picture and touches them. This was the first reaction they ever received from her since they’ve found her. Char and Blake were suddenly taken back when they saw her crying silently while looking at the picture. Char felt somewhat pitiful at her. He couldn’t stand seeing a girl crying, especially her age because his own daughter was also a teenager.

“Maya,” Char called out with a fatherly voice, “Did you do this?”

Maya lifts her finger away from the picture and looks down. Not another word nor action was made after that. Char and Blake left the room seeing how she wasn’t going to respond to them at all. They went to the back room where they could see into the interrogation room from the mirror. She was still sitting there motionless.

“Do you think such a young girl like her would do such a thing?” Char asked.

Blake shrugs, “Beats me. All the evidence and witness points towards her.”

“But she doesn’t look guilty,” siad Char, “Just… Sad…”

Blake stares at Maya through the mirror. What Char said was true, there wasn’t a hint of guilt or remorse reflected in her eyes nor demonstrated in her body posture. She just looked like she had lost everything in the whole entire world.

A knock at the door catches their attention. They turn around and greet the older woman. She was the Director in command at the police station, Serah Savior. 

“Anything?” she asked.

They shake their heads. She looks into the room, “Has she asked for a lawyer yet?”

“No,” said Blake.

“Director,” siad Char, “Are we certain that she’s the murderer?”

“She’s the prime suspect of the crime,” said Serah, “There was no one else but her that the witness had places there during the time of the victims death.”

“But normally, a murderer would look either remorsal, scared, or arrogant,” siad Char, “She doesn’t look anything like that.”

Char looks back at Maya, “If anything, she looks like someone who just lost her family.”

“Don’t pity her just because her age is close to your daughter, Char,” said Blake, “For all we know, she could be a psychopath.”

“Blake…!”

“What detective Rogue said was reasonable,” said Serah.

“Director…!”

Serah looks at Char, “I understand your concern, Detective Boston. If we’re not careful, she could be innocent in all of this, however if what Detective Rogue said is true, then we must execute the law.”

Char stops talking back and nods. What she said was true and reason, and so was Blake’s but just couldn’t help but feel bad for Maya. Serah changed her sight back to Maya while thinking to herself. 

“Has the next of Kin been contacted yet?” Serah asked.

“No,” siad Char, “Maya and her sister were adopted by the Obelisk family ten years ago. And her father is currently missing.”

“Hmm…” Serah looks back to them.

They felt somewhat uncomfortable with her stare. This stares of her usually means that she had just thought up something that was going to be either very annoying or impossible to do.

“Why don’t we do this,” said Serah, “I’ll assign one of you to keep a close watch on her.”

“What…?” they both said with a shocked voice.

“She doesn’t have anyone to go to, and we can’t turn her to social service since she is our prime suspect,” said Serah, “Moreover, she hasn't even lawyered up yet. So, why don’t any of you watch over her and see what she’s up too.”

Before they could refuse, Serah had already made up her mind on who was going to watch her.

“Detective Rogue, I’ll put you on guard duty,” said Serah.

“What?” said Blake in disbelief, “Director are you serious?”

“I am.”

“But Serah,” said Blake, “Wouldn’t it be better if Char does it? He has more knowledge about taking care of a teenage girl.”

“I can’t risk having someone that is biased to watch over her,” said Serah, “And its director or ma’am, Detective Rogue.”

“But..!”

“This is an order,” said Serah.

“Haa…”

Blake stares out at the interrogation room. Maya wasn’t looking down anymore. Instead, she was looking straight at the mirror. And for just a split second, Blake thought that she was looking directly at him, but there’s no way she could when it was just a two way mirror. He ruffles his honey blond hair in irritation.

“This is an abuse of power…” he complained.

To Be Continue

***BLAKE’S PLACE***

Blake walks into a hallway and stops in front of a door. He opens the door and turns on the light inside of the room. He turns around, “This’ll be your room from today onward.”

Behind him was a teenage girl with long straight black hair like Obsidian. She slowly turned her blue teal gaze towards the room. She was Maya Obelisk. Starting today, Blake was incharge of watching over her. He was going to be her substitute guardian. Even though she was the prime suspect for the murder of her sister and adoptive mother, there was no murder weapon found, and they couldn’t put her in jail based on one person’s words with out physical evidences. 

Moreover, the prime suspect herself hasn't even confirmed or denied these accusations, and hasn't even asked for a lawyer. So his boss, the director of the police station he was located at had ordered him to keep an eye on her. He wanted to refuse but he couldn’t disobey an order. 

Maya took a few steps into the room. Blake leans against the door, “Since you’ll be living here, I have rules for you to follow.”

She sets her luggages down and turns towards Blake. He puts out five fingers, “Never turn off your GPS ankle locator, always call me every hour to give me an update of what you’re doing when you’re not in my range of sight, we have lunch, breakfast, and dinner together, and don't stay up late.”

So far, Blake has only said four rules. Maya waited for him to mention the last one. He turns to her as his body covers the entire entrance of the door. His expression was menacing as he said the final rule, “If you try to run or even try to do anything that is dangerous, I will shoot you.”

That was the last and final rule she had to follow. Maya nods at him without anything a single word. Blake hopes that she keeps those rules in mind. He turns away and closes the door behind him. It was a weekend, and school didn’t start until tomorrow. But even if school started, Maya was going to have a difficult time. Her face and her situation was already all over the news. Though she will have a difficult time, it was none of his business. 

Blake’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He took out his phone and looked at the text message sent to him from Char.

Tomorrow is a school day, remember to make good food for her to eat! - Char

Blake texted back to him.

If you’re that worry for her well being, then you come and cook for her. - Blake

Follow the director’s order, or I’m reporting you. - Char

Blake clicks his tongue at the text message. He wished that Char would have taken over and not him. He had no experience in dealing with teenagers, and didn’t have good social skills. Also, it was a long day of processing the guardianship over to him. Blake heads into the kitchen as he prepares for dinner.

Blake finished making dinner and called out to Maya to come down and eat. She came out of her room like a ghost. She didn’t make a sound nor a ruckus. Normally, when a teenager or anyone in particular goes through this kind of situation they would either grumble about it, or whine. They would also throw a fit, but Maya looked completely calm.

She took her seat and started to eat the food Blake made. Blake watches her reaction eating his food. He was surprised by what she did next. Maya was in tears again, however, this time there was life reflected in those dead eyes of her. He had to blink a couple of times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

“It’s… yummy…” she spoke.

Blake was taken back. The whole time he had been with her, she had never spoken. This was the first time she ever even said anything. Blake knows that he’s a good cook, but he didn’t think that his food could make someone that looks as dead as her cry.

“Uh… thanks…?”

Maya chews on her mouth lightly as though she was trying to hold something back. She grabs a few more meat into her fork and eats it. She closes her eyes tight and lets her tears fall down more. Blake was baffled. He didn’t know what to do. He quickly grabs a paper towel and hands it to her. She takes the towel and cries into it. 

Well, at least her reaction now was better then her dead reaction. Even though she wasn’t whining or complaining about her situation, at least she was venting. 

“Eat as much as you can,” said Blake, “You need all your energy for tomorrow.”

“It’s yummy… It’s really good…” Maya spoke out.

At that time, Blake had no idea what she kept saying those words. He wouldn’t find out about it until much, much later. For now, Maya finished the portion of food he made and went to sleep right after taking a shower. Maybe taking care of a teenagering wasn’t so hard after all.

Next Day

BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Blake’s hand wanders around the small side table until he finds the clock to turn off the alarm. His sluggish eyes open to look at the time. It was six in the morning. He groans out with irritation. He had no idea why he set the clock so early. He doesn’t even go to work until nine. He snoozes back into his bed until something in the back of his head keeps him awake. The sound of footsteps woke him up.

He gasped out in shock as he recalled what it was that was whispering to him. It was Maya. And the reason why he set his alarm so early was because she had school at 7:45 in the morning. Blake grumbles in his pillow, pondering if he should get up or not. Just why did he go with this when he could have just done everything to refuse it. His sweet morning sleep is now gone forever. Well, until they found out more evidence if she really is the murder or not.

Blake forces himself to wake up and heads into the bathroom to get ready. He received Maya’s schedule from Char the other day when they were still doing the process of transferring the guardianship over to him. He had to drive her to school in order to keep an eye on her, pick her up, and then start the process over again. He heads out of the bathroom like a grumpy old man and knocks on Maya’s door to wake her up.

There was no answer after he finished knocking on the door. He knocks again. No answer. Blake looks at his phone, the GPS said that she was still in the house. He knocks again. No answer. Irritated, he knocked louder, but still there was no answer. Suddenly, he heard the fire turn on in the kitchen. Blake runs down stairs and finds Maya cooking eggs for breakfast. So she was up before him.

He ruffles his hair, “At least let me know if you’re awake damn it.”

Maya looks at him and nods as she resumes on making the egg. They were having bread with egg for breakfast. Blake pours himself a cup of milk. When they came to his house, he told her that she could use whatever was available in the kitchen and bathroom as long as she doesn’t do anything that seems suspicious to him. It hasn’t even been a day yet, and she’s already making herself home.

Maya sets out the bread and burnt egg for them to eat. Blake’s lips lightly twitches as he looks at the burnt egg. He looks up at her, “Have you ever made eggs before?”

Maya didn’t answer him and ate the hard black burnt egg. Blake yanks the egg out of her mouth causing her to flinch at his action. She glares at him for his rude behavior. Blake glares back at her, “Haven’t you heard that eating burnt food will give you an upset stomach? I don’t want you to use this as an excuse to escape.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. Blake gets up from his seat, “I’ll wake up and make us food, so don’t you dare make anything if you can’t make it. I can’t eat this.”

He throws away the burnt egg and starts to cook them new ones. Once they were done, he set the freshly cooked egg without any burnt edge on the table. Maya looks at the egg then back at him. 

“What?” he said, “I’m not going to yank it out of your mouth this time. Eat.”

Maya places the egg on her bread and eats away. The texture of the egg made her eyes widen in shock. It wasn’t hard but smooth and silky. It even melts in her mouth with the delicious light salt to it. Maya tightens her grip on her cup of water and glares at Blake. He smirks at her, “That’s how you make an egg.”

Maya snubs off at him as she digs into the food. He scoffs at her reaction and eats his egg as well. They finally got out of the house after finishing their breakfast. The time was 7:13 AM. Just as Blake was about to close the door, he noticed that the flower vase wasn’t where it used to be. Before, it was at the window of the kitchen, but now it was suddenly on top of the shoe cubby. Weird, he doesn’t recall putting there nor moving it.

Blake shrugs it off without thinking about it too much. It takes at least twenty minutes to get to her school from where he lived. They were going to be late if they stayed there any longer. Blake closes the door and heads over to his car where Maya was waiting.

To Be Continue

The whole ride there, there were only silences between the two of them. When they finally got to her school, Blake opened the car door for her. He tapped his watch, “Come here the moment school is over. Any later, and I’ll take it as you trying to do something suspicious. Got it.”

Maya looks at him and nods. She got out of the car and didn’t even look back. Blake crosses his arm, “Is it even safe for her to go to school?”

He shakes his head, “Never mind. Just doing what’s asked of me. Don’t think too much about it, Blake.”

Blake goes back into his car and drives off to work. Maya felt eyes staring at her from back and front. She ignores them and enters her class like normal. However, the moment she steps in, a water balloon flies into her face and pops on impact. The students in the classroom laugh in her face. The boy that threw the ball was Kyle Glowker. His buddy Robert, and Jess were laughing along his side. Maya didn’t show any reaction whatsoever from the water balloon. She just stood there with a blank face.

“You didn’t cry when you killed your family,” said Kyle, “So I was just helping.”

“There’s the puddle of tears for you!” Robert shouts out.

Everyone in the room laughed even harder. Though Maya’s expression was expressionless, her open palm was slowly tightening into a fist. Before anything could happen, the teacher came in at the sound of the bell. Their teacher’s name was Mr. Harper. He walked into the classroom and stepped on the puddle of water. He also bumped into Maya who wasn’t moving.

He furrows his eyes at her, “Young lady, do you not know anything better than to just stand there in your puddle of water? How rude, class is about to start.”

Maya turns around and looks at him. He huffed at her with an irritated face, “Clean up your mess, you hear me?”

Maya slowly releases her tight fist and stares at him. He stares back, but the more he did, the more he felt something unnatural coming from her. He quickly looks away and clears his throat, “Go to the nurse office and get a change of clothes.”

She walks past him and heads over to the nurse office. The eerie feeling he was getting from her slowly disappeared. Mr. Harper gave out a sigh and entered the room. Just as he was about to start class, the lights in the room started to flicker above Kyle, Robert, and Jess. Everyone looks up to the flickering lights since it kept flickering non stop. And then suddenly, the light bud breaks above their head and shatters with a loud pop sound. Everyone in the room freaks out as the three duck for cover. Even Mr. Harper was shocked and scared for a split second there.

When he regains his ground, he huffs out, “Those damn maintained! I’ll be sending a formal complaint to them!”

***POLICE STATION***

Blake was on his desk, leaning back on his chair and was asleep. He was suddenly smack in the stomach by Char who had just arrived. Blake coughs out a couple of times before snarling at him, “What’s the big deal?!”

“You shouldn’t be sleeping on the job,” said Char as he sips in his coffee.

“Our work doesn’t start until nine,” said Blake as he cozy himself back to sleep.

Char shakes his head at him, “The moment you arrive is the moment work begins, Blake.”

Blake groans out irritated by his words. Char set his coffee down, “Were you able to send Maya to high school without trouble?”

Blake nods with his eyes closed. Char starts up his computer, “Well, I hope she’s doing alright. I heard that being a freshman without any friends can be lonely.”

“If you’re that worried for her then why don’t you take care of her,” said Blake with a lazy tone, “And who the hell told you that? You don’t know if she has friends or not.”

“My daughter goes to the same school as her,” siad Char, “And she told me that Maya doesn’t have any friends there. She’s a loner.”

“Good,” said Blake.

“Good?” Char tilts his head, “How is that good?”

“Being a loner means no one will get hurt, and no one will bother her,” said Blake, “What else?”

“Unlike you who is fine being a loner,” said Char with an upset tone, “Maya just lost her family remember? She needs support right now.”

“And have you forgotten that she’s our prime suspect for the murder of her sister and adoptive mother?” Blake throws back.

“Well, my guts says that it isn’t her,” siad Char.

“Screw your guts,” said Blake, “That’s not going to feed our stomach. No one is going to believe your guts but only physical evidence, Char.”

Char couldn’t argue back because what Blake said was true. He returns to his computer upset at his partner, “Well then, I’ll just go find those evidence and prove that she is innocent.”

“Yeah you do that,” said Blake as he waves his hand at him with his eyes close, “In the meantime, don’t wake me up until it's nine…”

“You lazy bum,” said Char with a disappointing voice.

Blake ignores his partner and snores himself away.

***MAYA”S SCHOOL***

Maya attended her class after receiving the change of clothes from the nurse. She ignores all of the murmurs behind her back as she walks down the hallway to go to her next classroom. Even during lunch time, when people were mocking her, she ignored them. She wanted to leave the school as soon as possible and just go back to Blake’s place. Even though he was a mean grumpy old man, it was better there than here.

However, it felt forever staying at the school and waiting for it to end. She huddles to herself during the breaks in her own corner with her eyes close. She silently cries to herself as she recalls her older sister patting her head and comforting her.

School ended for the day, Maya was putting her books and papers away into her bag. She looks at the watch on her wrist. It was getting close to the specific time Blake told her to meet him. She heads out of the classroom and quickly goes to the pick up zone. However, just as she was about to get here, someone trips her on her way out. Maya stumps forward and slides down hard against the hard concrete. Her stuff flew out from her back as her chin and knee scraped against the concrete. It was Kyle and his friends again.

Everyone who saw this laugh at her. All of the teachers were at the pick up zone so they didn’t see anything. Kyle laughed at her and noticed something on her ankle. He whispers something into his buddies ears. They nod at him. Maya tries to get up, but feels something pulling her leg. She looked down and saw Robert trying to take off her GPS ankle. 

Her eyes widened in shock. Maya tried to kick him off from her, but her arm was held back by Jess, and her knee got pin down by Kyle. She struggles to get from their grip, but they wouldn’t budge. Those who saw this just giggle and said that a murderer was getting what was coming. Maya tried hard to kick them off, but it was no use. They were overpowering her.

Blake arrives at the pick up zone. He looked at his watch, it was already the pick up time but he didn’t see Maya anywhere. Char told him that something students will come late to the pick zone because of classes and that it would be best for him to wait for a good ten minutes. Blake gave out a sigh and parks his car to the parking lot.

He waited, and waited, and waited. But Maya was nowhere to be found even after ten minutes of waiting. Annoyed that she kept him waiting, he finally took out his phone to look up her GPS. The locator showed that she was just a few steps away from the pick up zone. Suddenly, the dot that showed her location died out of nowhere. He narrowed his eyes at the disappeared dot. He closes his phone, “Damn… I knew it.”

Blake quickly runs to her last known location. When he finally got there, he saw something that stun him greatly.

“...!”

To Be Continue