Episode 10

I'm feeling a bit mentally exhausted by it all; it's hard to fathom Jennie's death. Jennie had something she wanted to tell me. I woke up early and went for a run to clear my head before her funeral. After my run, I took a long shower, trying to relax and quiet the constant stream of hypotheses and distrust of everyone in my mind. Continuing like this, I fear I might descend into madness.

I chose something simple to wear to the funeral—a black hoodie with matching pants and jacket.

Leaving the house, I got the eerie feeling of being watched, so I hurried into my car and headed to the funeral, where the whole town had gathered. They were carrying out Jennie's body in a coffin, and a knot formed in my heart as I remembered my sister in the same way—Mrs. Clara, Jennie's mother, weeping inconsolably. As I surveyed the scene, my gaze landed on Kai, who was staring intently back at me. I saw my father comforting Mrs. Clara; he looked at me, yet said nothing. After the burial, everyone headed to Jennie's mother's house. I watched as people mingled; my father was conversing with a man who I overheard was the police chief of the town, alongside the mayor.

But a girl caught my eye, someone who seemed weary and had dark circles under her eyes. As I kept watching, I noticed needle marks on her arm, quickly concealed under her sleeve.

I stepped outside for fresh air, and Tian came up to join me.

Tian: "Are you okay?" (Handing me a cup of tea)

Ali: "Just needed some air."

Tian: "I understand."

Ali: "Tian, I want to ask you something. How do people get hold of drugs like meth here? I ask because I thought I saw some kids using it yesterday." (I lied)

Tian: "It seems in this town it's all about Don. Rumor has it he's the mayor's brother and he brings them in, but 'The Devil' takes a cut or something. I don’t know much, just what I've heard."

Ali: "'The Devil'?"

Tian: "Yeah, no one messes with him, and no one knows who he is."

At that moment, I saw Kai approaching; he greeted Tian and then turned to me.

Kai: "Can we talk?"

Ali: "Okay," I watched Tian leave. "What is it?"

Kai: "Could we sit down in the garden? It's quieter there."

Ali: "Fine," as we walked toward the garden, all I could wonder was what Kai was going to reveal or threaten me with.

Kai: "I know you suspect me in all of this, but I had nothing to do with it. I failed her, I didn't protect her. Now, let me protect you. This town is dangerous, and you can't handle it alone."

Ali: "I don’t trust you. To me, you're a prime suspect. And if they were my friends, I would've done everything to help, to prevent this. What did you actually do, Kai? How can I trust you? How do I know you're not just trying to find out what I've seen or what I know?"

Kai: "You have every reason to think that, but you can't keep going alone. You're in danger, Ali. Let me help; let me rid myself of the guilt of not having helped Alana and Jennie."

Ali: "I don't trust you. And if Jennie was your girlfriend, why aren’t you more grief-stricken over her death?" (I pressed)

Kai: "I wasn't her boyfriend, just her friend. Just let me help you, Ali. Only I can protect you." He tried to get closer, but I stood up.

Ali: "I’ll think about it." I saw him smile as I left.

I drove away, stopping at the town park, reminiscing about the children playing and recalling my childhood. I pondered on when this place turned into an enigma filled with evil and death.

Everyone turned a blind eye, or pretended not to see. I didn't know how to solve this, feeling lost and alone. I stayed in the park until dusk, trying to process everything. To alleviate my mother's worries, I called her, lied that I hadn't found out anything significant. I ate at a restaurant near the park and then drove home. The streets were shrouded in darkness. Upon arriving, I set the car's security alarm, dropped the keys in a fumble, picked them up, and opened the door. But when I went to turn on the lights, there was no response. Peering out, I saw other houses had lights on. As I reached for my phone, someone slammed me against the wall, pinning me in place. I couldn't move as the assailant pressed me hard against the wall, then a voice hissed in my ear, "Keep snooping, and you'll find death, just like your sister." Desperately, I managed to grab a lamp and hit him on the head, but it didn't stop him. Even in darkness, I tried to run for the door, but he grabbed my leg, pulling me down hard against the floor, my head ringing. I tried to rise, to fight, but then felt hands around my neck squeezing... and everything began to fade to black...

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