Laboratory - Red

Chapter 51 Maria Aggy

"What are you doing?" Erina spoke on the phone.

"I.." While I'll keep it a secret from him. I had to lie to that good woman. I just don't want to worry her, nor do I want Erina to participate in that mysterious bloodfiend case.

"I just finished eating and now want to read a novel." Yep. I fabricated. Now I'm at the bus stop, waiting for the bus to pass under the blazing sun.

"Ah. What about my roasted chicken? Is delicious? Or did you find a flaw in the recipe?"

"No. All the dishes made by Kak Erina are always perfect."

I heard Erina's melodious laughter on the phone. Just so you know, I'm really starving for now. The rest of my mood was ruined because of Agam. Damn it with that idiot.

"really? Oh yeah, in the fridge is milk cake. Try it!"

"Milk cake? The brother who made it?"

"No, Aggy. That's what I bought."

I grinned, laughed at the end. Until then Erina said she was busy and immediately hung up the phone. I'm sure in an hour or two he'll be trying to reach me.

***

I entered through an open door in my old house. This forest has long been damp. No one dared to enter this area. The cross says 'Be careful! Lots of wild animals!' Plastered on the side of the road.

I who have lived for many years in the midst of this boredom never even feel afraid if it is possible that animals can tear and prey on me. I have never felt a fight with a wild animal. It was as if they did not regard me as a victim.

Maybe it was a coincidence. Or is it destined. I don't know. For now I won't think too much.

I sat in front of the television, putting the bag with a very heavy load. I pulled out a history book about city X and a notebook. Still empty, because I'm lazy to learn.

In the written book:

'In 1999, X was declared the most comfortable and pollution-free city in our country. For that time, city X was a dream city that became the main center of tourist visits from outside the city and abroad.

But stepping on the era of the 2000s, many new trends emerged. City X which was originally crowned as the most comfortable city was even different one hundred and twenty degrees. The tourists from outside the city and abroad so no taste anymore.

In 2001, the city of X recorded a dark history that had occurred. An incident that will never be forgotten.'

I started to write this part down. I think this is the outline that connects all the conspiracies that I'm about to conclude. Although my brain is weak and likes to lose concentration, but to solve this problem, I believe I can.

'The heinous murder of Hendrick's extended family. Its history will never be forgotten by all of us in this city.

'Incomplicated murder motives, endless conspiracy theories. And the victim just disappeared without a trace. The police officers were unable to find the victim, then gave a fair punishment. Although we all know the punishment by Master is fairer.

'12-year-old girl with initials C disappears. The father of the girl with the initials M was killed by hanging himself. Mother with initials B is also missing. Kinsmen such as cousins who are all three are men are also found to hang themselves. Each one in a different place. Cousin one in the bathroom. Two cousins in the guest room. And cousin three in the kitchen. While the father was in his own room.

'Other family members such as uncle or aunt and grandparent had stab wounds.

'Police still can't find a motive for the murder until now. But all of us, the people of city X are convinced that this is a case of premeditated murder.'

I scrunched my eyebrows, barely believing. Is this really what happened to the city that I have been in a dozen years? Why did neither mother nor sister nor Erina ever say it?

I glanced at the year the history book came out. 2003 Years. That's been a while. I've never read the history of the city I live in, but I wouldn't be a hypocrite. I dare say that city X is fantastic and holds a dark history.

But isn't the murder case a bit familiar to the ears? The bloodfiend? Wait for. I don't think so. Remember when Aryo told me about the silver necklace and the case of one of the missing hands. It's a little different.

I folded the books back, put them in my backpack and prepared to leave. I can't linger in this house. Erina's worried.

***

"What are you doing now?"

I snorted as bad as hell. Just had a mouthful of food, and Erina had already asked a lot of questions.

"I.." jeez. I've run out of ideas to make up. "I want to read a novel."

"It seems you like reading. Tell. What genre do you like."

"Ah, I guess a mystery." I answered while narrowing my phone under my ear and over my shoulder. While both my hands were busy holding the fork and spoon.

"good. Good. I'll stop by the bookstore for a second. You're okay at home, aren't you, Aggy?"

"Yes. I'm doing fine. Thanks for the book."

"Either. Don't forget to take good care of yourself. You have to stay home to take care of yourself."

Phone's turned off. I put my phone on the dining table. The sky began to overcast, the sun's bright sparkling light began to be replaced with a cloud of black clouds in the sky. Soon it might rain will wrap up the city. I know because the black color is so thick.

Alright. I don't think I can involve Erina in this search. Maybe Mark Steffano can help a lot. As a poet, he was like a detective. Especially with Aryo, a really skilled cop. They can be very useful partners.

After finishing the meal, I walked towards the terrace. Looking at the flower garden in front of Erina's house. The overcast sky started to lower the drizzle. The heavy rain is coming soon.

I leaned my back against the patio chair. I closed my eyes, staring.

Doesn't it feel like just yesterday I was fighting that shitty Neny lab monster? Doesn't it feel like it just happened yesterday when I was kidnapped by her? Doesn't it feel like it just happened yesterday when I did a fool and instead believed in him?

Ah, Marcues. If it's true you're my father. I'm sorry if I had to hate you. Yep. I hate you for making my life worse. I also hate you for not being so good at looking after me. Where my real mother lives now I don't know.

Didn't Neny say I wasn't the only child of Edwars Marcues? That means there's more than one. My point is, Edward Marcues' descendants aren't just me. Right too. But who? I just thought about this.

Does that mean I have a brother too? Maybe that's true. Siblings! But for now I have not been able to conclude. The rest I don't know if my brother is a friend or an opponent.

Because I'm really far away from the Marcues family. I was raised by my adoptive mother, in foster care also by my adoptive brother and adoptive father who did not know themselves. Been wacko.

Moreover, in the book by Gladis, the Marcues extended family is not just any ordinary person. The children of Edward Marcues were also highly educated. What's with me? Compared to losing far. This feeling made me feel like the most wasted child among the Marcues family. Even though it's true.

My phone suddenly rang, breaking my daydream instantly. I look at who called me. At first I was hissing. Thinking that it was a call from Erina who non-stop asked me how I was doing. But it didn't. Mark Steffano called me.

"Yes?" I started first, politely. "Ah. Good. Good. I'll be there soon." I hurried to run around changing my school uniform for a more casual outfit.

***

The rain is starting to stop. The ground became muddy and water-based because of the rain. But the sun began to shine, and the day was getting late. I glanced at the clock on the phone, making sure to manage time for a quick chat with Mark at the cafe.

I take off the hood in my hoodie. Wandering around looking for Mark inside the cafe. Looks like he's already inside, after all, Mark is not a broken man.

Turns right. He was already as usual, leaving one of the coffees and one more cup already half the toilet in shreds by him. He waved his hand, asking me to sit down.

"Good afternoon. Uh no. I mean good afternoon." I was clumsy, scratching my head that wasn't itchy. It felt like my hair was almost wet because it was hit by a little drop from rain water on the tree branch earlier.

"People late in the afternoon you mean?"

"So can."

"Alright, Aggy. I'll get you some hot coffee. Coffee milk. I know kids your age aren't fans of black coffee. But because I'm a coffee lover, I think everything can go into the stomach. As long as it's good." Mark blinked one of his eyes at me. And for the sake of politeness, I drink it. Come onl. I don't really like coffee, he's completely wrong.

"What does Mr Mark want to talk about?" I think getting straight into the core of the conversation is better than unimportant pleasantries. To the point only.

"It's about the latest news with a horrendous case yesterday. Related to Bloodfiend." Mark opened his office bag, showed me something. Those are just some printed papers that have been crossed out by a ballpoint pen.

"I wrote on my computer, then gave a little extra with a ballpoint pen. Sorry if it's not neat."

I just nodded in understanding. Then look at the paper for a purpose.

"City X is the city with the most kidnappings than S, D, or B." Mark pointed at the paper with a ballpoint pen. I skimmed. There is little information about the identity of the victim and how the kidnapping took place.

"Is there a silver necklace again?"

"There! Aryo found in the desk drawer. Often desk drawers. I don't know why either. Lucky the victim's parents survived."

Mark flipped the paper over, showing another paper that also contained a caption.

"This is the latest victim update, Agg. 12 hours ago. A 10-year-old girl is now a victim. Her mother was found hanging herself with one of her missing right hands. The girl just lives alone with her mother." Mark's face was very serious.

I read it, it's called Joy. Grade 4 SD. Waitaminute! Not about his name or anything. But.. hang yourself? I feel familiar. Wait for. Hang yourself? Isn't the case almost the same as the one I read in the history book of city X? But why is it not written in the book that it was also found a silver necklace with a size of 16 cm?

If it is true that the killer is the same, yaiti Bloodfiend. One of the victims' hands should have been lost, and they also found a 16cm silver necklace in the desk drawer. Because that's the savage killer's habit, isn't it? But why is this another but almost the same? Is this also related?

"What's wrong? You know something?" Mark broke my daydream (again). It seemed like for a few seconds I was silent with a blank look.

"Eh?" I think I should answer that. "I just went to a bookstore. And I got a book published in 2003 about things about city X. But in the book it is called history.

"And I just read it. On 12-14 it is written that there was a murder in the Edrick family. And I don't know why I feel it has anything to do with this case. The case of Bloodfiend.

"It was written that another family was found hanged. A woman's family disappeared without a trace. Doesn't that look the same, sir? But strangely I found no writing in the book that wrote a silver necklace and one of the victims' missing hands. But doesn't this look the same and somehow like connecting with each other?"

Mark looked at me. Maybe he was interested and felt the same way as me.

"You're right. When did that happen?"

"If not wrong in 2001."

"Can I see the book?"

"I didn't bring it, sir. Maybe I'll bring the book sometime."

Mark nodded, sipping his coffee into the toilet. He glanced out the window, then looked at me again.

"The city holds many mysteries. It would be nice to talk about something as sensitive as this, just use it with a slow volume." Mark made a suggestion, and I replied with a nod.

"But I promise to solve it all. The devil seems to have to be defeated. Especially the number of victims. And I don't want one of them to be your brother."

Eh? I was a little confused by his statement just now. My sister? Hasn't my foster brother been a victim?

"Sister?" I frowned not understanding.

"Yes. I don't want that woman to be a victim. He's too innocent."

For a moment I started thinking. "Sister Erina you mean?"

Mark did not reply, only a smiling look away. But I saw his face slightly reddened. Well. That's not what I think about for now. There's a lot of things to do. I agree with Mark. Erina is too innocent, either. I won't be up to the heart not to protect her. He's the last one, he I have to protect.

"Ah, something I forgot. Didn't you buy pirated books all this time, Aggy?" Mark said suddenly. Pointing my face with his long index finger.

"What?" I can't believe he'll find out. Right, all this time I bought a fake, non-original book. How'this? He's the original author of 'Dead In My Room' which I bought illegally.

"I-i-i"

"What's? You think I don't know? You also bought my novel for a cheaper price."

I should how? It just feels more awkward.

"I'm sorry, sir. I beg. I really don't have the money to buy. Sorry, huh?" I whine, like a baby. But how else? He was my favorite author, and now I'm caught by him buying his stuff illegally.

But unexpectedly, Mark laughed. Holy hooch! You are mocking me?!

"You're so sentimental, Aggy."

***