The Girl Next Door's

Responsibly

After almost a month in hospital, Deril was finally allowed to return home. His recovery was going faster than the doctors expected. Maybe because his determination was very strong to get well soon.

During the treatment, no one dared to open their mouths about what happened. Deril's trauma was so severe that he had to be given a sedative injection several times when he remembered Doctor Stephen. Because of this, the police postponed the investigation of Deril as a witness. The family also did not provide any information to reporters during the visit. Everybody shut up. Deril passed his treatment calmly.

"Which way is it?" deril asked, feeling unfamiliar with the path he was walking.

Alex's car drove quickly across a large road that is not so crowded, because this afternoon is still in working hours. All of his family members were in the car. "We're going somewhere?"

Alex cleared his throat to break the silence. He tries to hide their move for as long as possible, then waits for the right time to tell Deril. "Mom, you'll answer" Alex whispered to Serena, who was sitting next to the steering wheel.

Serena sighed before looking back. "We're moving house" he replied in a slow tone.

"Moved? Where to?"

"Mom doesn't think you'll be okay if you stay there. So, we're moving to a place far away from there."

Diana suddenly clasped Deril's hand, though she threw her face the other way. Deril could see tears dripping past his thin cheeks. He was unconscious, since when did his sister become that straight.

"We're going to stay in town again" Alex continued.

"What about Dad's job?" ask Deril.

"Father got a special recommendation because of that incident. So, you don't have to worry."

Deril. Diana's hands were warm. His sister did not take off her hands for a long time. Deril is grateful for having a reliable family like them. "What about Ardi?"

The question made Alex, Serena, and Diana look surprised. The three of them shut their mouths tightly not to discuss the matter of Ardi and Doctor Stephen. But, when Deril himself started the conversation, they were scared to death. Deril's trauma has not healed completely and he can relapse at any time.

"I just want to know how it's going" Deril added.

"One day, I'll take you to meet him" Alex said.

"Sister, don't think about anything right now, please! Just get the right rest! I don't like to see Brother in a hospital like that!" diana's protest, which instantly undoes Deril's intention to ask any further.

***

(A week later)

"Are you ready?"

A therapist asked Deril. The woman was almost fifty years old with a friendly face and the corners of the lips were always raised. His eyes were sharp, like an eagle looking for prey. He wears a salem-colored cardigan combined with home-made cloth pants. The woman was able to make Deril feel comfortable, like in the house of an old grandmother who was very calm, not like in the middle of a psychological therapist room in the police building.

"Yes!" Deril answered steadily.

"alright... Please close your eyes and try to relax" said Ms. Agnesa.

Deril. He lifted his head and closed his eyes. Fragrant soap that filled the room, making it fresh as well as sleepy. Not long after, he only heard the sound of Ms. Agnesa speaking from next to his couch.

***

Doctor Stephen laughed triumphantly when he saw Deril slumped at the top of the stairs. He hit his target with one shot. Confidently, he approached Deril's body and pulled him back down. He throws a baseball bat and a gun away from Deril's body, as he throws the now bloodied body at Ardi's feet.

"Shut up!" he snapped at Ardi who started crying. Doctor Stephen opened the rope around Ardi's neck. He pulled the rope towards Deril.

"He's dead?" ask Ardi.

"Don't kill him" pinta Ardi desperately.

"Then, what can I do if I don't take his life? Make it a pedal?" doctor Stephen Syndicate. He got up after making sure the rope around Deril's neck was tied perfectly. "You better shut up and not make trouble la-"

MOMMY!!!

A loud punch flew towards Doctor Stephen's head, right hitting the part of his forehead as he turned around while talking to Ardi. His body staggered, a second later his feet tripped over Deril's body and he fell.

"DORC!!!" his roar was full of anger.

Ardi came forward, still with the baseball bat in his thin hands. He swung the stick again. This time, Doctor Stephen had raised his hand, but there was no time to withstand Ardi's blow. He flew punch after punch blindly, until Doctor Stephen was overwhelmed and fell.

"I'm asking... Don't kill him..." Ardi started crying again. His hands were trembling, but still firmly grasped the cane. "He's my friend. Don't kill him." Ardi wiped his tears quickly, as he watched Doctor Stephen's hand move again.

"Lorser... Damn it.." muttered Doctor Stephen.

Ardi forward. He swung the stick in his hand. "Don't-"

MOMMY!!!

"-kill--"

MOMMY!!!

"-my friends!!!"

MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!!

"Hhh... Hhh... Hhh..." Ardi stop. He felt his body very hot, like burning fire. Seeing Doctor Stephen not moving, he instead became happy. There is a sense of freedom that comes out of nowhere. Although his steps were limped, Ardi approached Deril, then opened the rope around his neck. He's instead put that rope around Doctor Stephen's neck. As soon as he finished, Ardi walked towards the pulley and started turning the lever.

Little by little, Doctor Stephen's body was lifted upwards. He coughed, then his consciousness returned. Doctor Stephen thrashed, trying his hardest to remove the rope that snared his neck. Honey, the power's not big enough to untie it. Ardi laughed out loud as their gazes met.

DOR!!!

Ardi was silent when he heard the sound of gunfire. He turned to the origin of the voice, and found the tip of the gun pointed at him. A second later, he felt a tremendous pain in his left thigh.

"YARRGGGHHH!!!" Ardi fell.

Deril used the opportunity to pick up the phone he had hidden under the refrigerator. The last thing he could think of, was just contacting his father and asking for help, although he was unsure, whether help would come in while he was alive or dead.

"Uhuk! Hek! Heck!"

Deril turned around after successfully sending a message to Alex. He sees Doctor Stephen trying to stay alive on his tiptoes. If Ardi pulled the lever a little more, Doctor Stephen would've hung lifeless.

"Why... Why!?" exclaim Ardi. He held onto his left thigh which continued to bleed.

"Nobody dies anymore" Deril replied. "Will everything be fine if one of you dies?"

"He tortured me!"

Deril saw a crazy expression on Ardi's face. "That's because you killed his son" Deril replied as calmly as possible. "You must live. Live to account for your actions!"

***TAM***