The Path of Madness

Chapter 9: Family Worry

Sarah White is currently having a conversation with her co-worker at school. They had just finished a meeting with the principal and the other teachers. They discuss exams, curriculum, schedules, and school activities.

Sarah is a teacher who teaches history and geography. He has always been dedicated to his work and does not consider it trivial. He has always been a devout adherent to the god of knowledge and according to him knowledge is the key to a brighter future. As the fire continues to burn, knowledge will become a source of wisdom that will guide the steps in the face of a changing world in the future.

He always showed genuine dedication to his work. His always firm attitude towards his students always emanated in every lesson he gave. Although she is notoriously assertive, Sarah is also known to be patient and thoughtful, always ready to listen and guide her students attentively. The success of his students is not only the result of his extensive knowledge, but also because of his caring and understanding attitude towards the development of each student.

In the eyes of his students he is a teacher with a firm, mature and patient attitude in teaching. He has always been a role model for them in their behavior.

But today, he looked lethargic and moody. His face was pale and his expression had all the complexities of being tired, sad, angry, and worried. He could not stay focused during the meeting. He often daydreams and sighs.

His co-worker and friend, a math teacher named Jane Percival, were worried about seeing him. She was a kind, friendly, humorous woman. He used to joke around with Sarah and make her laugh a little. Although it is difficult because of his attitude.

"Sarah, are you okay?" Jane asked in a soft voice.

Sarah flinched from her daydream and turned to Jane.

"I'm okay, Jane?" Sarah replied with a fake smile.

"Don't lie to me, Sarah. I can see something is bothering you. Is it because of your nephew? Is there anything I can help you with?" Jane said in a sincere voice.

Sarah shook her head weakly.

"There's nothing to help, Jane. Thank ye. I'm just a little tired. I couldn't sleep well last night" Sarah lied while pointing to her face.

Jane knew Sarah had told him about the problem. A few days ago, Aldric didn't come home until the morning, which worried Sarah. Afterwards police came to their home at night and said Aldric was arrested for being accused of being the murderer of Victor, a colleague who was found dead in a horrific manner in his home. Sarah was devastated and did not believe that Aldric could do such a thing. He is convinced that Aldric is innocent and that there is a big misunderstanding behind all this.

But police told Sarah that the case is still being investigated. And they're trying to ask the Aldric family for testimony. They were also unable to release the suspect before he was found to be completely innocent.

They left after hearing testimony from Sarah and Alice. They said they would go ask for another testimony at Aldric's workplace. They asked them to calm down because Aldric is currently only a suspect.

Sarah led them out the door. He felt hopeless and helpless. He doesn't know how to save Aldric. He could only pray to the god of knowledge to give him freedom.

Hearing Aldric's name, Sarah felt a tightness in her chest. He looked down and held back his tears.

"So, I can't talk about this right now. I'm sorry" Sarah said in a choked voice.

Jena felt sorry to see him. She hugged Sarah gently and rubbed her back.

"Sarah, I get it. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just want to help you. I'm sure Aldric is innocent. I'm sure he'll be free soon. I'm sure the god of knowledge will give him justice" Jena said in a comforting voice. Just like Sarah she is a believer in the church of knowledge.

Sarah nodded weakly. He thanked Jena for her support.

"Thank you, Jena. You are a good friend. I'm lucky to have you" Sarah said in a soft voice.

Jena smiled and let go of her embrace.

"Sarah, you are also a good friend. I'm lucky to have you, too. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me. I will always be there for you" Jena said in a warm voice.

Sarah smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Jena. You are very kind" Sarah said in a sincere voice.

They parted with each other. Sarah walked into her class. He tried to wipe his sad face into a firm face.

...****************...

Alice White is currently working in Madam Clara's bakery. Usually he is someone who is very diligent and serious while working.

Ms. Clara, the owner of the bakery, was worried to see her. She told Alice to come home today. But Alice said it was okay and asked for a break to treat her wound.

"Alice, how are you?" Madam Clara asked in a worried voice.

Alice regained her senses from her daydream and turned to Madame Clara.

"I'm fine, Mrs Clara. My lukaku's been treated?" Alice replied in a daze.

"Don't lie to me, Alice. I can see something's been bothering you these few days. What's problem? Is there anything I can help you with?" Madam Clara said in a stern voice.

Alice smiled hearing that. She was very grateful to Madam Clara for caring for her.

"No problem, Mrs Clara. I'm just a little tired." Alice looked at the window behind the kitchen.

Madam Clara did not believe the answer. She knew that Alice had something to hide.

"Alice, do you really not want to go home first today?" Madam Clara asked carefully.

"It's okay, Miss Clara." Alice answered in a small voice.

"A little boy like you shouldn't hide a problem alone. You have to tell the adults so they can help solve it." Madame Clara said firmly. He took Alice's hand and rubbed it gently.

Silence filled the surroundings. There's no one around but Ms. Clara. The employees are working in the kitchen. And they're in the break room.

Alice looked at her hand held by Madame Clara. Madam Clara still rubbed her hands gently. He had a lot to say, he tried to hold it back.

Alice did not tell Ms. Clara about Aldric being the suspect. He was afraid of making someone who had nothing to do worry. When the police came to their house and said Aldric was a suspect it made him want to faint. He tried to hold on to the wall beside him. She was so sad she wanted to cry. Afterwards she was in a daze not being able to think of anything until her aunt held her and said the police asked her for testimony. He described the incident he had with Aldric in detail. He said that after Aldric set it back home. He went to his partner's house to see him. Because it was requested by his boss. He said that Aldric could not have done such a thing. He even said that Aldric was afraid of insects and did not dare to kill them. How such a child would dare to kill a human.

The police just nodded and recorded all his testimony. Then they say goodbye to her and her aunt. His aunt tried to tell them to go out. It was then that the cry she endured could not help but come out again. He tries to go to the bathroom, but his entire body is limp at the thought of Aldric's fate. He tried to stop her crying still coming out, before making her aunt look at him and making her worry more.

Alice still stared blankly at her rubbed hands. He tried to open his mouth. "I'm not a kid anymore."

Alice felt a tightness in her chest as she said something. He looked down and held back his tears. But her tears finally came out.

Madame Clara felt sorry to see him. She hugged Alice gently and rubbed her back.

"It's okay Alice, everything's gonna be okay." Madame Clara tried to comfort Alice while hugging her.

As Alice in Clara's arms, heard her words. The crying she let out became even louder.

Madame Clara just continued to comfort him while hugging him. Relieves the sadness of a grown child.

...****************...

Aldric was unlocking the door of his house and entering it. He had a hassle on his mind as he already considered this house and family to be his real home and family. He started towards his room picking up his clothes and headed towards the bathroom and taking a shower pondering his thoughts. He's still thinking about the un-arrested killer. Although the pastor said it was better for him not to interfere at all. Yet he knew that he had been dragged into this matter. He didn't know what the killer was planning, but he managed to get himself dragged into this. As long as the killer that made Victor a corpse like that is still alive. He still had worries on his mind. But what worries him the most is if the killer is after his family. He didn't want his family dragged into this. After today he will prepare some things for anticipation.

Aldric thought he already had a lot of worries to deal with and is now growing. He sighed. He will try to tackle the killer problem and investigate Aldric's suicide and memory loss of knowledge simultaneously. He knew it wasn't a good thing, but he had already considered what things were. But his priority remains to prepare the anticipation for the murder first and then he can more comfortably cope with the others.

When she finished her bath, she put on clean clothes and walked out of the bathroom. He saw a wall clock in the living room showing at 3 p.m. Alice and her aunt should be home soon.

He walked into the kitchen to cook. He wanted to calm their hearts with his gifts and cooking.

He was trying to find cooking ingredients in the kitchen that he could use. He did not believe much in the food other people ate. But from before his life he always lived alone. And he thinks the cooking isn't too bad.

He began to think what foods were suitable for his cooking. Maybe soup would be a good choice. It should have the taste of modern food, so his family should have never tasted it. He wanted to make them taste modern cuisine.