The Rhyme of the Depositary

TWO THREE

Alice stood sympathetically in the back row of mourners accompanying the departure of the body of the Ritz Sampson. The number of people attending this funeral is not too much, but the atmosphere feels very solemn.

Ritz Sampson is a single, unmarried detective. He has no close family. Only his fellow detectives accompanied his final departure. Alice sympathizes more and more, the detective is quite friendly to her, and she must be killed for some obscure reason while on a mission to help her.

A fun guy like Ritz Sampson shouldn't have died this tragic way. He should have a family, have many children, and enjoy his old age. But life does not always go the way we want it to.

Alice has met Mr. Alfreed, Ritz boss. He conveyed his deep sorrow and was willing to pay a large sum of compensation for his death. After all, because of Alicelah's mission she died. Ritz deserves something from him.

But Mr. Alfreed refused. He said that it was their risk to accept a dangerous mission. Alice was simply burdened with paying the principal amount of money that the Ritz paid, and her plan would be Mr. Alfreed donated to several charities.

Mr. Alfreed explained that the murder that happened to the Ritz was very neat, leaving no evidence. Only bullets with the type of market brand, making it difficult for the apparatus to find the truth. It is likely that the case will be closed as soon as possible, leaving many unjustly silenced.

Alice tried to accept everything. His mind was increasingly open to seeing the many bad possibilities he might face if he continued the search for his son. There could have been many other Ritz Sampson killed if he had kept using other detectives in this quest. He needs to turn around a way to find another alternative. No more lives are sacrificed. Alice could not bear to witness so many deaths just because of her.

After the funeral is over, Alice returns to Rachel's house. The friend had taken a leave of absence today to accompany her. She said Alice needed a friend in such a complicated situation right now. Alice was unceasingly grateful that God sent a friend as great as Rachel in her life.

Alice remembers that when her parents died in an accident, Rachel also faithfully stood by her side. They were young, twenty years old. And Rachel acts like a brother to Alice in every tragedy that befalls her. One day, Alice promises she will always be there for Rachel when Rachel's life shocks.

Alice enters Rachel's small yard. He entered from the side door as usual. Alice was surprised to find Daniel had been here first. He was chatting with Anna, Rachel's fifteen-year-old sister. They sat on wooden benches in the house. Rachel has a sister. He attended a suburban boarding school, so they rarely lived together. Alice didn't think Anna would come home today. Maybe the kid is taking a seasonal vacation.

"Hi Anna," said Alice cheerfully.

"Alice. Oh, my God, you're getting pretty." Anna exclaimed cheerfully hugging Alice tightly. Her chirped blonde hair seemed to be waving she moved.

"Aren't I always pretty." Alice laughed crisply. Anna, it's like a sister to him.

"No. You're spectacular. You should be a model or an artist. I'm not surprised if you win the Oscar." Anna smiled funny. His face was round like a teenager in general.

"Oh, I have no talent for entering such a world, Anna. I prefer a challenging business." Alice let go of their embrace.

"Anna, stop bothering Alice." Rachel came out with a handsome roasted biscuit that looked tempting. He placed the food on a small wooden table beside Daniel.

"Can you go inside, Anna. We need to talk about something you shouldn't have heard." Rachel pointed at Anna to immediately enter the house. The girl pursed her lips unhappily, stomping her legs leaving them.

"How's the master?" rachel asked after feeling Anna was already far away from them.

"good. Everything was smooth," Alice replied sitting beside Daniel, taking Anna's place. Alice picked up some of Rachel's cookies. He closed his eyes enjoying the soft sensation that the food presented to him in his mouth. Rachel's a great woman. Her fiance must be very lucky to have such a smart cooking woman.

"What's your next plan? you still want to find Axel?" Rachel asked seriously.

"still. I haven't thought of a way. Hiring a detective isn't the same as risk-fishing? What if the detective I hired ended up as bad as today? Do you think I can continue living with that mental burden?" Alice could not imagine that she would have to attend their funerals one by one.

"I have a suggestion. What if you use my friend's services? He is a good detective. He has perfect sneaking skills. So perfect. I think he's strong enough to infiltrate Anson's security. Maybe he can also take Axel by stealth if you want. He's so great." Daniel stretched his arms wide, giving way out.

"Are you sure he's out of this mission safely? What if he ends up like Ritz Sampson?" Alice hesitated a bit.

"I'm pretty sure he can get out alive from this mission. He's very good at sneaking, Alice. There are rumors Anson also several times using his services. He's probably pretty close to Anson. So it wouldn't be suspicious if he approached Anson."

Alice seemed to think. If this is a good way out, why not? he must be observant to use every opportunity.

"alright. How much is it, Daniel?" Given Daniel's laudable skill, the price must have been incredible. Anson has also worn it. Perhaps Alice's savings balance will decrease drastically after this.

"You don't have to pay anything. I just have to do some of the things he wants." Daniel smiled sincerely, feeling proud to be able to help Alice.

"What does he mean by some things? Do you have to break into banned sites? Or breaking into illegal information? Or take important data that is detrimental?" Alice began to have emotions.

"You don't have to worry, Alice. Most importantly your son was found!"

"Are you going to do an account break-in or something?" Alice asked suspiciously.

"No. I never wanted to get involved with bank transfers. Crimes that are easily detected. I'm just playing with some party's data and information."

It's not just any data. If the data is priced very expensive, it is likely that it is sensitive information that easily poses a danger.

"Forget it, Daniel. I don't want to drag you too far. Let me find another way." Alice nodded weakly. No. gabe. He can't knock Daniel out like this. The man was too good to take advantage of it in such a way.

"Come Alice. There's no other way, is there? I've been used to doing this before. Trust me, I won't get any losses."

"No, Daniel."

"Alice, let Daniel do it. We all know there's no other way." Rachel touched Alice's elbow, reassuring her theme. Alice looked helpless. His eyes showed fatigue. He seems to be able to fall down at any time.

"Are you sure this is the best way?" Alice almost whispered.

Daniel and Rachel nodded simultaneously. They smiled sincerely, understanding the dilemma that Alice was going through.

"promise, Daniel. You won't endanger yourself." Alice surrendered. He accepted the help Daniel offered.

"I promise."

...

Daniel did what he promised. He infiltrates his theme to find Anson's residence and figure out how to take Axel in secret. Alice hoped this would work. He barely slept every night just to pray that his son would be able to find him.

Day changed Sunday. Week changing month. It didn't feel like three months had passed without any news. Daniel only shook his head weakly, whenever he asked about his son's information development.

"Even my friend hasn't heard from me in the past month. He can't call me all of a sudden."

Oh God. What the hell is this? Can't everything go well?

"Is he in danger?" Alice asked bitterly.

"Come, Alice. Anson is not a random person"

If the great detective that Daniel recommends doesn't make it through Anson's security, who else can? will Axel forever be just a memory for Alice?

There were times when Alice almost felt empty. He saw every baby game in the shopping mall, bought it very much and put it in every corner of the house. He hoped that Axel would return home, ready to receive his son home.

Alice recalled the three teddy bears she bought at the end of last week. He put a line up with other games in the family room. Alice also bought a variety of toy cars, imagining Axel would love it.

Once he saw a baby stroller with a funny character. Without hesitation, he bought it and brought the thing home. All night Alice pushed the empty stroller with tears in her eyes, singing the children's song she memorized. He stared at the place that was supposed to fill with his son with nothingness.

Once also when he was jogging around the block, he found unique shaped rocks. He grasped the stones, took them home and decorated them with the name of his son. He hung the little thing on the doorstep of his room.

Increasingly, Alice's house is full of children's nuances. In every corner there are unused baby items.

Rachel was saddened to realize Alice's increasingly chaotic emotional state. He stared helplessly at every room of Alice's house that had been lately painted with cartoon characters along the walls. He said to welcome Axel.

Rachel was very sick. His feeling was claustrophobic. Alice always believed Axel would come back for her, coming home in her arms. He never imagined if the dream did not come true.

What if Axel never returns to Alice? What if Alice doesn't know Axel's whereabouts forever? Could it be that he would stop and accept the reality? Can he?

Rachel had been crying all night hearing Alice sing a lullaby to her son. He sat with every toy he bought, folded his arms around his knees like a child, and sang songs all night. The longer, Alice's voice grew louder and turned into a sob. Rachel felt hit really hard.

You will never understand how much tragedy a mother would have when she lost her child. The life he had seemed to dissolve, flow meaninglessly, vanish without meaning.

The child's breath is connected to his mother. The life of the child is connected to the life of the mother. They are a whole unit. If separated, it will only destroy the others.

Alice wailed every moment. He stared expectantly at every baby he accidentally passed through. Two days ago, Alice held a baby belonging to a foreign woman on her way home from work. He held her for a long time and almost took the boy home if the foreign woman did not take him back.

Daniel realizes the pressure Alice is under. He offered to take Alice to a psychologist several times, but was rejected. Actually, the woman needs more serious treatment. Daniel was afraid that if not immediately overcome, the depression that Alice suffered would be difficult to control again.

This afternoon, while Alice was getting ready to go home from work, she got a call from Rachel. Rachel's voice sounded confused. Apparently, there's a pretty serious problem.

"Alice." Rachel half yelled.

"Yes Rachel, is everything okay?" Alice was getting worried.

"Have you heard from Daniel?"

Daniel's? Alice nodded weakly. What happened to Daniel? Didn't that guy call Alice this morning and throw humor at each other?

"What's wrong with Daniel?" Alice asked suspiciously.

"Daniel was arrested by police. He was arrested this afternoon on charges of cybercrime. He's being sued for spreading classified information that's hurting a lot of people."

"Oh my God ... where is he being held?"

Rachel mentioned a police address. Alice immediately picked up her bag in a hurry, and headed to an address that Rachel gave her. They promised to meet there.

After an hour of traveling at high speed, Alice managed to arrive at her destination. He saw Rachel waving from the front yard of the police station. It seemed like the theme had managed to arrive earlier than him.

"How's Daniel?" ask Alice to worry.

"He and his lawyer are being interrogated. It looks like this process will last a long time. How about we wait in the tavern not far from here. We need intake to deal with the problem this time." Rachel led Alice.

Time feels so long gone. They got nothing tonight. Daniel was either interrogated until what time. Whenever they force a meeting, always be detained by the officers.

They were forced to spend an entire night at a nearby rundown motel. By morning, they were allowed to meet Daniel in a special room. Alice stared sadly at Daniel wearing a prisoner's outfit.

"I'm fine, there's no need to worry" he said comfortingly.

"Stop lying, Daniel. How did this happen?" Alice asked frankly.

Daniel was silent for a long time. It seemed like he was weighing up the possibility of giving an explanation.

"It's about Anson," he said softly, taking care that their conversation was not heard. Although this room is only filled by them, it is not impossible if a recording device is installed. Daniel must be careful to keep their conversation safe.

"What's wrong?" ask Alice lirih.

"My friend has died. Anson was quite oblivious to his intentions. He knew I was the one who sent the detective to spy on him. He sent someone to expose my old crimes and guarantee that I'll be held for as long as possible, as a warning that we can't just mess with him." Daniel explained half a whisper.

Alice closed her mouth in shock. He didn't think it would end like this. How could Daniel have been framed by Anson?

"I'm fine. I'll probably only be detained for seven years. My side will start in five days and I will be cooperative. Anson letting me live it's been an advantage to me. What I'm worried about is you guys. Can you stop this search? " Daniel looked at Rachel and Alice alternately. Both of his eyes shone a pent-up request for hope.

"Alice. Can you forget everything and start all over again? Let Anson raise your son. Despite all of his depictions, he is a pretty good father figure. Stop doing useless things. Start living from the beginning, find someone you can love, not necessarily me, who you deserve to choose, and make a new day. Have a child, raise him up and forget all the tragedies we all experienced today."

Alice frozen.

"Alice .. If you do this quest, it will only destroy yourself. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I can't imagine Anson doing the execution on you guys." Daniel touched Alice's arm gently. He tried to strengthen Alice.

Alice opened her eyes. Tears fell uncontrollably. He started crying. Rachel could only hug and calm him patiently.

Alice's emotions had started to stabilize as she felt her phone vibrate. Weakly, Alice stared at the foreign number on the screen.

"Hello."

Silent for long enough.

"Are you playing with me on purpose, Alice? I told you not to take my life. Is the goodness of my heart lacking for you? In what language do I speak to you so that you can understand? Or do you miss playing with me so much that you lure me like this?" A voice he was very familiar with. A voice that until now was able to make him react violently.

Anson's.

...

Sorry for all the typo accents scattered.