Once Upon A Stranger's Crime

VI. Mysterious Photograph

Mason’s POV

“Thank God, I majored in Psychology. If it weren’t for my expertise in analyzing human behavior, they caught me for sure…” Lucius recalled how he flawlessly escaped the police’s interrogation two nights ago, in front of me with his gestural trademarks: a grinning face and a confident stance.

Pride. Even though I am faced away from him right now, I know that what he is feeling is being proud.

“If you were there, you wouldn’t believe how excellently I dodged their suspicious questions because honestly, I know they suspected me. They asked me what I was doing there and was I waiting for someone, etc…Hah! The looked honestly pathetic.” He added while snorting.

I wonder how it feels like to be proud of something.

“Was it great?” I muttered aloud as I continue brewing coffee for the both of us.

“W-what do you mean?” He confusedly stammered but I decided to dismiss his question.

It is currently 9 in the morning and I was in the middle of my working hours when Lucius decided to pay me a visit, suggesting that we talk about our next moves. The weather is fine today which tells me that I have a lot of grinding to do since the past few days have been rough. I looked outside my window to see any sign of bad omen lurking around despite of my gut’s continuous reminder to calm me down.

Because of MANY reasons, I couldn’t calm down.

“Wow, I didn’t know you make some really nice coffee here, Eric. Maybe you should open a coffee shop or something!” Lucius jokingly commented with a loud voice the moment he took a sip from his cup of coffee that I just made, as if it was his first time drinking one.

“I told you to be careful with that name.” I warned him with a serious tone of voice before blowing on top of my own hot morning drink.

“Right, I’m sorry.” He responded simply.

Today is not a causal day, at least for me. Instead of sitting adjacently at Lucius, my feet decided to direct me in my window while I speak with him. My thoughts are so noisy that I am starting to find it uncomfortable sitting down. I feel like if I try and relax for a moment, they will start to eat me up.

“By the way, why does Hillary has a photograph of you? We may not be that close but I know you enough. You wouldn’t allow anyone to take a photo of you.”  Lucius just voiced out one of my many “why’s”.

“I don’t know.” I replied honestly.

I walked slowly towards him as I get the said photograph that has been hiding in the pocket of my dirty apron. The moment my right hand made contact with it, I did not think twice of showing it to Lucius.

“I know you’ve been curious about this so there it is.” I said, finally facing him and handing him the photograph.

He only furrowed his eyebrows in response without a word escaping his mouth.

Lucius quietly observed the picture, a gesture which I had enough of last night. It was a simple and old photograph that shows me smiling…genuinely. I’m not quite sure when and why it was taken but it’s crumbling edges and fading color tells me that it has been sitting quietly inside that tiny box for quite a generous time before seeing the light of day now.

As he looked closely at it, he unconsciously squinted his eyes as if trying his best to grasp the familiarity that comes along with it.

The photograph shows a picture of me at around 11 years old, wearing a school uniform while standing beside what appeared to be a lake of a fishpond with water dripping down my left hand. I was smiling innocently at the camera. Whoever took the picture, I am sure that I was comfortable being with that person. Beside me, stood an adult that is way, way taller. I assume that it was a man because of how masculine his hands appear to be. His hands were placed over my shoulder and it was the only detail left of his unrecognizable face that was already ruined.

I am pretty sure that it was my father.

“Why are you staring at it for so long?” I asked without expecting to get any serious response from him. But, the opposite happened.

“You don’t remember this day, do you?” He raised. His sudden shift of aura caught my attention. Soon enough, I placed my now cold cup of coffee to focus my gaze at him.

“I don’t. Clearly…” I admitted after sighing deeply.

Lucius gulped down hard before leaning back and raising the old photograph. As I anticipated the next words he is going to say, I mimicked his gesture of shifting stance.

“Eric, I took this photograph. This is the reason why I am here with you today...helping you catch the culprit to pay back the debt.” He explained without a hint of humor.

This time, I was the one left confused. I was the one left with wrinkled forehead as I creased my eyebrows together. I gently shook my head as I tried to wrap around my reasoning over his statement.

Now that I needed it the most, why do fragments of my forgotten memories aren’t coming to invade my head?

I was completely silenced by my own questions when Lucius decided to speak again.

“This is the day you saved my life.  Don’t tell me you have another reason when you told me I needed to pay you back.” He emphasized, catching me off guard for some unknown reason.

I was speechless. He’s right. I have another reason in mind.

I felt my eyes widened automatically as I heard his statement. Suddenly, I acquired this heavy feeling creeping up my chest. I blinked fast and looked away from him for a while in attempt to keep my disintegrating composure.

“Eric, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but…I noticed that you seem clueless about half of your life.” He stated before leaning closer to my face as I started to feel my chest tightening up.

“Why is that?” He added, leaning even closer.

Of course he would notice. I didn’t tell him that I underwent hypnotherapy to forget my past.

My limbs started to get numb and I felt myself automatically pant. Cold sweats are also now dripping down my spine and I am clueless as to why. I decided to stand up and walk towards the window for the second time to catch some air.

“Hey, are you okay? I didn’t mean to—“He was supposed to say something out of concern but I interrupted him midway.

“J-just go for now….L-let’s talk some other t-time.” I stuttered. A few seconds after, I heard Lucius footsteps fading away in the background.

And that was the last thing I remembered before my vision blurred and finally blacked out.

--

“Mason…Mason, it’s me.”

And echoing voice of a woman that sounded like it was coming from the heavens lingered in my ears.

“H-hmmm…” I groaned as I attempted to part my heavy eyelids. It was no use. I was pinned to where I am right now and I couldn’t move without feeling a painful sensation in my head.

“Hey, it’s okay…I’m here.”

I heard the voice again. Whoever this woman is beside me, gives me comfort even if I couldn’t see her yet. I tried my best to recognize where I am right now through my other senses.

My skin made contact with something soft, my nose smelled a familiar scent from my surrounding and my ears are currently hearing gentle chirping of birds.

 Strange. My surrounding feels new but familiar at the same time. Where could I be?

“Don’t push yourself too much yet. Just take a rest.”

The voice reminded me. I am so out of consciousness that I couldn’t help but nod. I know I am in susceptibility. Everything seemed nice and serene until I felt someone touch my forehead. This sensation suddenly gave me a surge of suspiciousness. Without a doubt, I forcefully opened my eyes and stood up to see who dared to touched me.

“Ouch!” Lauren jerked.

It was Lauren. She was the one talking earlier.

“Lauren…” I muttered in shock.

“Let go of me.” She complained before attempting to twist her arm free from my grip.

I looked down only to realize that I was unconsciously holding her left wrist tight. I immediately unclasped my hold of her arm the moment I recognized that I am already hurting her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know….” I said as I covered my face with both my palms.

“Geez…You’re weird. You kept on smiling while you sleep and now you’re being like this.” She reasoned out, standing up from the bed I was laying down to and walking around.

That’s when I realized that I am currently inside my room.

“Are we in my room? W-what happened? What time is it?” I asked with a hint of panic before struggling to stand up and looking at my window. But as soon as my feet touched the cold floor, nausea came alongside headache that made my head spin.

“Ahhhh….” I expressed as I touched my temple and closed my eyes. Lauren hurriedly supported my body back to bed and this time, I didn’t prevent her from doing so. I knew I needed help…her help.

“Woah, easy. It’s okay. I’ll explain everything to you.” Lauren assured me.

I decided to rest my head over my bed’s headboard and look at her directly without saying anything as I let her initiate the conversation.

“Yes, we are inside your room. I found you laying unconscious inside the shop with your windows open.  I took care of everything, don’t worry. I called a doctor earlier and he advised for you to be treated here because the hospitals are full now…I think you know why.” She explained clearly and I nodded.

“How long was I out?” I took a deep breath before responding to her.

“Let’s see…you are passed out for about 8 hours.” She recalled as she glimpsed at her wristwatch.

“No way.” I shook my head, doubting her statement.

“Yes way.” She shrugged her shoulders. I looked at my window once again only to confirm her statement. It was already dark.

Once my head successfully got out of being disoriented, I stared back at Lauren before gently grabbing her wrist. I saw that my action surprised her a little.

“I’m sorry about this. I mean it.” I said as I brush the bruised area of her wrist with my thumb. I feel bad that I held her so tight, it resulted to a bruise.

“No big deal, I understand. My body is made for those. I’m a cop, remember?” She jokingly replied.

I only looked deep through her eyes to try and recognize the emotion she is displaying right now. But just like when she decided to kiss me, I find it hard to read her. Lauren is such a  mystery to me.

“Ehem…” She cleared her throat out of the blue and it signaled me to let go of her arm.

“I think I should go now. Just call me from my room if you need something.” She offered politely before standing up and walking outside my room.

I look at her intently as she approaches the door. I couldn’t understand why but I felt like I didn’t want her to go just yet.

“Lauren…” I called her without hesitation and she looked back at me with a raised pair of eyebrows.

“Hmmm?” She uttered, facing me from a distance.

“Let’s have dinner together.” I offered without second thoughts.

I was shocked by myself at how my mouth seems to automatically spill out words that I didn’t plan on saying. But the strangest part is, it didn’t feel foreign as I tell her such unfamiliar words. 

“Can you manage to stand up?” She responded with a question instead.

“Yeah, I can. But…it’s fine if you didn’t want to. I understand.” I uttered back.

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just worried.” She said, walking back towards me.

“No offense taken. Don’t worry.” I replied honestly….or not.

I know it was only for a while now but ever since I met her, I learned a whole lot of emotions that I wasn’t familiar with before like this sad and heavy one building up my system.

“Right.” She said simply before looking down and attempting to exit my room for the second time around. But just as she was only a few steps away from me, Lauren looked back.

“You know what, I think a dinner would be great.” She said as her eyes slowly squinted with the smile forming from the corner of her mouth.

Happiness.

I recognized happiness on her face. She was feeling happy with my offer and without intending to mimic her, I smiled just the same.