THE CULPRIT'S VERDICT

It was getting late, so I decided to go back to the hotel. But as I approached the grand entrance, a couple of familiar faces in their black tuxedo made their way out. I turned my back on them and shifted my movement opposite to their direction. I kept an eye at them over my shoulder as I slowly walked away. They all rode in different automobiles and it moved one after the other.

I didn't avert my eyes as they slowly disappeared from my sight. They were stakeholders of the company, same with my parents, I just wondered why they were here. I knew that Mr. Ryle was in a meeting for the whole day, though he didn't mention what type of meeting it was. I found it odd that he didn't ask his secretary to tag along.

While it wasn't a big deal for stakeholders and heads to hold a meeting, my instinct instructed me to follow them. I rode in a cab and asked the driver to follow the convoy. I was just so lucky he could understand simple English. I wasn't sure if they were off somewhere or they were dispersed already but it was a good way to look for something. Uncle was there, I had a bad feeling that he was hiding something from me.

After almost an hour of driving, we reached an isolated area. It was far from the town as it was located on a higher slope, but the place was highly civilized. With a series of light shades lining the driveway and carpeted gardens, you would consider that someone big owned the place.

"Can you wait for me here? I'll double my payment if you do," I said and the driver just nodded. I stepped out and started approaching.

There in a distance, a wide bungalow house could be seen guarded by four men in black, their bodies were all well-built. I sneaked in the bushes and peeked through familiar faces that entered the wide opening of the house.

The surrounding was dark and creepy but the exterior part of the house was glowing with lights. Then, I saw my uncle step out of the black Mitsubishi Expander. Holding both the middle hem of his tuxedo, he attached the coin-like button on the other part and fixed his necktie.

A thread of approaching feet snapped my attention. The sound it created signified that it was in very close proximity and before I could even think of hiding somewhere, a figure of a slim lady in back leather jacket and pants appeared in front of me. She looked pale, her faux-hawk haircut allowed the tattoo on her neck to be exposed- a tattoo of a red serpent.

My eyes traveled through her dark cat-eyes and all I could discern there was hatred and anger. Suddenly, she strode her left hand on her waist level and pulled a sharp knife out of it, she held it firmly and placed it on her side. I didn't do anything to her, is she going to kill me for intruding?

There was something terrifying in her. She had the intention of killing me; I could feel her thirst for blood. She was savoring the moment like it was her long lost desire... like she had been waiting for this time to come.

As she stood inches away from me, I groped for a space behind, but my hands scrambled upon the heather and dark-green furze bushes. I fell backwards, my butt chopped down on concrete ground.

The lady effortlessly made her way in between the bushes. A wide smirk was evident as the light from the house reflected on her face. She probably knew that I was helpless.

I immediately stood and prepared to protect myself in case she decided to yank the knife at me.

As she was approaching closer, a hand clasped her wrist.

He stopped the woman from doing what she intended to do.

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She stared at the man with a look that asserted something he will soon regret, but the man stood without any remorse.

"Give this one to me, I'll take charge of this," he said in a calm voice.

The lady narrowed her eyes in disbelief. "She's mine, I caught her, "

Disregarding her words, he shifted his face to me and said, "Ma-,"

"Nam," he corrected. "Leave now!" he commanded with a calm voice. I asked through my eyes as to what was going on, but he just reiterated his command by pointing out the way.

I walked towards the direction he pointed, while doing so, I didn't take my eyes off him. I tried my hardest to communicate if everything was alright and if he would be okay. He just returned a thrifty smile. It should be comforting but my heart was jumping in sadness and guilt. I didn't listen to his warning before, and I had a bad feeling about things.

I took some courage and faced the lady, "Were you planning to commit homicide?"

She stepped forward, wearing a hateful stare, but my uncle placed himself in between and squealed the word, "Leave!"

His eyes told me to trust him, that everything would be alright. "I know her, I can handle this." I didn't want to leave the situation to him, but he was pleading with his eyes. Guilt was squeezing me; I shouldn't be more disobedient.

I fled and headed back to the cab though my heart was fighting over my mind.

Is it right to leave him with the psychopath? I looked back to check my uncle's condition, and was a little relieved to see him joining some other men of his age in entering the venue.

As the driver peek from the window of his car, I signaled him that I'm ready to leave.

Why does the lady look familiar to me? Who was she and what's with those hateful eyes of hers? And what does she have to do with my uncle?

I tried to tie the thoughts in my head, but nothing worthy came out. Frustrated, I rested my head on the glass window of the car and hoped that my disobedience won't lead to a greater consequence.

I'm sorry, uncle. I wish to be a burden to you no more, but I only live for justice's sake.