Murder In The Old Castle
366. Night Snaps
Night finally enveloped the castle and its surroundings. The building loomed among the quiet lushness of the estate. The sound of an owl was heard on the branches of trees that were growing a lot around the castle. Dark and silent becomes the perfect blend for the criminals who want to act. The residents of the castle are ready at the dining table to enjoy the dishes that have been served at the table. They had to follow the dinner ritual, even though the castle dwellers were incomplete. This time, Lily gets a turn to cook the dishes for the castle's residents' dinner.
Ammar sat side by side with Mariah, not speaking a word. Although seemingly silent, Ammar was actually recording the small movements of the castle dwellers in his brain. Beside Ammar was a cold, expressionless Reno, accompanied by Juned. They were thinking and observing the other residents who also looked agitated.
Across the street from the police are Rosita and Edwin. They looked brighter and happier, trying to forget what happened to Edwin this afternoon. They were ready for dinner with a smile and a feeling of enthusiasm.
"You're okay, aren't you, Edwin?" ask Reno then.
"Everything's fine. Thank you for accompanying Rosita this morning looking for my presence around the garden" Edwin said with a smile.
Meanwhile, near the couple was Nadine. The young woman looked unsettled, repeatedly looking towards the door connecting with the side courtyard. It was as if he was waiting for someone who would not come. The parachute depicts anxiety and despair.
"I don't think .. I can come to dinner tonight. I can't eat without Ryan" Nadine said in a sad tone.
"You should eat, Nadine. Ryan we'll look for him tomorrow. You have to eat to stay healthy. You all have to maintain your stamina and health in this place. If you are physically and mentally weak, it will be easily deceived by the perpetrators of the disorder" Reno suggested.
Nadine just nodded weakly, saying nothing. I have no interest in eating anything tonight. He squeezed the meal napkin in front of him. Lily who was sitting next to him held onto Nadine's shoulder while whispering, "All will be well, Din."
"Who are we waiting for? Let's eat!" jeremy said while looking at everyone present.
He had opened the dishes, prepared the spoons and forks, prepared to eat the dishes that had been served on the table.
"Where's Maya? How can I not see Maya?" ask Lily suddenly.
Lily's words immediately got a response. They looked at each other, trying to find out. Suddenly from the inside, came the person who was looking for. He hurried over, immediately taking his seat without saying anything.
"Where are you from?" ask Jeremy.
Maya just shook her head. He refused to share his story with others. The parasites looked a little awkward, then he glanced at Nadine at a glance. The glimpsed did not pay much attention, because she was anxiously waiting for her husband. Maya turned back to face the other way.
They won't wait any longer. The dinner begins with prayer, then they enjoy the dishes. Each of them was drowning with their own thoughts, there was barely any chatter. Ammar again saw one by one the remaining inhabitants of the castle.
"After dinner tonight I hope you're back in your own room, no one's out. If I see you above nine, then I will not hesitate to claim that you are the troublemakers we have been looking for. Remember, we've bagged some names that are strong suspects in this case. I'm not going to name those names, but I'm going to do more scrutiny" Reno said.
After dinner, everyone went back to their rooms. Lily offers Nadine to sleep in her room, but it seems Nadine refuses while shaking her head.
"You can sleep with me tonight, Nadine. You don't look well" Lily said.
"I'm waiting for my husband, Lily. Sorry," said Nadine as she passed by.
Lily understood Nadine's reasoning. He let the young woman into his room. Lily just shrugged her shoulders, then she herself also immediately went into the room to rest.
***
Ryan's awake. He opened his eyes. He felt a cold air piercing his skin. The atmosphere around him was so dark, he could barely even see his own palm. He realized that the night had come, bringing a terrifying darkness. Ryan tried to calm down, because at least he was in an enclosed space. Of course, the threat of a wild animal attack from the forest was nothing to worry about. Precisely what he was worried about tonight, what if the mysterious figure reappeared?
Ryan got up from his seat then crept along the wall approaching the door that was still tightly closed. Once again he tried the door, but could not. In his heart he felt misgivings as he began to feel uncomfortable. The darkness around him scared him. Moreover, he was inside an empty cottage in the middle of the forest. There's nobody in that place. Even the taste, insects were reluctant to visit the cottage.
From outside the room, he could hear strange knocks, even footsteps. Ryan could only sit in the corner of the room, waiting for the morning to arrive. The darkness of the night made his guts shrink. He did not believe in mystical things, but his heart was still pounding. The strange knocking sound outside the room grew more intense, even he could feel the sound very close to his ears. Ryan just prayed and closed his eyes.
Braak!
Suddenly he heard the sound of a room door being kicked from outside. Ryan was stunned, when he had just closed his eyes. He began not to care about the strange sounds around him. But alas, the sound of the door was very surprising to him, until he was immediately awake. His chest pounded. He was worried that the mysterious figure might come back to the cottage to execute him.
A moment after the sound of the buzz, the atmosphere returned to silence. Ryan was worried. He huddled in the corner of the room with anxious expectation. He again grabbed a piece of wood nearby. He'll do anything to survive tonight. He doesn't want to just die.
Not lost his anxiety, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the room where he was held, then the sound of footsteps stopped in front of the door. Ryan swallowed. His brain kept turning so he wouldn't die that night. He planned to hit the person who tried to enter the room with as much wood as possible.
Krieet!
The door of the room is completely open. Ryan was still curled up in the corner of the wall, but he was already on the lookout for any possibilities. He saw a black shadow standing at the door. Ryan only waited helplessly as the figure stepped closer to his hiding place.
***