Murder In The Old Castle
LII. The Eyes
The dining room turned silent. Helen served the breakfast menu, with almost no greeting or smile. All the castle dwellers were ready to face their own plates, without a word. But before they ate the dish, Michael suddenly raised his hand.
“Wait!”
All the residents turned their heads, staring at Michael with question marks. They stopped to start breakfast, waiting for an anxious-looking Michael.
“Did you guys see any irregularities this morning? Have you seen Ammar and Cornellio?” michael asked as he looked at the castle dwellers one by one.
Hans shook his head, and so did Aldo. The women look worried. Not usually these two people come late to the dining table.
“Somebody seen it since last night?” ask Michael again.
“I saw it!” chirp Helen who was pouring a drink into the crystal glasses.
“Who did you see, Helen?” ask Michael.
“I saw Cornellio come out of the basement in the middle of the night. I don't know what to look for in there, but I saw her face looking anxious. Looks like he was confused, and there is something he is hiding,” said Helen.
“Underground space? What's he going in there for? The room was filled with horror and negative aura. I suggest that the space be closed permanently. I was never comfortable there, because I felt an aura of cruelty!” connect Adrianna.
“Should he we search there?” ask Hans.
“I won't come! The reading room was traumatizing me. I don't want to go to a place I don't know very well. I better not interfere with this problem,” said Maira.
“I feel bad things have happened. I was walking in the front yard this morning, through the park, and I found something that I thought was weird. I don't know if this has anything to do with the disappearance of Ammar and Cornellio, but this is an unusual discovery,” Tiara said timidly.
“What did you find, Tiara?” ask Aldo Riyanda.
“A woman's bag. I think we had a guest last night, and he disappeared, too. The bag was lying just like that in the front garden,” Tiara continued.
“Gosh! Whose bag is that? Did you find any identity or clue in that bag?” ask Michael.
“Yes, I found the identity of the owner of the bag. A business card in the name of Mariah Alray. I was worried that he was visiting the castle last night, but something bad happened to him,” Tiara explained.
“Hmm. Could be. Or maybe Mariah went to this castle to pick up her husband?” guess Michael.
“Then why did he drop the bag in the front garden? What about Cornellio?” ask Aldo Riyanda.
Everyone was silent, no one dared to answer. Each one was deep in his thoughts. The horror again infiltrated the minds of the other castle residents. Even Elina Agustin, the photographer girl looked very tense.
“I think we should finish our breakfast first, then we talk about this again. Because Ammar is not there, maybe casti will be very dangerous without him. Each one of us could be threatened with safety. In my opinion, starting later tonight, no one goes out of the room. It's dangerous if you're alone. Death can come at any time!” said Michael.
“You can guess the next murder, Michael? Isn't the chronological murder in this castle from your novel?” maira Cecar.
“I reiterate once again, I don't care where the killer took the inspiration to commit murder. The killer's a lot smarter than we thought. Now he's using a random system to kill his victims. The pattern changed a little. He has control over everything he does,” Michael replied.
“OK,okay. Stop all your arguments! My stomach is hungry and I want to eat. Can we start?” chirps Hans.
***
Hand dr.Dwi shaking holding a syringe filled with anesthetic fluid. He hesitated, between yes and no to stick a needle into the body of the middle-aged woman in front of him. The black-robed figure that usually waits, goes somewhere, he doesn't care. He was given a two-day deadline to perform surgery on the eyes of Anjani, the middle-aged woman. His mind rumbled, for everything he did was contrary to conscience.
“Sut that needle! You scared?” anjani.
“Sorry. I-I .. can't!” answer dr. Dwi nervous.
“Can't? You think I'm gonna feel pain? Listen to me doctor, I've forgotten the pain since Anggara Laksono locked me up and tortured me in this basement! You don't have to worry. That little syringe is really nothing compared to this cigarette!”
Anjani suddenly uncovers the cloth covering her stomach. Doctor Dwi shuddered. He saw many scars that began to blacken in the middle-aged woman's stomach area. Apparently, the cigarette was not a mere figment.
“Even I still vividly remember the number of the snoops. There were twenty-two submissions, which were done violently and without feeling. It hurts so much, Doctor! Really am. Even I begged to die at that time,” said Anjani stammered.
Doctor Dwi just fell silent, unable to say anything. He saw a deep sadness in the woman's face. The pain felt is what triggers the child to demand revenge on Anggara, even to every innocent person. Unfortunately, the act of demanding revenge is also unjustified.
“Do you really want to be able to look back?” ask dr.Dwi.
“Yes, I want to be able to see back. I want to be able to see the face of my son who has been wasted decades!” Anjani.
“I think it's a bit difficult to implement. I told you before I'm not an ophthalmologist, but your son is forcing. I do not guarantee whether this operation can run smoothly or not. But I will try my best!” dr.dwi.
He began to wear gloves, and prepared all the necessary medical equipment. A moment later, he sighed, shaking his head.
“This medical tool is really inadequate...”.
Suddenly the door of the room opened. The black-robed figure had returned while carrying a young woman in a hand-tied manner. He threw the woman's body on the floor.
“You know him, Doctor?” ask the black-robed figure.
“Mariah Alray? Holy hooch! Isn't he in town? How could you catch him?” ask dr. Dwi. He stopped doing medical treatment on Anjani.
“That was due to his own stupidity, for returning to this place. If I were him, I'd leave this castle far. But he came to surrender. Look, mother! This is the pretty face of your nephew. I don't know, does he have to die like the others? Or do we torture him like I tortured mom?” ask the black-robed figure.
Anjani turned her head towards Mariah. Unfortunately he could not see, he could only feel the presence of a woman in the room.
“I feel it .. really .. I can feel every breath and heartbeat. I think he's very scared for now. I have a more interesting idea, my son!” anjani said with a raucous voice.
“Tell me, Mom!”
“I want those beautiful eyes, to replace my eyes!”
***