Chapter 1007

Chapter 1007: Next of kin

“What right do I have to speak on my death? Cowardice, I’m a coward, I was afraid to die without speaking my mind. Suicide, going out alone. I don’t know anymore, I’ve waited time and time again, always revolving around my desk, always holding my pen, always staring at the paper. I’m done, I’m finally done. My mind’s a mess, my body a wreck. People come and go, relationship changes – and the curse of life forces you to move forward. Everyone says to stand up and walk, crawl your way to the destination if needed... damned hypocrites. Motivational speakers, good-will distributors, they can all go to hell. What does it mean anyway, what does reality speak, what happens when it ends, I don’t know. Gods and demons are real, we live in an age where those mystical figures have shown their miracles time and time again, we’ve seen fighters reach the level of demi-gods and transcend the mortal limit. Igna Haggard, I know you’ll read this letter, I know it, you’re almighty, you’re powerful. Aceline... they took her from me. You took her first and promised her a life of relative happiness. She died, I know she died so long then, I was there when her body was taken to Hidros, she died in Alphia. As if nothing happened, she reappeared. I was happy. I didn’t care if I wasn’t invited into her life, I was pleased to see her alive and well. You revived her, you definitely did, I know you’re more than a simple King, you’re far greater, a personage of a greater destiny. After the whole marriage debacle, Queen Eia’s temperament... you allowed a simple promise to break Aceline’s heart. She never spoke badly. She never complained. She’d always give a tender smile and brush off any pain she might have felt. The anguish, the anger, I wanted to take her away, I truly did. Yet, my efforts were nothing compared to the love you two shared. Her heart was taken by you, Igna, she always loved you. Even when the relationship ended, despite the years and regardless if I were at her side, her eyes were always kept towards you. She admired and laughed – and kept me, even though I was to become her husband, far away. I know why she did it, I know why she wanted to get married. It was because of you, yes, because of you Igna. Realize how much she cared, realize how much her heart yearned, how much she wanted for you and her to be one. Then again, nothing goes according to plan. She was killed during our wedding... I was forced again to stand by and watch. Took me a while to regain my mind... here I expected her to be revived. Who am I kidding anyway, the King’s a selfish bastard, I don’t care what you say, I don’t care what happens, you only brought her to life for self-satisfaction. Does playing with emotion get you off, does it bring a sense of pleasure and accomplishment? Of course, it did, you’re the fucking Devil. My state of mind, my sufferance. It amounted to nothing; I was someone used to bring up the prestige of the 1%. Her death and my refusal to work – Lord Julius understood my pain and granted me some leeway until I figured out my path in life. I tried, believe me, I tried. Starting again with so many pent-up emotions. Her face is burnt into my mind, I can’t forget and I can’t forgive either. To you, Igna, who chose such a selfish way for Aceline to live... for having made her a doll, for having turned her into but a plaything, I damn thee. When the letter eventually reaches your hand, majesty, believe that I died knowing I was helpless. An indirect victim of your whims... does that matter, I’m just a name in the crowd, an organism that eats and defecates, we’re just numbers and revenue, isn’t it right, majesty. May hell be a warmer place than the colder realm without my lover. Farewell.”

Igna glanced at the ambulance; a body bag rose into the back. He turned at the inspector, “-this letter, it never existed. Scott addressed his feelings and blamed me for the death. We can safely rule the death a suicide. I owe the man an apology. Never thought he’d be in such a mindset. Scott, dear friend, I couldn’t help in life, therefore, allow me the honor to lay thee beside thine lover.”

“Majesty,” interjected the inspector, “-the letter won’t be admitted into evidence if his majesty says so.”

“Allow me to help. Scott’s next of kin.”

“Yes,” he sighed, “-the harder part of being an inspector. I will get the car ready, please join me up front in thirty minutes.”

The allocated time was used to examine Scott’s apartment. Yellow tape barred the hallway – residents were asked to kindly evacuate and stay at a hotel. Beige walls and brown carpet added homely color – plant pots and what little light the blub shone whispered a shivering coldness. Julius led the way, they ducked under the yellow tapes, exchanged nods with the guarding officers, and entered the apartment, “-messy,” said one, “-we’ve combed the place and found evidence of drug use.” The attending officer scribbled the facts until shadows covered his notepad.

“Majesty,” he bowed, “-lord Julius, how might I be of help?”

.....

Igna frowned at the attending recruits, “-we should leave,” the collective room exited one at a time, “-my liege, how might this humble servant be of help?”

“Tell me about the drug use?”

“As it looks, my liege.”

“Right,” Julius ambled, “-would be best for you not to report the drug usage. Scott’s death falls under the palace’s jurisdiction, am I wrong?”

“But the Department of Justice...”

“We will handle it,” he added coldly, “-now, carry on, we wouldn’t want people to get suspicious.” A muffled click followed.

“Brother, I know Scott’s death is rather sudden. I had my doubts and they’ve become true. He couldn’t get over Aceline’s death and chose to end his misery. A person can’t be happy if they don’t want to be happy. I gave him the apartment, an allocation, nothing.”

“We never know what’s going on inside their heads. A girl fourteen of age killed herself. She was unlucky enough to be sniffed by the press. Who knows how many others decide to end themselves. The circle of life, as beautiful as it appears, can be the vilest, most disturbing law the world ought to follow. I know, don’t look at me that way. Going to see next of kin is my way of finding closure.”

“Self-satisfaction,” exhaled Julius, “-I wonder...”

“You better not,” he returned, “-Scott was a great man, a manager of unrivaled power. He’ll be missed.”

“Yeah, he will be missed. Excuse me, brother, I should return to my duties. Apexi must inform about his death.”

“Right, keep the door shut,” and so, Igna found himself alone in the living room. ‘-Noodle cups, the smell of sweat and vomit. Empty beer cans and booze. Guess the death affected him more than I thought,’ careful steps led to the bedchamber, the light gleamed, and a noose was yet removed from the bed’s frame.

‘I can see it,’ he stopped in the doorway, ‘-how he died, the anguish and sudden decision. He went out without a fight, kneeling as the noose tightened. Actions have consequences,’ he exited the apartment, ‘-Scott’s, unfortunately, one of the few who I knew. What of the nameless faces who died because of my actions,’ a smile escaped, ‘-am I the type to care?’ the door opened to flashes and media coverage. The inspector stood broadly before a reporter and gave vague statements. Ambulances left shortly after – the sirens screeched.

The police car rode through the busy capital. Nothing changed, the churning of daily life continued, “-a shame he had to die like that,” commented the officer, “-my liege, might I ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you ask for the history of drug use to remain a secret. It’s not unusual to find starlets high on narcotics to die from an overdose.”

“Call it a moment’s whim. I rather the world know of Scott as a man whose hardworking ethic brought him wealth and fame. If the history of drug use is uncovered, well, the legacy will be tarnished.”

“Understood,” the broad figure carried into strange alleys and made the long trip to the residential district Onel. Juei, the sibling to Onel, was also considered a residential district; one for the rich and famous. Crossing the district limits brought home the stacked apartment complexes, the modest way of life, and the less hectic way of life. Every major city had its slums, Rosespire was no exception, “-been a while since I came to Onel, how’s the way of life here?”

“Oh, Onel’s mostly a place regarded for travelers and adventurers. Not that a place – can find cheap lodging and relative comfort. The residents are friendly – homeless shelters and healthcare made the area a haven for the lost. I dare say, my liege, the church of Syhton and Tharis has made sure it remains a place of worship and respect. There are also the local crime syndicates, local gangs, and casual drug traffickers. We know everything there is to know – if they get too powerful, the Order of the Nightwalkers step in and ends the progress,” the police car pulled into a quaint part of town. Houses here were well-built, the streets cleaned and the neighborhood peaceful, “-Scott’s next of kin, his older sister Laia,” they stopped on the driveway and exited. Childish giggles and noise escaped into their yard. Toys were left outside – the inspector gathered his breath and entered the porch to a swift volley of taps. The giggles paused, “-coming,” followed. The footsteps rocked at a hastened pace, “-I’m here,” a middle-aged lady twisted the handle, “-can I help you?”

“Are you Mrs. Laia?”

“Yes, who asks?”

“I’m Inspector Darwin. We would like to have a word in private.”

Her justified suspicious look ambled to Igna, “-pardon me, who might you be?”

“Igna Haggard,” he returned, “-my lady, please, there’s no need to fret. We mean you no harm and only wish to have a moment of your time.”

She froze, “-mother, mother.”

“Follow me,” she spun and shook her finger at her children. They stopped and climbed upstairs, wherein Laia guided her guest to the kitchen. Family photos and grandiose poses; there were even pictures of idol groups sharing laughter. ‘Divorced,’ went across his mind, ‘-no evidence of a father. The children’s reaction to their mother’s orders, speaks volumes.’

“Please have a seat,” she offered, “-I’ll prepare some tea,” her hand trembled.

“Mrs. Laia, we appreciate the gesture, it won’t be necessary,” they remained upright, refusing to sit. Igna calmly tapped Darwin’s arms, “-let me,” he whispered.

“Forgive me,” her gaze lowered, “-I don’t know how to act. This is all too sudden, am I in trouble?”

“No, no,” he returned with a reassuring tone, “-Mrs. Laia, would it be alright if I speak frankly?”

“I guess?”

“It’s about Scott,” he continued, “-he was found dead earlier this afternoon.”

“D-d-dead?”

“Yes, Scott’s dead.”

“His death,” she stumbled, ‘-he’s dead... why?’

“We have reason to believe the death is a suicide,” added Darwin, “-we’re deeply sorry.”

“The children,” she side-glanced an open doorway, “-what will happen of them? The debt my husband left, the mouths to feed, why did you have to die, Scott, you idiot.”

“Mrs. Laia, might I ask what happened to your husband?”

“He died a few years ago during the war. We recently moved here for a better education... without Scott, I don’t know what to do. Taking care of seven kids, I’m sorry, you didn’t come here for my story. Thank you,” she nodded, “-where’s he?”

“At the hospital,” returned Darwin.

“Okay,” she sniffled, “-I’ll be there later. Thank you for making the trip, majesty.”