Capítulo 326: [64.3] Cyrus POV: The Hemmingway Delusion
[Author's note: This chapter is from Cyrus's point of view.]
[***DISCLAIMER: This chapter mentions animal violence, blood, attempted murder, and violence against women, which some readers may find uncomfortable.]
On the day of her release, she shuffled down the street wearing clothes she was forced to purchase from the hospital. The clothes were far too baggy, dragging on the ground and covered in dirt.
As she turned a corner shrouded in darkness, a weak hiss echoed throughout the alley. Reika's empty eyes turned to look at the creature who used its pitiful strength to try to warn her.
A small cat, covered in blood and clearly dying, glared at her with resentful eyes.
Reika leaned down, smiling at the feisty cat, "Hey little guy… You are just like me… I also didn't have anyone to care for me… But it will be different for you now because I'm going to help you."
Reika ignored the cat's hisses and poor attempt to bite her as she shuffled him into a box placed nearby.
She brought him to a veterinary clinic where the vet assessed him, "We can do the surgery, but he might not live. Whether he lives or not, the surgery will be really expensive. I wouldn't recommend the procedure for a stray."
Reika shook her head, "I don't care. If I were in the same position… I would want someone to help me."
"Very well. I will call you after we finish."
After her attack, Reika locked herself up in her house. She dedicated her entire time to giving the cat who almost died, a life to live. The grumpy cat couldn't see her kindness and would strike at her with his claws.
In the beginning, her arms and hands would be bleeding from the cuts, and Reika who now could no longer stand the sight of her own blood, would faint. When she woke up, the cat would be staring at her anxiously before running away.
Eventually, Reika learned how to avoid the quick slashes, becoming quite skilled at evading.
But why would she keep around such a mean cat?
What benefit does it give her?
While the cat slept, Reika reached out to scratch the cat's head with a slight smile. She whispered, "I have to go in for my health check-up… I'm sorry, mister kitty… But you'll be fine while I'm gone… Right?"
The cat continued to sleep unbothered.
She grinned and quickly planted a kiss on his furry face before leaving.
I didn't know what happened in the middle, but suddenly she was walking back on the road, rubbing her wound, "I can't believe it's almost healed…"
As she approached her door, she suddenly froze.
I peered around her in confusion but suddenly understood why she froze.
The door…
Was ajar.
Reika held her breath as she slowly stepped to the door.
The colors of her memory started to swirl together as she reached for the knob.
When she finally got the strength to open the door, a pained scream came from her throat.
She collapsed to her knees as a sob I wish I would never hear, ripped apart her throat.
Past her head, I could read the wall dripping in red:
Do you regret it yet?
I forced myself to turn away, unable to look at the gruesome scene.
After the initial shock of the scene, Reika shut the door and quickly dialed the police. She sat on her steps, anxiously tugging at her clothes as she bit down on her lip. Once the police car rolled up, she didn't waste any time running over to them.
"Please help me!!!"
A male officer stepped out of the car, "What's wrong ma'am?"
"Someone broke into my home!!!"
The officer spoke calmly, "Was anything taken?"
"No- but he broke into my home and killed my cat!!"
The officer raised an eyebrow, "He?"
"My ex-boyfriend!" Reika screamed at the police officer in desperation, "You have to do something! He won't stop until I'm completely destroyed or-or dead!"
A female officer got out of the patrol car and attempted to soothe her, "Ma'am. Please, take a deep breath. What exactly happened?"
Feeling soft hands comfort her, Reika felt a warmth enter her heart that she hadn't felt in a while. Her voice cracked as she explained, "I-I've recently been attacked by an ex-boyfriend of mine, but no one will lock him up... Now he broke into my house so that he could take away the only thing I have left!"
The other police officer stepped past her and glanced around the apartment. After making notes, he returned to them. His annoyance was clear as he watched the female officer soothe her, "You said it was your boyfriend?"
"Ex-boyfriend."
"Right. And do you have proof it was him?"
"Well… No, but-"
"Then there is nothing we can do."
"But-"
The female officer gave the other officer a helpless look, "Sir... Could you speak a bit kinder? She's been through a traumatic-"
"It's just a cat!" He spat out in annoyance, "Why are you treating it like your child or something?!"
Reika's expression paled and her gaze fell to the ground, "I... I..."
The female officer's expression turned harsh, "Sir!"
"Listen. You can't just tell us he did it! You need to give us proof! For all we know, some crazy maniac strolled in off the streets and got inside because you forgot to lock your doors!"
Reika's fists trembled as a fire was ignited inside of her, "This is NOT my fault."
The female officer consoled her, "Of course not-"
The male officer snickered, "I don't see any evidence of a break-in. Since no one broke in, you must have left it unlocked. Is that not your fault?"
Reika snapped at the officer through her tears, "There are SCRATCHES on the KNOBS! It's obvious someone broke in! Who else could it be except him?! I'm. Not. Wrong!"
He shouted back, "Like I said- you need proof! For all we know, those scratches were already there. There's no proof here! There is no motive!"
"But he stabbed me! Don't you have that on record?! It's proof of my claims!"
The officer shook his head, "Since he never admitted to anything, he is innocent until proven guilty. There is nothing we can do."
Reika spat out, "You f*cking waste! Can't you do your job right?! You are supposed to PROTECT and SERVE! It's your ONLY job!!! So why are you NOT F*CKING PROTECTING ME?!"
"Ma'am! Do not take that tone with me! As much as I want to help-"
Reika cried out, tears rolling down her cheek, "Don't you understand what's happening!? You are going to get me killed! KILLED! All of you will be responsible for my death because you won't help me!!!"
"Ma'am. If you don't calm down, I will have to place you in custody for a few days."
"You all killed me! You've actually killed me! My death is on your hands!!!" She shoved the officer's arms off of her while she sobbed miserably, "But I'm not going to let you all go! I'm going to come back as a ghost and torment you! I'm going to make sure you never sleep ever again!"
"-Stop before I lose my patience."
Reika stared at his face, before looking at all the bystanders who were watching the dramatic scene. She hadn't noticed that the police lights and her screams had drawn in a crowd. Her eyes looked at the female officer, but she couldn't meet Reika's eyes.
The male officer smiled smugly at her silence, "We will fill out your statement and be in contact with you later. If you notice anything missing, let us know."
Feeling a sour taste build up in her mouth, she spat out, "F*cking pigs."
The officers left Reika standing on her steps, all alone. The bystanders finally dispersed as she stood there silently staring at the closed door without moving.
She stared until night arrived.
She felt too unsafe to stand in the darkness while knowing a beast lurked among it, so she took a deep breath and walked back inside. Upon seeing the dried blood and the terrible state of her apartment, she closed her eyes tightly.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"I can't… I can't take it anymore."
She quickly picked up a suitcase and threw clothes into it. Without turning back, she closed the door to her apartment.
Never to return to it again.
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