A third person among us

"Shh... Don't joke on things like this Lana, " Samuel blurted in a half-whispered tone, putting his hand over my lips. "You going to get in trouble."

Tears welled up my eyes. I do hope that all of this is only a prank, but Mr. Bong is dead, and I'm officially a criminal. I weakly shove his hand away, "Sam... I'm the last person he met. He tried to... " I hushed, chin trembled, and an involuntary whimper escaped my lips.

Staring back at me, he realized that I'm not kidding him. He is silent but at last, he exhaled, coming closer putting a hand over me, and crushing me to his everlasting safe haven body. "I'm sorry, don't say a word anymore."

"I'm scared. I didn't mean to..." I convinced him with my voice muffled to his chest.

"Hush... I know, I understand, anyone in your place won't hesitate to stab him to death..." He comforted me, tightening the embrace as I sobbed uncontrollably.

"I don't know he got injured. I'm selfish, I should have checked if he was ok back then..." I babbled, crying over my regrets.

Samuel stops running his hand over my back. Forcing me to face him, brows furrowed. "Lana, what do you mean? You stabbed him multiple times, why would you come back to check on him?"

"Stab? No! That's ridiculous!"

To my horror, I have come to ascertain that I was stuck in a wire of complicated situations.

Samuel put his hands over my shoulder, his face contorted, tensed up, "Listen, let me take you home first, " He said in his lowest tones, without being instructed, he removes the IV from me smoothly. I knew he is familiar with what to do because he indeed is a first-class trained volunteer medical crew in our school Red Crescents Association.

How could I resist falling in love over and over again with the kind, charming, and gifted Samuel Jin?

Me being dumbstruck obediently followed his step to his parked vehicle.

"Go home, get some rest, and don't think about a thing first, you get me?" He muttered as he pushes to start the engine.

Thinking about home, I knew there won't be peace when Hansel is around. With complicated things running wild in my mind, I don't want to take the risk of going home.

I clung to his arm like a child, I'm breaking, I know it's a shame begging him to instead drive me somewhere. "No, I don't want to go home now."

Being calm as always, Samuel drove us to somewhere safe to park, a few meters away from the school compound. Pulling the hand brake, he puts his focus on me. "Lana, what's wrong? Tell me, you have been avoiding me so much. Is there anything I don't know? Please tell me..."

"I just don't want to go home, there is no place for me there... Just drop me anywhere I will go home when it's time."

"With you in this state? Tell me, Lana, you have been staying back just because you don't want to get home early is it?"

I nodded, warm tears tickled my cheeks again.

"And that is when Mr. Bong tries to attack you..."

And I nodded again along with a great tremor overtook me, I choked on my sobs.

Samuel shoved a box of tissues into my lap. "I'm sorry. I should have come back to check on you..." He gathers me to his arm, offering comfort. "That damned jerk, I just wanted to break his dirty hands!" He cursed as he mentions Mr. Bong.

"He didn't get me... I escaped. I hit him, but I didn't turn back, I don't know what happens afterward."

On mentioning that I manage to flee from the abuse, I could feel his relieved breath, "It's a relief, I'm glad you are safe. Dear Lord, you have saved her." I heard him whisper. "Listen to me, while they are investigating, we will get the culprit or at least any lead to this case." He promised me hope. Making me face him again.

"How?" I stared blankly at him.

"You are in a safe position right now. While you are passing out, there is another crime scene takes place. The security room had been raided last night, all surveillance camera records had been seized away." He explained lively to his newfound information.

Bringing on the issues of the camera surveillance, I remember something Mr. Bong had said. "Yes, he had told me that he shut off the monitoring system!" I exclaimed. "The one who removes the evidence is the real culprit, huh!"

"Damned that prick, there must be other victims other than you," He mustered curses again. "I'm sorry Lana, it's ok, you are safe, I should be grateful. Don't bother my harsh word."

"No, it's alright, you are not at fault on this. I guess someone who slaughtered him must be deeply loathed him. Someone who determined to kill him..."

"I'm your main alibi. Don't worry, I will protect you." He promised to me, holding me tight to his embrace. "Indeed, with such a messy crime scene, I should be seeing you soaking in blood."

It's weird to hear him say so but I don't want to reject the warmness he radiates.

I'm deserted, stuck in the middle of a crisis where no one I can trust to talk to.

Mom had been brainwashing me all my life to not expect from others if I don't want to be hurt.

I think she told me that way so that she can focus on Hansel. She doesn't want me to cling to her so much.

But, I'm a human too. I too needed someone to hold me, at least once... I've longed for the warmness, I'm cold for no reason, I don't care if it's because I'm running with a fever, Samuel is everything that I needed now.

"Lana," Samuel wipes the tears away with his thumb, gently making me look at him again. "Lana, your parents need to know this. Otherwise, they will be worried sick seeing you in this condition."

Picturing the expression of my parents to what has happened to me traumatized me. Especially mom... I'm sure mom will despise me, it's all my fault.

If only I just surrender to Hansel... he is my brother after all. Rather than having to be involved in this huge misfortune, my future is coming to ruin...

Ahh... the convulsive gasps make it harder to breathe, I don't want to face this, I rather die, I rather kill myself.

"NO, please no... Just kill me." I clutch on Samuel, paying no heed of him hating me, disgusted by my weeping had to stain his uniform. "I don't want to live anymore..."

It's getting harder to speak and breathe at the same time, can I die this way...? Let it be if that is what it takes to die.

Bringing me into his embrace once again, coaxing me into calmness, "Lana it's not your fault. I'm sorry to see you in this state, it's a tragedy... But, at the moment it's up to you, whether to reveal yourself or not, I know it must be hard." Putting his attention away from me, he picks up the tissue box, took out a few pieces, and offered to me, "Clear your nose, you need to breathe, Lana."

Taking a deep breath, Samuel just stays still, watching, patiently waiting for me to recollect myself...