The Middle

*Zacky’s P.O.V*
Hearing a news about someone’s death is probably the worst thing ever. Don’t care whether it happens to your enemy or your closest buddy, it is still a heartbreaking news to hear. Its creepy how death surrounds us. No matter how old you are, no matter what are you doing that time, no matter how good or bad you are, we all know it’ll come to us anytime. Because death comes without compromise.

The saddest thing of all of it is that I haven’t even had the chance to say sorry to her after doing bad things to her and she’s already gone. She didn’t know how thankful I am when she tried to safe both of us by sacrificing herself until she got shot. My stink eye look was the last thing she saw from me and that made me the worst person on earth for not trusting someone who wanted to make everything up.

I bit my lower lip at Brian’s words. It might not be the best plan ever but I had no choice than to agree with him. Maybe it’s the least I can do to make her forgive me, even if it sounds impossible. I know people’s spirit will remain in the earth if they die in a way that is not supposed. They want other people to do them justice before they go to heaven.

“Alright, I’m going with you. But first, we need a plan” I said before hung up the phone.

Hundreds of thoughts started attacking my mind. We need a strong evidence if we want to win over Sarah. But what could we make it as an evidence? I tapped my fingers against the wheel, hoping that something legendary would pop in my mind. And suddenly, it really happened.

"That’s it!!" I said in enthusiast. Its like there’s a shining light bulb came out of my head.

I just want to go home and tell this to Brian immidiately so I push on the gas but then a loud honk from the right side made me realise that its still red. My car stopped right in front of a huge truck and I’m just lucky that it didn’t hit me. The driver yelled some bad words at me but I didn’t seem to care. Excitement had taken over me earlier.

In 10 minutes, I already stood in front of my house and just barged in, didn’t mind to knock first - its my own house after all. I heard a blaring stereo coming from the livingroom so I assumed Brian was there. Probably laying lazily on the couch as he waited for me. I went inside and got greeted by sticky melted cheese all over the floor.

“Seriously Brian?!” I said, unamused.

“Sorry. I made mac and cheese earlier but then accidentally dropped it. Blame my injured shoulder” he said like he didn’t do something wrong.

I rolled my eyes, “whatever. I’ll clean that later” I said as I stepped inside and joined him on the couch. “Do you want to hear my plan?” He stayed silent because he knew I already know the answer to that stupid question. I proceed to tell him the whole plan.

"How’s that?" I said after I finished telling him.

"Ok let’s do it now!" He replied then we went to the hospital.

We knew the police would be suspicious towards us so I thought it would be better if we go to the hospital to gather some information about Roxy’s death before we go to the police station. The reason why Sarah was the strongest suspect on Roxy’s death is because Roxy messed up her plan when she was about to shoot me. She might plan a revenge on her so she killed her. Who knows that we might be right. But if we aren’t, then we’re fucked. I had my fingers crossed the whole journey to the hospital. I really hope that we were right about Sarah.

When we arrived at the hospital, we went straight to the receptionist and got the information about the doctor who served Roxy in seconds. I was glad that the receptionist respond us quickly even though its in a rush hour and there were so many people asking her various questions. The quicker the better. I wasn’t trying to take this any longer so we followed the nurse to the doctor’s room.

"Dr. Howard, these gentlemen want to meet you" said the nurse before she left us in the room. I heard his name couple of times before and many people said he’s the best doctor in this hospital. Not that I don’t believe it but he doesn’t seem like it. Or I’m just being distrust towards people.

"Is there anything that I can help, gentlemen?" He asked us nicely with that smile planted on his face.

"Yeah, we’re Roxy’s friends actually" I cleared my throat. "First of all, we’re devastated when we heard the news. We thought her injury wasn’t that serious. So, we came here to ask you about her death cause"

"Hmm honestly we did an autopsy yesterday but there’s still no result yet. Now, could you two please leave? I have plenty of works to do" he said. Oh how rude.

But I kept my mouth shut. I really don’t want to cause problems. I just rolled my eyes then walked out of the room. Apparently, the doctor and us went to the different direction. Next time he says something, I’ll let Brian talk. There’s no way I’m gonna talk to that rude person ever again. As we were about 10 steps away from his room, Brian seemed to have a sudden urge to turn around and called his name. Luckily, he wasn’t that far so Brian approached him and had a small talk before he returned to me then continue our walk.

"What did you say to him, Bri?" I asked.

"Well, I asked him if we can have the result later and he said yes. We can have it in 2 hours. Better start waiting. Yay" he said sarcastically.

I nodded, “Where are we going now?”

"I don’t know. The waiting room?" He asked back. Because I didn’t have any destination in my mind so I answered it with a simple ‘ok’.

The first hour went pretty slow like a snail. I started walking around the waiting room as I’m not that person who stands sitting for hours. I swear its like a pain on the ass. That’s why whenever we were on tour and we had to go to the destination by plane, I decided to take a sleeping pill and fell deep in my slumber.

The clock showed 13:00 which means it marked 2 hours since we left the doctor’s room. But there’s still no sign of him yet. We kept praying and praying, practically begging, as we waited anxiously for the result. Minutes by minutes passed and I could clearly hear the clock ticking since we’re the only persons here in this waiting room.

Me and Brian exchanged glance at the clock which almost showed 14:00 now. You know what? That doctor wasn’t just rude to us, but he also told us a bullshit. I began to think that my feelings were right; he wasn’t the best doctor here. He just can’t make us wait an hour behind the schedule. Well, at least, he could send one of his nurses to tell us something! I let out a huge sigh, this slows everything but at the same time, we need this evidence. Oh conflict.

Finally, the person we’re all expected came. “Apologies for an hour delay, but you are now can see the result. Ms Rose will show you the way” he said then off he went to wherever he wish.
We were guided to a dark lab where we can see the result. The nurse handed us a file full of terrifying pictures of dead Roxy. Most of them showed fingerprints on her neck and I couldn’t help but wonder whose fingerprints are those. When we’re finished looking at those pictures, Ms Rose finally spoke.

"I hope you won’t be shock about this, Mr Haner" she looked at Brian apologetically. "The fingerprints belong to Ms Sarah Crawford. We analyzed that she choked Ms Roxy until she ran out of breath. And apparently, the CCTV could capture this violent action so here’s the video if you don’t believe me" she turned the tv on.

I stared blankly at the screen. Honestly, I have no words to explain her action. I was in pure shockness when I watch it even though I really hoped that Sarah actually killed her so we can win over her this time. Brian kept rewining the video like he doesn’t believe its her. The look of hurt, shock, and frustrated were all over his face. He still loves her. He obviously does. I can’t believe that Sarah crushed him with this cruelest thing. And there’s no way I will let her hurt him further.

“Come on, Brian. Let’s take you home” I said to him and thanked Ms Rose before leaving.
Brian held his head down looking at the floor tiles as he walked. I’ve realized that he hadn’t say a thing ever since he watched that video. It breaks my heart seeing him in the lowest position of his life. And to make it worse, I felt like my mouth were sealed so I couldn’t cheer him up. Sigh I’m the worst best friend ever.

“Zacky?” he finally spoke. Just before I could answer him, he continued, “I don’t think I can do this…”

Notes