CHAPTER 27
The body of a man without life and a weeping lady –assumed to be someone connected to the man. To others gathered around, they only thought his death was by some sort of disease he has had, but to Alexander, he knew the cause, rather, he suspected a cause. All symptoms of what he suspects was shown, although one may not easily see it, but he saw it. Thinking about it enraged him. He could not do much in that situation but separate the weeping lady from the lifeless body so it can be taken away. Though she put up a fight with the health workers that came to take him away, the body was taken away. There was no use in trying to give her any hope–observing her expressions, that man was dear to her. Maybe a partner, or brother, or perhaps, a friend. Alexander witnessing the dreadful sorrows of one right in front of him filled him with what he could not explain even if he tries to paint it out. He, however, wondered how that innocent man’s death happened and why him.
“Rachel, come.” He ordered as they both left the scene. It was noticeable to Iliana that Alexander was not in the best of moods. Iliana wondered why and felt the need to ask, alas, she kept to herself. They, Iliana and Alexander, strolled to Iliana’s motel.
“Alexander…” Iliana could not hold herself as they came to a halt.
“That man…” Alexander started. “…he did not have to die.”
“I don’t know what happened or how it happened. It is very unfortunate.”
“Rachel, do you have any container of the blood with you?”
Iliana was thrown off by the question. “N-No.” She stuttered. “I believe Rajesh has them all, assuming those weren’t the last. Why?”
“That man’s death…”
It struck Iliana “That can’t be.”
“I am ninety percent confident.”
“Why would Rajesh do something like that? I know he can be crazy but that is lunatic.”
“I will find out. From now on, I want you to be cautious of what you drink or eat. I fear something had gone wrong somewhere and Rajesh doesn’t know.”
“Okay.” Iliana agreed.
“I’ll go see that lady and find out more before I talk to Rajesh personally.”
“Let me come with you.”
“I want you to stay inside. I will return for you. Don’t open the door for anybody. I will call you out when I return.” The was so much in Alexander’s tone, Iliana wanted to persist but she couldn’t. There was something about him that made her obedient. Something she couldn’t point out. She enjoyed it.
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
Alexander smiled at Iliana; his golden and silver vision piercing through her light brown eyes. There was nothing said…
“You should get going.” Iliana broke the eye contact. Alexander scoffed.
“I’ll see you later, Rachel.” Alexander smiled as he walked away from Rachel.
Alexander for reasons he couldn’t tell, he found comfort and understanding in Rachel’s –Iliana’s– presence. As he walked back to the weeping lady, Alexander scoffed at himself thinking back at every time he has spent with Iliana.
As he reached the health center, his gleeful countenance faded to an unmatched grim with striking vision. He approached the counter and gave a description to a worker. At first glance, the worker wanted to refuse, but they feared for their life if they refused. They led him to a small building with dark lighting. It had a strong lingering stench of blood and embalming fluid. The building felt cold and eerie. Alexander sensed too much dread, anguish and sorrows. The worker assigned someone who worked there to lead Alexander to ‘Mrs. Dubois’. As Alexander walked through the passage, headed to Mrs. Dubois, there was much he noticed about the building. It was his first time in there but he already had too many stories to tell.
They walked into a room– the only room with bright lighting. It was cold and the stench of embalming fluid was much stronger. Alexander and the worker were met with sorrowful wails and distorted screams. There were many lifeless bodies laid side to side, covered with white sheets. There she was. Alexander spotted her in an instant. She was attempting to lay over the lifeless body of what Alexander figured to be Mr. Dubois. A number of workers tried comforting the woman and holding her back but from the look of things, they weren’t doing a great job. Mrs. Dubois had her hair clothes messy. She had lost her shoe, you could tell she ran to Mr. Dubois. It was saddening.
Alexander slowly approached Mr. Dubois’s lifeless body that was covered with a sheet. He looked at the body and then at Mrs. Dubois who had lost her strength. She was taken out of the room by the workers; Alexander was left alone. He uncovered Mr. Dubois face and studied it.
“It’s definitely that.” He thought to himself as he covered Mr. Dubois’s face. He walked out of the room to Mrs. Dubois who sobbed. He slowly approached her. “Mrs. Dubois?”
There was no response.
“Please, take heart.”
Mrs. Dubois shook her head as she sobbed. “He did nothing! He was fine! He…” She sobbed even more. “I don’t know why it happened.”
“Do not speak anymo—”
“He is a kind man. We were only celebrating our anniversary today with drinks and a good forest view but…” Mrs. Dubois fell on her knees crying.
Alexander squatted and patted her head. “What did he drink?”
“We only drank our wines at the Highs and Lows bar and then we came out to continue our fun strolling through the forest then he suddenly—” Mrs. Dubois could not continue.
“Mrs. Dubois…” Mrs. Dubois rose her head and her eyes met Alexander’s. Her crying instantly seized and her mouth was left open. “This is the best I can do for you. Please, take care.” Alexander rose to his feet and walked away from Mrs. Dubois and the building with a wrathful heart.