Secret Doors

Portia’s P. O. V:

Airi enters my hospital room where Levi and I are having a heart-to-heart talk. “Did I disturb both of you?” She asked playing innocent. “Not really,” Levi answered fixing himself. “Well then.” Airi shrugging off the thought already. She almost jumps into me. Her eyes are teary and she hugs me tight. “I miss you. I thought you are going to leave me.” Airi cries. “Shh, it’s alright.” I calmed her down.

I hugged her too. “I’m here. I won’t leave you.” I told her as I combed her hair with my fingers. I cried too and Levi handed us a tissue. “Do you want me to leave so you can talk? I’ll buy both of you drinks.” Levi told us and we both nodded. “Thank you so much, Mr. Everett.” Airi thanked Levi. “Just Levi is fine.” He said. “I’ll be going now. What do you want for drinks?” Levi asked us. “Anything will do. Levi.” We both answered and we laugh.

Levi find us weird and he just shrugged his shoulder and leave. “Are you okay now? Where does it hurt? Did the doctors already check you?” Airi worriedly asked me. “I’m good Airi don’t worry. How about you? How was your day?” I asked her so her worries will ease. “The doctor said I just have to recover from my wounds then I can be discharged,” I added and she smiles at me. “You are so brave, Portia. You fight the life and death situation. Imagine that killer stabbed you in the heart.” She said and tears again left her eyes.

“I didn’t know what happened but I wanted to fight. I had a dream about mom and she said I need to go on with life.” I told her about my dream. “I wanted to thank you mom for still guiding you. Even in this kind of situation.” She said and get herself some water. “You want some water?” She asked me. “Yes please,” I said. “Mom will always be at my side no matter what will be the situation Airi.” I continued the story. “I know because she loves you.” Airi agreed with me.

“But what I wanted to focus on right now is the perpetrator.” Airi becomes serious. “Oh, yes. I didn’t see his whole face but I can remember his eyes.” I told her. Trying to remember what happened that day. “Hey don’t stress yourself, Portia. It’s alright, get well first. The police are doing their best to find the criminal.” Airi sits beside me and gave me water.

“All I can remember is I was going to take a selfie with the author and someone stab me,” I told her and she cupped my face. “Don’t force yourself.” She said and kiss my forehead. “By the way. The author leaves you this.” Airi remembers something and gets a book from the drawer. “Here.” Airi handed me a book with Akuji’s note. His signature is written on the front page.

I hugged Airi in excitement. “Oh my thank you. I thought I won’t be having his signature anymore.” I said in happiness. “Hey, don’t thank me. Thank him because he remembers you and left his card with a note.” Airi said and gave the paper to me so I can read the note. The note says that he can help find the perpetrator. “He said he can help me find the killer when I’m ready,” I told her and I saw Levi coming in.

“Who? Tell me. So I can talk to whoever that person is?” Levi said as he comes in. “Levi calm down. It’s Akuji the author who saves her.” Airi told him. “I’m sorry,” Levi told me and kiss me on my forehead. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. You can even call the police. I’m even ready to give my statement.” I told him. He hugs me, Levi and Airi looked at each other and asked me. “Are you sure? Because they are literally waiting outside?” Airi told me.

“Yes, I’m sure.” I look at them in confusion. “You might be stressed. You should rest first.” Airi tries to change the topic. “No, let her be Airi. My woman told me that she can so let’s respect her will.” Levi said and handed Airi a bubble tea. “I’m worried about this.” Airi is overprotective again. “Calm down brat she will just be questioned.” He said and grabbed Airi at the chair to sit on. “Sit and relax. I’ll call them outside.” Levi said and handed me a fruit shake.

“Drink this first.” He said and kiss my forehead. “Yes, thank you.” I thanked him. “I’ll just call them. Remember that we are just here if you needed us okay?” He said and I nodded. He went outside and call the police in charge of my case. Meanwhile, I sent a message to Mr. Akuji I told him I’m ready for questioning. In just a minute the Police are already in my room. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Portia.” The police near my age started the conversation.

“I’m Neil and this is Marlon my assistant in this case.” They introduced themselves. Levi is eyeing them like a predator touching his territory. I almost laugh at his actions. “Nice to meet you too,” I said. “We are going to ask some questions about what happened this will only take a moment.” The other one explains which I agree with. “Can we wait for someone?” I asked. “Yes. Who it is ma’am?” Marlon asked.

“It’s the Author who helped me,” I told them. “That person ignored our invitation,” Neil said. “Trust me, he’s going to help,” I told him. “Okay then let’s wait,” Neil answered and we waited for almost five minutes. “I’m already here.” A man’s voice echoed in my room and the author finally enters his wheelchair with a guy like a college student.

“Good day everyone.” He started. “Good day Mr. Alistair.” The police greeted him. “I am ready to narrate my part and I brought a witness too.” The author announced that shocks all of us in the room. “May we know who is your witness?” The police asked. “Me.” The guy on the author’s back. “I saw the guy.” He stated. “I see let’s start with Ms. Portia and we will ask for your side too.” The police told us.

“Are you ready Ms. Portia? Everything you said here will be recorded and will be used as evidence by the investigation and the court.” The police formally stated and I answered. “Yes.”

“It’s started at the convention hall of the Mayford Bookstore.” I started. “I am sitting at the VIP section of the event and then everything went black and as the spotlight stops a winner will be called to have a selfie with the author,” I added trying to remember everything. “I was called last. When I am about to go to the stage a man approached me. I thought he was a staff but he looks creepy.” I continued.

I am trying my best to remember everything to make sure I won’t miss any details. It’s kind of blurry to me vision but I can remember everything. “He just got near me and stabbed me like I am really his target. I manage to dodge some of his attacks until the author blocks me and he stops as soon as he stabs him and runs away.” I told them what I can clearly remember.

“Did you see his face?” Neil asked me. “All I see is his brown eyes as he is covered with a mask. But he has a thunder tattoo on his left hand. He also has a scar on that part of his hand.” I said. “He’s left-handed too,” I said. I tried to think more if I missed out on any details. That guy is wearing a grey hoodie and a common surgical mask. He also wears a necklace with an A sign. “The guy also wears a necklace with A as a pendant,” I said in detail.

“That’s all I can remember because my eyes already feel heavy and blurry at that time.” I honestly told them. “How about his height?” One of the police asked. “He’s about six feet tall.” The author said that the witness and I agree. “How about you Mr. Alistair? Are you ready to give your statement?” The police asked him and all eyes are on him now.

“Yes, I’m ready.” He answered. And everyone is ready for his statement.

“Everyone panicked at his sudden action. Me too I thought he was one of the staff. I hurriedly go to help her as everyone starts to be out of control and runs everywhere.” The author started.

“I know that his target is Portia. If I am a killer if I don’t point at someone I will be happy just stabbing everyone around me running. But he has his intentions. His eyes are only aimed at Portia. When he stabbed me I was able to look closer at his face. His eyes surface are red and he looks like a middle-aged man. He has brown hair too as I tried to pull off his hood.” He said in detail.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The tension is now thickening the air as everyone hears his side.