[ROCKEY'S POV]

"Katherine, your sleeping bag" Vicky remind the younger while pulling her own sleeping bag. Before Katy did what she's been told, she pulls me for a quick hug, then hurriedly made her way towards the sleeping bag and pulls it out of my apartment "You sure that you're okay now, huh?" Vicky asks, and I just nodded my head in response while watching her went out of my place. "Thank you for taking care of these two" Jennifer said to me and embrace me for a hug.

In less than a minute, Katy and Vicky were heard bickering from their apartment, causing to me to let out a giggle. "No problem" I re-assured Jennifer as we bid goodbye to each other, the same time Katy and Vicky's voices became louder. I shake my head to the side while closing my door securely. "Finally! An alone time!" I mutter, letting myself fall straight to the mattress of the bed while my body pressed against onto it comfortably.

Last night went well with them. The sisters don't snore that loud, but I still didn't catch a good sleep. It feels weird. It seems like someone was watching me from afar, yet it don't feel uncomfortable. The stare was so familiar to the point that I'm already close to thinking that my third-eye already activates. I tried contacting my sister's spirit silently, but a howl from a neighbor's dog was heard during that, and I almost got a heart attack because of that. Stupid.

Fast Forward: [Few hours past after falling asleep]

"Aside from the Ruby sisters, who else is new in this apartment complex as for today?" I ask myself while busy analyzing the new set of tenants. "Jackal & Louisito's room is located upstairs, 3rd floor. Obviously, there are quite far from the murder scene which means both of them are out of the picture FOR NOW" I whisper the last 2 words because I'm not sure about that yet IF they are really new or in between that and old. Before the murder took place, Alicia was the only social butterfly among us, and when we're going out, it's very rare for me to greet the tenants nor the neighbors, so I don't really got the chance to familiarize their faces nor names, but only their voices. I'm a very shy girl back then which I kind of regret for not paying too much attention to their whereabouts.

"This job will be easier if Coral--" I cut myself off from talking when I glance towards the door's direction. There is a shadow underneath the spaces of the door. Who could this person be? I don't remember inviting someone over, so I quietly made my way towards the door and checks the peephole right away. "Louisito?" I mumble a little confused. What is this dwarf doing in front of my apartment again? Hmm. "Just for protection" I said in my mind as I removed the portrait off the wall, and picks up the folding knife that was secretly placed behind it.

Once I heard the knock, I place back the portrait to its spot accurately, then hide the folding knife in my jacket's pocket.

[KNOCK (2X)]

He knocked again, and I quickly turn on the television and lower down the volume to make it look like that I am watching. I intentionally made my footsteps noticeable before opening the door.

"Hi, Rockey!" Louisito greeted me while handling me another set of bouquet of flowers. It looks the same from last time, but different packaging "Not from mine" He clarifies, then flashes me a smile. "From Harrison, right?" a wild guess which he only showed me a two thumb's up. That Jackal boy is still trying to catch my attention, huh? He should be consistent about his intentions first, and do things on his own. What a turn off. "So, what brings you here again?" I question, then he fished out his phone out of a sudden. "I'm here because of this" he said, then showed me his phone screen that flashing a message from Jackal, and it says:

I'll treat you in the computer shop later, but take care, or keep an eye on Rockey today. She's sick. Make sure she won't be stressed out nor get tired. Thanks dude!

"His cheesy, right?" Louisito said in a grimace before putting back his phone in his pocket. I agree. I don't like a cheesy person. I find them boring. I rather be with someone with a cold behavior because I find them mysterious and fascinating. "So, where do I start?" he asks and his really determine for the free access in the computer shop. Is that even a big deal? Can't relate, bruh.

I just shrug my shoulders while leading him inside my apartment. I am about to shut the door when a familiar hand grip on the side tightly. "What is he doing inside?" Vicky asked in a cold tone while eyeing Louisito's figure whose busy looking at my house interior. Her jealousy is overflowing, but I just plastered a mischievous smile, leaning closer to her ear. "I'll tell you later~" I whisper seductively, before removing her hand off the door while making a direct eye contact to her till I shut the door completely in front of her beautiful face. I even heard a groan outside followed by a loud shut of a door. She's indeed jealous. HAHAHA.

"You decorated this entire room?" he asked while standing near the couch. He could sit if he wanted too. "Yeah because this room looks so gloomy when I first saw it. I did a good job in trying, right?" I proudly said, and made sure to provoke him from commenting more. A slip of tongue can make this conversation progress secretly. "Can I sat here?" he innocently asked, and I just nodded my head while on my way towards the kitchen. Maybe a home cooked meal can make him talk to me more. "Feel at home" I said, but a little louder for him to hear clearly. "Jackal said you're sick. You want some help in there?" he offers, then an evil smirk slowly formed on my lips for a split seconds. Great timing. Then, I heard footsteps coming, and the smirk turns into a smile automatically. "I'm getting a little better now, but if you insist, help me cut the pork" I said while washing the vegetables in the sink, back facing him. "Yeah sure" he obediently said, then starts cutting the pork into tiny cubes. Well, I don't really mind nor care whatever kind of cut he wants to do with that pork, but all I need from him is INFORMATION that's all.

"Hey, Rockey?" then he calls my name which I just hum in response while placing the frying pan on the stove, turning it on at the same time. "Are you not scared sleeping in this apartment?" he asked, and I can still hear the sound of cutting from behind me. Bingo. Just like what I'm waiting for. I tried my best to hide the smirk that plastering on my face again as I put the oil in the frying pan first before facing his direction with a confused expression. "Why would I be scared though?" I ask him, then turns my back again to check the oil on the frying pan. "Are you for real, Rockey?" he asks in shock, but I intentionally ignored him, and start cutting the washed vegetables. "You have no idea happened in this apartment a year ago, don't you?" he questioned me. "Did something serious happen in here?" I ask him innocently. Looks like I'm nailing my acting because I noticed his eyebrow narrowed. He could be in between hesitation, or contemplation.

He didn't answer me yet, but instead he offered to fry the pork. Geez. Boomer. "You should try moving into a different apartment now before it gets too late, Rockey" he suggested which made my eyebrow furrow for seconds, but when he's about to face my direction again, I acted confused. "Why? I can handle myself ya'know?" I said in an offended tone, but he let out a sigh as he flips the pork over. "A year ago, a murder took place in this apartment and the killer is still out there somewhere, Rockey" he started, and I secretly clench my fist under the table when a sudden image of Alicia covered in a black cloth while laying lifelessly on the stretcher starts flashing in my mind. The memory is still fresh, so did the pain.

I inhale deeply, and closed my eyes to calm myself for a bit. "Are you okay?" he worriedly asks, and I just nodded my head in response as I open my eyes slowly. "You just said that a murder happened in here JUST a year ago, then why this room was still up for renting?" I questioned him while looking straight into his eyes. "For money" he replied so quickly before putting the vegetables on the pan. Money, huh? "So, that basically explain why this room looks so gloomy when I first stepped in. I understand now why the atmosphere here at night felt suddenly heavy" I said, and making up some stories. I acted that I am in deep thoughts too. "Hey, Rockey. Please be carefully okay? No one knows when the killer will strike again or who will be the next victim" he worriedly said, and I can feel the sincerity in his words, so I just hum in response, then stood up from sitting. I help him set up the plates and utensils on the table. "Hey Louisito?" I called, then he turns to look at me with a curious expression. "W-why is the murderer still on the loose?" I ask, acting like I'm feeling scared already. He turned off the stove, and transfer the pork and vegetables on the plate carefully. "The investigation sunk in a year ago. No one knows who is the killer" He said, sitting opposite direction of me. "None from the tenants of floor 2 speak about the murder. All of them are afraid to be the witness in fear of the killer might do something to them as well" he continues before stabbing a piece of pork. I was busy chewing the carrot when I recalled the important thing I wanted to know. "Where are those tenants now? Are they still alive?" I ask in between worry and fear. Still an acting. In case I short in money, I'll try to audition to become an actress. HAHAHA.

He nodded his head before drinking water. "Almost all of them already left and rent new apartments, also in fear of being drag to the murder case" he answered before eating again. I let out a hum, still busy pretending I was in deep thoughts.

Time Skipped: [Few more hours past]

After Louisito left, I started recalling the old faces I used to see walking in and out of the apartment before the murder took place, but the hardest thing for me is to remember their faces accurately which impossible for me to do because I didn't even spare them a single glance. Only their voices is familiar to me. Most of them are close to my sister even the landlady herself, but it seems like she didn't recognize me anymore. That's weird though. It has been only a year without seeing each other again, but she already acted like we're a stranger to each other. Is she avoiding me on purpose?

"I need to get the bottom of this" I click my tongue to the side as I pulled out a medium size briefcase underneath my bed. It used to be Alicia's. This is the first time I'm going to peek what's really inside.

Everything I got inside this briefcase MIGHT help me in finding the killer. I unzipped the briefcase, and a few items were neatly placed inside it, such as the old photographs, the newspapers and some favorite things of Alicia like her phone, her old books, her fidget spinner and her laptop. I keep all of these items after the investigators closed the case. I know I'll be needing these some day, and today is the perfect day to be that day.

"Now, the password" I bit my bottom lip as I turned on the laptop and start charging it at the same time. "Password incorrect" I roll my eyes, and just created a new user. Looks like I need to pay for some hackers out there to hack this laptop, but before that, I'll be needing to download some software first because the desktop look so empty. It can't entertain me with Microsoft Office and some childish game right? But Pokemon seem fine to play. Maybe some other day. "Useless" I mumble after realizing that the apartment complex don't have an internet connection, and having one is impossible. The way how the building is built is kind of preventing the signal to completely go through, so it's very slow, or mostly no connection at all.

I pick up the phone, in hopes that I can AT LEAST access it. "Scratches?" I look at the back of the phone blankly, feeling confuse on how the hell it got scratched inside my briefcase after a year of without opening it? Magic? The last time I checked it, it was spotless. No scratches nor any damage, so how come? "That's odd" I tilted my head to the side as I put the phone beside the laptop, despite I'm still confuse, I didn't waste any minute, and proceeding straight in scanning the old photographs to check IF I can still remember few of Alicia's closest friends. All of them used to be in this apartment complex as well, but I was very introverted that time and I didn't allow myself to have MORE friends, so I don't really know them by full names. I just knew their nicknames and voices. Coralita is the only friend I have back then by the way. Obviously, my life from a year ago was only revolving with 2 persons, Alicia and Coral.

[KNOCK (2X)]

"Rockey!" then I heard Katy and Vicky's voice from behind the door. I immediately pack up the laptop and the phone. I zipped the briefcase securely, then placed it back underneath my bed.

[KNOCK (2X)]

"ROCKEY?!" Katy already raises her voice, and I immediately messed up my hair in purpose, then rub my eyes a little hard to make it look like I just woke up. Don't forget the Katy dislike waiting in front of the door. I finally open it, but only a little while peeking my head on the doorway. I see the both of them, holding some casseroles. "Jennifer cooked a lot. Here. We left you some" Vicky smiled at me, and Katy is expressing confusion on her face. "What happened to your hair?" she asks in suspicion while trying to peek inside, but I just smiled at them. "You woke me up, dude" I said in sarcasm while opening the door, wide enough for them to finally peek inside. "N-nice boxer, girl" Vicky shyly said, then hands me the casserole. "Thanks" I replied in appreciation while smiling at her, then Katy gives me another casserole, and she carefully placed it on top of the first one. "I cooked that one just FOR YOU, honey" Katy playfully said, winking at me at the same time. "Jennifer cooked that. Stop lying, brat" Vicky exposed her sister for the second time which Katy elbowed her to the sides. "Ow!" Vicky yelp and automatically glare at her sister. "You're already spilling too much tea about me" Katy stated while crossing her arms over her chest.

[THUD]

Then I heard something fell from my bathroom. Weird. "Rockey?" then Vicky's voice brought me back to my trance which immediately I show them another smile just to get crossed from their suspicious look. I think they didn't hear what I've just heard, and they only just noticed my blanket expression a while ago. "Thank you again for these foods, Vy and Katy. I'll bring the casseroles later after I devour it all. It seems tasty" I wink at Katy playfully, and glance at Vicky who only gives me a two thumb's up. "Eat well and enjoy, Rockey" both of them bid goodbye, and as a gentlewoman, I waited for them to get inside first. I learned this from Coral, and I used to do this to my sister. Some memories keep coming back out of the blue, huh? Is this a sign of progress? Maybe yeah, but maybe not.

I shrug my shoulder as I kick the door shut. I made my way to my mini dining table and carefully placed the casseroles on there. I opened one of the lids and the savory aroma from the grilled pork directly hit my nose. It smelled delicious, but even before I start salivating. I drag myself towards the bathroom and switched on the light. I saw nothing suspicious, but the shampoo bottle that was laying on the tiled floor.

"Opened?" I mumble to myself while staring suspiciously at the NOW opened window. I don't remember opening it since I got in to this apartment again. This is weird. I quickly close the small window to prevent the wind from knocking off my other toiletries, and pick up the shampoo bottle, then place it back in the box. I heave out a sigh as I start feeling someone's gaze at me from somewhere near. "Is someo--"

[THUD]

Then I fell on the floor when I got hit on the back of my head. It was too hard that it made feel dizzy. Is this my time to be with Alicia again? If so, wait for me, big sister.

"Hey! You hit her too hard!" then I heard a very familiar voice before my vision starts to become blur. "I was startled ya'know!" then another voice said. I tried not to fall asleep, but the dizziness already got the best out of me. "Startled my butt. Don't touch her! Now go! Secure the area for our escape" the last words I heard from that same familiar voice when the dark slowly filling in my vision and sanity. I'm coming, Alicia. Please wait for me. I miss you.

- TO BE CONTINUED -