The Black Raven's Heart

#04- Black Crow

A familiar white ceiling welcomed Hyde the moment he opened his eyes, and the lemon scent of the disinfectant lingers on every side of the room—just like that day. He was certain he is currently confined in the hospital. But how did he end up here?

Hyde sat up on the bed, resting his back on the well-varnished headboard, and slightly massaged his temple. He was trying to remember what happened last night since he could barely remember anything.

"Damn it! I did it again." He thought, brushing his hair in frustration.

"Adie told me you suddenly fainted after successfully throwing the bomb away from the ship." Hyde glanced at James who was standing near the glass window, crossing both of his arms on his chest. He didn't notice he was there the whole time.

"I see." The young man commented when everything turned out clear to him. James left the window and was seated on the couch facing the bed.

"You know you're afraid of explosions and yet you still~"

"I told you I'm not afraid of bombs—no—I'm not afraid of anything." Worry, fright, and restlessness came embedded into the young man's eyes, but James didn't talk and remained calm. After all he's been through, he couldn't trust anyone but himself.

"Being scared won't solve anything." His gloomy face drew downwards as tears began to form. He was forcing himself not to shed a tear.

Crying means showing everyone that your weak.

That's the only thing he's been putting right into his mind ever since the death of his parents. He has gone numb about everything. The only thing in his mind was to find the person who killed his parents and make them pay.

Both of them turned their gazes when Flynn entered the room. He didn't expect James' presence so he awkwardly greeted the man.

"I'd better head back to the agency," James said after taking a quick glance at his wristwatch. Hyde just nodded.

Flynn voluntarily set himself on the couch and put down a brown envelope on the coffee table which caught Hyde's attention.

"I hate to disturb you at your resting time, but I had an urgent concern regarding that man you asked me to follow the other day." Hyde crossed his brows.

"What is it?"

"He was found hanging at his apartment last night. The police haven't found any evidence that could possibly lead to murder so they concluded it was a suicide. But I really think something was off." Flynn crossed his brows to concentrate.

"I just talked to that old woman this morning..."

****FLASHBACK****

Flynn was going to the man's apartment building to stake out when he saw a patrol car parked in front of it. Out of curiosity, Flynn stepped into the building.

"Uh excuse me, would you mind telling me what happened here?" He asked the old lady.

"The man from room 204 was found hanging at his apartment." She answered.

"I can't believe he hung himself." He turned to another old lady behind him.

"Uh excuse me, what do you mean?" the lady sighed.

"Last night at eight, that kind man joined me for a dinner. You know, I'm living alone, so I always invite him for a meal."

"By any chance, is the acting suspicious?" Flynn asked. The old fellow paused to think.

"No, I saw nothing's odd with him... ah! I remember." The lady exclaimed.

"I think two hours after he came back to his room. I saw three men wearing all black knocking at his door." The lady implied. Her memory was quite hazy but she remembered those three men.