THE HOLLER

Part 3: Sodlog District[The House in Rippog Acre]

Inspector Ploi got off the bus. It was 7:20 in the morning but the heat from the sun was a bit torment on his eyes so he put on his sunglasses and decided to walk his way to Gordon's family house. He never took a chance to dig into this district since Gordon moved here. He is just familiar with the path from the bus station to the slum area where  he is heading. The slum area's  name is Rippog Acre. The place is not that populous. Most of the people living in Rippog are those who can not afford a decent house from real estate corporation. This place has four rows of old buildings converted into a residential area. They call it a slum because less fortunate people started to fled here and improvised themselves a home for their families. Before you enter the Rippog  Acre you will pass by  an old Market Square and the Shrine of Abnia. A large number of people flocked in the market  for food shopping and old folks drop by the shrine for a prayer  or meditation. A numerous vendors in the market sell all sort of food supplies from vegetables, fruits, seafood and meat stocks.

He reached the Rippog Acre gate at ten past eight. It was not a long walk at all. It's been a while he did not engage in exercising but it was enough to make him sweat. He still need to walk for about ten minutes. He headed into a small alley. It was still a bit dark inside since there are rows of tall old buildings. There are a few pole of faint lights on the alley so it would be a little difficult and unsafe when walking at night. There are three blocks inside Rippog so from the small alley, he turned right. Gordon's house is located on the third block. It is the fourth door from the entrance-way of Block 3. He walked a little more and it was exactly half past eight when he reached the fourth door. He looked around before he knocked. He was a bit curious about the stillness of the neighborhood. " Ahh I forgot it is school day. The children might left for school earlier." He murmured. He knocked twice but nobody answered. He called out but it was not that too loud but his voice echoed on the block's pathway. It sounded like soft voices bouncing back the walls of the buildings. It gave him a little chills." Ahaha, I am a policeman. What am I thinking." He smiled faintly.

He has been knocking for five minutes but nobody's answering." Damn.. what a day. The girls might have gone so early." He uttered. Then suddenly, he remembered Lora. " Wait a second..." Why I have not thought about her earlier?" She must be here."He felt a little of excitement. His heart fluttered a little." Ahaha you fool." He whispered. He's about to knock again then suddenly he noticed that the door was not locked." The girls might hurried up to go to school." He decided to call out Lora's name. He hesitated at first. He's not very confident when Lora is around. He opened the door slightly and called out her name but stuttering."Lo... lor... Lora...?"This time he entered the house. He spread his gaze around. It was a bit dark. The lights were out. The house has two floors. It looks really old. When you enter the house you can see the small receiving area. There is another open door leading to the kitchen with a small old dining table in the middle. He walked through the kitchen because he smelled something familiar. It smells  mellifluous and enticing. It is the smell of manda pitha that Martha and Lora used to make. Lora can really make a very delicious rice cake like this. He's right there is is a freshly steamed trays of  manda pitha on the table but Lora was not there." Where is she?" He uttered. He decided to check upstairs, so he made a few steps toward the stairways when he heard the voice of a woman.

Her voice was so delicate and coy but cold. " Go..go..good morning inspector Ploi." I am sorry I did not hear from you coming." What brought you here by the way?" Ploi was still wondering where the voice came from and eventually he found it. He settled his gaze at the corner near the window pane on the second floor. He can see through half of Lora's silhouette standing deflecting her head and her gaze towards the floor." Why is she standing in there? Is she still shy?"Ploi murmured. "I came to check on the kids and... yo..you as well."Ploi replied. " We are doing fine Inspector Ploi, you have nothing to worry about." They left early this morning. They usually get home around three in the afternoon and help me selling manda pitha at the Market Square." Said, Lora standing still. " I see... Hmm.. I brought some groceries for you and... the kids." Ploi said as he cleared his throat. You should have not bothered inspector. I can take good care of my nieces. I will do my best to.. to.. take good  care of them." said Lora with a bit adverse voice. "Oh, Please don't get me wrong Lora. I am just here to check on you and the kids. Gordon is my closest friend, so I am also worried about his daughters." Ploi explained nicely. "Gordon..."Lora's voice is getting sober." My beloved brother...don't worry... I will take good care of Mira and Lira.." Lora's continuous sobbing. " Are you sure you are  fine Lora?" Ploi asked.

''What about you Inspector Ploi?" Lora asked. "Huh?" What do you mean?" Ploi got a bit puzzled. "How's my brother's murder case going?" She asked. He did not expect what he heard. He gulped hastily. He cleared his throat again and begun to speak. " I am sorry Lora, I still don't have new leads about Gordon's ...." She cut it out. " You can leave now Inspector."Come back if you already have results." Lora...I'm.. He almost could not say a word. His heart is melting hearing Lora sobbing and he felt so ashamed that he can not even give her some good news about the case. " And don't bring anything for us anymore. We don't need your support."As I said, I am not going to leave my nieces. I will take good care of them. I will work my sweat and blood to support them."Leave now Inspector." He stepped backward away from the staircase without any words. The guilt in his heart is pounding so hard. He wanted to climb up and give her a the warm comfort of his arms but he has no right to do that. He walked onto the doorstep and grabbed the knob. He doesn't want to leave but the atmosphere inside the house is excruciating.

He decided to make a last glance at her silhouette but she was gone. "Huh?" Where is she?"The house strangely got really dark like a dungeon. He was not comfortable being inside anymore. He opened the door and left. Even outside was a bit strange. There was still no people around. " It can't be. She sounded really strange. She did not sound like Lora at all." He's talking  mindlessly and confused. He left Block 3 totally puzzled and disturbed.