“This is impossible, Dev.” Michele denied what was sailing in his two senses of sight.
“That’s what happened, Uncle.”
“Then whose grave is beside to him?”
“My real mother.” Michele turned his head in surprise before Dev finally told the skinny man everything.
Dev stares blankly at the tomb which is the resting place of the bodies of the national pride figures. Such a beautiful and well-groomed place, but contains a lot of sadness.
“After all this time, I have to see him in place I never thought he would. Wish Nick a beautiful place with God.” A voice filled the silence. Dev and Michele turned their backs. A man with a thick beard was standing between them. An unfamiliar face for Dev expressing condolences.
“Mehmet? Are you here?” Michele asked with furrowed brows.
“I followed you guys. Dev, do you remember me?” Devada raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry, Dev. I told him about you because I think he deserves to know the progress of the baby who once slept on his chest.” Michele said after Mehmet’s eyes turned to him.
“You’re the only member of the Kingdom left at this time. Have you recovered from your mental illness?” asked Dev.
“Yes. Doctor Michele took very good care of me. You know, Nick was instrumental in my life. I’m so sorry, he’s gone so soon.”
“And you will see, the world will say the same as you.” Dev’s gaze is cold. There was a great anger stifled in her chest.
Shortly after saying that, the funeral was suddenly filled with dignitaries, including an elderly man named Fernando. The man in white looked down, trying to hide his feelings.
“Look at the man you tortured, Old Man! Now that man has proved you and everyone else wrong.” Dev said in a still low tone.
“Forgive me!” Fernando said regretfully.
“After it’s all over?” Dev stabbed those wrinkled eyes full of hatred, then she turned to stare at several men in suits and uniforms. She continued, “Have you come to do the same? You are so shameless. People like you don’t deserve to sit in the seat of the state. Your crimes are unforgivable.”
“You can vent all your anger, but not here and for now. We must honor the late Nick Erhan.” Fernando responded casually and it made Devada almost push him away.
“Dev Sasaka! Hold on!” exclaimed Mehmet. In that instant, Dev tries to maintain her sanity. After all, the man standing in front of her was just an old man waiting to die.
“You’ve misunderstood him.” Dev turns to Mehmet.
“What do you mean, Uncle? You should have supported me. Didn’t he do the same as you?”
“I understand. However, Mr. Fernando is not entirely guilty. He has a strong reason, why he put us in a mental hospital,” said Mehmet.
“I had to do it for the safety of many people,” said Fernando. The former lieutenant took a breath, then for a moment his memory took a trip back in time. A time when he had to make difficult decisions. A sigh was heard.
“Ezhar is a dangerous inspector. He will do anything to fulfill his purpose. He killed many people from the investigator’s family. My family and the judge’s family have become his targets of terror. Besides, Nick and Mehmet have no evidence. I had to cooperate with the hospital to provide false certificates about their mental health. I thought they were better there. However, what happened was unexpected. Ezhar had quite a strong influence there. Inspector Ezhar is also the one responsible for what happened to general Jacob Alfonso. He really is a poor general. If they can get out of the Menc hospital, it’s all thanks to Doctor Michele.” Fernando explained at length.
“So, that means you know they’re innocent?” Fernando agrees with Dev’s question.
“You have a rank above Ezhar, then why are you such a sissy? Don’t you think about our suffering, ha? In fact, until now, my sister has not been found and my mother is going crazy!” Dev smiled lopsidedly.
“I don’t think I need to explain it to you. You’ve faced Ezhar yourself and I’m proud of you were able to eliminate him. You’ve stabilized Brasilia.” The white-haired man said. Dev was silent. Mehmet and Michele patted her firmly on the shoulder without wanting to say another word.
***
On the television screen, Dev can watch the entire television broadcast conveying the condolences and apologies to Erhan’s family and the family members of the Kingdom. In fact, now her name has gone viral and has become a hot topic of conversation everywhere. The rumor that she was an illegitimate child broke her heart.
“I thought the world wasn’t this fucked up! Damn it!”
Ring… Ring….
Dev picks the ringing phone. One ear listened to the voice on the other side. After that passed, she grabbed the black parka. The french crop hair that she had some time ago was covered with a snap back of the same color. Yes, Dev is back to changing her appearance. She got her old self even though she couldn’t change her gender again. Today, she is exactly like Nick when he was younger.
“Hopefully, no one recognizes me!” she muttered. The girl then left, taking her motorbike to a place.
On the highway, Dev’s eyes narrowed as two humans were seen crossing the shouldest of the road with their heads down. She took the initiative to approach them, but another vehicle made her way difficult.
“Hey, do you want to die?” One of the motorbike drivers screamed as Dev plowed into an area under repair. The young girl only looked for a moment, then immediately stopped her motorbike which hit the cement mixer car.
“Unlucky!” cursed Dev. She ran after a pair of mysterious humans who were currently attracting her attention.
She saw them walking through the city park. Almost close, suddenly the cell phone in her jeans pocket rang. Sighing in annoyance, she swiped the screen.
“Where are you? Your mother ….”
“What’s wrong with mommy?” Dev mumbled as the phone cut off before Michele finished his sentence. At the same time, she suddenly lost track. Finally, Dev decides to immediately go see Jess.
“Wait, next time I’ll find you guys!” Since her vehicle was no longer working, she was forced to use her magic power to get to the hospital.
“What happened, Uncle Michele?” Dev asks upon arrival at psiquiatrica building. Michelle’s face contorted. From there, Dev concludes that something untoward happened.
“Who are you?” Michele’s question made Dev frown.
However, a second later, she realized something. No one would recognize her new look. Including the man with the doctor’s title. She pulled down the face covering she had worn at home, and it was able to surprise Michele in an instant.
“Nick? No way!” Michele’s expression clouded over.
“I’m Dev, Uncle!”
“Dev?” The bespectacled man watched Dev carefully. It took him a few moments to catch his breath.
“Did you believe it?” Michelle nodded doubtfully.
“What happened to mommy?”
“How should I explain it to you? Follow me!” Dev follows the doctor’s hasty steps.
They headed for a small building with pink walls. There was one male nurse and security guard standing outside the room. Their faces were just as worried. Dev gets curious because there was no sound from inside.
“Mr. Emran, please open the door!” Michele said softly to the officer.
“Okay, Doctor!”
Click!
When the door opens, Dev is shocked. Splashes of blood were seen staining the clean white floor. Dev ran to the figure who was hiding her face in the bend of her legs.
“Mommy… what happened?”
“Mommy!”
“Mom!”
“Dev, your mother killed one of our nurses,” Michele said. Dev’s eyes widen. She gently grasped Jess’ red hand that was folded above her knees.
“Mom!”
“Did you hear me?” Silence. Dev called out to her again, then she saw Jess’ head slowly rising. So slowly that she could finally see Jess’ face clearly.
Dev pursed her lips tightly. Her body was dragged backwards. For a few seconds, silence dominates the atmosphere. A scream of shock exploded uncontrollably.