Haunted House Part 10

What the two police officers said was indeed true; Roul's condition looked pitiful, as if he had lost his sanity. He remained silent, his gaze empty, as if lost in thought. Even when others tried to talk to him, he didn't respond, his gaze fixed straight ahead, sometimes scanning the surroundings as if frightened. Upon arriving at the police station, we met Roul's parents, who were apparently accompanying their son. It turned out that this was the reason they didn't attend Erlena's and Rory's funeral procession; they had been informed of Roul's arrest and were now accompanying him. Erlena's mother didn't hide her anger; she immediately lunged at Roul as soon as she saw him. She hit his face very hard, showing no mercy despite Roul's silent and unresisting demeanor. "Stop it! What are you doing to my son?!" Roul's mother tried to stop her, shielding Roul with her body as Erlena's mother continued to hit him recklessly. "What am I doing to your son? I should be the one asking that. What has this scoundrel son of yours done to my daughter and grandson?!" Erlena's mother shouted, not hiding her fury. "I know my son is wrong, but he has already received his punishment. Can't you see his condition now? Don't you feel sorry for him?" Roul's mother argued. "Sorry, you say?" Erlena's mother scoffed. "Do you feel sorry for my daughter and grandson, who are no longer in this world? Do you not feel guilty because your favorite son also killed your grandson, huh? You're still defending Roul, even though he's a murderer. He deserves the death penalty." Erlena's mother intended to hit Roul again, but this time many people held her back, including Sean, who helped stop the commotion. "I can't forgive Roul's mistakes either; he committed a grave error. But seeing him like this, as a mother, how can I not feel sorry for him," Roul's mother said, tears streaming down her face. "If you truly realize that your son is wrong, let me give him his punishment. Let me hit your son; if necessary, I will kill him with my own hands." I shivered hearing Erlena's mother's words; it seemed she couldn't contain her anger any longer. After witnessing Roul's situation, I became increasingly aware that when emotions are ignited, humans can commit terrible acts, even crimes. I was very worried that Erlena's mother would lose control and make a fatal mistake due to her escalating emotions. "Even though he made a big mistake, Roul is still my son. I am the one who gave birth to him, so how could I just stand by and watch others harm him? I will continue to protect my son. I am sure you would do the same if you were in my position." "Huh, you and your son are the same. You always treated Erlena harshly. You're equally guilty as your son!" Roul's mother fell silent, as if losing words to respond to Erlena's mother's remarks. "Your son must die for justice to be served. Life must be paid with life." Erlena's mother had just closed her mouth after uttering that horrifying sentence when Roul suddenly acted strangely. Roul, who had been silent like a statue, suddenly became hysterical. He stood up from his seated position, then looked up, trembling in fear. "No! Go away! Don't bother me. You're already dead!" Roul shouted loudly. Everyone looked surprised by Roul's drastic change in behavior, but not me. I knew exactly why Roul was so frightened. When I followed Roul's gaze, there was the ghostly figure of Erlena hovering. The figure was terrifying; her nearly severed neck incessantly dripped fresh blood. Blood flowed from her legs and dripped onto the floor. Perhaps only Roul and I could see this horrifying scene. Erlena continued to float, getting closer to Roul. Meanwhile, Roul was now running, trying to escape the pursuit of his ghostly wife. "What's happening to Roul?" asked Roul's mother, bewildered by her son's frantic running. Don't forget, he kept screaming, visibly terrified. "He's trying to escape from Erlena's ghost," I replied. Now, all eyes were on me. "Is Erlena here?" asked Erlena's mother, to which I responded with a nod. "There she is." "Floating over there. She's chasing Roul." I pointed upwards where Erlena's ghost still hovered. "I think Roul is in danger. We need to stop Erlena." I said this not without reason, as Roul was indeed in danger. He couldn't escape Erlena's ghost and found himself cornered in the room. Erlena's ghost managed to catch him, and Roul became increasingly hysterical, begging for forgiveness. Erlena extended both hands and, without mercy, tightly gripped Roul's neck. Yes, Erlena's ghost was strangling Roul. "Roul! What's happening to you?!" Roul's mother screamed hysterically, a reaction expected when witnessing Roul's body slowly lifting into the air. She also held onto his neck, as if trying to release something gripping him. Not only that, Roul also began to struggle to breathe. His face turned red, and veins popped out. "Erlena's ghost is strangling him. It seems Erlena intends to kill Roul. We have to stop her." Everyone panicked upon hearing my explanation. They all rushed to save Roul, even the police guarding the room joined in to help bring down Roul's levitating body. However, all their efforts were in vain; Erlena's ghost was undoubtedly stronger than them. "What should we do to save Roul?" Roul's father asked this time, starting to worry about his son, who was on the brink of death without swift intervention. Everyone was in a state of panic and extreme fear, except for one person. Erlena's mother seemed pleased to see Roul's life hanging by a thread. "Good, Erlena. Just kill him. He deserves to die just like you." I could hear Erlena's mother clearly. Could it be that Erlena's ghost wanted to kill Roul because it could sense her mother's anger and hatred? I felt that only Erlena's mother could save Roul, considering Erlena's motive for killing him was to fulfill her mother's request. "Leslie, say something. What should we do to save Roul? We need to act quickly, or Roul will die!" Sean exclaimed. Yes, what he said was true; Roul would die if not promptly assisted. Sean's eyes were wide, his face completely flushed, and Roul was struggling to breathe. "Aunt, please ask Erlena to stop. Only you can stop Erlena," I tried to persuade Erlena's mother. Yes, I was sure that only her words would be heard by Erlena's ghost at this moment. Erlena's mother snorted. "Why should I ask Erlena to stop? She must avenge the one who killed her. Let Erlena punish Roul on her own." I shook my head; Erlena's mother was clearly consumed by anger, and her moral compass seemed to have disappeared. "If you let Erlena kill Roul, doesn't that mean you're turning Erlena into a murderer? Then what's the difference between Erlena and Roul?" Erlena's mother fell silent for a moment, but she still didn't seem inclined to ask Erlena to release Roul. "Erlena was a good woman. Though I didn't know her when she was alive, embarking on a journey through her memories made me realize she was kind and devoted to her family. She was deeply angered when her family was insulted. She must have loved you dearly, Aunt." Erlena's mother remained silent, but her eyes seemed to well up with tears, indicating that my words were starting to touch her. "If Erlena were to become a murderer, it would mean she becomes a criminal. Could you bear turning your own daughter into a criminal? Into a murderer?" "But what Erlena went through was terribly unfair. She suffered a lot. It's time for her to avenge all the pain she endured throughout her life. Besides, as I said earlier, a life must be paid with a life." I didn't know how else to convince Erlena's mother to ask Erlena's ghost to release Roul. Hearing my conversation with Erlena's mother, Roul's mother walked towards us. "I beg you to ask your daughter to release Roul. Don't kill Roul," she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. Erlena's mother flashed a sardonic smile. "Your son killed my daughter and grandson. Death is the most fitting punishment for him." "No! Please don't do this. Ask Erlena to release Roul." "Never. I fully support Erlena's actions. Let her be the one to punish the man who killed her." "I'm begging you. You're also a mother; how can you be so heartless? Please save my son." Roul's mother continued to plead, even kneeling before Erlena's mother. She hugged Erlena's mother's legs, but it still didn't change her decision. Erlena's mother remained a ruthless figure, devoid of conscience, unwilling to save Roul's life. I continued to search for a way to change Roul's mother's mind, and I found it when I looked towards the room's door. Because I was too focused on Erlena's ghost, I hadn't noticed the presence of another figure. There, near the door, I saw Rory's ghost standing, witnessing all the commotion. "Aunt, you must love your grandson very much, don't you?" Erlena's mother and Roul's mother looked at me simultaneously. "Of course, I love my grandson dearly. How could I not? Why are you asking such a thing?" "If that's the case, don't let Rory be sad again. That night, he saw his father kill his mother. Don't let him witness a similar event." Erlena's mother widened her eyes. "What do you mean by saying this?" "Rory's ghost is here. He's standing over there." I pointed towards Rory's ghost. "He's watching all this chaos. Don't let him witness a scene similar to that night, only this time, the roles are reversed, with his mother killing his father. Poor Rory; he must be very saddened to see the parents he loves killing each other." It seemed my words succeeded in awakening Erlena's mother because she suddenly ran towards the crowd of people trying to bring down Roul's levitating body, as Erlena had not yet released her grip. "Erlena, stop. That's enough; release Roul." In my heart, I felt relieved because Erlena's mother finally agreed to our request. She finally consented to persuade Erlena to release Roul. "I apologize for telling you to punish Roul with your own hands. I shouldn't have done that. What Leslie said is true; you're a good person. You're not a murderer like Roul. I'm sorry for almost turning you into a criminal." Erlena's mother sobbed, tears streaming down her face. I could see profound regret in her eyes. "Erlena, my daughter, release Roul. Mom is begging you, dear." It turned out my guess was correct; Erlena's ghost only followed her mother's words, and now she released her grip on Roul's neck. Instantly, Roul's levitating body fell to the floor, and his father rushed to help him. After that, a sound of crying echoed. A heartbreaking cry emanated from Erlena's ghost, who floated while gazing at her parents. "Whose crying is this?" I was taken aback by the question; I thought only I could hear Erlena's crying, but apparently, I was wrong. Everyone could hear her crying. "Is Erlena crying?" Erlena's mother asked. "Yes, this is Erlena's crying. She's looking at you, Aunt. Say something to her. Let her find peace and go to her world with Rory." "Is Rory also with Erlena now?" I nodded because Rory's ghost had indeed joined his mother. They floated in the air, holding hands. "Say something to them because maybe after this, they will go to their world and rest peacefully there," I requested again. Silence ensued, only Erlena's ghost's crying becoming more audible and increasingly heart-wrenching for anyone who heard it. Erlena's mother's tears showed no signs of stopping, hearing her departed daughter crying before her. "Erlena, forgive me, your dad, and all our family for treating you poorly." I didn't expect Erlena's mother, the one who had always hurt Erlena during her lifetime, to be the first to communicate with Erlena. "Mom deeply regrets all the actions towards you. If time could be rewound, Mom surely wouldn't have been like that. Mom would have loved you like her own daughter. Erlena, forgive Mom." Roul's mother also cried hysterically. It was evident she genuinely regretted her actions and felt sorry for Erlena; I could feel it. "What Mom said is true. Dad also apologizes for never treating you well. Forgive us, Erlena." Even Roul's father joined in trying to communicate with Erlena's ghost. "Dad didn't expect Roul to do this to you and Rory, even though Dad saw that he loved you and Rory very much. Dad asks for your forgiveness on behalf of Roul." Erlena's ghost's crying became even louder as her father spoke. I felt this was a sign that Erlena would never forgive her husband, the man who had hurt and killed her and their son. "Dad knows Roul's crimes are unforgivable now. Dad understands if you don't want to forgive him. But Dad is very thankful because you're willing to spare his life. Let Roul be punished by the police accordingly." No one spoke after that, while Erlena's ghost's crying continued to be heard clearly. I approached Erlena's mother, who just cried without saying anything. Yet, from Erlena's ghost's gaze, continuously fixed on her parents, I felt she was waiting for them to say something to her. "Aunt, Uncle, say something to Erlena and Rory. Maybe they are waiting for you to say something. Don't stay silent; give them words that can make them feel calm and allow them to go to their world." I said this while embracing Erlena's mother's shoulders, trying to persuade her. I knew this must be challenging for Erlena's mother because it seemed she had not truly accepted the death of her daughter and grandson. "Erlena, don't cry anymore. We know the truth now. We have also buried your and Rory's bodies properly. From now on, we will visit your graves often and pray for you." The one who said that was Erlena's father. I was relieved that he finally spoke, although the man now started shedding tears. "The one who killed you has been captured. He will be tried and punished as severely as possible. So, there's nothing you need to worry about anymore. Rest in peace with Rory in your new world." Although her father had said a lot, Erlena's ghost's crying didn't stop. She continued to stare at her mother, who still cried without uttering a word. Now, I was even more convinced that Erlena was waiting for a farewell from her mother. "Aunt, Erlena is waiting for you. She wants you to say something to her before she leaves. Don't just stay silent and cry. Doesn't you feel pity hearing Erlena crying continuously?" Hearing my words, Erlena's mother, who had been bowing her head, finally lifted it, looking at me. "Erlena is looking at me?" I nodded. "Yes, Erlena and Rory are looking at you. Say something to them. They are waiting for you, Aunt." "Where are Erlena and Rory now?" Asked like that by Erlena's mother, I pointed upwards, towards the ghosts of Erlena and Rory floating. Now Erlena's mother's gaze was directed towards the direction I indicated. "Erlena, Mom has accepted your death. Now rest peacefully with Rory. You will be happy in your new world. A world without sadness, pain, and tears. You've suffered enough all this time; it's time for you to be happy, my daughter." I bowed my head, and tears fell as I witnessed this heartbreaking farewell. I was deeply moved to hear Erlena's mother's words. "And for Rory, Grandma's beloved grandson. Now Rory will always be with Mom. Don't be naughty, dear. You must always obey Mom. You will always play together in your world." Erlena's crying slowly subsided until it completely stopped. As I expected, only Erlena's mother's words could calm the ghost. "Go ahead first because later Mom will follow you to that world. Farewell, Erlena, Rory, we will always remember and pray for you." After that, I saw the appearances of Erlena's ghost and Rory change, no longer frightening as before but returning to their forms before they died. I knew precisely this was a sign that they were ready to go to their world. What I thought proved correct when the ghosts of Erlena and Rory waved their hands with smiles. Erlena smiled at me; I knew it was her way of saying thank you for helping uncover the mystery of her death and Rory's. "Thank you, Aunt." I was surprised when Rory thanked me directly. "Yes, Rory. Aunt is glad to help you and your mom. Now go, rest peacefully with your mom. Goodbye." I waved my hand, bidding them farewell. "Are Erlena and Rory leaving now?" Erlena's mother asked. "Yes, they are waving their hands as a farewell." Erlena's mother also waved her hand after hearing my explanation. Not only Erlena's mother but everyone in the room also waved their hands to bid farewell to Erlena and Rory. After that, the pair of ghosts, mother and son, floated until they disappeared through the roof. They finally went to their world. I was incredibly relieved; once again, I had helped calm the wandering ghosts.