Luke was trying to reach the Cheetos when he heard the second bell ring. Unwrapping the cheetos and devouring two sticks, Luke walked towards the main door and managed to peek through the gap in the curtain on the window that had not yet been opened. Instantly, Luke gasped. There's a police car on the shoulder of the road, up ahead. Damn it. Is it possible that this is still related to the case of Patricia Bowleans' hand which she broke two days ago? Ah, of course it must be related!
The bell rang again, this time followed by a voice from outside. Quickly, Luke placed the snack cheetos on the nightstand by the door. Tidying up his hair and clothes in the three seconds before the bell rang again, Luke had opened the door.
"Good morning, Son," they greeted first. With all his heart, Luke tried to put on a flat and innocent face.
"Yes. Good morning. What is it?" he asked.
"Is this really Luke Bright's house?"
"Right. I myself. What is it?"
" Well , Mr. Bright, they have reports that there was an assault on Patricia Bowleans the day before yesterday…”
Luke was silent and swallowed hard. They continued, “They have letters to interrogate you, so can you go with them to the police station and explain everything there?”
Still, Luke was silent for a few moments. Until then, inevitably, without rebellion or resistance, Luke nodded his head. They had asked where the adults living in this house were and answered that Luke only lived with his grandparents.
"But, now they're not home."
"Go to?"
"Yes."
“Is it long? Can you call them to come home faster? Someone has to stand by your side.”
Luke shook his head, responding, “Sorry, sir. However, they won't be back in a few days. Ulfa has been sick for a long time and needs regular check-ups.”
The two officers looked at each other, then shrugged. In the end, Luke followed them to the police car. Of course after Luke locked the door and made sure none of the stoves were lit. There were no questions or sentences during the trip. But, actually Luke himself wondered, was there really a warrant to interrogate someone? After all, how bad was Patricia really that her parents decided to report Luke's fight with Patricia Bowleans to the police? If it was just a fight between teenagers like Ben thought, it shouldn't have gone this far. After all, Luke didn't kill anyone. Actually, Luke really wanted to ask, but they looked cold so he didn't.
Before long, they arrived at the police station and instead of putting Luke in a private interrogation room, they took him to a larger room next to the police station lobby. There are several desks there where officers receive reports. There were also piles of files left unattended on cupboards, on the sides of tables, under chairs, in corners of walls. Every where. Then there were also two cell rooms across the room with five people in them. A scantily clad woman with super thick makeup in the cell on the left, and four men with various shapes on the right. One of the men with a chicken poop tattoo on his arm, tries to harass the woman who looks disgusted.
The woman called out, “Hello, officer ! Can you get this bastard out of my sight?! I'm sick just by watching her breathe!”
And answered by the man with the chicken poop tattoo, “I'm glad you want to take the time to see me breathe, son. Do you want to see something else from me? You know, when I get out of here, I'll treat you to a drink."
The woman was even more disgusted and her expression made Luke smile a little. But the next second, the smile disappeared when an officer invited Luke to sit on a bench opposite him in one corner of the room, then soon a middle-aged woman followed him into the room with firm and dangerous steps. Exclaimed while glaring at Luke.
“Oh…! So this is the brat who broke my daughter's arm?!” he said as he pounded the table.
“Mrs. Bowles, please calm down . This kid just came.”
“You guys are too slow, officer . Their child is already in the operating room and she—this damn girl—just arrived in this room?! What do you guys do, huh?!”
One thing that crossed Luke's mind was; How dare this Mrs. Bowleans yell at a police officer in a police den. Moreover, all eyes were on him for a moment before then returning to their respective business. Luke understood where Patricia got her arbitrariness from.
Then, the interrogation session just happened. Mrs. The grumpy and impatient Bowleans sat down next to Luke. She would interrupt anything the police officers asked or anything Luke said. Mrs. Bowleans seemed resentful of the fact that his daughter had been bothering another girl.
“ I know my daughter very well and she is a very loving child. Oh, my God, even my Patricia wouldn't have the heart to hurt an ant, officer . So, why do you still believe in this brat's words? My daughter is clearly the victim here. He—this kid—disturbed Patricia and her friends, broke Patricia's arm and made my son have to get dozens of stitches on his body. Oh, my dear Patricia …” Mrs. The Bowleans wept bitterly.
But, of course Luke was telling the truth. Luke still maintains his statement.
“ Sir , Patricia is bothering some kids at school. I don't fight with him for no reason. You can check a few students' phones and find that…”
"... that you squeezed my son's hand until it broke," interrupted Mrs. Bowleans are full of emotion.
“ No, Ma'am! I mean… yeah. But, no," Luke said suddenly feeling nervous.
"Adam—he's their first son, sir —has checked some of the records on the students' phones and they all point to one thing, that this brat came up the stairs and started attacking Patricia!"
"Yes! But, that was after he splashed my friend with water from the second floor, Ma'am !”
“ Did you …”
“ Ma'am, Miss… please calm down .” Finally the officer intervened between the two of them. Several pairs of eyes were also looking at them. Not to forget the prisoners in the cell behind the officer's back who were also a bit annoying with their chatter.
“Hello, Ma'am ,” said the man with the chicken poop tattoo so casually, “You said that boy broke your son's hand? Well , that's not a bad thing, you know? My leg was once broken because it was pushed from the stairs. It's really hurt, but six months later my leg is healthy again. Do not be too…"
“ Shut up! snapped Mrs. Bowles.
"Don't interrupt, Rob. Or I will put you in a real prison,” the officer threatened.
" Well, okay. OK. I will be silent. But Steve said he had…”
“ Shut the fuck up! cried the officer and Mrs. Bowleans together, sounding exasperated.
***