"Listen to me, Hope. They don't support you in your passion because they want the best for you."
"If they really love me and if they really want nothing but my happiness, they should at least consider supporting me in pursuing my own dreams. Did you know how much it costs me to take up medicine? It costs me my life and my soul's happiness. I don't want to become a doctor not because I don't want to serve sick people; I don't want to simply because I want to become something else."
"Hope, I get you out of that prison to have a good life. Why can't you just follow them? Our parents are getting older each day. You still have a long journey to go; can't you spare some time for them?"
"You don't understand Harvey. Time is precious. Every minute is vital in reaching your goals in life. I don't want to waste many years just to gratify and to impress our parents! What if I die tomorrow without even doing the things I love most?"
"Please don't be selfish. Hope, you are still young! Don't think too much about death. Think about our parents' happiness!"
"If being selfish is doing and pursuing the things I love, I'd rather be one."
Hope walked out of their conversation furiously. Since she was five years old, she already knew that she wanted to become a notorious painter around the world. Her parents were very aware of that.
After several days in freedom, Hope was so eager to become a renowned painter but she had a big problem recently. She can't paint like in the old days. She became traumatized when the museum owner sold her artworks and didn't even recognize her as its painter. She was even sent to jail and was judged by her parents too quickly. All she can feel at that time is hatred. She hated everybody.
When she couldn't do artworks anymore, she decided to steal masterpieces in museums and even in the houses of rich people. She removed the painter's signature in the artwork and put her own. By doing that, she became blissful again. When his brother discovered what she's been doing, he stopped her. Hope warned her brother that she will commit suicide when he told anyone about it. Being afraid that her only sibling will die because of his decision, Harvey decided to keep it a secret. He even helped her escape the police so many times.
Time came when Harvey didn't want to do it anymore.
"Hope, let's stop this. I believe in your skill and love of arts. I know that you can do it again. Please return all of that secretly and let’s live a lawful life again."
"Harvey, it hurts when you go through something that kills you inside but you have to act like it doesn't affect you at all. I know that this is wrong but what can I do! My family’s disapproval made me like this! If only you had accepted and supported my dreams, I would not have done this kind of thing. Our parents, I really hated them! I can feel that I do not belong to this family since day one. Yes, I knew it already. I am an orphan."
Harvey had no choice but to leave Hope alone. He had no idea that her younger sister knew it already. Even if they were not siblings by blood, he treated her as his own family. Harvey didn't tell Hope that someone saw his face when they stole the "Beneath the Sea" painting. He was worried for himself but he was more worried for his sister.
Arya became emotional after seeing Harvey's memories. Her feet automatically walked out of the station. She has to find Hope before the girl does something to her parents. When she accidentally tapped Hope's shoulder, she saw that Hope was preparing a lunch date for her parents; that's why she went out to buy something in the convenience store. She also saw Hope buying a poisonous chemical.
"Arya, where are you going?" Ythan shouted.
"I'm going to find Hope!"
"Hope? Who's Hope?" Ythan mumbled out of confusion.
Harvey was taken aback when Arya shouted the name of her younger sister. He can't remember telling anyone about her. He didn't even know the police officer. That one moment made Harvey think all day.
Meanwhile, Ythan followed Arya out of curiosity. They went back to the convenience store. Arya asked the cashier if she knew where Hope resided. Fortunately, the cashier was Hope's former elementary classmate. They followed the sketch that was given by the cashier and ended up in a village. The house is vast and it looks so lavish. They called and knocked at the door but no one responded.
"Arya, can you please enlighten me. What are we doing here? Who is Hope?"
"I will explain everything later."
Arya knocked again but no one answered. She tried to open the door and to her surprise, it was not locked. They enter the home premises quietly.
"Arya, this is trespassing. I am warning you! Why can't you even listen to your superior?"
Arya ignored Ythan. They have gone in every corner of the house but they have seen nothing. Arya was about to give up when Ythan suddenly noticed a large painting on the wall.
"Holy sh*t! This is the most expensive artwork at the national museum! This was stolen a year ago and we can't even find the culprit!"
"Ythan, let's get out of here. It's not the reason why I got here. Let's go! I have to find Hope."
Ythan observes the painting and he is astounded when the painting paves the way to a secret room. Arya's eyes widened just like Ythan's. When they entered the room, they saw all the stolen artworks. Arya got her gun as they went even further. They stopped when they saw two people lying on the floor. They were old but you can clearly say that they were rich because of their jewelry. Beside them were broken plates and cups. Ythan called Divonne and said to follow them to the village. He sent her their exact location.
"Arya, is this the reason why you are in a hurry?"
Arya nodded.
"Who are these people?"
"They are the parents of Harvey and Hope."
"I know Harvey, he is the intruder but who is Hope?How sure are you that these old people are their parents? Harvey and Hope are siblings?"
"Yes, Harvey and Hope are siblings but Hope is adopted. Hope is the girl in the convenience store; the one whom I put the handcuffs on recently. I am sure that these people are their parents. Look at that painting." Arya pointed to the beautiful painting on the wall.
Ythan still doesn't want to believe Arya but from what he saw, Arya was right.
"So who killed them?"
"Hope." Arya answered shortly.
Divonne, together with the swat team, came. They got the corpse for examination. The forensic team also went to gather evidence.
"Ythan, how did you know about this? This is big! My own eyes even saw that most expensive painting from the national museum. Who killed those old people?"
Ythan can't say a thing because he is also curious about the situation. Arya suddenly went to the back of the house. When Ythan followed her, Divonne also followed.
Outside, there is an old tree. Beside the tree is a tent. When Arya opened the tent, she shouted.
"What the f*ck!"
Arya closed her eyes as she sitted on the bermuda grass. She saw Hope inside, holding a brush and a piece of bond paper. Her neck was cut resulting in her death. Ythan and Divonne quickly take a glance inside the tent and just like Arya, they are shocked. Divonne calls the team to carry the corpse of the lady. On the other hand, Ythan is comforting Arya. The new police officer is crying.
"Arya, you should stop crying! Look at your eyes! Please stop it and explain everything to me. I am still wondering why the hell you knew all of this!"
Arya stood up and walked towards Hope's corpse. In the lady's purse, she saw a letter citing:
"Dear Harvey,
I am so sorry. I have reported you to the police. I also gave them enough evidence so that you will not be able to stop me from killing our parents. I am sorry that I got this far. You know, I am always jealous of you. They have loved you so much. They let you take your desired course while I was there, crying all night just to memorize different body systems and parts. It sucks. It really sucks.
I am aware that they want me to take medicine so that I will become a doctor. When I become a doctor, I will earn a lot of money that can be enough to pay all your family's debt. Clever isn't it? I know you have no idea about this but our company isn't doing well. See? They have made me a collateral. They have made my happiness as a surety! How evil!
I am going to kill our parents and after that, I am going to kill myself. I will tell them (in this letter) that you are not liable for anything. I am the one who stole all of it. You are innocent and please don't blame yourself for all of this. I am the one who did this. Please don't hate me that much. I love you brother. Thank you for being there, always. I will be your younger sister forever. I hope God will forgive me too and I will beg him that in my next life (if there is another life after this), I will request that you will be my brother again.
Love,
Hope
Arya burst into tears as she read the letter. She blames herself for being too slow and incompetent. If only she had arrived earlier, those people wouldn't die.
Harvey was released after. He invited Arya for a talk. Arya didn't tell Harvey about her superpower. She just made up some story so that Harvey and Ythan will stop bothering her about the latter case.
Harvey became so devastated that he attempted to commit suicide. His plan fails since Arya follows him anywhere he goes.
Harvey said, holding up his tears, "If I only beg my parents back then, this wouldn't happen. If I only take Hope to the hospital for a checkup, she will not turn into a monster. If I can only…"
"Harvey, it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. There are things that we have no control over and there are chapters in our life that are already designed and decided. You can cry in front of me as long as you like. Don't be shy. I understand how you feel because I also lost my parents in a very painful way. Crying isn't a sign that we are weak. It is a way to release our pain, regrets and anger. You should learn how to treat yourself well despite ofs. I bet you already read Hope's letter for you. She loves you, I can sense it from the way she writes her farewell letter."
"I hate her so much because she killed my parents and I hate her even more because she left me here all alone. I don't know if I will be glad to see her in our next life. I am sure that she felt how much I love her as my sister, I don't know how she ended up like that."
Arya comforts Harvey as they are watching the sunset. The public also discovered that Hope applied some major changes in the stolen paintings which made it more attractive and beautiful. They even revered her for her talent but for sure, Harvey and most of the people will remember her as an intruder and as a murderer, more than being an artist.