Liam (groggy, in pain):
I'm alive? … He spared me.
(He takes a deep breath, still processing.)
Roy (entering the room):
Sir, he's regained consciousness.
Max (rushing in):
Really?!
(He enters and walks over to Liam, who's covered in plasters on his legs, arms, and head.)
Liam, do you remember us? How are you feeling?
Liam:
Better… I think.
Max:
We need to ask you a few questions—if you're okay with that.
Liam (strained but serious):
Before that, I want to confess something.
(He breathes in, still catching his breath between words.)
Roy (confused):
A confession?
Liam:
About the case… from three years ago. We were all guilty.
Max (shocked):
What?!
Liam:
We bribed the lawyer representing the girl… and even the judge. She was poor. No one stood up for her.
Roy (taking out his notepad):
Noted.
Liam:
I didn't assault her… but I held her down. That makes me just as guilty.
James… he was the one who killed her.
Oliver — the wardboy — he planned it.
And Henry carried it out.
Max:
You're actually saying the truth… now?
Liam (nodding slowly):
I was scared. I didn't want to go to jail. But… I've always known I was guilty.
The others? They never regretted it. They laughed it off. Like it meant nothing.
Max (calm but firm):
You know that after you recover… you'll go to jail.
Liam:
I know. And I deserve it.
Roy:
But why didn't the killer… kill you?
Liam:
Because I was sorry. I apologized… to him.
Max:
Wait. You're saying… you spoke to him? About this case?
Liam:
Yes.
Roy:
How did he do this to you?
Liam:
He said… my sins can't be undone. So I had to pay for them.
Max:
Do you remember what he looked like?
Liam:
Dark clothes… It was dark, so I couldn't see much.
Roy:
Did he smell of anything? Perfume? Smoke?
Liam:
No. Nothing noticeable.
Max:
His height?
Liam:
Maybe… around 5'5.
Roy (quietly to himself):
5'5?
Max:
What about his voice?
Liam:
He didn't speak much… but his voice was deep.
Roy (half-smirking):
A deep voice, perfect timing, and clean execution…
Sounds more like an actor than a killer.
Liam (serious):
But he moved fast. You can't tell when he's in front of you… and when he's gone.
And… he called the hospital. For me.
Max (muttering to himself):
A killer… calling for an ambulance for his victim?
Roy:
Do you remember anything else? Like… was he left-handed or right-handed?
Liam (thinking):
He was holding the hammer in his left hand. So… probably a lefty.
Max:
That's actually a solid clue. Not many people are left-handed — it narrows things down.
Roy:
Are you okay if we continue asking questions?
Liam (rubbing his forehead):
Actually… my head's hurting a lot.
Max (softly):
Alright, take some rest. You've helped enough for now.
(They leave the hospital room.)