Chapter 19: It’s Okay To Be Mysteriously Suspicious Yet Innocent

At that point, it wasn’t clear if Ryan was free or had just gotten into deeper trouble.

Because the fact that Mister Charleston died within three minutes already revealed that something was really suspicious.

"He died exactly two minutes before the suspect was driven out of the building, but the cause of the death is suspected to be cardiac arrest rather than a murder-related case," the cop explained.

"I want a thorough autopsy test carried out right at this minute. Till then, this man will be held here," the interrogator ordered.

"Yes, sir."

When he left, they turned to Ryan, who had clearly heard everything that the officer had said.

He already knew that it was going to happen anyway, but then he wasn’t even given a chance to save the poor man’s life.

’So sorry, man. Not my fault,’ he thought.

The interrogator lowered his head and struck a sharp glance at Ryan, therefore continuing his questions again.

"You heard him? The man you threatened about dying in three minutes died exactly three minutes after. You better start speaking," he said.

Ryan scoffed and shook his head.

"If he hadn’t panicked and called security, he would be alive by now. Trust me," Ryan said.

"And what does that mean?" Interrogator Fred asked, his eyes filled with curiosity at that point.

"Oh well... That is not something we might want to talk about. You got me, arrested me without seeing a single trace of arm on my body. It’s enough to cancel any mode of friendship we could have," Ryan said.

"Did you forget you are talking to the police?" Fred asked, his eyes already dark and fuming.

Somehow, they didn’t seem to understand why a young man who was around the age of twenty was so confident in his speeches.

He would make statements like a grown, rich, fearless baron who has the whole city under his feet, nonchalant and calm.

It didn’t just anger Interrogator Fred, but disgusted him as well.

"When I ask you a question, you answer straight away without hesitation. You hear me?" he asked.

But then Ryan again didn’t even blink, and he curled his lips casually.

"What if I tell you that you have just sixteen years left to live?" he asked, his voice calm and his eyes serious.

"And you? What if I tell you that you’ve only got six years of life and then you are no more?" Ryan added.

"Trust me... I don’t know how that is going to happen. I don’t know how it’s going to come out happening. But yeah... Exactly six years and a few months. You? You don’t even have up to a week when it’s already sixteen years from now."

The two men standing in front of him exchanged glances before turning back to the man who they believed was truly crazy.

The other cop was visibly terrified, as he had shown it right to his face, but Interrogator Fred was the one who tried to act like he wasn’t moved at all.

He immediately frowned his face and walked close.

"You think you can fool us, young man?" he asked. "Well, how about we keep you here for the next sixteen years so we can confirm if you are right or not?"

Ryan’s eyes lit up, shrugging without fear.

"Oh well, that’s okay. But I’ll have to tell you this," he began.

"I might become too useful that the government will order for my release. Anyway, you can try."

Fred clenched his fist and backed away for a moment, placing his palm on his forehead. ℯℯ𝘭.

There was no doubt that this young man had been a pain in the ass. Somehow, it was a minor case that was already turning into a disaster.

This young man had just told them when they’d die... If it was only the first time he was predicting this, Fred would have ignored it and been even forced to punish him for that statement.

But then...

He just predicted the Registrar of Kingsland High School dying in three minutes, and it happened right exactly at that time.

There have been investigations to find out if he was behind it, but so far, every certain link had nothing to do with him at all.

He was very innocent as far as they could have him there, which also meant that...

’He could be right.’

Fred bit his lips.

He hated to have thought that way, but at this point he had to think of the best- and worst-case scenario.

’He is a predictor. Maybe he has some demonic powers in him.’

After pondering for a while, he walked back and looked at Ryan.

"Tell me what you know about people’s lives," he said.

And suddenly, this was where Ryan became pretty much excited to talk.

"Oh well... I can see your lifespan hovering over your head. I know exactly when you’ll die, but you know what’s interesting?" he asked.

Fred didn’t say a word, so Ryan continued.

"I can help you live longer than that..."

Fred furrowed his brows.

"But for a price that’s worth it," Ryan finished.

"You mean... You can add more time to my lifespan?" Fred asked with an intensely curious tone.

"Exactly," responded Ryan. "For a price that’s worth it, like I said."

Fred was left dumbfounded for a while, trying to think it through. It wasn’t that he had believed what this young man had said entirely, but was already summing up the possibilities.

"Tell me... What is one more year of life worth to you?"

Fred looked up, still not mentally straight enough to come up with a response.

"How about more. More years. More time to stay rather than just dying miserably six years from now?" He turned to the other cop.

The two policemen were suddenly captured in a pool of confusion and anxiety.

At that point, whatever they were doing had passed professionalism and whatever had to do with the incident at Kingsland High School.

They were beginning to get worried about their own lives.

It was clear that the man with six years left happened to be the most terrified, because there was no way he would smile to hearing that he was going to die in less than a decade.

He was visibly young, appearing to be in his mid-thirties, and far from wanting to die.

He had every reason to be terrified.

Ryan knew that, and that was what made the whole thing interesting.

...

Moments after, the autopsy tests were released and forwarded to Fred, who confirmed it.

In the end, it was confirmed that Ryan Calender had nothing to do with the death of Mister Charleston.

He was released by the cops, and had to leave a very important note for the two terrified men.

"Here’s my contact."

"When you are ready to have a diplomatic conversation with me, you are both welcome."

"Have a nice day, officers."

Ryan walked out of the police station with the kind of aura that left the entire building guessing what he had done to keep the policemen who were in charge in a complicated mood.

He left, leaving certain information.

"That man can predict people’s death. He knows when you are going to die. He knows when everyone is going to die."

"And you know what’s more terrifying?"

"He claims he can help them live longer!"