Red Gown
By Eni Noona
Date: March 20, 2024
Ch. 14Part 14


(Flashback: Maria and Gadi)

On October 18, 2015, a disturbance occurred at one of the major high schools in the city center. A stabbing incident took place at Alexander High School during the graduation ceremony for the final semester students.

Unexpectedly, a male student stabbed his friend who was delivering a speech on stage to convey messages and impressions to their fellow students and the school. Beatrix was the chosen student to deliver the speech, known for her exemplary grades, selected by the faculty.

During her speech, Gadi, a quiet and introverted student, stabbed Beatrix directly in the neck. All students and teachers panicked witnessing this horrific act. Blood gushed from Beatrix's stab wound. Gadi didn't just stab Beatrix once; he repeatedly plunged his knife into her body until Beatrix succumbed to her injuries.

No one knew why Gadi committed such a gruesome act against Beatrix. Gadi and Beatrix had never interacted before.

Beatrix's lifeless body was taken to the nearest hospital for investigation. Beatrix's parents, present at the graduation ceremony, cried hysterically at the sight of their child losing her life.

The school authorities detained Gadi for hours until the police came to take him into custody. Gadi, known for being quiet and introverted, had only one friend who was willing to approach him—Maria.

Maria's contrasting personality with Gadi's made him feel comfortable around her. Maria was different from Gadi's other classmates. She often helped Gadi with his studies, even inviting him to lunch in the cafeteria. This didn't make Maria disliked by her peers; on the contrary, she was considered very kind for reaching out to Gadi.

After the incident, Gadi was taken to the police station for questioning. During the police interrogation, Gadi remained mostly silent, providing vague and unsettling answers. He only stated that Beatrix deserved it.

Facing an unfavorable situation for the police, Gadi was eventually introduced to a profiler who could identify the motive behind the stabbing.

After several meetings with the profiler, Gadi was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The profiler delved into Gadi's past and discovered a dark childhood marked by abuse from his alcoholic father, with his mother unable to resist. The profiler concluded that Gadi's traumatic childhood led him to stab Beatrix. However, Beatrix's family found it unacceptable, as they were still unaware of what triggered Gadi to harm her.

Gadi did not clearly disclose his reasons, making the investigation challenging.

After several court hearings, Gadi was declared exempt from legal consequences due to his mental health, but he was required to report for a year under guardianship and undergo approximately three years of treatment.

This decision devastated Beatrix's family, and they cursed Gadi in front of everyone.

(One week before the incident)

In the classroom, Maria was chatting with some friends when Beatrix approached her with two friends.

"Maria, stop approaching Maxim. You know Maxim and I have been in a relationship for a long time. So, please stop your obsession with him!" Beatrix said angrily.

Apparently, Maria was trying to get close to Maxim, Beatrix's boyfriend.

Like any teenager, Maria felt anger and resentment towards Beatrix, but she didn't show any signs of anger at that moment.

"Bet, forgive me. I might seem evil, but I truly have no intention of bothering Maxim. From now on, and forever, I won't disturb him, Bet. I promise," Maria said softly and politely, even offering her pinky finger as a sign of her promise to Beatrix.

Beatrix accepted the pinky promise from Maria, thinking everything had come to an end because Maria kept her promise.

However, Beatrix's peace was only felt by her. On the other hand, Maria began her malicious plan. She sought out Gadi in another place.

Maria even cried on Gadi's shoulder, as if she were the one most hurt. Gadi, who had mental issues, seemed to feel Maria's sadness, and he also felt anger and joined in cursing Beatrix.

Gadi, who trusted and had strong feelings for Maria, foolishly followed Maria's requests.

Maria whispered to Gadi, "Destroy Beatrix's face, whether with a hammer or a knife."

Gadi, who couldn't control his emotions due to his mental condition, agreed to do it.

Maria and Gadi carried out their heinous plan a day before the graduation ceremony, but it failed because Beatrix stayed in the teacher's room for a long time.

So, on the day of the graduation ceremony, Gadi, who had prepared a knife in his bag, carried out the act according to Maria's instructions.

However, Maria did not anticipate that Gadi would take Beatrix's life that day.

After Gadi was dragged to the teacher's room, Maria approached Gadi when the teachers were discussing and waiting for the police.

At that moment, Gadi was in a corner of the large room. Maria sneaked up and approached Gadi, who was looking downcast.

"Big brother," Maria whispered.

Gadi was startled and looked at Maria. Instantly, Gadi appeared calm again.

"Big brother, please don't mention my name. You know I also have a fate similar to yours. When this is over, I will continue to accompany you, no matter how long it takes, I promise," Maria said, once again offering her pinky finger as a symbol of their agreement.

Gadi, who was already in love with Maria, stupidly obeyed Maria's request.

Gadi kept his promise, both in solitary confinement and when with the profiler, so Maria's name was not implicated in the case.

...

Two years passed, and Gadi had completed his reporting and PTSD treatment.

Meanwhile, Maria, true to her promise, continued to be with Gadi. However, as time went on, their relationship became more strained. Especially now that Maria had become Hans's mistress.

Maria briefly mentioned Hans's presence between them, stating that Hans was the choice of Maria's family but had a wife.

At that time, Gadi began to understand what had happened all along, starting from Maria approaching him to the events that led him to become a murderer.

Gadi realized that he had been used as a tool by Maria. However, due to his love for Maria, Gadi could not harm her. Therefore, he chose to slowly distance himself from Maria.

Until the moment when Maria asked for his help to kill Natalie.



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