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This is my entry for the @tristancarax’s 31 Sentences contest, round 20
My eyes stared the dead baby bird at the tree’s foot and I couldn't ignore what this augured. But my habit of seeing everything was also my curse, and I couldn't help but notice Mr. Smith's wound. I had to check.
The police report indicated that the suspect was limping on his left leg and had left a bloodstain next to the victim’s body; no one would suspect the friendly Mr. Smith.
But inevitably, every killer always kept a remembrance. Psychopaths love to hide in plain sight and this neighborhood was the perfect place.
I waited until he left his home, greeted his neighbors warmly like any other person, and drove away, I had to take action. The houses in this neighborhood always had an easy access window through the basement; I went in and as expected, the house was impeccably neat, even the basement.
Not a mud's trace on the basement floor, in the living room there was a comfortable sofa in front of a fireplace, no burnt clue either. There was a small library with books in German and Japanese, the word ikebana stood out; it was obvious, about his work.
There were no family pictures or pictures of him hanging on the wall or the library, in fact, nobody knew about his past in Germany. Perhaps it was his German heritage or maybe he suffered from severe OCD.
I decided to check out upstairs, his room, as well as the house and even bathroom, was impeccable, not a single hair fiber in the comb. Definitely, there was something odd about Mr. Smith but it was getting late; fortunately, my eyes caught up something else outside.
Behind the house, near his garden, there was a small shed; so I rushed down the stairs but a sharp blow from a step caught my attention. After several attempts, I was able to lift a false wooden slat that hid a box
A beautiful wooden box, carved and varnished and sealed with a three-digit combination lock; this one opened when I tried the number of victims found so far, plus one.
I opened the box and counted four white petals stained red, perhaps blood, separated into small bags.
"Oh, crap!"
He’d be looking for his next victim
Foolishly, I had made a rookie mistake; I forgot to wear gloves and left my fingerprints all over the place.
"You're so clever; there is always someone like you in every town I go to"
His words had brought to my mind that little dead bird.
"Their desperation makes them careless and forget the silent alarms"
"Are you ok?"
"You won't get away with it"
It was evident that it was not only varnish that covered the box; it was beginning to numb me and I did not know how much time I had left
"There’s something in your teeth"
He couldn't stand it and went to brush himself
"Yes"
His smile faded when he found the 911 call under my cadaver
If you want to participate in this contest go to:
@tristancarax/the-31-sentence-contest-round-22
