The Red Doves

Chapter VI

- Are you ok? asked Suziky in panic for the fifth time.

- Yes, I'm fine, don't worry, Alan answered. My foot is hurting a little but the rest is alright.

- I still can't believe we had the chance to fall face to face with the mysterious killer.

- Wasn't it a shock to you? After what he did to your mother...

- Please, don't bring this again.

- Sorry, my bad. I won't restart.

Alan looked away from her for a quick second. The police cars were now driving away. Some minutes before, the police officers were asking them questions while others were placing the killer at the back seat of the car. They got to meet the new officer, a young boy around their age. He was the one asking them questions. After he checked Alan's ankle, they got some time to talk.

- I'm Nathan Ulician. I'm the newest policeman here, he told them.

- Alan Silvasta, the patient said while shaking Nathan's hand. Thanks for saving us, my friend and me.

- That's my job, nothing really special for me, he continued, taking his hand back and looking at Suziky. And you, miss, what's your name?

- Daichy, Suziky Daichy, but you can call me Suzy.

- It's a pleasure to meet you, Suzy.

They talked for a while then Nathan left with some of his mate by car. They were now standing there, outside of the alley, looking at the cars. Alan put his arm around Suziky's shoulder as they were walking away. They didn't even stop to the ice cream shop or to the Serious Coffee. They just went back home.

. . .

Back to the house, Suziky went to take a shower. As for Alan, he started some coffee then sat on the couch of the living room. At this moment, her mom came in, grocery bags in her hands.

- Hey sweetie, could you help me with the bags and put them in the kitchen? she asked Alan right away.

- Of course, mom, give me these bags.

He took the groceries from his mother's hands and walked to the kitchen with them. His mother took her coat and boots off then walked to him. She kissed the cheek of her son and started emptying the bags with him.

- How was your walk with Suzy this morning? she started, putting some veggies in the fridge. I heard the police found the killer and arrested him.

- Yea, they did. Suzy and I were there.

- What?! she screamed with surprise. Are you ok? Did he do something to you? Is Suzy back home?

- Woah, mom, relax!, he said to stop her. We are fine. The police handled it anyways.

- How did it happen? Is Suzy alright? It must have been a big shock for her...

- Not at all. She was fine with it.

- Really? Though, it happened only a month ago.

- I know but you know how abusive her mom was on her.

Alan's mom never knew what was happening to the apartment with Suzy and her mom. When she learnt it from the mouth of her son, the night of the incident, she passed from worried to panicking. From that day, she took care of Suzy like a real mother. But it was still in her mind. How can a mother be so horrible with her daughter?

- Yea, I remember. How could I forget?, she answered after a few seconds.

- Forget what?

Alan and his mom turned their head to the stairs. Standing on them, Suziky was wearing some large joggings. She was also wearing a shirt with long sleeves and her hair was covered of a towel. She was looking at them, concerned and confused at the same time.

- Nothing really important sweetheart, said Alan's mother with a warm smile.

- Ok then, continued Suziky while walking down the rest of the stairs.

- How do you feel, dear? asked the mom.

- I'm fine, calmer than lately. Are we eating lunch soon?

- Well, you can prepare us some good food if you want. I love your cooking.

- Same here, said Alan, picking the empty bags and walking back to the main entrance with them.

- Alright then. I'll cook us some raviolis, said Suziky while walking toward the fridge. Do you want to help me, miss...

- Carolina. Please, call me by my name, dear. And if you want, you can even call me mom. You've been leaving here for at least a month now, get use to it.

- Right, sorry Carolina. Would you like to help me?

- Sure thing, she answered with another smile of hers.

The girls started preparing their things. On a side of the counter, Suziky was doing the dough and on the other, the mother was cutting some vegetables and meat. Some time later, as they were almost done doing the raviolis, Alan came back in with a box in his hands. He took his shoes off and walked in the kitchen.

- Where were you? It's been 20 minutes already, wanted to know the mother.

- I went to the mail since you two started to cook. Since I'm not good doing this, I thought I could help with something else.

- What's this box? asked Suziky.

- I found it on the side of the door when I came back. There are our names on it.

- You mean yours and hers?, the mother said, taking a look at the box.

- Yes, continued Alan. Should I open it now?

- Let's open it after lunch. I'm hungry.

- Ok Suzy, let's wait. Do you need any help from the bad cook?

. . .

It was now Alan's turn to take a shower. Suziky was sitting on her bed, the box in front of her. The box was little and covered of white paper. She kept wondering was inside and tried to guess but she never had an idea. Who could send a box for her and Alan? Not only her or Alan, both of them.
She got up from her bed and walked to the desk of her room. It was a hundred times better than the room she had before. The walls were light blue and the floor was brown. She had a bed, covered of a 2 black sheets. There were also little stars on them. The closet was full of clothes for her. She also had a mirror on a wall, a desk beside it and a drawer. A lamp was on a little table near her bed with a book placed next to it.
Sitting back on her bed with some scissors, she waited for Alan. Once he came in the room, his hair still wet, she let him sit next to her.

- Ready to see what's inside? he asked her with a smile.

- I don't know. I wonder why we sent something to us.

- Well open it and we might find out.

Suziky nodded and cut the white paper from the box. She also cut the tape and opened the box. As it was half opened, Suziky dropped the scissors and threw the box away with a loud scream of terror. Alan looked at her confused of her reaction and with some fear in his eyes.

- What is it? Suzy, talk to me. What was inside?

Alan took her arms with his hands slowly as Suziky was shivering and breathing fast. Some tears could be seen on her eyes wide open. She looked at Alan after a few seconds and tried to say a word. Her sentence died on her lips and Alan stood up and walked to the reversed box. He approached it carefully, and with a foot, tossed the box away and something rolled out of it. The thing resting on the floor of the room was the bloody heart of someone unknown.