THE DARKNESS IN ISABELLE

CHAPTER 10 - BLOODY HOUSE

NOAH

TUESDAY, 10:46 AM

2022

I whined for the umpteenth time, ''Hey, when you told me, I was the perfect person for this job, this is not what I had in my mind.''

Jeff and I stood beside each other, sweating like pigs, wearing the thick worker's clothes. We were given the special duty of 'investigating the basements' in the city. Investigating, in this case, meant cleaning them.

''This is the 13th house we're entering; you know?'' Jeff panted. ''I've never cleaned my own house like this, so, don't you guys ever tell my wife about this.''

I heard Ryder speak, ''Go on, Noah. We can't waste our time.''

So, we did.

''Sir, we need to clean your basements.'' Jeff told the man. The houses in the neighbourhood were close and this was the only one with a registered basement. The person seemed to be pretty decent and he was probably getting ready for work, looking at his clothes.

''I don't need it.''

''It is compulsory, orders from the government.'' I showed him the list of all the houses we had cleaned. He did not show a slightest bit of hesitation and nodded.

''Be quick, I have to go for work.''

''Yes sir'' He led us down the stairs and I adjusted my spy glasses for a better view. The house was freaky clean and the walls had a lot of pictures of himself. No family, I guess. I wasn't expecting but the basement was already neatly arranged. Everything had its own space and that was what made it look suspicious. This was the first basement since morning that didn't need cleaning. I glanced at Jeff and he seemed to feel it too. The man stood on the stairs while we swept the corners lightly.

I heard Char say, ''Noah, move slightly left.'' I moved to my left, looking at all the old frames that were kept over one another and a pile of books beside them.

''It's already clean'' I announced and Jeff nodded.

''Noah, you sure? This is the last house on the list.'' I watched the man close the door behind him coolly. There wasn't a slightest hint of him hiding humans under there. Jeff and I walked out of the house, with almost empty buckets and wiping sticks.

''I don't think I made a mistake. Do you think we missed something?'' Bella said and that was when I froze. Blood! There was a blood stain on my gloves. I took it off in a hurry examining my skin and there wasn't a single scratch.

''Bella, you're a genius!'' I exclaimed in excitement. Jeff hurried to my side and there was silence at the other side.

''What is it?''

This is it! It's this house. There was no way a criminal could be perfect with a crime.''

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ISABELLE

TUESDAY, 6:03 PM

2022

''Are you guys ready?'' Ryder asked equipping himself with pistols. ''Report before you do anything.''

Noah, Jeff, Char, Ryder and I were assigned our roles. They distract while I save the kid. Simple plan but God knew what lay ahead and I was already nervous as hell.

''How about I go with Bella. It's her first time.'' Tyler looked at me worriedly.

''No, you stay as the backup. If we fail, immediately request for a search warrant from the superiors.''

We nodded, adjusting the air pods.

By the time we reached there, we found that the man wasn't at home. The doors were locked and it took us a little effort to break in. ''Char, upstairs. Others, follow me.'' We made our way towards the basement and the little door opened with a creak. Our torch lights scattered across the little room, making it even creepier. Ryder and the other rubbed at every surface they could reach and I didn't know who touched what because then, I fell right in. The tile under me gave way and my side connected with the hard floor as I hit it with force.

''Bella, you okay?'' Jeff whispered.

''Yeah'' I flinched as I reached out to my pocket, looking for the torch. I walked a little over to side, feeling the wall until I reached something.

It was a metre box. The switches should be here.

''It's here'' I said when the lights turned on, blinding me. It seemed like he hid an entire house under the ground. The others were probably taking the other way to reach here.

''I'm going through the first door. Choose the second.'' I informed.

''Careful.''

I walked through the narrow corridor under the blinking lights, gun in my numb hands. It led me to another huge hall and I saw the boy. Every part of the floor and the wall were smeared with blood. Four cages, large enough to fit two adults stood the corners of the hall. Long hair soaked in blood, broken nails as if it fell off due to struggle was all I saw on the floor. The wall ahead me was decorated with all kinds of knives and steel rods. I shook with anger as I watched the little boy lay unconscious on the bloody floor. I hurried over, opening the cage.

''I found the boy.''

''Good, find your way back, we're looking into the second room.'' Ryder said.

As soon as the boy heard my footsteps, he jerked awake and I saw the fear in his little eyes. The eyes which were only supposed to witness happiness and love. He whimpered when I reached out my hands to him.

''It's okay, I'm here to save you.'' I said softly. ''Come here''

Tears slid slowly on his dirty cheeks and he limped towards me. He put his little arms around me and I pulled him close to my chest. ''Take me away, please. He will come back to kill me.'' He wept.

''I will, trust me.'' He didn't reply but his face masked a horrified expression.

''What is it?'' His eyes never left what he was looking at. It was him.

I stood up facing him, pushing the kid behind me. I didn't utter a word while he stared at me and a long silence hung between us.

''Who are you? What are you doing here?'' His smooth voice sent shivers down my spine but I stood like a rock.

''Bella, who is that? Are you okay?'' I heard Jeff and Noah breath hard.

''Bella? Speak!"

He took slow and steady steps towards me and I felt the boy hug my calves tighter.

''What are you doing here?'' He asked again when he was close enough.

''Micky, darling, what do you mean?'' I asked him with a slight laugh and watched his expression change.

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What do you think will happen?