Towards the Farthest Side: A Collection Of Sci-Fi Short Stories And Novelettes

"Abomination Part 11"

All you need is the right getup and the right attitude for you to fool anyone. I know I heard this qoute in a movie once.

I realized I stand out from the crowd if I wear the same shirt and jeans Allison lent me. I just need to blend in to the crowd.

I remembered the old woman who helped me the last time I came here in New Jacinto, and the odds really is in my favor when I ask her about borrowing some formal dress or coat. She have an old teacup dress that belonged to her daughter. It's too revealing for my taste, but it will do.

"You're attending Maybel's party dear?" the old woman asked. I nodded.

"You're kind of late, it's already getting dark, most of the fine dishes may be gone already," the old woman continued.

"I'm kind of not invited," I confessed. I can't lie to this woman, as she had been consistently helpful with me since the last time.

"Breaking in?" she asked amused. I bit my lips and nodded.

"Well then, I know a way around the back of the house. It's almost always unguarded as it's devoid of passersby and Maybel may have not seen the logic of guarding it." The woman explained, giddily excited.

The information is heaven to my ears.

"All you got to do is get in and blend it."

I nodded in agreement. "My original plan exactly. I was wondering how did you know all of these?" I asked, this time I am really curious.

"Well, you see," the old woman swallowed, as if the words she is about to say is hard to divulge. "My late husband was a gardener to Philip Terona, he loved the man so dearly, as the late doctor was too kind, always refusing to accept payment every time my husband would see him for a checkup," the old woman recounted, I could see her eyes glistened as she remembered her husband.

"As a gardener he would not take the front gate and instead would go around the back, it is inappropriate he told me, for him to use the front, workers don't do that."

I nodded in agreement.

"But why are you helping me?" I asked. "If your husband admires Dr. Terona, and you know I am about to break inside his house, why are you still helping me?"

The old woman stared up at me, I can see in her expression that I have hit something hidden, something she's guarding carefully.

"I know something is up," the old woman confessed. "I don't know what it is, but I feel something is being worked on against Maybel, and I needed to help."

Against Maybel? I know Maybel is so unlikable, but still why would she help me with something this dangerous.

"Why?" I proded on.

"Because my late husband saw her murdered Philip." the old woman said.