Hands Of Fate

Interrogation

Ch. 4

Before, I lived my life in ignorant bliss, unaware of the dangers that lurked around every corner. As a child, I was naïve. like most people, I could never imagine anything terrible happening to me. I knew most people around me, and they were good ones. I couldn't fathom any of them intentionally hurting me. Looking back now, that was very ridiculous and absolutely naive indeed.

People change according to the situations they are put in. They are your 'friends' as long as you are not a liability or are of use to them. Once they see you as trouble, you are thrown to the wolves. I would know better.

Remembering how I felt running back through the dimly lit path, by the time I reached the group of people I once considered my friends, I was already out of breath. I couldn't feel my hands and felt so cold, so very cold. A scream erupted, and people stepped back away from me, looks of absolute horror in their wide eyes.

I looked around, waiting for something, for someone—anyone—to ask me what happened, to TELL me what had happened. I stood there, unable to utter a single sound, shaking. My father was the first to arrive; I saw the fear in his eyes. I've never seen that look on my father's face before.

"Is this your blood?" he asked, his voice laced with concern and confusion.

I was confused; I could barely comprehend what he was saying. All I could do was shake my head 'No.'

it was quiet, too quiet. I could hear my mother's panicked voice demanding to know what had happened. shouting at those present for answers. Then it became a mess. People shouting and crying. Someone put a blanket on my shoulders, and I could hear my mother's voice in the background, sobbing, as she came to embrace me.

I was dragged back to the house. Father was talking to me, whispering to me that I was safe.

 At some point, the police were called. Then another nightmare started. The police officers pushed past my father, dragged me to their car, and back to the station. I was still in shock and didn't even realize what was going on. I didn't want to leave my mother's arms, and she kept telling me that I will be ok. that they will be right behind me.

At the police station, I was left in a room alone, waiting.
I don't know how long I waited, though in my state it felt like ages. like a lifetime spent on that chair trying to comprehend what has happened to me.

detectives arrived after that and started asking questions; questions that would put me face to face with my worst nightmares.

" Good evening Ms. Miller. I'm detective Emerson and this is my partner detective Doan." he says.
I just stare at them.

"I would like you to tell us what happened tonight."

"W-what happened?" I whisper. The question snapping me out of my daze.

"Yes, and in as many details as you can remember." He insisted.

"What happened? I... I... I don.." I try to utter a single intelligible word.

"Start from the beginning. when did you leave the group?" 

Looking at the detective, I tried to remember when it happened.
"I don't know exactly when, but I wanted to get some fresh air away from the crowd.?" My voice becoming lower and lower.

"I see. Tell me, how long did you know the victim?"

The 'victim'?? who is he talking about?
 seeing my confused face he and his partner share a look.

" I'm talking about your neighbor Mr. James Matthews."

Now I was confused even more. J.J.? what's any of this has to do with him?

"I... I don't understand?" I finally say. James is my neighbor and childhood friend.

looking deeply into my eyes, he drops the news to me.
"Ms. Miller, James Mathews was found dead in the woods". 

"What? How? Did the man who attacked me also attacked him?" I was utterly shocked. J.J. is a nice guy. we have been friends since diapers. how can he die just like that.

"His head was smashed and as to how he was murdered, we are not so sure of the details yet."detective emerson tells me.

his partner Doan then follows with,
"As for who might be the killer, you were seen by many witnesses emerging from those woods covered with blood. HIS blood."