Autumn's Affairs

7 - No Bodies, No Crime

I sit on the floor of Henry's shed, staring at his and Stella's bodies. I don't think I actually believed I would go through with this, because I didn't even consider what I would do afterward. I have no idea how I'm going to dispose of them.

No one would have even noticed Este missing, except for me, but Henry knows everyone. He delivers wood to peoples houses, he works with a large crew of men, surely his disappearance won't go unnoticed.

Oh dear. I am so screwed.

Think, Ana. Think! How can you get rid of the bodies?

I glance at Henry's wood stove, the flames are burning hot, but it's too small. Fuck!

I'm panicking now. I can feel my heart pounding frantically in my chest, and my breaths are getting louder and louder. Oh no, I think I'm hyperventilating.

I grip the handle of the machete tightly, glancing down at all the blood covering it, and it reminds me of the shovel I found behind the shed. It was muddy, and had bloody fingerprints on the handle, meaning Henry probably buried Este in the woods somewhere.

I stand up, making the decision to do the same to them. I'll take them deep into the woods and dig them a grave. They'll be gone forever and no one will ever find them. Hopefully.

I can't carry them both at the same time. I'll have to take two trips. I'll take Stella first. She's small, so it should be easier.

I find myself staring at the large gash across her chest and the way the top of her head is split open. I never thought I could be so violent. My eyes stray to Henry, his chest cut up and mangled, missing both a hand and a leg, the detached limbs are lying in a pool of blood next to his body. Oh my, what have I done? I think I got a little carried away.

I keep the machete in one hand, almost afraid to drop it at this point and I bend down to lift Stella into my arms. Oh fuck, she's heavier than she looks. I'm not exactly strong, but I'm able to get her outside and around the shed. Luckily Este and Henry have a relatively private property, so there's no one around.

I grab the shovel leaning against the back of the shed, holding it in the same hand as the machete and I walk too slowly into the woods. By the time I make it to the trees, I'm already sweating. The sun is starting to set and the wind whips at my face but it's still warm. I can't do this. I can't carry her. I drop her body to the ground, noticing the drops of her blood that have trailed behind me. Crap. After I bury them I'll have to find a way to hide all that.

With the machete and the shovel in one hand and Stella's ankle in the other, I drag her into the woods. It's tiring, but I'm determined to get as far into the trees as possible.

Eventually, I collapse on the ground, panting and sweating profusely. "This will have to do," I mutter to myself, gripping the shovel and using it to bring myself to my feet.

I glance around, but everything is still and quiet, so I push the shovel into the dirt and start digging.

God, I'm exhausted. I've barely made a dent in the ground, and I'm ready to give up already. But I force myself to keep going. I can't just leave dead bodies lying around.

I finally start making some progress and jump down into the little hole I made so I can start making it wider. It's probably about four feet wide and four feet deep but it needs to be at least triple this size to fit both of them. I'm going to be here all night, and I still have to go back and get Henry's body. Dragging him all the way here is going to be a nightmare.

I'm so consumed in my task and my thoughts, I don't hear someone approaching until I can feel their presence creeping up on me. I let go of the shovel, and pick up my machete laying on the edge of the grave. I spin around, holding the weapon up and almost passing out when I see Felix walking towards me.