The Silent City

Chapter 8

Shadow's in the morning

The night had been filled with laughter and music, the group enjoying each other's company as they hung out at the club John had suggested. The cozy little place was just as he’d described: warm lighting, good food, and a lively atmosphere that made it easy to let loose. Isabelle found herself getting more comfortable around Ethan, their shared glances and easy conversations throughout the evening hinting at a budding connection. Julia and Ryan also got along well, their mutual teasing and shared interests quickly turning into a playful camaraderie.

As the night wore on, the group eventually said their goodbyes, each heading home with plans to catch up again soon. Isabelle and Julia walked together to Isabelle’s car, their laughter carrying through the cool night air. Max, Isabelle’s loyal dog, greeted them excitedly when they arrived at Isabelle’s house, and the girls spent some time playing with him before heading off to their respective rooms.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains of Isabelle’s bedroom as she slowly woke up. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she thought about the fun they’d had. She stretched lazily, Max jumping onto the bed to snuggle beside her.

After getting dressed, Isabelle headed downstairs to join her family for breakfast. The usual weekend scene greeted her—her parents sitting at the dining table, enjoying their morning coffee, while Jacob, her older brother, read through the business section of the newspaper. Isabelle greeted them with a smile, and her mother motioned for her to sit down as she poured her a cup of coffee.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” her mother said warmly. “Did you have fun last night?”

“Yeah, it was great,” Isabelle replied, taking a sip of her coffee. “We went to this really nice club that John recommended. It was such a cool place.”

As they chatted about the night, Isabelle’s father turned on the TV in the living room, the morning news flashing across the screen. The upbeat banter of the newscasters quickly shifted to a more somber tone as they introduced the next story. Isabelle’s attention was drawn to the TV when she heard the words “murder” and “police investigation.”

“Breaking news this morning,” the anchor reported, her voice tinged with urgency. “Another body has been found in the city, and authorities suspect this is the work of the same individual responsible for a string of murders over the past few weeks. The victim, a young woman, was discovered near a popular nightlife district early this morning, just hours after reports of a disturbance in the area.”

Isabelle felt a chill run down her spine as the camera panned to the crime scene—a familiar alley near the club they had visited last night. The area was cordoned off with yellow police tape, and officers milled around, talking into their radios. The once-vibrant street now seemed eerily quiet, the joy and excitement of the night replaced by a sense of dread.

“Police have yet to release the identity of the victim,” the anchor continued, “but sources close to the investigation say that the scene bears similarities to previous cases. The body was found with severe injuries, leading investigators to believe that this may be the work of the same killer who has been terrorizing the city in recent weeks.”

Isabelle’s heart pounded in her chest, her hands gripping the edge of the table. A sense of unease settled over her, her mind racing with thoughts of how close they had been to the crime scene. The realization that they could have unknowingly crossed paths with the killer sent a wave of fear through her.

“That’s terrible,” her mother murmured, her eyes fixed on the screen. “What is this city coming to?”

Jacob looked up from his newspaper, his expression grim. “It’s getting worse. The police need to catch this guy before more people get hurt.”

Isabelle nodded, her throat tight as she tried to process the news. She couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over her, the proximity of the crime hitting far too close to home. The thought of being near the scene of such a horrific act made her stomach churn.

As the news report continued, Isabelle found herself unable to look away from the screen. The images of the crime scene, the distressed faces of witnesses being interviewed, and the police officers combing the area all played on a loop in her mind. The contrast between the carefree night she had spent with her friends and the horror that had unfolded nearby was stark and unsettling.

“We were right there,” Isabelle whispered, more to herself than to anyone else.

“What was that, sweetheart?” her father asked, glancing over at her with concern.

Isabelle shook her head, forcing a small smile. “Nothing, just... It’s scary to think how close that was to where we were last night.”

Her mother reached out, placing a comforting hand on Isabelle’s. “Don’t worry, honey. The police are doing everything they can. Just be careful when you’re out.”

Isabelle nodded, but the unease lingered. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something dark and dangerous was lurking just beneath the surface of her world—a world that had, until now, felt safe and familiar. As she looked at the faces of her family, she resolved to stay vigilant, even as she tried to push the fear to the back of her mind.

Max nudged her leg, sensing her distress, and Isabelle reached down to scratch behind his ears, finding some comfort in his presence. The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room, but for Isabelle, the day had taken on a much darker tone.