Durham Killer

4

Trent University, Durham, Ontario

July 15, 2023

"Did you hear about the fire last night?"

"Yeah, it's all over the news!"

"I heard the entire family died!"

"Really?"

"I heard that it is still burning right now!"

Leah rolled her eyes at her class. She walked over to her desk and slumped in it.

"Hey Leah! You were there, right? What happened?"

Leah looked at Ralph.

"Well, the fire was big. The family got out fine. It's not burning anymore, the firemen put it out. Caroline and Reeves are in the hospital. They got extremely hurt."

"So how big would you say the fire was- estimated of course," Maria asked.

"I don't know. About 25 to 30 feet. I didn't really pay attention to that detail," Leah responded.

"Good morning, class."

Everyone turned to the front of the class.

"Good morning, Ms. Alison," The class said in unison.

"So, as you all may know, either from the news or your peers, the Manley's house caught fire," Ms. Alison continued.

"But it is important that we stay on task and get through this day." Ms. Alison smiled brightly at the extremely bored college class. "So, as we are moving towards the end of the year..." She waited for the class to cheer, which they didn't. She closed her mouth awkwardly and continued.

"As I was saying, we are moving towards the end of the year. Your finals are next week. I hope you guys have been using the study guide I have provided."

Renae Stutzman raised her thick packet of her study guide above her head. Students rolled their eyes. Renae was no doubt the smartest student, but everyone made fun of it because she made such a big deal about it- or that's what they said. Leah pitied her somewhat, only because she didn't like people getting bullied, but Leah did agree with the class, even if Renae was her friend.

Throughout the rest of the day, it was normal. Nothing strange happened. It was peaceful. Leah went home and decided to study for her finals.

"Alright," Leah said to herself staring at her paper. "X squared minus 25 over x squared plus 5x. Divide that by xy plus 6x minus 5y minus 30 over 5x minus 15."

She had always found it helped when she taught someone else or herself the concepts. Two rapid knocks sounded on her door.

"Come in," Leah responded, not looking up from her paper.

"I have a surprise for you!" Ms. Kingma smiled gently.

"It's not my birthday though." Leah stated.

"I know. The Manley's said people are allowed to visit Caroline and Reeves now. Do you wanna go?"

Leah looked at her homework knowing it would be waiting for her when she returned.

"Yeah, sure."

~

"Mr. and Ms. Kingma? Right this way." The nurse lead them to a small room near the back of the hospital. A blonde girl and red-head boy both with long white bandage around their arms, legs, and torso, lay fast asleep in their cots.

"Oh my." Leah's parents went over to console the crying parents of Caroline and Reeves. Leah stood silently and looked at the unconscious pair. They looked dead. Suddenly, Caroline's eyes blinked open slowly.

"Mom!"

Both sets of parents turned to see Caroline slowly awaking.

"M-mom? D-dad? What happened?"

"Caroline! God always answers your prayers! Thank Him for that." Mr. Manley smiled brightly.

"Owww." Caroline winced at her burns that were tightly bandaged.

"You'll be clear in about a couple months. Though the burns will take a couple years to fully heal." The nurse told Caroline.

"Hello, Caroline. I'm glad you are awake." The doctor walked in smiling.

"We should go." Leah's dad lead the three of them out back to the car.