no body, no crime

it's nice to have a friend

I can't remember exactly how Willow and I met. Maybe it was in college, perhaps at the gym, or possibly at the coffee shop where we now meet every week. But one thing's for sure—we are extremely close friends. Our bond is so deep that we share everything. If we ever run out of things to say, we simply start over, revisiting memories and inside jokes. We never get annoyed with each other; it's one of the many beautiful aspects of our friendship.

So, when I received a text from Willow today that read, "Hey Scarlett, I have something important to tell you," I felt a stir of unease in my stomach.

"Of course she did! That's what relationships between humans are like—talking!" I thought to myself, dismissing my discomfort. I replied, "Of course, Willow! But can't you wait until tomorrow? Today is Friday, and we always meet on Saturdays."

But then her next message sent a chill down my spine: "No, Scarlett... it's a matter of life or death. See you there, 8 PM."

Strange. Really strange. I nodded to myself, my heart racing as I typed back, "Okay, see you there," but the message neither sent nor was left on read. The weight of her words lingered in the air like a heavy fog.

As I finished my shift at the library, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I gathered my things, waved goodbye to the manager, and headed to the nearby supermarket—open 24/7—to pick up dinner. My list was straightforward: salad, chicken nuggets, and a soda. Of course, I didn't forget my cat's food; he'd be waiting at home, excited for his meal after hours alone.

As I made my way to the checkout counter, I spotted a familiar presence—Mason. He stood there, a tall, muscular figure with tousled brown hair and striking hazel eyes that seemed to pull me in.

I've always admired his eyes, but never in a romantic sense; he was Willow's husband, and I wouldn't dare entertain any feelings for him. Yet, as I approached, I couldn't shake the strange flutter in my chest.

"Hey, Mason!" I called out, forcing a smile.

"Oh—hi, Scarlett! Do you come here often?" His voice was warm, but there was an edge of nervousness to it, as if he were caught off guard.

"It's a short walk from my job, and I have to buy dinner every night. So, yeah, I find myself here more than I want to..." I shrugged, trying to sound casual.

"Oh great! I'll head out now. Willow's waiting for me..." He said this while grabbing a grocery bag, glancing briefly at the cashier who was avoiding eye contact, likely embarrassed by our sudden exchange.

"Of course, Mason. See ya," I replied, my heart racing as he turned to leave.

I paid for my groceries and headed home, my mind swirling with thoughts of Willow. The day felt normal—teenagers walked past, laughter echoing, and the delicious aroma of home-cooked meals wafted through the air. But beneath that normalcy, an unsettling feeling began to bubble.

Later that night, my evening concluded in a routine manner. I ate my food, fed my cat, and crawled into bed, anxious about what Willow had to share. I felt the weight of her message pressing against me, but exhaustion overcame my worry, and I drifted off to sleep.

Saturday morning came too quickly, and as I awoke, I realized I had overslept. It didn't matter; it was Saturday, and I was off work. After a hasty breakfast and a quick bath, I got ready for the day. Willow's request hung over me, but I also had a list of errands to run. Still, the pull of our coffee meeting overshadowed everything else.

Deciding not to stay cooped up at home, I ventured to the city mall, hoping to lift my spirits with some retail therapy. Hours flew by as I lost myself in shops, trying on dresses and admiring the reflection of the woman I was—someone who deserved happiness, even if only through a new outfit.

As the afternoon faded, I hurried back home to change into a new dress, feeling a mixture of excitement and dread as I made my way to the coffee shop. But as I walked, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach, a sensation I couldn't quite place. I tried to ignore it, convincing myself it was just pre-meeting jitters.

When I arrived, Willow's unmistakable silhouette greeted me from across the room. Her long, pristine curls framed her face, but I couldn't help but notice the dark bags under her eyes.

"Hello, Wilo. What is going on?" I asked, concern spilling over.

"Come on in; let's talk over a cup of tea," she said, urgency lacing her voice as she dragged me into the café. We settled into a secluded corner, far from the prying eyes of other patrons.

"Who is she?" I asked, finally noticing the blonde woman sitting next to us.

"This is my sister, Agatha. Agatha, this is Scarlett, my long-time friend."

"It's a pleasure, Agatha," I said, my eyes scanning her friendly demeanor.

"The pleasure is all mine," she responded with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Where's Mason? It's the first time he's missed an appointment."

"Mason's at home, Scarl. He doesn't know about this meeting. I told him I was hanging out with Agatha to keep this conversation under wraps."

"Okay, but why? What's going on?" I pressed, my heart racing with the implications.

"It's about Mason, Scarlett," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Mason? My mind raced. What could that innocent man have possibly done?

"He's been acting strangely. I'm 90% sure he has another woman," she confessed, her words slicing through the air.

The hot tea nearly went down the wrong way. "Cheating? Are you sure? How do you know?"

"I'm not stupid! He's been hiding his phone from me and sneaking out at night without telling me where he's going."

"That sucks, Wilo. What do you think you're going to do?"

"Well, confront him, of course!" she said defiantly.

Agatha chimed in, "And what about that red stain on his car?"

"Especially that," Willow agreed, her face pale.

"Red stain? Don't you think you should tell the police?"

"Maybe I could, but my thoughts are all jumbled right now. It's like a bunch of things are flying around in my mind, and it's going to explode someday."

As our drinks finished, the trio didn't waste a second, quickly exiting the coffee shop to avoid being seen.

"We'll see each other tomorrow. Today didn't happen, deal?" Willow urged.

"Deal. But be careful. Let other people help you."

"After fourteen years of marriage, it's time he faces the consequences of his actions, and I will be the one to make him."