Bound By Sin

"This Is A Fucking Nightmare!"

The morning light filtered through the curtains of Genevieve's living room, casting a soft glow on the worried faces of her family. Her parents, Nathaniel and Victoria, were deep in conversation about the recent events, their voices tinged with anxiety. Genevieve, perched on the edge of the couch, tried to absorb the news reports echoing in the background.

Suddenly, a firm knock echoed through the house, breaking the tense silence. Genevieve glanced at her parents, who exchanged looks of concern.

"I'll get it," she said, standing up and smoothing her hair nervously. As she opened the door, she found Detective Blackwood and Detective Caldwell standing there, their expressions serious yet warm.

"Good morning, Genevieve," Blackwood said, offering a reassuring smile. "We have a few questions for you, if you don't mind."

"Of course," she replied, stepping aside to let them in. "Come in."

As they entered, Victoria stood up, her expression cautious. "Is this about the recent events?" she asked, crossing her arms protectively.

"Yes, ma'am," Caldwell replied. "We're just gathering information from neighbors. We'd like to know if Genevieve saw anything unusual last night."

Anastasia was sprawled on the floor nearby, completely absorbed in a colorful picture book, blissfully unaware of the tension in the air.

***************************

Genevieve took a deep breath, trying to shake off the anxiety. "I didn't see anything strange," she said. "I was just home, like everyone else, I assume."

Blackwood nodded, his eyes sharp as he leaned in slightly. "Did you notice if any of your neighbors left their houses? Anything out of the ordinary?"

Genevieve thought for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "Honestly? No. But if you think I'm part of this, why don't you take a look at me? I'm 5'2 and like twenty kilograms. I can't even kill a fly! Go look at the strong people in town—like, I don't know, Mr. Winston," she said, throwing her hands up in frustration.

Blackwood let out a laugh, a genuine chuckle that broke through the seriousness of the moment. "You've got a point there, Gen. I can't picture you with a weapon, that's for sure."

"Thank you." Genevieve sighs and leans back.

"Stop playing smart with me, Gen," he added, a teasing tone in his voice.

Caldwell chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, I think you're safe on that front. No one's accusing you of anything here."

Victoria managed a small smile, grateful for the brief lightness amidst the dark cloud hanging over them. "You're right; she couldn't hurt a fly," she said, glancing down at Anastasia, who was blissfully turning pages and humming to herself.

Anastasia looked up briefly, her big eyes curious. "Are we talking about killing flies? Because I can do that," she said matter-of-factly, completely missing the gravity of the situation.

"Not exactly, sweetheart," Victoria said, trying to steer her back into her own world.

****************************

Genevieve rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "See? I'd rather be like her than be wrapped up in this nightmare."

The mood shifted again as Blackwood cleared his throat, bringing the focus back to the seriousness at hand. "We understand this is tough for everyone, but any detail you remember could help. Were you awake at all last night?"

Genevieve shook her head. "I was trying to sleep, but I couldn't. It's been hard with everything going on. I don't think I even heard anything outside."

"That's understandable," Caldwell said, jotting down notes. "What about friends? Anyone been acting weird?"

Genevieve paused, contemplating. "Not really. Everyone's just scared. We're all trying to process this, you know? This is a fucking nightmare."

Caldwell exchanged a glance with Blackwood, both detectives noting her frustration.

*****************************

Victoria interjected, her voice softer. "Thank you for coming to talk to her. We just want to keep our family safe."

"Of course," Blackwood replied, sincerity in his tone. "We'll do everything we can."

As the conversation wound down, Genevieve felt a mix of relief and anxiety. The detectives were just doing their job, but the reality of the situation loomed heavy.

"Well, if you need anything else, I'm just... here, I guess," Genevieve said, her voice a bit lighter now.

"Don't worry, we'll keep you in the loop," Caldwell reassured her. "And remember, it's okay to feel uneasy right now."

As they made their way toward the door, Blackwood turned back with a smirk. "And, Gen? Stay away from any fly swatters."

She laughed, a sound tinged with the tension of the day. "I'll try my best."

As the detectives left, Genevieve closed the door behind them, her heart still racing but a little lighter. She turned to her family, and for a moment, the world outside felt a little less daunting.