Swamp Murder

Swamp Murder. 17

Spending the day with Wang and Grandma felt like stepping into a different world. The living room, now furnished with a new TV, couch, and an air conditioner, was a stark contrast to the modest setup we had before. Wang's ease and comfort in this environment made me wonder about his upbringing.

"Are you an only child?" I asked, trying to understand him better.

He laughed, a genuine, carefree sound. "I wish," he said. "I have four sisters. They're mean and lovely at the same time. I don't know how they do it."

As I listened to Wang talk about his sisters, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Growing up as an only child, I often wondered what it would be like to have siblings, to share experiences, to have someone to confide in, to have that built-in support system. Wang's stories painted a picture of a lively, sometimes chaotic, but always supportive family environment.

Later, as we sat together, watching TV and enjoying the new setup, I realized how much Wang had changed the atmosphere of our home. His presence brought a new energy, a sense of warmth and connection that had been missing. It was as if his arrival had filled a void, bringing with it the promise of new experiences and relationships.

In that moment, I felt a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the unexpected turns life had taken, for the new connections I was making, and for the lessons I was learning about family, relationships, and myself.

Grandma made dinner, and we all sat together at the dining table in the sitting room. Mia joined us briefly before she had to leave for work, her usual rush evident as she said goodbye. It was a peaceful evening, the room filled with the smell of Grandma's cooking and the soft murmur of the TV in the background.

As we finished eating, Wang looked over at me and said, "You can share my bed." His words slipped out awkwardly, and I could see the slight flush on his cheeks. I understood what he meant, though, he was just offering a place to sleep comfortably since I didn't have my own bed.

"I'll put my duvet here and sleep on the couch, watch a little TV since I'm off tonight," I replied, trying to brush off the odd tension in his offer.

"Okay," Wang said, nodding. "But the room is open if you change your mind."

I smiled, thankful for his kindness. "Thank you, Wang."

We both settled onto the couch. Grandma was engrossed in a drama on TV, oblivious to our quiet conversation. It felt strange, but in a good way, like things were slowly starting to fall into place.

The soft creak of the door pulled me from sleep. My eyes blinked open, adjusting to the dim light from the TV screen.

Mia walked in quietly, not sparing a glance as she went straight to her room. That was odd. She usually stayed out longer, and she wasn't the type to come home before her shift ended.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and looked around. Grandma was still on the long couch, sleeping upright like she always did when she dozed off in her chair. Wang was lying on the couch, but his head had somehow ended up resting on Grandma's lap.

I exhaled softly, my body stiff from sleeping on the floor. My duvet was tangled around my legs. The TV was still on, playing some late-night infomercial, so I reached for the remote and turned it off.

The silence settled in, thick and peaceful.

A quick glance at the clock on the wall told me it was 4 AM.

Mia never came home this early.

Something wasn't right.

Sleep didn't come easily after that. I kept staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint sounds of the night, the ticking of the clock, Grandma's slow, steady breathing, the occasional creak of the building settling. But my mind was on Mia.