Cabin of Darkness

Episode 3

I sit in my office and scroll down the page, reading article after article on information about the Chandler family. That is weird, I think as I munch on my grilled chicken wrap. The Chandlers' murder was never solved. I read on.

Apparently, the Chandler parents were slaughtered in their bed sixteen years ago. At first, police thought it was a robbery gone wrong, but Mrs. Chandler's jewelry box was left untouched. So, they wrote it off as a revenge crime towards Mr. Chandler, who was a defense lawyer rumored to work for one of the violent mob groups in Chicago.

Two things stood out to me: In neither of the murders was there signs of a breakin, and the similarities of both the murders. I decide to look deeper into the cold case, thinking that the Chandlers' murder might have clues that would lead me to Holly's killer, since I was beginning to have the feeling that the murders were somehow connected.

XXX The Killer XXX

I relax in my little study, exhausted after a day of covering my tracks. After stopping by the crime scene and finding that I had left no real evidence, I decide it was time to build up my alibi. The only proof that I had left my Chicago apartment any time near the murder was those stupid little cameras they had all of this building. That could be easily fixed. I am an excellent computer hacker, I mean, I do have my Master's in Computer Science. I would just have to hack the security videos recordings and erase me ever leaving my apartment. Once the police saw that, they would immediately cross me off as a suspect, and I could go on with my life.

There was nothing else that could link me to the crime. The latex gloves I had worn were some brand you could buy at any store, and I had thrown the entire box out in the ghetto after the murder. That is also where I threw my stocking mask, black sweater and black pants. I wasn't worried about my boots, since I had scrubbed them clean when I got home, and the knife was scrubbed as well.

It is not like they could find the knife, anyway. It was hidden in a secret compartment, along with trinkets from my most recent kill and the previous ones. The police here are so dense, they never have been able to link any of the murders I have committed. And they never would.

XXX Alex Chandler XXX

I want to curl up in a ball and die. I feel so empty. Holly was the love of my life, and now she is dead. How come everyone I love dies? First my parents, then my best friend, and now her. I dare not even get a puppy, considering the last one died within two weeks of my aunt and uncle buying it for me. It was hit by a car. I think the universe hates me.

I know I will have to see her parents tomorrow. They are flying in from Seattle, Washington. It was originally supposed to be a surprise for Holly. I was going to propose yesterday, and then tomorrow, her parents were going to fly in and we were all going to celebrate. They were so excited when I asked them for her hand. Her father even teased, "I thought you were never going to ask. I was afraid I was going to have to pull a shotgun wedding on you two."

Now, instead of celebrating and planning a wedding, we will be mourning, and planning her funeral. I will miss her so much, her life, her beauty, her laughter. I still want to put the engagement ring on her before she is placed in the casket. Then, when she is in heaven, she will realize how much I loved her, and know that she was mine and I was hers.

There is a knock on my door. I open it to Rebecca's tall figure looming in the doorway. "Hi, Alex," She said softly, giving me a quick hug. "I know you are really sad, and miss Holly, but you need to keep your strength up. I brought your favorite, Japanese." She raised the takeout bag and stepped in the door. "Go sit down, I will get some food for us."

As I sat down on the couch and listened to Rebecca bustling in the kitchen, tears trickled down my cheeks. This is exactly what Holly and used to do every Friday. We would order Japanese takeout and watch movies together. She would even take to food into the kitchen and pretend she was actually preparing the meal. She was funny like that.

My thoughts were interrupted when Rebecca sat down and handed me a plate. "There you go, Alex. Teriyaki steak and soba noodles with white sauce, just the way you like it." I mumble some form of thank you and pick at my food. I am really not sure it can get much worse.