The Cursed Carol ( Season - 1 & 2 )

Season 1 Episode 3 : The Criminal Escort

There are multiple versions of reality. Each having its own perspective. But not all these versions are true. 

Whatever had happened was extremely overwhelming. I was not able to get the events out of my head. Our town had changed completely.

I wasn't able to sleep that night. Nor was I able to think about anything. Just that one moment was circulating in my head. The moment when I left Ben's house without looking for him. But blaming myself wouldn't bring Ben back. 

The sun came out. It was the third of December. I was sitting at the breakfast table while mom was preparing sandwiches. I took the newspaper from dad to read any further news about Ben.

The body had gone for autopsy. The results were about to come that day.

Suddenly, the bell rang. It was the Chief. He was there to call me for my interrogation.

All my friends and Ben's mother were waiting there, already. We were asked to stay in the waiting hall.

Ben's mom was crying. Rest of us were in extremely bad conditions. Except for Kate. She was acting a little weird. She was quite afraid. I didn't know why. Maybe because she had been the last one to see Ben.

Then, he came.

"I will call all of you, one by one, " he said. He was a long, bald man. He was well dressed, and had a strong build and a hoarse voice. He was the investigating officer for Ben's murder. He went inside a small cubicle. After he left, a thorough silence followed. Then an aged woman came out and called out the first name.

"Mrs Mathews," she called. Ben's mom went inside the little room. We silently looked at each other outside. No one spoke a word.

Ben's mother returned after some time. She rushed out wailing loudly and ran past the hall. Seeing her, Kate also began crying. I went to her and put my arms around her shoulders to make her feel better.

The woman kept on coming and calling us one by one. Slowly, everybody got their turn. Only I was left along with Kate. Then, the lady called out for Kate as well.

I was left alone in the hall, wondering what was happening inside.

Suddenly, Kate returned and rushed outside the hall in a conceited manner.

So, eventually, my turn had come. I entered the room. It was painted a light green. The light was dim and the fan was whirring in a high speed.

I sat on the chair kept there. I saw the man's name on his badge. It was Tom Jones. He was staring at me with his wide open eyes.

As he wrote something in his diary' he spoke, "Who was Ben Mathews?"

I responded, " A friend. A family."

He continued, "You both had had a fight 3 days ago in school. What was it about? "

I answered, " Yes, we had a stupid fight. I called him a jerk and he pushed me towards the wall."

"So that is why you killed him? " He said in an accusing tone. I was shocked. I replied in a loud voice, "What the hell are you saying? Why would I kill him ? Because of that stupid fight? Are you serious? Because I really don't see any motive. You gone mad ?"

 "Mind your language, kid," he stopped my rant. He continued speaking, "So if it is not you, who do you think killed Ben Mathews ? ".

"How would I know? Isn't that your job? "

" Answer what is asked only. But for now, that's all. You can leave."

"Why did you ask me such stupid questions instead of asking what really happened that day?" 

"I asked you to leave, Dustin."

I stepped out of the room and banged the door loudly behind me. As I was walking out of the hall, a man was going to Tom. He had the autopsy report of Ben. 

I went home and hugged mom. I went to the terrace and sat there for a long time, ruminating.

 "Dustin, come downstairs. It's Freddy on the phone for you," mom shouted.

 I went downstairs and picked up the phone, " Yes, Freddy? "

Freddy said, "Dustin, come to the police station as fast as you can. There is something you should see. "

I rushed to the police station. 

When I reached there, everybody was standing, looking outraged. Freddy came to me. He said, " Ben killed himself. Dustin, it was a suicide."

"That's not possible at all! Who said that? " I exclaimed.

 They took me inside and showed me a photo. It was from Ben's house. He had cut his hand with a blade! He was holding the blade in one hand and was pointing it at his other hand. A couple in the neighborhood had been clicking a photo of their child at terrace. They had gotten a blurred view of Ben in that photo. When they heard the news of Ben's death. They came to the police and handed in the photo. The police cleared the pixels and this scene was in front of all of us. 

We all were broken from inside. I was not feeling well. I even felt that something was not right in this entire scenario. It somehow felt untrustworthy to me. I tried to sleep but I was not able to., again. And I got it in my head. Suddenly, that came to my mind. I ran out. I slammed the door and ran quickly to Ben's house. I knocked on the door. Mrs. Mathews opened the door. She said, "Dustin! It's pretty late outside. What happened?"

I replied, "Can I see Ben's autopsy report? Please, it's urgent! "

She let me in and gave me the report. I opened it and read. I was right. I was all the way right. I gave it back to her.

"Thank you Mrs. Mathews " I said. 

"But, what happened?" she asked. I didn't reply and ran.

Some questions needed to be answered. Some secrets were to be revealed. Things weren't what we were  looking at.  

Here, the investigation of the police ends.

 And the  investigation of the Fleet starts. 

 I sprinted to Freddy's house, immediately and called him out.

" What happened Dustin?" he asked. 

I answered, "I knew it Freddy. Ben is alive."

Not always can truth be seen. Not always what you see is true. 

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