MANDELLA

Part 2

As I leave the station, I start running to Caden's neighbourhood. My mind begins to think about the last two nights. When he was in the café alleyway holding a bloodied knife, I know that he saw me. That night news report of a murdered 22-year-old woman sprang out. It was Emily the new library volunteer from upper northside of town. That night my head was swirling, Caden is my only friend in this town, he's the only one I trust. To even comprehend that he could do such harm, I couldn't put my mind to it. I shove my hand into my pocket and grab out the letter and re-read it.

This will be the last night you'll remember. - Him, P.S. X marks the spot.

It's less descriptive than the other ones and it worries me. I put the letter back into my pocket and pull out the picture. I stare at the family of four. There's a woman and man sitting on a caramel coloured couch in between them is two girls smiling. The man sports a box cut afro with a thick mustache, while the woman has roller set curled hair, her deep red lipstick compliments her dark brown eyes. The two girls have matching twisted pig tails with pink bobbles and they also both have matching white dresses with matching shoes and socks that have frills on the end of them. One girl is beaming with a smile but the other seems a bit shier and more reserved. On the back of the photo it reads 'Guess who?' Is Caden really one who toys with minds? Is he really a murderer? Was there even a sweet, quiet, Caden? I shove the picture back into my pocket and stare at the humble house in front of me. I decide to call Caden, until I hear static on the walkie talkie.

"Mandy?" I press the red button and talk back.

"Yea."

"Where are you? Over."

"Crescents View."

"What? Mandy I can't have you roaming around town, you need to come immediately to 140 Placeman's Drive." Houston orders. "We got a call ten minutes ago about a break in. Another woman has been murdered with the same identifying "x". They got in the front door and escaped through a back window. There's a forest behind the house so they couldn't have gotten far. Over."