Sleeping Slaughter

CHAP 5: " So can i go now?"

10:55a.m.
Lousiana State Penitentiary
Interrogation Room 2

"Mr. Archibald, you definitely have a sleeping disorder. However, given what you've told me and in my expertise, I don't think that your sleep walking would've resulted in violence. It rarely does."

Hearing the doctor say this, was like music to my ears. Finally, some good news.
"So can I go now?" I questioned?
The detective interrupted, his eyebrow now raised, " although the doctor's statement does help your case, the blood found on your hands was that of Dan Samuels. Now it's possible that you could be making this entire sleepwalking thing up, but if you were I don't think you would've ran out of the hotel with blood stained hands, atleast I don't think so. However, I am going to hold you for 24 hours again, incase new evidence is found. If not, you'll be free to walk but don't leave town"

***
24 hours later

"You're free to walk, Mr. Archibald. Like I said, don't leave town"

Freedom

The detective handed me my discharge papers, of which the only only and he said that registered was "Dont drink or consume drugs"
I walked through the security door then another, through the gate to the street to a waiting cab.
I was only in custody for two days but it felt like a lifetime. All I noticed was the deafening silence, even quieter than the interrogation room. I immediately felt paranoid, consumed with every worry that my every move was being watched.
I was starving. On my way home, I saw a small hot dog vendor on the corner of a street. Instructing the cab driver to stop, I got out, paid the driver and made my way to have my first proper meal in two days. As I ate my hotdogs, I couldnt help but feel like everyone passing me knew I had just got released from police custody. I felt dirty, scorned and unwelcomed. My two days away from civilization truly racked me to my core. I wasnt sure how to interact with people. Would they accept me back or would they see me as the cops did, a potential murderer?  My first day back out was anything but enjoyable.

I got on a N23 bus and made my way to my neighborhood, the bus stopping directly infront my street. To my surprise, my car was in my driveway. I had completely forgotten about it. Last I remembered, was parking it at the motel and running to save Tori.

Shit TORI

I quickly jumped into my car, the keys already in the ignition and I sped off towards Tori's house. Her car was in her driveway

Thank God
 
I knocked on her front door and it was like a breathe of fresh air to see her, alive. I grabbed her instantly and pulled her into a hug. It was just instinct. She didn't hug me back.

She shortly pulled away and looked at me. Her eyes. Those eyes, that were usually so full of light and life were now drawn, weak and dim. She looked like she had been crying for the past two days. Her skin no longer has its glow, instead she was pale and ice cold, with no emotion present on her face. 

"Tori..." I whispered cautiously. I took my right hand and cupped her cheek but as I did, she pulled away almost as if my very touch had burned her.

"I...." I couldn't make the words fall. She finally spoke. "Reed, please leave."
Hearing her speak these words was like a shot to my chest. What was happening? Did she really think I did this? "Tor..I didn't do it. You know I didn't. I-" 
She interrupted me.
" HIS BLOOD WAS ON YOUR HANDS!" She screamed, her salty tears now running down her red cheeks. Lost for words I was. What could I say? No that's not true? The reality of it was that it was true. I couldn't escape it. It was foolish of me to think that I could just come back and everything would be like how it was before. Dan was dead. I was the suspect. Of course Tori would want nothing to do with me.

I sighed in defeat. "I'm sorry..." was all I could muster to say to her. This woman that I loved with all my heart was now broken, a hollow shell, a remnant of the person she once was. The light was now out and I was potentially the cause of it.