Blackwater Creek

Into a Body Bag

Today, an eventful day in which the Sylvesters were called down to the sheriff's station to confirm the identity of the body found only yesterday. The body, found hanging on a tree just outside the Autumn park. It was hung there as if the body was of a man who killed himself, but no, he didn't kill himself, he was mutilated first, then he murdered.

Mr. Bates wrote on the blackboard then turned to Markus and said, "Sierra won't be coming in today as you know, you can choose another lab partner if you want."

'No thank you sir," Markus replied, "I'm comfortable working alone."

It was only in a few minutes that the sudden murder, the assumption that it is the body of Gabel Sylvester, became news and gossip that spread like wildfire across the town's ears. It was the only thing anyone could talk about. It's the only recorded murder in a small town like Blackwater in a long time.

Markus looked around, listening to the voices, the talk about the dead boy.

"What if it is Gabel Sylvester," Horace said, "who do you think did it. Everyone's a suspect, everyone has motive. Except Markus and Lilith, you two only came to school days ago."

"I dont think you should joke about it," Markus told Horace.

"Wow what's wrong," Horace said.

"Dear Horacio, don't rub salt in his wounds," Lilith left for her next class.

"My name's Horace!" he yelled at her as she walked away.

"Seriously what's wrong?" Rose asked.

"Sierra just lost a sibling, family," Markus replied, "it just reminds e of how I felt back then and I can't imagine what she must be going through."

"She held an upbeat party last night," Sam raised her brows.

"It's  coping mechanism, a distraction." Markus stuffed his books into his locker, "like mine is gambling and Lilith's is drinking, and doing reckless stunts."

"Wait," Rose looked into his sad eyes, "did you loose a sibling?"

"I'll talk about it with you guys at lunch," Markus left for his next class.

"Oh my gosh," Horace sympathised, "I took this one a little too far."

"He's a sensitive guy Horace," Rose watched him walk away, "he really needs someone to talk to."

The coroner's office was like a freezer, dark and cold. With tables, tools and a bodybag on top of one.

"Are you ready Mr and Mrs. Sylvester?" the Coroner asked.

They both silently nodded.

"Well then," the coroner unzipped the black body bag, unveiling the pale, and bruised head of Gabel Sylvester.

"Ohhh!" Mrs. Sylvester leaned onto her husband, "it's him."

"I'm sorry for you loss," The coroner zipped the body bag closed.

"When can we take him home?" she asked.

"As soon as the investigation concludes," the coroner replied.

"Make it quick and find out who did this," Mr. Sylvester accompanied his wife out.

In the hall lit with intoxicating light and tiled walls, Sierra sat and awaited her parents. As soon as they passed her she stood and asked, 

"Is it him?" 

They gave no reply, this meant yes. 

It's very fascinating how in this case a three letter word, would cause the breakdown of an entire empire. Gabel, was a loving son to his mother, an accepting brother to his sister, the golden boy of the town, the trophy grandson to his grandfather, but merely an heir, who would take on his legacy, to his father.