The Lockhart mystery

Chapter Six: Unmerciful Beauty Fights Too.

Maybe I was supposed to get help right away or at least grab my sanity and run before the traumatic feelings could really set in and claim me a victim, but I had no idea why the indifference I felt towards the girl could be so strong and hold me in place. It was strange to see death lie on the ground before me, what was even stranger was me stepping closer to it.

The hair, the ashy blond kind, was like a bloody river on the floor, and as I bent down on my knees I saw that her eyes had not been closed, though her face was downwards, hugging the floor. Her posture was of someone sleeping, almost a fetus position, but not quite. Her legs raised and bent, her arms forming a W with her head in that angle, and her simple dark clothes made it hard to tell if the wound had come from somewhere else than her head.

After I had seen enough I closed the door and went out. I had to find someone and I was surprised to see Cane where I had left him. This time, though, Maya was talking to him. They had not seen me coming and was surprised when I suddenly tugged at their arms. Maya laughed, swatting my hand off her shirt, but I held on, dragging her with force. Cane did not need so much as a word of conviction, because he simply let me drag him and I felt as if I could take him to China and he would not have complained.

Maya let go of the struggling and went with me.

I took them there and closed the door as we went in. I guess either it was too dark for them to see because it took a few moments before they actually saw her.

Before Maya could scream, I grabbed her hand, holding it, tightening my grip on her petite fingers so she had to focus on her physical pain than the other kind.

“That's Hailey Williams.” I told her.

Maya's big dark eyes widened even more, her jaw slack and lips trembling. Slight remembrance was lit as a fire inside those dark wet orbs. I nodded and glanced at Cane. His face, stern and strong, made no indication that he was as scared and shocked as Maya.

“I felt like I was forgetting someone earlier today so that's why I asked you how many we were at the table yesterday.” I continued and Maya's other hand grabbed her chin, covering her shaking mouth.

“I guess we forgot Hailey.” I finished.

I knew it was Hailey from the moment I bent down to look at the body more up close, but honestly, I was not shocked that she was dead, but of the fact that-

“How could we have forgotten?” Maya whispered.

The fact we even forgot was enough to shock the wits out of me.

“She was one of my closest friends. She was there for me when I moved, she even came to the shop every day to check how I was doing. She was like a sister to me. Oh God,” Maya put her head on my shoulder. “Oh God.” she cried.

I patted her and looked at Cane. His face was grim, his brows furrowing together in deep thoughts, his eyes wandering over the poor deceased on the floor.

Maya's crying and whimpering had attracted attention, we heard voices of confusion outside, and Cane hurried to lock the door so no one could get in, but Maria was suddenly opening the door and let herself in and then she locked the door. She swept the room a glance, then her eyes reverted to me, and finally, Maya.

“Hailey Williams.” I told her and Maria nodded. She then surprised me by crouching down on the floor and inspecting the body as I had done. She did not seem the slightest bit revolted by the smell of blood and death and that gained her a plus in my book.

“She's been dead for under twenty four hours.” Maria said. It was the first time I had heard her speak and her voice suddenly seemed to match that fiery hair of hers.