The KILLER (1)

THOMAS

My face was buried between my palms, as I sat cluelessly, not knowing what to do. I know it was Eliza. Who else could have done it?

Why won't she just admit it, at least to me? Maybe it's better that she won't admit it. Maybe this way she won't get caught. She can stay calm even when she is deeply disturbed. She would know how to respond to their questions.

But if she convinces them it wasn't her, then who would they think it was?

I sighed. I switched on the phone to look if there were any new messages. None.

oh my god. I had completely forgotten what today was. 29th November. Our anniversary. The day Hillary and I said our vows. I failed to keep mine. She deserved way better. Better than me, better than death.

I still remember how she looked when she walked down the aisle. Excited and scared. Innocent. She looked beautiful. The most beautiful person I have ever seen. I felt horrible. How could I do this to her? I remembered the way she giggled when I said 'I do'. The way she laughed while we danced, holding on to me, and looking into my eyes while I looked into hers.

But there was this other memory I had, just as clear. Just as life-changing. The day I met Eliza. She was never afraid. She was what I needed. Not someone to hold, but someone who would hold me. The fear of playing hide and seek, the thrill. The way she grinned when she saw me coming to pick her up. The way she would ruffle my hair when we talked.

But none of that was worth hurting Hillary. Or so I keep telling myself. I wish I never met Eliza.

The ringing of the phone brought me back to the present.

It was Janice.

"Thomas? Are you there?! This is urgent. You- you bought cyanide?"

"What?!"

"Cyanide. You bought it. Your name is there. In the register. Oh, this is bad. Really bad."

"Janice, I didn't purchase any cyanide."

"Thomas, there is a register here. And it says you purchased cyanide tablets."

"What? I did not. Where are you?"

"The 23rd street near the public library."

"What? I didn't even go there for like a year. What is happening?"

Did someone purchase it under my name? Did Eliza...

But why? Why me?

"Thomas, I don't know what to say. Even the police suspect you had something to do with it."

"WHAT?! Even the police? So even you think it is me?"

"I- I don't know what to tell you. I- I don't even know you that well. I'm sorry. I don't know what to think."

"I- It wasn't me. Please believe me. "

"Who else could it be. There is not enough proof against Eliza. Wait. You're handwriting! Send a picture of something you wrote fast."

"Uh okay"

I clicked a picture of the notes from a file from work. I sent it immediately.

"I sent it"

"One sec. No. No way. It's almost the exact same. Except a little messier. Kind of like Hillary's. Thomas. It looks like you purchased it. "

"But I didn't. How do I convince you?"

"I need to go now. "

There was a beep. My eyes were welling up with hot tears. And they just came flowing out. I couldn't stop crying. It was getting harder to breathe. Everything was a mess. Nothing would ever be the same. Not that I deserved it. But everything changed. Hillary is dead. I couldn't even think straight anymore. I give up. I give up. I give up. I let the tears flow, my body shivering, with fear and with pain.

I just didn't know what to do. There was nothing I could do.