FIVE YEARS AGO
ANISE POV:
The first thing I noticed was the smell. It was a mixture of blood and something else that I couldn't quite place. I tried to hold my breath as I walked closer, but the stench was overwhelming. The body was lying on the ground, face down in a pool of blood. I could see a large wound on the back of the head, and there was blood splattered everywhere. The sight of the body made me feel sick to my stomach. Why? Why would anyone do this? Maybe if I was here a little earlier this wouldn't have happened.
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My name is Anise and this is my story.
It was a cold day in April, I had just returned from a solo trip. The wind swirled around me and the world went black as I walked in…right in front of me was my mum… The lifeless body of my mum. So ashy, I could tell that she had been dead for a few hours. I was thrown into a frenzy.
I could not scream, because my voice betrayed me and guttural tears rolled out instead. I could only recall falling and soaking my clothes with her blood, now thickened by the amount of time I had spent away. I shouldn't have made that trip, I blamed myself. I wish I was there. I fell helplessly on her cold body and hoped shaking her would bring her back to life. It did not.
My face was clammy with sweat and tears all mixed up. I could feel the heat in my voice. My lungs emptied into the thin air, as I watched her remain still despite the pain that was evident in my voice…..… I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The room felt suffocating as if all the air had been sucked out. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of the unimaginable. How could she be gone? Just moments ago, we were laughing and making plans for the future. We had something fixed for the weekend, and I was looking forward to it.
I reached out, my trembling hand hovering over her lifeless body. The coldness seeped into my bones, a stark reminder of the reality before me. The weight of guilt and regret pressed down my chest, making it hard to breathe. I blamed myself for everything, for leaving in the first place, for not protecting her.
Tears streamed down my face, mingling with the sweat on my brow. Every sob felt like a punch to the gut, a release of the pain that threatened to consume me. I wanted to scream, to let out all the anguish and pain that had built up inside. But my voice failed me.
At that moment, I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me. Anger, sadness, and a profound sense of loss. My mind was a whirlwind of memories, regrets, and unanswered questions. How could this have happened? Why her? Why now?
I could feel the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders, the ache in my chest growing with each passing second. The loss of my mum was a wound that would never heal, a constant reminder of the love and warmth that had been stolen from my life. It was as if a dark cloud had settled over our once vibrant home, casting a shadow on everything we held dear. I longed to hear her voice, to feel her comforting touch, to have her arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. But all I had were memories, fragments of a life that felt so distant now.
As I sat there, my body trembling and my heart shattered, I knew that life would never be the same again. The pain I felt deep down was a reflection of the void that now existed within me. A void that could never be filled.
It has been almost an hour since I called 911 and I was told they were on their way. I took some pictures at the crime scene. There were files scattered all over her desk table, went through them too but found nothing. The blood stains on the walls leading to the bathroom indicated that she might have been attacked there but struggled her way to the sitting room where she died. Her clothes were torn into pieces too. I do not want to conclude that she might have been raped but that's likely the case.
The injury at the back of her head showed she fought through pain till her last breath. There were evident stab wounds which shows she was stabbed multiple times. she struggled, cried, screamed and they still took her life. Was she in some kind of trouble with bad people? I would not want to think that. My mother was a cold loner. she barely made friends let alone enemies. Who would put her on their blacklist? What could she have possibly done to warrant such punishment? I was in so much thought.
The loud knock on the door brought me back to reality. Two men in medical wear walked in with a cadaver trolley and headed for the body, wrapped her in a body bag, and took her away. I silently watched them take my mother away… and I'm never gonna see her again.
I cried, maybe because I did not want to look suspicious or the thought of how she was killed. No one deserves to die like that, she was brutally murdered in cold blood, and that didn't sit right with me.
"Hello Anise, I'm Detective Jake " A voice uttered behind me. "I am so sorry for your loss". I looked back and there was a young-looking man probably in his early 30s. Jake was a young detective with a rugged charm. with his unruly hair and sharp wit that seems to have a mind of its own. His piercing blue eyes were like windows into his intellect, always observing and analyzing his surroundings. Jake had a strong jawline that added to his determined and confident demeanor. He had a lean and athletic build, a testament to his active and adventurous lifestyle. Whether he was chasing down suspects or leaping over obstacles, his agility and physical prowess were always on display. There were a few subtle scars on his hands, a reminder of the dangers he faced while on duty I guess. Despite his intense look, he had a warm smile that could instantly put people at ease.
As Detective Jake entered the crime scene, the atmosphere grew heavy with grief and tension. The room was filled with investigators meticulously collecting evidence, and the air was thick with unanswered questions. Jake's eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail, his sharp instincts already at work. When his gaze met mine, he could sense my pain and confusion.
Approaching me with a gentle yet determined demeanor, Jake offered his condolences and assured me that he would do everything in his power to find the person responsible for my mother's tragic death. His presence alone provided a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. With his expertise and unwavering dedication, Jake vowed to bring justice to my mom and closure to my shattered heart.
As the investigation unfolded, the police arrived at the crime scene, their footsteps echoing through the quiet house. They carefully examined the scattered files, searching for any clue that could shed light on what had happened. The blood stains on the wall told a grim tale of a struggle, leading them to believe that my mum fought valiantly for her life.