Issue #144 : Misled
The stream bubbled underneath him as he let the current wash him away. He could still smell the smoke from behind him, although the actual flames had vanished around the bend in the river. Birds circled overhead, chirping in their oblivious flight. Hands trembling, Jerome held the gun out over the edge of the boat and let it slip out of his hands into the tranquil water.
It was all over.
He let himself lie back into the boat, closing his eyes as he listened to the wind, the birds and the river around him. They were all sounds that he had heard many times, but this was the first time that it felt real to him. That the extension into now borrowed time made everything all the sweeter. The psychopath who had lived at that house overlooking the river had taken Jerome, seen him as another victim and had things gone differently, he had no doubt that he would have ended up in this river, but at the bottom, instead of in this boat.
Jerome had gotten the better of him, gotten the gun away and in the struggle, he was the one who had ended up on top. He was the one who was alive. Everything and anything from this point on was a gift, and he made a silent promise to continually be grateful for what time he did get. It was a small token, a meaningless gesture, but it was the best he could do. He smiled as he felt the breeze kissing his face.
This was his time now.
He wasn’t sure where he was. This had all started at the club, the night before, and the last thing he remembered was someone pressing up behind him, and the feeling of the needle. From the looks of the shoreline, he guessed that he was in the state park, which would make this the Stone River. That placed him at least thirty miles from town. It was hard to believe that his kidnapper could have gotten him this far, without him being at least somewhat aware of the trip.
All that really mattered was that he had made it out of that house, that he had managed to escape, relatively unhurt. He briefly wondered about contacting the authorities, but the fire he had started at the house would likely accomplish that. Looking up at the sky above, he wondered at the luck, that he had been able to escape and all he could do was hope that of all the people who had been brought to that house over the years, that there had been others who had survived as well.
Jerome looked down at his hands and at the bruises that were already starting to form on his knuckles. There was blood on his pants, either from the fight or blow-back from the gunshots. It didn’t matter. He would get rid of the pants just like he did with the gun.
It was time to move on.
He looked ahead and saw a thin pier, extending out from the west bank. He stretched out and was just able to grab it, pulling the boat up snug and stepped out. It felt good to have something solid under his feet again as he stepped out onto the pristine grass. Just the smell of the wildlife exhilarated him and made him feel the full extent of his freedom.
Vaguely, he wondered if anyone was home in this equally stylish home that he now approached, but if there was anyone, he saw no indication. There was no cry to repel the trespasser, no curtains snapping shut at the sight of the bloodied stranger running across the back yard.
As he rounded to the front of the house, he felt the elation in his heart at the sight of the police cars pulling up the driveway, racing towards him as the sirens raged loudly. He held up a hand and smiled, feeling sudden doubt in the pit of his stomach as he assessed how fast they were driving, the recklessness of their course towards and at the last minute, he flinched, sure that he was about to be run down by his would-be saviors.
There was yelling and commotion as the cops got out of their cars, gesturing at him from opened doors, yelling, but he couldn’t understand the words. It was just a dull buzz to him as he looked down at the wall of service revolvers and shotguns, not drawn in any effort to save him or protect him.
They were all pointed at him.
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Ronowned local physician, Deter Forsam was found murdered in his home early yesterday morning. After discovering a fire at the residence, the doctor’s cleaning service was able to contact authorities quickly enough to save much of the house. In the course of putting out the fire, the body of Dr. Forsam was discovered.
Police have already apprehended a person of interest, attempting to flee by way of the river, which the victim’s house overlooked. Details are being withheld at this hour but Police have stated that the suspect was found with the victim’s blood stained into his clothing and that he had powder burns on his hands. Additionally, fingerprints throughout the victim’s house have matched up to him as well.
There has been no speculation as to a possible motive for the killing.
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