66 -- Headline from a Local Newspaper --

Another House Fire This Month! Three Burned Bodies Found!

By Mark Leaden

6AM April 22, 2016

A fire broke out in an exclusive compound in the small town of XXX. Fortunately, the local neighborhood managed to notice it early before it could reach the other houses. From current reports, only one house was destroyed, leaving the neighboring house with only scorched walls and burnt plants.

The local police confirmed that the fire destroyed the house of a Mrs. Linda Konner. She was not at home that night since she was currently living at another town due to a work transfer. However, her niece and nephew were living in the house.

Fortunately, the nephew just returned this morning from a sports training camp, only to be welcomed with this bad news. He wouldn't entertain us for an interview. Meanwhile, the niece was believed to be alone inside the house, but there were three burned bodies found there.

The niece's body was believed to be the one in one of the bed rooms. There was a body found in the basement but it has suffered from the worst burns, making it unrecognizable if it was male or female.

Near the house entrance, there was another body, male between the ages of 20 to 30 years. It was lying on its stomach, which made the investigators believe that he was trying to escape but was still killed in the fire.

Further investigation led us to an interview with one of the niece's colleagues. It was said that the niece was together with a young man when it left work last Wednesday, April 20. However, no one had seen them together again last night, April 21.

On another news, the son of conglomarate owner, George Mason of Mason Enterprises was reported to be missing since Wednesday night. Further, according to interviews, Richard Mason and Sean Fenris went to the same university and had been in a relationship before the man went to work abroad. Descriptions of the man with Sean Fenris on Wednesday night matches that of Richard Mason's.

We're still waiting for results from the investigators on the identity of the three bodies as well as the cause of the fire. We were also waiting for the house owner and her nephew to entertain us with an interview.

___

To my dear sister (wherever you are),

As I've told you on the phone yesterday, the last phone call we'll ever have where you tried to reassure me again, even though I could hear the shaking in your voice, I left the camp to catch the first bus to return to our house.

I was not able to rest peacefully like you've adviced, and the noises in the bus woke me up when it encountered a traffic jam. Several commuters already chose to walk themselves but I had my duffel full of clothes and stuff with me so I couldn't join them.

However, I admit that was not the only reason I didn't get off. It's cowardly, but I wanted to prolong the time I would have to face my crime again. Again, I have depended on you too much.

When I finally had enough courage, I asked the driver what happened first and he said that it looked like a fire started in a nearby subdivision. I was not worried. Who would have thought that what I'll see was just rubble.

Even when I saw that there were people clustered near our house as I reached it after walking for some time, I never thought that the said fire was ours.

I heard the neighbors whispering incoherently while I stared at the house then. They let me move to the front to see, but I didn't hear what they were saying. The ringing in my ears was too loud.

After a drink of water from a neighbor (I don't know their names), I was able to calm down and hear the people's speculations. They said you were with two men last night. That the other man was some rich guy.

I knew you were together with that Rick Mason at some point. I just never thought you're still with him. When I thought about it some more, I remember you already told me you broke up. So, what happened now? Did the bastard leave you when he saw uncle in the basement? Was it my fault then? How could I get answers from you now?

I wanted to confess my crime. To clear my conscience at least. But then, you had me promise you that I should only do that if you're with me. That you wouldn't let me face the others' scrutinizing and judging eyes alone.

Now that you're dead, does that mean I couldn't confess anymore? I knew you never wanted me to confess anyway. I could've chosen not to join the training camp to have us talk to aunt, but you were thinking of my future again.

If this had been your plan all along, then, that's really cunning, really my sister. I remember that time you taught me how to get revenge on the bullies so that the nobody would know it was me. Really cunning, sis.

Well, then, I would wait until you're with me to confess my crime. I'll wait for you.

Your baby brother,

Eli