The Scarlet Shade of Secrets

The sound of silence.

It feels great, in this calm environment. It's a peaceful afternoon on a Saturday. No cases, nothing has gone wrong.

Not yet.

The phone rings. Ah! I hate that. It broke the silence. I snatch the phone.

"Um, Itona?" The familiar voice asks.

"What are you doing, Inspector Jones? A case again?" I am impatient. It has been happening for a long time.

"Sorry, Itona" Inspector Jones says, "But this is a hard case."

"I can tell."

"Well, the victim, Barson March, was murdered by someone. We suspect it's the same culprit as last time." Inspector's tone becomes serious, "We need you to come to the scene of murder quickly, or the investigation will have no success."

"At all?"

"At all."

I sigh. Why have I become a detective again? Oh, nevermind. I quickly dismiss the thought. "Fine." I say, "Where is the murder taken place?"

"Savery Park."

"Fine, I'm coming."

I slowly dress up, wearing a sweater, a jacket, a scarf and leather boots. It's cold, the weather a bit gloomy, a slip of sunlight through the clouds. I stuff a little handbook and a pen and opens the door. The cold wind rushes in. I shiver. Now, you might be thinking, 'It's an afternoon on Saturday! There is sunshine, it should be warm!' Well, you are wrong. The Sun is a weakling here in winter, shining light but doesn't give you heat.

I walk towards the park. Believe it or not, I live next door. A 5-minute walk, crossing 4-6 blocks, and I am there in front of the green scenery. It's beautiful, and you're telling me that this is the murder scene. That's excellent.

It is quite clear where the scene took place. I wouldn't come to the park at this hour, it's freezing. That's probably why there are no witnesses to this murder. The inspector motions me to come. I reluctantly obeyed.

The two victims share the same injury. There are previous deaths found like that, a hit on the head. Judging by that, it must be a serial killing case. I look at the obese dead figure. "Inspector, did you check the contact list on the phone?" "There is an unknown number."

I look at that number. My hands start shaking. That number's familiar.

Samrah's number.

It all makes sense now. Everything clicks together. The case 3 years ago was said to have 3 people, described as "A tall figure, an obese and a slender figure", working together to smuggle drugs and ended up murdering Samrah's father. Rumours said that Samrah's father works with them as well, but got killed because he betrayed the group. There are other rumours claimed that one of them is the leader and the mastermind.

I need to find her, to ask her to stop and confess to the police.

I think through the order of crimes. Starting from Mr Ariva, listed first, A-B, Barson here, 2 people. Next is C for Casha Moriat. I make up an excuse and go home.

The crime takes place at 8 pm usually. 7:45, I start walking towards Katie's house. There I saw her. Samrah.

"Hey, Samrah," I say, approaching her, "Stop."

"Stop what?"

"Stop the murdering now. I am serious." My tone turns dark.

"What are you talking about?" She is confused.

"You're my friend, and when a friend goes on the wrong path, I'll drag them back. You figured out who killed your father and decided to get revenge."

"I don't get it. What are you talking about? I'd actually like to know, though, the people who killed my father and why they did it."

The cold made me shiver. The sky's dark. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

"No. I'm not going back to the police, and I'm not the culprit." She denies, "Still, what do you mean? I know the fact that Casha called me here saying that I can meet you in front of her house." Wait, Casha did what? Then I see Samrah, a face of horror.

"Go away, now! It's dangerous here!"

A chill down my spine.

In a flash, she turns around in a "we've been spooked" look, then pins me on the wall. She is one of the friends who put mass excitement into action. Taken by surprise, I was pushed against the wall. Everything went so fast. I heard a dull "thong", and Samrah collapses, unconscious.

What...Happened? Was that self-defence? Itona Sherl, think! Recap!

I don't know.

That was the first time I realised that I don't have an answer to a question. There's probably more coming towards me later.

There, in the shadows, stand a figure with a wicked smile.

Casha Moriat, the last survivor of the group, the mastermind behind the case.

"Hello, detective."

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Did you guys notice the names are connected to Sherlock Holmes's main protagonist and antagonist?

This is just a short story for an assessment in English Class.

Till next time!