I could not stop myself from shaking as the police pulled up in the parking lot. The red and blue lights flashed and left spots in my vision, and the sirens emitted a shrill, wailing sound into the too still air.
As passersby gathered around the scene, out came the yellow tape, which seemed to attract more curious eyes. Hours passed, and the road became completely congested with vehicles—squad cars, fire trucks and ambulances and a bulky pickup that read "CORONER" on the side. Few people were allowed inside. Of them, were the parents. I kept my head low as an officer lead them past me into the restaurant. Moments later, the hysteric sobs and screams of bereaved mothers erupted.
I could only imagine the sight that met them. Those tiny, pale bodies lying in constrastingly large pools of crimson and the pungent, metallic odor that wafted throughout the building. I hugged my arms to my sides, shuddering despite the humidity.
Somehow this felt as if were all my fault.
From the corner, I saw the police escorting him from the building to an awaiting squad car. Every inch of his uniform was covered in blood, and the smell hit my nose like a battering ram. He glanced in my direction, a wry smile plastered onto his and mirth dancing in those devious eyes of his.
I had not thought much of him. He had shown up one day asking for a job and looked so unassuming with his neat hair and eager eyes. And since were so short on staff, the manager hired him right away.
He came to work every morning on time, his face clean-shaven and his clothes immaculate. He had been a model employee whom everyone seemed to love, but he was not without quirks. I should have noticed how his eyes remained on the children a bit longer than necessary—how he stared with an interest that could not be called anything but perverted.
I felt anger flare up within me. I returned his gaze with a full-on glare. The officers threw him into the backseat, and I watched him, searching for some crack in his facade.
There wasn't a hint a remorse anywhere.
And before I knew it, the car had pulled off and disappeared around the corner with him in it.