Chapter 7: Witness to a Murder

My teeth eagerly sunk into the sweet flesh of an apple-- the last apple that I had in my knapsack. I had had to restrain myself from tasting its cool sweetness for the last three hours in the cool relief of moonlight-- I had wanted to stop myself, but near starvation and my own instincts had forced me to eat it at last. I had not had anything to eat all day, and it had looked so delicious, glowing in the moonlight, and more importantly, it had tasted delicious. It tasted like a dream, but I still felt guilty for having eaten it, and not exerting some more self-control. I frowned; there had been millions of apples just lying on the ground in the oasis; perhaps I should have taken more. But the apple was delicious, and the evening was strange and beautiful. I knew deep down in my heart that the harsh rays of the sun would kill me off tomorrow, but by the glow of the four moons, I realized that I couldn't care less. Completely alone and frightened, I would die in the desert-- well, not completely alone, for there were four moons. I had noticed them the previous evening… One was similar to our moon on the earth, two were fiery red, while the fourth was by far the most beautiful; it was jade green, and it glowed with such a beautiful light, bathing the evening in calm and nothingness. I had to admit that it was a nice way to spend my final evening alive-- or whatever I was.

I swallowed the last chunk of the apple, and after having nibbled upon the pibs for a while, I discarded the core by throwing it behind my shoulder. I closed my eyes, and drifted off into sleep.

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Without any warning, I find myself back in Carla's living-room; the night of Carla's murder, "Carla?" I call, but she is fast asleep on the floor beside the other Beatrice. She looks so peaceful-- not to sound cliché, or anything, but that's the only word to describe her… Little does she know that she has less than twenty minutes of life.

A cough somewhere… I turn to see the window slide open; as if by magic, I did lock the damn thing, I think, frightened, as a pale hand pushes the window all the way up. I don't even need to question whether or not it's Travis. His face appears a few seconds later, and he is smiling a frightening smile of self-gain and loathing. He pulls himself up, and steps into the living-room; not bothering to shut the window again.

"Carla," he whispers, a few moments later, now next to her.

Her eyes snap open instantaneously, "Travis," she smiles, "I didn't think you'd be back tonight."

"I guess I just couldn't stay away too long," he replies, shrugging his shoulders.

I scoff at his overly annoying explanation, and tiptoe closer to hear more, "How was your night?"

Carla shrugs her shoulders, "It was fine… She seems a bit-- I dunno. I think she's hiding something from me."

Travis rolls his eyes, "Girls."

She laughs, "Wanna head upstairs?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrow in a meaningful way that makes me cringe.

She nods, and I begin to warn her against it, before remembering that I can't, "Just don't wake Beatrice."

"I won't," he replies, helping her up, and seeing her retreating back, he crouches low, and surreptitiously mutters a few words in a foreign tongue over my slumbering form.

My eyes grow wide as I realize that I had been bewitched that night. I stare at Travis's back as he turns, and follows Carla. I don't want to follow them… I don't fell like witnessing one of their conjugal visits, but I however proceed up the stairs.

I follow them into the bedroom, and Travis closes the door, as Carla flops down upon the bed, "I'm glad you came back," she whispers, "So am I," he replies, joining her. My heart slows; how much longer does she have…? A minute? Five? He falls on top of her, and begins to kiss her. I feel queasy, but continue to watch, as they roll over, and Travis continues to kiss her, as he pulls out a sharp and gleaming dagger. "No!" I scream, as he plunges the blade of the knife into her back. Her eyes widen in surprise, as blood gushes out of the open wound, and he pulls the knife out.

"Y-you," she sputters, standing, and rushing towards the door, "BEATRICE!" she screams, "HELP ME!"

He lunges forward, and pulls her backward by her own hair. She continues to shriek in surprise and fright, as he throws her on top of the bed again like he would a rag doll, "She can't hear you," he hisses.

"Wh-why?" she continues, struggling for breath, as she dies.

He raises the knife, and stabs her again; this time in the chest. Once, twice, three times. I watch in stunned silence as he continues to stab her-- even after the life has left her eyes for good, and her screams have ended.

There's blood everywhere. On the bed, on his clothes-- some has even managed to stain the walls that piercing ugly color. Travis stands, and wipes the knife carelessly on his pants, before leaving the bedroom. I remain, and a few seconds later, I hear the familiar Drip, Drip, Drip, as blood falls from his clothes, and the tub begins to fill with water…

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My eyes snapped open, and I found the strong scent of blood still deep within my nostrils. I was a witness to a murder, and there wasn't anything I could do. Tears stung my eyes, and I wanted to scream at Travis's face still etched into my memory. I got up for the day, still shaken; it wasn't very hot. Gray clouds were blocking out the sun, and it made me wonder if a storm was approaching.

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I walked on…

The rumbling of thunder reinforced my beliefs of a coming storm. However, I was weak, and nearly passing out from lack of food and water. After having carried on in such a manner for going on two hours, I at last saw that there was a small structure in the distance, and as I came nearer, I realized what it was; a cave.

I ran towards it, hoping that it wasn't a mirage, and then ventured inside. I found it to be dark and cool, and I could hear the sound of running water; I smiled, realizing that a second death was not as likely as I had previously believed.

I walked towards the sound of the water, and when I at last found it, drank for a good ten minutes before lying down on my back, and taking a nap in the cool shade…