I stumbled backwards finding myself unable to catch my breath. The more I inched away from the body the more I yearned to be in the comfort of my bed sheets away from the darkness of whatever I had just witnessed. The stench of the strewn out guts still existed in my nasal cavity and I craved for it to disappear and for the mental image that was now burned in my head to vanish. I snuck back into the confines of my home, sneaking up the creaky steps that made it extremely difficult for my slyness to exist at this point, and locked myself within my room. At this moment in time I didn't know how a teenage girl was supposed to react to the scene that was just thrown in her face. Was she supposed to scream? Perhaps, yell for help? I could do neither so I simply did the one thing I knew I was good at: cried. I sobbed for what seemed like hours. I couldn't get the body out of mind long enough to fall into a slumber so sleep seemed practically impossible at this point. I wondered if anyone else had seen him; seen his insides oozing out of him like lava. See his face completely deformed it was impossible to id him. Who was he? Who did this to him? And probably the most important question: why? Who could be so fucked up in the head as to decapitate another human being and leave him there to die? I was beyond scared for my life at this point. The murder was just down the street. What if the killer was lurking among the neighborhood searching for his next victim? I wondered if I should wake my dad to alert him of what was going on just a few homes down. Surely it would be on the news by morning. He would see it as he got ready for work the next day; it was best not to bother him with this horrific news. So I sat and sat until I saw the sun coming up threw the space between my shades. I picked myself up, going through the same morning routine as the previous day; brushing my hair, tying it up, getting dressed, and so on and so forth. I made my way down the steps discovering my father; eyes glued to the TV.
"It is unknown what the cause of death was but the death has been ruled a homicide. The identity of the man is still unknown to the authorities however the autopsy provided a tooth sample and the identity shall be revealed through dental records. The identity of the murderer is also unknown and we advise those who live close to the crime scene, as well in all areas of the town, to be extremely careful when alone and to always be aware of their surroundings. With the latest on this grisly murder, I'm Catherine Hepburn with Channel 5 News, back to Lou in the studio." the news reporter signed off.
Dad clicked off the TV and simply shook his head.
"Crazy world we live in, huh kiddo?"
"Yeah, it's insane." I said, grabbing a piece of toast.
"Do you want a ride to school? You know, to be safe."
"Dad, I'm gonna walk with Chip and this new kid Adam who I met yesterday. We will be careful, promise."
"Uh, alright. Please be safe sweetheart. This lunatic is still running rampant. I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't Dad, trust me. I'm always careful." I promised.
I kissed him on the cheek before making my way outside. To my surprise Adam was already at my place waiting for me on the bottom step.
"Hey Adam! How long have you been here?"
"Not long. Only a minute or so." he answered hastily. "Can we get going now?" he questioned.
He almost sounded fearful. Like he was scared of something.
"Yeah, sure we can. Did you hear about that murder last night? Pretty gruesome huh?"
"Yeah, sucks… for that guy… being killed and stuff."
"Yes, it's really unfortunate. I wonder who it was. Perhaps someone from the neighborhood."
"Uh huh. Maybe." Adam quietly added.
It was silent from then til we reached Chip's.
"OMG, did ya'll hear about the murder? Fucking crazy right? Like what the hell is that about that? Who would do something like that?" Chip practically screamed at us.
"Yeah, we heard. Can we just get to school now?" Adam spoke up seemingly annoyed at all the chit chat.
"What's up your butt dude?" Chip sassily back talked him.
"Nothing, just really don't wanna be out here, you know? Cause of the murder and stuff."
"Yeah, come on Chip, we should really get going."
We continued the trek to school in utter silence; no one saying another word about the murder.