My mind felt like it is about to collapse, when a knock came at the door. Judy and I were talking in the living room about how we were planning to start up our business once again with a smile on both of our ignorant faces.

I got up, thinking Scott would be there, and we would continue to talk about our plans and see how we would pool our funds together. But no, who stood before me was that messenger I wished I couldn't have met.

He darkened my doorstep, and I was puzzled by why he was there. "Can I help you, officer?" questioned Nick. He looked at me and then stared at Judy before meeting my eyes again. His steely, tired gaze made me wonder if he was working too many shifts himself or if he had something hard to say.

I could feel a pit in my stomach grow. Judy got up with a little concern and came over to the door. She griped my hand and asked, "How can we help you and your friend, officer?" I look over a little and saw that there was, indeed, another man accompanying him. He was a stout man with a surprisingly muscular build. His greased back hair, high bridged nose, and beady eyes were distracting. The thin goatee and mustache weren't helping his image that was tied together with a white and black pin suit along with polished leather shoes. He seemed mismatched and out of placed with the straight-laced ironed officer to his left.

Since he was with the officer, I thought that it might be a disgruntled customer from the park who came by escort to complain in person, but no. The officer sighed and looked down while rubbing the back of his head, tilting his cap forward, casting a shadow across his brow and covering his eyes.

"I always hate these interactions," said the cop. He straightened his cap and looked at us with a stern glare. I tighten my grip in Judy's hand. Our hands were sweaty from the suspense.

"We have already informed the victim's family and now we are here to talk to potential witnesses of the victim; to get a better picture of what is going on," said the cop. He spoke like he was giving a report to a higher up. The officer stepped to the side and motioned to his companion, who gave a light bow in greeting. "This is Inspector Theo Dior, he has been given the lead in this case."

"May we come in," asked Inspector Dior. "We have a couple of questions that we like to ask along with any statement you may wish to offer. But, if it is inconvenient here we could do so back at the station."

"No, come in. We want to know what this is all about first," said Judy. She gently stood to the side, taking me with her. We watched the men step over the entrance like a couple of vampires welcomed foolishly into their prey's home. They looked around and stopped before sitting on the couch together and motioned for us to sit down.

"If your parents aren't home we will make this quick," stated the officer. He took out some devices from his coat pocket and placed it on the coffee table in front of him and pressed a button on them. "Time, is 14 hundred hours, meeting with friends of the victim."

My back went cold. A sense of an even deeper foreboding flooded my mind. I couldn't stand it. My stomach was filled with butterflies as the nausea was taking over. Judy had an uneasy look of determination and dragged me to a chair. She put me down and dragged another one next to mine.

The officer pressed a button on the devise and an images floated in the air. It was a bunch of reports and images of what can only be described as a crime seen. It was nothing out of the expected but when I saw the image of the deceased my blood chilled and I could feel the blood drain from my face.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

I instinctively looked down, gripping the arms of the chairs tighter. Muffled sobs from my side haunted my ear. Drops of water fell and stained Judy's green blouse.

What was in front of us among all the other images was that of my best friend Scott. His smiling face was on the case file along with another. Scott had a peaceful face. It might have been a picture of him sleeping if not for the bloodied holes over his body.

"The victim was found this morning at 8 hundred hours at the pond of Highland Park. We have found bruising from most likely be done from restraints," said the cop. A hand was put on his shoulder that signaled him to stop.

"I am sorry for the loss. From the looks on your faces its plain to see that the lad was someone close to you," said Inspector Dior, taking back his hand and pulling out a notebook and a pen. "May we ask how you know him for the record and when you saw him last?"

Judy wiped the tears from her eyes, putting on a brave face in front the two men. "We are his friends. We have been close for years," said Judy.

"Go on," said Inspector Dior

"We decided to start a company together ."

"Was there any arguments about the direction or management?"

"No, we have not had any those yet, but we did decide to work together to pool our funds."

"And were did you decide to work for the time being?"

"It was at Future World. You know that enclosed theme park that opened up this year."

"So you say. Was that place the last time he was seen alive by the both of you?"

"Yes. It was at the end of our shifts and just before Scott's was about to start. So, we had lunch together as always."

"Was there anything different in his behavior"

"No, nothing. We just discussed what was going on in the park, complained about our superiors and making plans about how we would run our company."

"Um, Judy there was something Scott said to me while you went to the  restroom," said Nick.

"Well do tell. You have my full attention," said Inspector Dior.

"He was telling me about how his mother injured her back and was recovering at home."

"Since when," exclaimed Judy.

"He told me that it was two days ago and that her company wouldn't cover it since it didn't happen during working hours and would take time out of her vacation days to cover her leave of absence."

"Those Jerks!"

"I am sorry to interrupt the two of you but could we get back to what you were speaking with Scott about," questioned Inspector Dior.

"Yes. Sorry. So, as I was saying since his mother was unable to work he told me that he would be not be able to add his share to our account for the next three months and that he was going to ask to work double shifts starting that night to make up the difference," said Nick.

"So, after your lunch together you went your separate ways, Yes?"

"Yes, Nick went home to look after his sisters since his parents don't get home to later in the evening and I was out babysitting before I went home in the evening," said Judy for the both of them.

"I see. Well if you or I have any further questions you can reach me at this number," said the detective. He took out a card handed it over to Judy and then one to me with a smile on his face. "Although this is difficult time and you two will need to mourn, I advise you to find moments to smile or your own future will be bleak."

"Sure," said Nick

"I always believe that those of our dearly depart wouldn't want that so smile. Well Officer Kaine, I believe we are done here," said Inspector Dior.

"Yes sir," said Officer Kaine while pressing a couple of buttons on his machines before the images faded like mirages and were put back into his inner jack pocket.

"We will be going now. Sorry for the disturbance and sorry for your loss," said Inspector Dior. They both go up and calmly walked out the door.

Even after the door was shut, Judy and I were in deep thought. We were able to hear their car start up and drive away.

Judy got up, held me in her arms. She held me close trying to comfort me for losing my best friend, but she was crying seconds latter and I was the one trying to comfort her instead.

I try to think back to how this all started. What might I have changed for things to have happened differently. Could there be any clue to who the killer is?